Velvet Lupine Research Articles

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)

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.

Success of establishing nitrogen-fixing native species as cover crops in silt loam and loamy fine sand in a vineyard in the Columbia Basin

Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC. (antelope bitterbrush [Rosaceae]) and Psoralidium lance-olatum (Pursh) Rydb. (lemon scurfpea [Fabaceae]) were more likely to survive and increase stem numbers than were herbaceous native perennials in a test to establish native nitrogen-fixing cover crops in a vineyard in the Columbia Basin. Tests were done in silt loam and loamy fine sand fields. All seeds were locally collected. Plants were propagated in a greenhouse in 164 ml (10 in3) Ray Leach Cone-tainer cells. Plants were installed by hand. After 4 y, P. tridentata survival was 53%, independent of soil type. Stems of P. lanceolatum , a rhizomatous species, were 55% of the original number and expanding in the loamy fine sand field. Survival of Astragalus sclerocarpus A. Gray (woodypod milkvetch [Fabaceae]) appeared to stabilize at 25% and A. caricinus (M.E. Jones) Barneby (buckwheat milkvetch) at 20%, both in the silt loam field. Astragalus succumbens Douglas ex Hook. (Columbia milkvetch) and Lupinus leucophyllus Douglas ex Lindl. (velvet lupine [Fabaceae]) failed. Percentage of plants in flower for the herbaceous species decreased by the 4th y while the percentage of plants in flower increased for P. tridentata and stems of P. lanceolatum. Astragalus sclerocarpus and A. succumbens survival was significantly reduced because of increasing interference from the vegetative cover of grasses in the loamy fine sand field. Plants without flowers were significantly smaller than were plants that had flowered. Fifty percent of the herbaceous species experienced herbivory in 2011. There was no herbivory in P. tridentata or P. lanceolatum .

Velvet Lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus) Population Cycles with Precipitation

ABSTRACT. Velvet lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus Dougl. ex Lindl) contains the teratogenic alkaloid anagyrine that causes a crooked calf syndrome. An outbreak of crooked calves occurred in the Channeled Scabland region of eastern Washington in 1997 following 2 years of above-average precipitation. Following this catastrophic loss, we began studies to track velvet lupine density and relate its population cycle to precipitation. In the first study, five 1-m2 quadrats were systematically placed in dense lupine patches at each of 5 locations throughout the scabland region. The quadrats were permanently marked and the number of seedlings and established mature plants were counted biweekly or monthly through the growing seasons of 2001–2005. In the second study, four 1 × 30-m belt transects were established at each of 3 additional locations in the scabland region. The number of seedlings and mature lupine plants were counted within these transects in June or July each year from 2002 to 2009. A third study was cond...

Cattle preference for forage kochia, crested wheatgrass, and velvet lupine

ABSTRACT Alkaloids in velvet lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus Douglas ex Lindl.) cause a crooked calf syndrome if the dam consumes the plant between d 40 and 100 of gestation. In spring calving operations, this coincides with late summer when annual grasses are mature and senescent in the Scabland region of eastern Washington. Velvet lupine is the only green-growing forb during this period on the annual grasslands and is readily consumed. Planting an alternative forage that is more palatable than velvet lupine may reduce the risk of crooked calves. Preference trials were conducted to compare the palatability of 2 varieties of forage kochia, ‘Immigrant’ (Kochia prostrata ssp. virescens) and the experimental line Otvsel (K. prostrata ssp. grisea), with crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum [Fisch. ex Link] Schult.) and velvet lupine. Preferences were ranked by sequential Latin squares. The first trial consisted of four 4 × 4 Latin squares: 4 forages, 4 heifers, 4 d, and 4 feed locations. The most preferred forage was then removed and preference for the remaining forages was evaluated in a 3 × 3 Latin square. The 2 trials were repeated using 4 new heifers. Crested wheatgrass was preferred in the first trial, but the Immigrant forage kochia replaced it as most preferred feed in the second set of trials. There was no difference in preference between Otvsel and velvet lupine. Results indicate that Immigrant forage kochia and crested wheatgrass should be selected to evaluate their establishment and palatability in subsequent seeding and field-scale palatability trials in the Scabland region of eastern Washington.

