Ragwort seedheads

I did an extra shift at Citizens Advice as they were short this morning.  The afternoon was warm and sunny so well worth a walk.  I spotted this ragwort at a field edge. Toxic alkaloids are present in all parts of the plant and it regularly causes loss of livestock through liver damage. It is specified in the Weeds Act, 1959 and the Ragwort Control Act 2003. Cattle and horses usually avoid ragwort when there is adequate grazing but newly turned out stock may eat it if hungry. Sheep are partial to it in the young state and appear to be more resistant to the poison than cattle but they are not immune. As it is mostly arable around here, it is not a problem.