Nitrates too high to graze

[Frisco]

Just wanted to pass some information along from our nitrate test. Our hay barley started out great but when the rain shut off mid-June and the heat climbed to 111 degrees and stayed for awhile, most of the barley quit growing and stopped heading out. Too short and thin to justify moving swather, tractor and baler the 4miles to the fields so we decided to graze. Thought we better have it tested just to be on the safe side. Nitrates were more than double the tolerable level!! We would have had cows and calves tipping over for sure!! Lab guy recommends that if we do decide to hay it, we could dilute it by grinding 1 bale of barley with 3 bales of grass hay and feeding it that way. If we get some good rain, we could graze it (if the tests indicate that nitrates have flushed out), but we're not exactly counting on that.

Just wanted to let folks know in the droughty midwest that nitrates are a danger!! Extension agent told us that results in our part of the world, northewest South Dakota, have been all over the board.

Ain't ranching a high roller's game?!

 

[Jinglebob]

Ain't ranching a high roller's game?!

It sure ain't for weenies or the weak hearted. :wink:

 

[Faster horses]

It's a great life...if you don't weaken.

 

[Frisco]

Absolutely!! Never give up or in.

 

[cowboyup]

yep, just lift on the rein and pull with your spurs

 

[alabama]

Speaking of nitrates in forage: In the southeast nitrates is often not a problem with plenty of rain but in this year's drought and a failed to poor corn crop, I have a question.
Ground ear corn, I started pulling mine Saturday and ground the first load. According to the FSA adjuster, the crop made 16 bushels to the acre and is mostly just nubbins. Most of what I ground was about ½ corn and cob and half fodder and shuck.
Do I need to have this ground feed tested for nitrates?

 

[Frisco]

From what I know now, (which wouldn't fill a thimble) nitrate accumulation progressively decreases toward the top of the plant. Supposedly very little nitrate is found in the seeds of your nitrate accumulating annuals, including corn. I got this info from ag resources on the Internet from Alberta to Arkansas and they all said the above. So I would think what you ground, corn, cob, and husks would dilute the fodder if it had nitrates and be safe. But I almost had myself talked into not testing the barley, too. I am also assuming that fodder is the stem and leaves? Again, I only know enough to be dangerous.

 

[IL Rancher]

I would be more worried about the fodder than anything else, yes nitrates are more concenrated in the lower parts of the plants.. I know some who grazed corn in the summer of 1988 since it was only 5 bushel corn and the pastures were nothing and they didn't have a problem... I also know they say they would never risk it again.