Influence of grazing pressure on cattle consumption of the teratogenic plant velvet lupine

ABSTRACT Lupine species may contain teratogenic alkaloids that cause birth defects called crooked calf syndrome. If pregnant cows ingest toxic lupine between d 40 and 100 of gestation, fetal movement is impaired and irreversible skeletal defects occur. To prevent ingestion of this toxic forb during the critical period of gestation, there is a need to determine the time and conditions in which cattle graze velvet lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus Dougl. ex Lindl.). Intensive grazing trials were conducted to evaluate cattle consumption of lupine in its stages of phenological development through the growing season, in relation to increasing grazing pressure in eastern Washington. Ten Hereford cows and a bull grazed velvet lupine-infested rangeland in 3 grazing pressure trials each year. Pastures were fenced to limit forage availability to the amount required for 6-d trials in 2007 and 10-d trials in 2008. Diets were estimated by bite count. Linear and quadratic regression was used to describe the relationship between forage allowance (the reciprocal of grazing pressure) and lupine consumption. In May, cattle preferred green cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) and immature forbs at the beginning of the trial and did not graze lupine until all other forage was depleted. There was a negative linear relationship between declining forage allowance and increasing lupine consumption (r 2 = 0.91 and 0.78 for 2007 and 2008, respectively). In June, cheatgrass was dry and cattle preferred forbs that were flowering. As availability of palatable forbs declined, cows started eating lupine, and this declined as its availability declined. Quadratic regressions were not strong (r 2 = 0.10 and 0.53 for 2007 and 2008, respectively). In July when annual forbs matured and became fibrous and unpalatable, cattle ate lupine at the beginning of the trial and reverted to dry cheatgrass as lupine became limited. There was a quadratic regression in 2007 (r 2 = 0.37) and a positive linear regression in 2008 (r 2 = 0.69). We conclude that lupine is not palatable early in the growing season in May and early June, but cattle can be forced to graze it as availability of green cheatgrass and other forbs declines. Intensive grazing systems that force cattle to use all forage may enhance the risk of crooked calf disease by forcing cattle to graze lupine throughout the grazing season.

Effects of Experience and Lactation on Lupine Consumption by Cattle

Lupines ( Lupinus spp.) are widespread range plants that are often toxic to livestock. Some reports suggest that naïve, younger animals might consume more lupine than more experienced, older cattle. Further, lactational stress might alter forage selection, and lactating cows might eat more lupine than nonlactating cows. Thus, the objectives of these trials were to examine the influence of experience and lactation on lupine intake. Both study areas were near Ritzville, Washington, on rangeland dominated by cheatgrass or downy brome ( Bromus tectorum L.), with abundant velvet lupine ( Lupinus leucophyllus Dougl.). During the first trial, six naïve and six experienced Hereford cows were grazed together for 25 d during summer. There was no difference ( P > 0.5) in consumption of lupine by naïve and experienced cows. Consumption peaked at 10%–14% of daily bites. During the second trial, six lactating and six nonlactating cows grazed a lupine-infested pasture for 18 d. There was no difference ( P > 0.6) in consumption between lactating and dry cows. Lupine consumption gradually increased and peaked at 10%–15% of the diets. Our results suggest that experience and lactation status are probably minor considerations in livestock management schemes to reduce losses to lupine. Las plantas Lupinos ( Lupinus spp.) se dan abundantemente en el pastizal y son con frecuencia tóxicas para el ganado. Algunos reportes sugieren que animales jóvenes y sin experiencia en pastoreo consumen más lupinos que animales adultos con experiencia. Además, el estrés lactacional en las hembras puede alterar la selección de forraje por lo que las vacas lactantes pueden consumir más lupinos que vacas no lactantes (secas). Estos estudios tuvieron como objetivo determinar la influencia tanto de la experiencia como del estado lactacional sobre el consumo de lupinos. El área de estudio se localiza cerca de Ritzville, WA en un pastizal dominado por Bromus tectorum L. (cheatgrass) con abundancia de lupinos ( Lupinus leucophyllus Dougl.). Durante la primera prueba, seis vacas Hereford sin experiencia y seis con experiencia estuvieron pastoreando por 25 días durante el verano. No se encontraron diferencias ( P > 0.5) en el consumo de lupinos en las vacas con y sin experiencia. El máximo consumo de lupinos se presentó del 10% al 14% del total de bocados al día. Durante la segunda prueba, seis vacas en lactación y seis vacas secas estuvieron pastoreando un potrero infestado de lupinos por 18 días. No se encontraron diferencias ( P > 0.6) en el consumo de lupinos entre vacas lactantes y secas. El consumo de lupinos gradualmente se incrementó hasta un 10%–15% de la dieta. Estos resultados sugieren que la experiencia y estado lactacional de las vacas son probablemente consideraciones menores para reducir pérdidas causadas por lupinos durante la implementación de programas de manejo del ganado en pastoreo.

