Grazing Caution During Drought, Nitrate and Prussic Acid Poisoning in Livestock
Dr. Casey Matney, Rangeland Management Extension Specialist
Producers should be aware that drought stress is causing prussic acid and nitrate levels to rise in forage plants across our region. Cattle losses are already being reported. Drought-stressed corn, sorghums, sudan grass, small grains, kochia, lambsquarters, sunflower, pigweed, cocklebur, as well as plum thickets or chokecherry thickets could potentially be toxic. To be safe, producers should consider testing their forages for nitrate and prussic acid. For more information about nitrate and prussic acid in forages, visit the following links:
Prussic Acid Poisoning Fact Sheet
Nitrate Poisoning in Drought Stressed Forages
Feeding Livestock Drought Injured Corn
Alternative Feeds for Cattle During Drought
Alternative Feeding Strategies for Cows and Calves Due to Drought Related Forage Shortages