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Sample Management Center

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  • DAIRYLAND LABORATORIES INC. PURCHASES FEED ANALYSIS LABORATORY FROM WAYPOINT ANALYTICAL
    3-3-2023

    Dairyland Laboratories announces that it has purchased the feed laboratory from Waypoint Analytical in Leola, PA. Waypoint will continue to provide other services at the Leola, PA location.
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  • DAIRYLAND LABORATORIES INC. PURCHASES FEED AND FORAGE TESTING SERVICES FROM DHIA LABORATORIES
    4-25-2022

    Dairyland Laboratories announces that it has purchased feed and forage testing services from DHIA Laboratories in Sauk Centre, MN. DHIA Laboratories will continue to provide milk and testing independe...
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  • DAIRYLAND LABORATORIES INC. AND NORTHWEST LABS LLC COLLABORATE ON FEED AND FORAGE TESTING AT JEROME, ID LOCATION
    5-14-2019

    Dairyland Laboratories Inc. is excited to announce our new collaboration with Northwest Labs, LLC, to provide feed and forage testing services from Northwest Lab’s Jerome, Idaho location. Northwest La...
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Sample Management Center

Nitrates

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Nitrates are potentially poisonous to livestock when consumed in large quantities and accumulate in forages under stress conditions including drought, hot weather, cool weather, frost, herbicide applications, or disease.  Once stressors are removed, live plants can return to normal nitrate levels after several days.
High nitrate levels are most commonly found in grass forages like corn silage, small grains, sudangrass, orchard grass, and fescue but can also be found in most forage under extreme conditions.  In addition to forages, nitrates can occur in very high levels in common weeds including pigweed, lambsquarter, ragweed, Johnson grass, and many others.  Corn stubble is particularly dangerous for grazing because nitrates are concentrated in the lower portions of the stalk.

Guidelines for use of feeds with known nitrate content

Nitrate-Nitrogen (NO3-N) ppm (100% dry basis) Comments
<1000 Safe. A 1000 pound cow consuming 20 pounds of dry matter would consume about 9 grams of NO3-N or less than 1 gram per 100 pounds of body weight.
1000 to 2000 Generally safe when fed balanced rations. Best to limit it to half of the total dry ration for pregnant animals and also be sure water is low in nitrate.
2000 to 4000 Limit amount to less than half of total dry ration. Be sure ration is well fortified with energy, minerals, vitamin A.
Over 4000 Potentially toxic - do not feed.

Source: University of Wisconsin https://fyi.uwex.edu/forage/nitrate-poisoning-in-cattle-sheep-and-goats/

Sampling Recommendations

Standing Forage
  • Variability of Nitrate levels within a field can be very high
  • Cut at least 15 whole plants taken at random
  • Cut plants at the same height as the chopper
  • Chop plant to at least 1 inch lengths and mix well
  • Remove about 0.5lbs for testing 
Silage
  • Collect several samples from the silo face or during unloading
  • Mix well and remove about 0.5 lbs for testing
Pasture
  • Is extremely difficult to sample because animals will selectively consume plants
  • If high nitrates are expected cautious management is recommended

* For fresh forages it is recommended to deliver samples directly to the lab or freeze the samples for 24 hours prior to shipping and ship in an insulated container.  Fresh forage in a sealed bag will begin to ferment which reduces the Nitrate level of the sample.

Sources:

Allison, C.D., 2010. Nitrate Poisoning of Livestock. New Mexico State University Cooperative ExtensionService Guide B-807
Crowley, J.W. 1985. Effects of Nitrate on Livestock. American Society of Agricultural Engineers. PaperNumber 80-20026.
Faulkner and Hutjens. Nitrates in Livestock Feed. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Vough, et al. Nitrate Poisoning of Livestock: Causes and Prevention. South Dakota State University Cooperative Extension Service.
ExEx4015 Dairy Science.
Undersander, et al. Nitrate Poisoning in Cattle, Sheep, and Goats, University of Wisconsin Extension Service.
www.uwex.edu/ces/forage/pubs/nitrate.htm

Additional Resources

Nitrates in Livestock Feed - University of Illinois - Faulkner and Hutjens

Nitrate Poisoning in Livestock - South Dakota State University - Vough

 

For more information call Dairyland Laboratories, Inc. at 608-323-2123 or contact us here.