Forage Availability and Body Condition Affect Intake of Lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus) by Grazing Cattle

AbstractThe genus Lupinus is an important group of plants with a number of species worldwide that are toxic to grazing livestock. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of body condition and the relationship between forage availability and consumption of lupine (Lupinus spp.) by grazing cattle (Bos taurus). Five cows in low body condition (LBC) and 4 in high body condition (HBC) grazed a common pasture in central Washington, with abundant velvet lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus) during an 18-d grazing period. Cows in LBC and HBC began ingesting lupine on d 1 and 4, respectively. For LBC cows compared with HBC cows, the ingestion rate of lupine was greater (3.2 vs. 2.5 mean bites/min, respectively; P < 0.01), and lupine ingestion occurred over a longer (P < 0.05) time period (13 vs. 8 d after initiating lupine consumption, respectively). Cows in LBC averaged 8.8 ± 0.6% of bites as lupine over the 18-d trial compared with 6.3 ± 0.9% for the HBC cows (P = 0.08). Forb and annual grass biomass depletion was associated with increased ingestion of lupine (P < 0.01). Results suggest that all animals in a herd are likely to ingest some lupine regardless of their nutritional status, and that LBC animals will select more lupine than HBC animals for longer periods of time. Therefore, LBC cows that are pregnant and grazing on lupine-infested rangelands are likely to be at greater risk of giving birth to calves with skeletal defects caused by lupine ingestion compared with HBC cows.

Alkaloid Profiles, Concentration, and Pools in Velvet Lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus) Over the Growing Season

Lupinus leucophyllus is one of many lupine species known to contain toxic and/or teratogenic alkaloids that can cause congenital birth defects. The concentrations of total alkaloids and the individual major alkaloids were measured in three different years from different plant parts over the phenological development of the plant. All of the alkaloids were found in the different plant tissues throughout the growing season, although their levels varied in different tissues. Concentrations of total alkaloids and the individual alkaloids varied on an annual basis and in their distribution in the different tissues. Anagyrine levels were highest in the floral tissue, lupanine and unknown F accumulated to the greatest level in the vegetative tissue, and 5,6-dehydrolupanine accumulated to the highest level in the stem. These alkaloids appear to be in a metabolically active state with the teratogenic alkaloid anagyrine accumulating to its highest level in the developing seed. The latter is, thus, the phenological stage posing the greatest danger to grazing livestock.

