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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Poisonous Plant Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #421584
Research Project: Developing Mitigation Strategies for Poisonous Plants in Livestock Production Systems

Location: Poisonous Plant Research

Title: Halogeton and greasewood poisoning in cattle and sheep in Utah

Author
item KELLY, E. - Utah Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory
item Lee, Stephen
item BROWN, AMMON - Utah Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory
item Cook, Daniel

Submitted to: Poisonous Plant Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/7/2025
Publication Date: 1/16/2025
Citation: Kelly, E.J., Lee, S.T., Brown, A., Cook, D. 2025. Halogeton and greasewood poisoning in cattle and sheep in Utah. Poisonous Plant Research. 8:3-6. https://doi.org/10.26077/bd54-998b.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26077/bd54-998b

Interpretive Summary: Halogeton (Halogeton glomeratus) is a fast-growing annual plant while greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) is a perennial shrub of the Western States. Sodium oxalate is the toxic principle in halogeton and greasewood. Most losses occur when hungry animals are allowed to graze in heavy stands of halogeton and greasewood. Halogeton and greasewood are always dangerous and become more toxic as the growing season progresses. Here we report on two clinical cases of halogeton and greasewood poisoning in cattle and sheep. The cow and sheep showed lesions in the kidneys that were consistent with oxalate poisoning. Oxalate was detected in the rumen contents. Halogeton and greasewood were detected in the rumen contents of the poisoned animals using DNA barcoding.

Technical Abstract: Halogeton (Halogeton glomeratus) is a fast-growing annual plant while greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) is a perennial shrub of the Western States. Sodium oxalate is the toxic principle in halogeton and greasewood. Most losses occur when hungry animals are allowed to graze in heavy stands of halogeton and greasewood. Halogeton and greasewood are always dangerous and become more toxic as the growing season progresses. Here we report on two clinical cases of halogeton and greasewood poisoning in cattle and sheep. The cow and sheep showed lesions in the kidneys that were consistent with oxalate poisoning. Oxalate was detected in the rumen contents. Halogeton and greasewood were detected in the rumen contents of the poisoned animals using DNA barcoding.