Acute death as a result of poisoning tropical (Bos taurus indicus) but not temperate (Bos taurus taurus) cattle after oral dosing with Lupinus leucophyllus (velvet lupine)

Authors: Green, Benedict - Ben; Welch, Kevin; Lee, Stephen; Davis, Thomas - Zane; Stonecipher, Clinton - Clint; Stegelmeier, Bryan; Cook, Daniel

Submitted to: Toxicon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/29/2024
Publication Date: 4/2/2024
Citation: Green, B.T., Welch, K.D., Lee, S.T., Davis, T.Z., Stonecipher, C.A., Stegelmeier, B.L., Cook, D. 2024. Acute death as a result of poisoning tropical (Bos taurus indicus) but not temperate (Bos taurus taurus) cattle after oral dosing with Lupinus leucophyllus (velvet lupine). Toxicon. 242. Article 107706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107706.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107706

Interpretive Summary: Due to climate change and increasing summer temperatures, tropical cattle may graze where temperate cattle have grazed, exposing tropical cattle to toxic plants they may be unfamiliar with. This work compared the toxicity of Lupinus leucophyllus (velvet lupine) in temperate and tropical cattle. Orally dosed velvet lupine in tropical cattle caused death. If producers opt to graze tropical cattle, additional care must be taken on rangelands where toxic lupines like velvet lupine grow.

Technical Abstract: Due to climate change and increasing summer temperatures, tropical cattle may graze where temperate cattle have grazed, exposing tropical cattle to toxic plants they may be unfamiliar with. This work compared the toxicity of Lupinus leucophyllus (velvet lupine) in temperate and tropical cattle. Orally dosed velvet lupine in tropical cattle caused death. If producers opt to graze tropical cattle, additional care must be taken on rangelands where toxic lupines like velvet lupine grow.