Cattle Consumption of Velvet Lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus) in the Channel Scablands of Eastern Washington

Certain lupines ( Lupinus spp.) contain alkaloids that cause contracture-type skeletal birth defects and cleft palate (“crooked calf syndrome”) when consumed by cows during the 40th to 70th day of gestation. The objective of this study was to determine when cattle graze velvet lupine ( Lupinus leucophyllus Dougl.) during its phenological development, and whether this period overlaps the critical period of gestation. Grazing studies were conducted in 2001, 2002, and 2003 in the same 100 ha pasture in eastern Washington. A second objective was addressed in 2001 to determine if cows with crooked calves consumed more lupine than cows with normal calves. Five mature Hereford cows with crooked calves at their side and 6 mature Hereford cows with normal calves grazed together for the summer. There was no difference ( P = 0.17) in the amount of lupine consumed between groups, and all cows consumed some lupine. In 2002, 10 3-year-old Hereford cows with normal calves were used, and in 2003, 8 of the same cows from the 2002 study with normal calves were used. In all 3 years, cows started consuming lupine in July and August after annual grasses dried and annual forbs matured. Lupine is a deep-rooted perennial that remained green and succulent longer into the summer than the associated forages. Concentration of the teratogenic alkaloid anagyrine declined as lupine seeds shattered in late June and early July. Lupine consumption occurred during the critical period of gestation in 2 of the 3 years, but no crooked calves were produced. Apparently, the cows did not ingest sufficient amounts of anagyrine over the susceptible period of time to produce crooked calves. The management recommendation for this site is to restrict access to lupine during July when cattle begin to graze lupine and anagyrine levels may still be relatively high. Once the seeds shatter, toxicity greatly declines. Ciertos “Lupines” ( Lupinus spp.) contienen alcaloides que cuando son consumidos por las vacas entre los días 40 al 70 de la gestación causan defectos congénitos del tipo de contractura del esqueleto y paladar hendido (síndrome del becerro encorvado). El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar en que etapa fenológica del desarrollo del “Velvet lupine” ( Lupinus leucophyllus Dougl.) es consumido por el ganado y si este periodo se traslapa con las etapas críticas de la gestación. Los estudios de apacentamiento se condujeron en el 2001, 2002, y 2003 en un mismo potrero de 100 ha ubicado al este de Washington. Un segundo objetivo se planteó en el 2001 para determinar si las vacas con becerros encorvados consumieron más “Lupine” que las vacas con becerros normales. Cinco vacas maduras de la raza Hereford con becerros encorvados y seis vacas maduras de la misma raza con becerros normales apacentaron juntas en el verano. No hubo diferencia entre grupos de vacas ( P = 0.17) en la cantidad consumida de “Lupine,” y todas las vacas consumieron algo de “Lupine.” En el 2002, se usaron 10 vacas de la raza Hereford de 3 años de edad con becerros normales y en el 2003 ocho vacas con becerros normales de ese estudio fueron utilizadas. En los tres años las vacas iniciaron el consumo de “Lupine” en Julio y Agosto después de que los zacates anuales se secaron y las hierbas anuales maduraron. El “Lupine”es una planta perenne de raíz profunda que en el verano permanece verde y suculenta por más tiempo que los forrajes asociados. La concentración del alcaloide teratogénico anagrina disminuyó conforme las semillas de “Lupine” se dispersan a fines de Junio e inicios de Julio. En dos de los tres años, el consumo de “Lupine ocurrió durante el periodo crítico de la gestación, pero no se produjeron becerros encorvados; aparentemente, porque las vacas no ingirieron la cantidades suficientes de anagrina durante el periodo susceptible de la gestación. La recomendación de manejo para este sitio es restringir el acceso al “Lupine” durante Julio cuando el ganado comienza a consumirlo y los niveles de anagrina todavía pueden estar relativamente altos. Una vez que las semillas han sido liberadas la toxicidad disminuye grandemente.

