Here is our annual reminder that drought and potential weather changes can cause increases of nitrates and prussic acid in some forages. This article from Jill Scheidt, University of Missouri Extension, tells us what to look out for. I’ve added some charts and testing information as well as links to addtional On Pasture articles to help you with this important topic.
Be cautious when turning livestock into pastures with certain warm season grasses as toxic nitrate and prussic acid can accumulate in drought situations.
“Any plant with the ability to grow quickly can develop buildup of nitrate and prussic acid, but some forages present a bigger threat than others,” said Jill Scheidt, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
The sorghum family – including sorghum-Sudan hybrids, forage sorghum, Sudan grass and Johnson grass; and corn – can develop the most buildup of nitrates and prussic acid.
“When there’s a drought, warm-season annuals quit growing but still take up nitrogen from the soil and accumulate nitrates and prussic acid,” Craig Roberts, state forage specialist with MU Extension said. ”Once the drought ends those plants start to grow again and look green and lush, but they’ll be full of toxins.”
Nitrates
According to Scheidt, nitrates tend to accumulate in the lower portion of the stem of warm season grasses such as, Johnson grass, sorghum, Sudan and corn. Other small grains, millet, soybean, oats, alfalfa, Bermudagrass and tall fescue have potential to develop harmful nitrate levels in their tissue.
“When livestock eat tainted forages, nitrates convert to nitrites, which absorb into the bloodstream and stop the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Nitrate levels tend to be higher in stems, stalks and young leaves,” said Scheidt.
Testing For Nitrates
If you’re in Missouri, a simple nitrate presence test can be performed at a county University of Missouri Extension office. Cut the lower 8-12″ of several randomly selected samples. Make sure the samples are fresh; a false nitrate reading can occur if the sample begins to dry out.
“If the samples test positive for nitrate presence, send samples to a lab for a qualitative analysis,” said Scheidt.
(If you’re not in Missouri, check with your local extension service office. As I researched this article I found that many provide quick testing options.)
This excerpt from a 2015 On Pasture article by Bruce Anderson is also important:
Harvesting and Grazing Forages With Nitrate
A sufficient rain can decrease nitrate levels. However, Scheidt says do not turn livestock in immediately, as nitrates temporarily spike following a rain; wait three to five days of active growth to allow nitrate levels to decrease.
Dry baling preserves the nitrate level. If forage must be baled, leave ten to twelve inches of stubble to avoid baling the most toxic part of the plant. Ensiled forages can reduce nitrate levels twenty to fifty percent.
Use caution when entering silo pits, as gases from forages with high levels of nitrate are toxic. If nitrate levels are higher than 1.5% concentration, do not use for livestock feed or bedding.
Brent Plugge, Extension Educator at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, says, “Some producers may feed drought stricken corn as “green chop”. If so, when harvesting, set the chopper head up to avoid the bottom 6 to 8 inches of the corn stalk. Most of the nitrates reside in the lower portion of the stalk. Assume that there are nitrates present, so adapt slowly. Chop only what will be fed in one feeding and do not let green chop sit in the wagon over night to feed the next day. Green chop that contains nitrates and sits overnight, the nitrate will be converted to nitrites and nitrites are more toxic to the animal than nitrates.”
Prussic Acid
Prussic acid accumulates more in leaves than stems. Plants that accumulate prussic acid include millets, Sudan and Sudan hybrids, sorghum, Johnson grass and cherry trees. Millets do not tend to accumulate high levels of prussic acid.
“Prussic acid can develop in new growth after a prolonged drought or when plants are injured due to frost, hail and herbicide applications,” said Scheidt.
Chewing cud creates prussic acid when molecules containing sugar and cyanide in the leaf react with a plant enzyme, freeing up highly poisonous cyanide.
Samples need to be sent to a lab for prussic acid analysis.
Harvesting and Grazing Forages With Prussic Acid
Wait two weeks or for two feet of growth before allowing livestock to graze. Prussic acid will break down and eliminate itself as a problem in harvested forages.
“Dry baling or ensiling forages is an effective way to reduce prussic acid. If dry baling, sample forage before feeding until prussic acid is no longer detected,” said Scheidt.
Finally…
If you’ve planted Sorghum Sudan Grass or Pearl Millet, check this article about grazing management to be sure that your animals are safe.
Be safe! And if you have experiences or suggestions you’d like to share, we all would love to see them in the comments below!
