Allenw":gsdiils3 said:
Texasmark":gsdiils3 said:
Nitrates usually aren't a problem in baled hay as they and prussic acid dissipate over time. Been feeding it 30+ years and never had a problem. Grazing, be careful.
Nitrates don't dissipate, I agree they usually aren't a problem. A lot depends on how a person feeds the hay. A person feeding a few cubes everyday or the cows having access to other forage can cut the total nitrate intake. The poor sucker that dumps a high nitrate bale to a bunch of snow bound cattle is the one that gets hurt. Being in a drought year I would check it just to be sure.
That's what makes for news articles. Checking your references, there are all types of folks and conditions when doing anything including haying, fertilization methods/quantities, harvesting techniques, and mother nature.
Most of my blabbing is via personal experiences which are moderate to mild considering the extremes of the above available to the general public.
I had a well to do friend with a field of Fescue (I think it was) he had way over fertilized. Nothing in the field but that grass (at a good stand by then), but salt and water. Turned in a bunch of hungry, six month old (thereabouts) calves in it and lost quite a few before he got the rest out. I don't remember the story exactly as it's been 20ish years ago but the point is, excess fertilization and no diversification as to the available nutrition can cause problems.
Thanks for the tip.