Cattle Consumption of Velvet Lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus) in the Channel Scablands of Eastern Washington

Certain lupines (Lupinus spp.) contain alkaloids that cause contracture-type skeletal birth defects and cleft palate (‘‘crooked calf syndrome’’) when consumed by cows during the 40th to 70th day of gestation. The objective of this study was to determine when cattle graze velvet lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus Dougl.) during its phenological development, and whether this period overlaps the critical period of gestation. Grazing studies were conducted in 2001, 2002, and 2003 in the same 100 ha pasture in eastern Washington. A second objective was addressed in 2001 to determine if cows with crooked calves consumed more lupine than cows with normal calves. Five mature Hereford cows with crooked calves at their side and 6 mature Hereford cows with normal calves grazed together for the summer. There was no difference (P = 0.17) in the amount of lupine consumed between groups, and all cows consumed some lupine. In 2002, 10 3-year-old Hereford cows with normal calves were used, and in 2003, 8 of the same cows from the 2002 study with normal calves were used. In all 3 years, cows started consuming lupine in July and August after annual grasses dried and annual forbs matured. Lupine is a deep-rooted perennial that remained green and succulent longer into the summer than the associated forages. Concentration of the teratogenic alkaloid anagyrine declined as lupine seeds shattered in late June and early July. Lupine consumption occurred during the critical period of gestation in 2 of the 3 years, but no crooked calves were produced. Apparently, the cows did not ingest sufficient amounts of anagyrine over the susceptible period of time to produce crooked calves. The management recommendation for this site is to restrict access to lupine during July when cattle begin to graze lupine and anagyrine levels may still be relatively high. Once the seeds shatter, toxicity greatly declines.

Alkaloid Response to Defoliation of Velvet Lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus)

Velvet lupine planst were defoliated (50% of upper foliage) in 1983 and 1984 to determine total alkaloid concentration (TAC), percent crude protein (CP), and fiber in regrowth foliage. TAC in regrowth leaves was 15% lower than in the original leaves removed at the beginning of the study. Percent CP of regrowth leaves was 22% lower than in original defoliated leaves. Alkaloids and CP did not increase in response to defoliation stress from simulated herbivory as plant defense theories predicted.

Herbicidal Control of Velvet Lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus)

Several herbicides were evaluated for the control of velvet lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus Dougl. #3 LUPLE), a plant poisonous to sheep on western mountain ranges, and a secondary target species, mountain big sagebrush [Artemisia tridentata Nutt. # ARTTR]. Change in foliar cover of the two target species and associated vegetation was used to evaluate efficacy of the herbicides. Velvet lupine cover was reduced by greater than 50% in the 1983 trial by the butyl ester of 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] at 2.2 and 4.5 kg ae/ha, the butoxyethanol ester of 2,4,5-T [(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] at 1.1 and 2.2 kg ae/ha, the dimethylamine salt of dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) at 2.2 kg ae/ha, and 2,4-D plus dicamba at 1.1 plus 0.6 kg/ha. Cover of velvet lupine and other forbs was reduced by drought in the spring of 1985 and obscured the comparison among herbicides in the 1984 trial. Cover of mountain big sagebrush was consistently reduced (&gt;88%) by 2,4-D at 4.5 kg/ha in both trials, and by three rates of the butoxyethyl ester of triclopyr {[(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy] acetic acid} (&gt;67%) in the 1984 trial. Grass cover increased in plots where herbicides effectively reduced velvet lupine, forbs, and mountain big sagebrush.

