The recent rain in the Riley County area increases the chance of nitrate poisoning in forages. Rain can cause rapid uptake of nitrate during a drought year, and Riley County Extension Agriculture Agent Greg McClure explains the precautions that are now being taken.
McClure says that they are also concerned about prussic acid poisoning. Nitrate and prussic poisoning are different, but they are both dangerous and can kill cows and other ruminants. McClure says that after a frost is when grazing is most dangerous.
McClure makes suggestions for farmers who are harvesting soon.
Despite the risks of nitrate and prussic acid poisoning, McClure suggests that harvesters plan in advance after a rain or freeze. To avoid prussic acid, farmers should wait for a killing freeze before grazing milo stalks, and to avoid nitrate, McClure explains that testing may be necessary.
Although nitrate and prussic acid poisoning is currently a concern, as long as harvesters are smart and have their forages tested, livestock casualties can be avoided.
