Dozens of horses die from contaminated feed, Oklahoma officials say. Company takes blame
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A company that sells livestock feed admits that it sold a contaminated batch responsible for the deaths of horses in Oklahoma.
On Aug. 23, a veterinarian notified the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry of a “potential issue” with a bulk order of feed, according to an Aug. 29 news release.
The feed was delivered to Beutler and Son Rodeo Co., the release said.
Shortly after eating, as many as 70 horses died, Rhett Beutler, co-owner of Beutler and Son Rodeo Co., told KFOR.
“We didn’t know what was going on, we just got the feed and started feeding it like always,” Beutler told the news outlet. “Then all of a sudden, looked up and there was horses just falling over, dying.”
ODAFF determined that the feed originated in Kansas.
“Things like this, you don’t ever think about them happening until they happen to you,” co-owner Bennie Beutler told KWCH.
On Aug. 31, Livestock Nutrition Center released a statement admitting fault for the horses deaths.
“We are truly sorry for what the Beutler family is going through,” president of the company Ronnie Castlebury said in the statement.
The company stated that preliminary tests showed that the load of feed delivered to the ranch was contaminated with monensin, an additive that can be toxic to horses.
“This likely occurred due to a combination of a failed cleanout procedure and a sensor malfunction,” Castlebury said.
The company said this was an isolated incident and only a single load of feed was contaminated. The release said the company is working to right the wrong.
“Words are cheap but we are dedicated to assist and support the Beutler family and make this right because our customers and employees expect and deserve it … The loss of so many valued animals is devastating,” Castlebury said.
This story was originally published September 4, 2024 at 12:33 PM with the headline "Dozens of horses die from contaminated feed, Oklahoma officials say. Company takes blame."
