Do a quick test of small grain hay's nitrate levels

July 23, 2003

Haying of cereal grains and other annual forages has already begun, and in many areas, drought-stricken spring wheat or barley crops are being considered for pasture or hay crops.

Be cautious with these!

These crops are grown on several hundred thousand acres in Montana. Cereal forages have good production and forage quality, and have helped ranchers overcome pasture and hay shortages during droughty conditions since 1999.

However, one of the major drawbacks of cereal forages is that under stress conditions (heat, drought, frost, nutrient, etc.), these crops can accumulate levels of nitrate (NO3) that are toxic to livestock. During normal plant growth, nitrate is rapidly converted into grain protein as the crop heads and matures. However, if normal plant growth is disrupted, nitrate can accumulate in the stems. A number of chronic symptoms of nitrate poisoning occur in livestock, but in severe cases abortions and deaths are common.

High-nitrate levels have been prevalent across Montana during the past three years. Widespread hot and dry conditions throughout Montana have again set us up for high nitrate levels in annual forages crops such as barley, wheat, millet, corn, sudangrass and common weeds such as kochia and lambsquarters.

Since the 1960s, a rapid spot test for high nitrate levels has been available to producers. In Montana, Montana State University County Extension agents in 31 counties are trained to use the Nitrate QuikTest . The QuikTest is used in the field or the county office to quickly detect high nitrate forages before cutting, grazing or feeding suspect hay. Since 2000, over 4300 samples have been tested with the Nitrate QuikTest, about two-thirds of the samples were hot enough to require laboratory testing. After laboratory testing, about 33 percent of hay lots tested had to be limit-fed, blended or even destroyed.

Due to the current weather conditions, we are encouraging all producers to test suspect forages for nitrate levels. Contact your local Extension Service Agent for assistance with the Nitrate QuikTest if you have not already cut or grazed. If hay is already stacked, we recommend laboratory testing for nitrate before feeding, and the agent can also help with sampling and testing.

Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 08/29/2006