Alkaloids
Bitter varieties of lupins (Lupinus spp.) contain toxic alkaloids and are not recommended for animal feeding. More recent sweet (alkaloid-free) varieties are palatable to stock.
Lupinosis
Lupinosis outbreaks are susceptible to occur in sheep and cattle when lupin is fed as dried forage. Lupinosis is caused by to phomopsins, which are mycotoxins produced by fungal infestation of lupin plants by Diaporthe toxica (Jansen, 2006). These toxins cause severe damage to the liver, resulting in loss of appetite, lethargy, jaundice and often death. Sheep are more sensitive to lupinosis than cattle (Clark, 2014; Jansen, 2006). Lupinosis can be prevented by timely harvest and storage of forage or baling before rain falls (Allen et al., 1978).