The State - News from April 22, 1985

An estimated 2,000 cattle have been fatally poisoned by eating oak leaves and buds, and Gov. George Deukmejian has been asked to declare a disaster in the three Northern California counties affected by the deaths. “I’ve never seen this kind of an epidemic before,� state veterinarian George B. West said. He explained that poisoning of cattle by tannic acid from oak trees is not unknown, but had not been seen on this scale before in California. The cattle deaths have occurred in the counties of Glenn, Tehema and Shasta in the Central Valley north of Sacramento. A March 26 snowstorm there covered grass and broke the limbs of oak trees, putting them within reach of cows. Value of the animals lost so far is estimated at around $1 million. A disaster declaration would enable ranchers to apply for low-interest federal loans or for grants to cover part of their losses.