Eating ponderosa pine needles isn’t good for cattle

The Black Hills of eastern Wyoming and western South Dakota have a history of serious abortion problems in cattle related to ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa).

Abortion caused by ingestion of ponderosa pine needles is known to be a major economic problem in the Western U.S. and Western Canada, with losses as high as 50% in some herds. Pregnant cattle who consume ponderosa needles and buds are at risk of abortion and premature birth of calves. Weak calves and retained fetal membranes are often associated with these abortions.