Investigation of Western Yellow Pine (Pinus ponderosa) Abortion

For a number of years, ranchers in western South Dakota have been of the opinion that pregnant cows will abort after the consumption of sufficient quantities of yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa) needles. Problem areas exist where the yellow pine is the predominant pine species. Incidence of pine needle abortion is particularly high in late winter and early spring after cows in the last trimester of pregnancy graze on the needles. Some ranchers, however, have experienced the problem throughout the year when cows in earlier stages of pregnancy have aborted. Retained placentas are frequently associated with the abortions. If true abortions did not occur, animals frequently gave birth to live but weak premature calves. An investigation concerned with pine needle abortion is currently being conducted to determine the abortive factor(s). Results of preliminary research testing different fractions obtained from pine needles are presented in this report

17 Ethyl-19 Nortestosterone in Growing Finishing Swine Rations

Nilevar (l7 ethyl-19-nortestosterone) has been used to promote weight gains in underweight human subjects. Recent experiments at this station also showed that this synthetic male hormone-like compound significantly increased growth of female rats, but did not increase the growth of uncastrated male rats. The objective of this experiment was to determine if any economical benefits could be realized by including the hormone in a swine ration