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ARS Home » Plains Area » Miles City, Montana » Livestock and Range Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #88824
Title: PINE NEEDLE ABORTION

Author
item Short, Robert
item KRONBERG, SCOTT - SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV
item Grings, Elaine
item ROSAZZA, J - UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
item FORD, S - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: National Cattlemen's Convention and Trade Show
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The effects of pine needles (PN) on inducing abortions in cattle are well documented to be primarily a problem in late pregnant cows & are mani fested by a profound decrease in blood flow to the uterus, stress to the calf, & premature parturition. Assays for the biological activity have been developed. Several species of wild ungulates (except bison) do not respond to the effects of PN, but attempts to transfer ruminal microbes from other species to cattle have not been successful in preventing pine needle effects. Two classes of chemical compounds have been identified as potential culprits. Attempts to counteract the effects of PN have not been successful. Of those pine species tested, needles from Ponderosa pine are the only ones that have been shown to induce the problem. Cattle consume Ponderosa PN for several reasons, & the reason(s) differ among ranches. Pine needle ingestion by late-term cows may possibly be reduced by feeding corn silage or avoiding the feeding of forages or concentrates that contain high levels of crude protein (e.g., good quality alfalfa hay and supplements with considerable amounts of ruminally degradable protein like soybean meal). However, ample availability of pasture forage, straw, and grass hay for late-term cows seems desirable and may reduce their motivation to ingest pine needles. Providing cows with alternative sources of nutrients to ingest such as protein/molasses tubs may help occupy their feeding time & satisfy their desire to consume a variety of nutrients, thus reducing the time available and possibly their motivation for eating PN. Feeding in the afternoon and monitoring cows during periods of stress (especially in younger cows) may reduce risks.

Technical Abstract: The effects of pine needles (PN) on inducing abortions in cattle are well documented to be primarily a problem in late pregnant cows & are mani fested by a profound decrease in blood flow to the uterus, stress to the calf, & premature parturition. Assays for the biological activity have been developed. Several species of wild ungulates (except bison) do not respond to the effects of PN, but attempts to transfer ruminal microbes from other species to cattle have not been successful in preventing pine needle effects. Two classes of chemical compounds have been identified as potential culprits. Attempts to counteract the effects of PN have not been successful. Of those pine species tested, needles from Ponderosa pine are the only ones that have been shown to induce the problem. Cattle consume Ponderosa PN for several reasons, & the reason(s) differ among ranches. Pine needle ingestion by late-term cows may possibly be reduced by feeding corn silage or avoiding the feeding of forages or concentrates that contain high levels of crude protein (e.g., good quality alfalfa hay and supplements with considerable amounts of ruminally degradable protein like soybean meal). However, ample availability of pasture forage, straw, and grass hay for late-term cows seems desirable and may reduce their motivation to ingest pine needles. Providing cows with alternative sources of nutrients to ingest such as protein/molasses tubs may help occupy their feeding time & satisfy their desire to consume a variety of nutrients, thus reducing the time available and possibly their motivation for eating PN. Feeding in the afternoon and monitoring cows during periods of stress (especially in younger cows) may reduce risks.