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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Poisonous Plant Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413115
Research Project: Developing Mitigation Strategies for Poisonous Plants in Livestock Production Systems

Location: Poisonous Plant Research

Title: Cattle toxicity from woolly locoweed (Astragalus mollissimus): a case study in central New Mexico

Author
item SPACKMAN, CASEY - New Mexico State University
item Stonecipher, Clinton - Clint
item Cook, Daniel

Submitted to: Poisonous Plant Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/22/2024
Publication Date: 6/20/2024
Citation: Spackman, C., Stonecipher, C.A., Cook, D. 2024. Cattle toxicity from woolly locoweed (Astragalus mollissimus): a case study in central New Mexico. Poisonous Plant Research. 7:3-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26077/0112-c12c

Interpretive Summary: Livestock toxicity from poisonous plants poses a significant challenge for ranchers, particularly locoweeds (Astragalus spp. or Oxytropis spp.). This study investigated a case of cattle poisoning in central New Mexico, where clinical signs were consistent with locoweed toxicity. Rangeland conditions were hot and dry following earlier spring rains, promoting advantageous environmental conditions for a locoweed outbreak. Locoweed (A. mollissimus) and animal samples from the ranch were analyzed confirming the presence of swainsonine, a key toxin in locoweeds. It can be concluded that the likely cause of cattle losses was locoweed toxicity, highlighting the need for proactive management strategies when environmental conditions are conducive to increases in locoweed populations.

Technical Abstract: Livestock toxicity from poisonous plants poses a significant challenge for ranchers, particularly locoweeds (Astragalus spp. or Oxytropis spp.). This study investigated a case of cattle poisoning in central New Mexico, where clinical signs were consistent with locoweed toxicity. Rangeland conditions were hot and dry following earlier spring rains, promoting advantageous environmental conditions for a locoweed outbreak. Locoweed (A. mollissimus) and animal samples from the ranch were analyzed confirming the presence of swainsonine, a key toxin in locoweeds. It can be concluded that the likely cause of cattle losses was locoweed toxicity, highlighting the need for proactive management strategies when environmental conditions are conducive to increases in locoweed populations.