Total Alkaloid Determinations in Larkspur and Lupine with near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy1

AbstractNear infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is used for quality component determinations in forages and grains. However, the use of NIRS to determine antiquality factors in forages has not been reported. Therefore, NIRS spectra were collected on leaf, stem, and head fractions to total 273 tall larkspur (Delphinium occidentale Muth.) and 246 velvet lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus Dougl.) samples. Total alkaloid concentrations (TAG) were determined through extraction and titration, and regressed against NIRS reflectance values from 1100 to 2500 nm. Three NIRS equations were developed to determine TAC: one each for larkspur and lupine, and one for a combination of larkspur and lupine. Of the total, 136 larkspur, 82 lupine, and 260 larkspur plus lupine samples were held from regression analysis and used for testing the equations. Standard errors of calibration for TAC were lowest for lupine, followed by larkspur and larkspur plus lupine (0.04, 0.10, and 0.10 dag kg−1, respectively). Standard errors of analysis for TAC were lowest for larkspur, followed by lupine and larkspur plus lupine (0.01, 0.05, and 0.10 dag kg−1, respectively). Relationships between NIRS and wet laboratory determined values were equal for larkspur and larkspur plus lupine (r2=0.93) and slightly lower for lupine (r2=0.90). Spectral comparisons of plant material and alkaloids showed strong relationships between the wavelengths used in the equations and alkaloid peaks. Total alkaloid concentrations in larkspur and lupine can be accurately analyzed by NIRS.

Total Alkaloid, Crude Protein, and Fiber Concentrations in Velvet Lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus) Following Herbicide Application

Total alkaloid concentration, percentage water, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber in velvet lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus Dougl. # LUPLE) were monitored for 3 weeks following application of herbicides registered or soon to be registered for rangeland use. Picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid), dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid), and clopyralid (3,6-dichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid) caused some signs of epinasty but did not kill velvet lupine. Total alkaloid concentration and nutrient quality of velvet lupine leaves treated with these herbicides was not significantly different from untreated plants. Esters of 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] and 2,4,5-T [(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] and triclopyr {[(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]acetic acid} killed most velvet lupine plants and caused a subsequent decrease in total alkaloid concentration, crude protein, and water content as the plants desiccated. Herbicides that effectively killed velvet lupine decreased alkaloid levels, thus lowering the potential for increased livestock poisoning.

A Comparison of Four Methods Used to Determine the Diets of Large Herbivores

Esophageal fistulation, stomach content analysis, fecal analysis, and ocular-estimate-by-plot are four of the most publicized methods of determining the diets of large herbivores. The principal objective of this study was to compare the relative values of each of these methods based upon information collected from bi-fistulated (esophageal and rumen) sheep selecting their own forage from a tall-forb community in early summer and late summer, and from confined sheep fed a hand-mixed diet of known composition. Microscope slide mounts were made of plant fragments collected from the esophagus, rumen, and feces of sheep grazing a beauty cinquefoil /velvet lupine Kentucky bluegrass /timothy community in northeastern Oregon. Ocular estimates of forage utilization were made concurrently. Data were converted to percent composition on a dry weight basis for comparisons. Significant differences (p < .05) in percent diet composition among methods occurred for 18 of the 31 plant species consumed in the early summer trial, and for 17 of the 31 plant species consumed in the late summer trial. Diets as determined by the ocular-estimate-by-plot method were generally lower in graminoids and higher in forbs than those as determined by other methods. The esophageal fistula method yielded diets that were lower in graminoids and higher in forbs than diets as determined by stomach content analysis and fecal analysis. Diets as determined by fecal analysis were higher in graminoids and lower in forbs than diets as determined by other methods. In the second study phase, ten confined bi-fistulated sheep were separately fed a dry, ground, hand-composited mixture of orchardgrass, fawn fescue, alfalfa, and ladino clover. The botanical composition of this mixture was determined by microscopic examination of plant fragments and compared to the botanical composition of diets as determined by microscopic examination of esophageal, rumen, and fecal samples. The composition of each of the species contained in esophageal samples was similar to that of the actual diet. Rumen samples were similar to the actual diet only in their composition of orchardgrass, and contained significantly higher (p < .05) amounts of total grasses and significantly lower (p < .05) amounts of total forbs than the actual diet and esophageal samples. Fecal samples were significantly higher (p < .05) in their composition of grasses and significantly lower (p < .05) in their composition of forbs than the actual diet and samples collected from the esophagus or rumen.