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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Poisonous Plant Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #422433

Research Project: Developing Mitigation Strategies for Poisonous Plants in Livestock Production Systems

Location: Poisonous Plant Research

Title: A review of intermittent poisoning to mitigate toxic plant-induced disease in livestock

Author
item Stegelmeier, Bryan
item Davis, Thomas
item PANTER, KIP - Retired ARS Employee
item Welch, Kevin
item Knoppel, Edward

Submitted to: Veterinary Sciences
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/24/2024
Publication Date: 12/31/2024
Citation: Stegelmeier, B.L., Davis, T.Z., Panter, K.E., Welch, K.D., Knoppel, E.L. 2024. A review of intermittent poisoning to mitigate toxic plant-induced disease in livestock. Veterinary Sciences. 12(1): Article 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12010013.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12010013

Interpretive Summary: Toxic plants can invade, expand through and dominate plant communities in pastures and ranges. Subsequent poisoning or the risk of poisoning often precludes using those properties. As avoiding exposure may not be possible, various strategies have been developed to minimize toxic plant consumption, toxicity and disease. Depending on the plant, the toxins and animal species, intermittent poisoning may be a useful method to avoid the costs of poisoning and use available forage. Some plant toxin-induced diseases require extended exposures to produce disease. Locoweed-induced neurologic disease and lupine-induced birth defects are two plants that may be controlled with intermittent poisoning. Select other toxic plants are also presented with discussion about their suitability or lack of methods for intermittent poisoning to be effective.

Technical Abstract: Poisonous plants affect livestock and wildlife and in addition to animal disease, they often inhibit the productive use of feeds and natural resources. For some plants, intermittent or cyclic grazing may allow the use of contaminated forages or infested pastures or ranges while avoiding permanent effects of poisoning. The objective of this review is to present several toxic plants for which intermittent poisoning might be an effective management tool. Additionally, as intermittent exposures present risks, those risks will be discussed, and signs of impending problems identified. Additional plants that mechanistically have potential for becoming less problematic via intermittent exposure will also be discussed. Lastly, toxic plants to which any exposure causes permanent or fatal damage or those that might result in cumulative damage with repeated exposures will also be discussed.