Twenty heads of cattle died after grazing in a jowar field in Maharashtra's Nashik district, a local official said Saturday.

Samples of the grass have been taken and sent for testing, the official said, adding that preliminary probe points to poisoning as the cause of death.

"Farmer Haribhau Gawali's jowar field in Komalwadi area of drought-prone Sinnar taluka was overrun by grass due to unseasonal rains. On May 3, he let the cattle, comprising cows and buffaloes, to graze there. They were later found dead," Dr Milind Bhange, Veterinary Medical Officer, said.

"We have sent grass samples obtained from the field for testing. It appears to be a case of poisoning but a probe is underway to find the exact cause of death," Dr Bhange added.

The police have also registered a case and are conducting a parallel probe, an official said.

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