Posted on March 25, 2020 in Dairy Performance
By Dr. Michelle Chang-Der Bedrosian
We often associate nitrate concerns with drought-stressed plants, but very wet conditions can also stress plants and cause them to accumulate nitrates. Furthermore, high nitrate levels aren’t just a concern during the harvest season. We are hearing reports of silages with higher-than-normal nitrate levels this spring. Last year’s tough harvest season resulted in some crops going into the silo frozen, which means they did not ferment. As the weather warms, they begin to “thaw” and undergo a fermentation, which also means there is risk for silo gas formation. Please, be careful!