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Submitted to: Electronic Publication
Publication Type: Government Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 3/17/2015 Publication Date: 6/30/2015 Citation: Green, B.T., Mcdaneld, T.G. 2015. Larkspur poisoning of cattle: Current knowledge and research. Electronic Publication. Montana GLCI Newsletter. 5-6. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=nrcseprd340948&ext=pdf Interpretive Summary: Larkspurs (Delphinium species) are native poisonous plants that negatively impact the earning potential of beef producers on many western rangelands. If ranchers are unfortunate enough to have large stands of toxic larkspur in their pastures, yearly herd mortality can be as high as 10%. This results in annual economic losses of millions of dollars in animal deaths, increased management and treatment costs, and if animals are deferred from grazing, the underutilization of otherwise highly nutritious pastures and rangelands. This article reviews current knowledge about larkspur poisoning in cattle and current genomic research focused on identifying cattle that are resistant to larkspur. Technical Abstract: Larkspurs (Delphinium species) are native poisonous plants that negatively impact the earning potential of beef producers on many western rangelands. If ranchers are unfortunate enough to have large stands of toxic larkspur in their pastures, yearly herd mortality can be as high as 10%. This results in annual economic losses of millions of dollars in animal deaths, increased management and treatment costs, and if animals are deferred from grazing, the underutilization of otherwise highly nutritious pastures and rangelands. This article reviews current knowledge about larkspur poisoning in cattle and current genomic research focused on identifying cattle that are resistant to larkspur. |
