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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Poisonous Plant Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #192302
Title: Risk factors for lupine-induced crooked calf disorder in east-central Washington State

Author
item GAY, CLIVE - WSU
item Panter, Kip
item MOTTERAM, ERNIE - WSU
item GAY, JOHN - WSU
item HANTZ, H - WSU
item Wierenga, Terrie
item PLATT, T - WSU

Submitted to: Poisonous Plant Global Research and Solutions
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/31/2006
Publication Date: 6/20/2007
Citation: Gay, C.C., Panter, K.E., Motteram, E.S., Gay, J.M., Hantz, H., Wierenga, T.L., Platt, T. 2007. Risk factors for lupine-induced crooked calf disorder in east-central Washington State. Poisonous Plant Global Research and Solutions. 27:156-64.

Interpretive Summary: Lupine-induce arthrogryposis (crooked calf disorder) is a significant problem for ranchers on the Cow Creek drainage of the channeled scablands of east-central Washington State. This represents an area of approximately 800 square miles. In most years, ranches experience a low percentage (1-5%) of minor deformity in calves and accept that as a risk of ranching this country. However, periodically there are years of high incidence and severity of disease affecting one or more ranches and there having been 9 such years since 1980. In 2001 28.4% of 2210 calves born on 13 ranches in the channel scablands of Washington States were severely deformed.

Technical Abstract: A study was established in a year of high incidence and severity (28.4% of 2210 calves born on 13 ranches were severely deformed) to examine management and other risk factors for disease occurrence. Ten ranches with a crooked calf incidence varying from zero to 100% were selected for study and lupines were speciated and analyzed for alkaloid content. Transects were established to measure lupine density and track lupine fate. Differences in incidence of disease between ranches in this year could not be correlated with differences in lupine density, total lupine alkaloid concentration, anagyrine concentration or with stocking density or trace element status. The results of this study and of subsequent prospective monitoring studies in this high risk region and other regions of the State were reported.