Sulfur-induced polioencephalomalacia in Stocker calves

Calves from 3 farms exhibited blindness, head pressing, and circling before death. Brain lesions confirmed polioencephalomalacia. Excess sulfur was fo und in the diets on all 3 farms in corn by-products or molasses based suppl ements. Corn gluten feed and corn steep liquor (by-products of the refineme nt of corn for ethanol), corn syrup, corn gluten, coin oil, and corn starch have gained popularity as livestock feeds due to their low prices. With th is increased usage as livestock feed, increasing number of cases of polioen cephalomalacia have been seen.