"This chemical can be very harmful to animals, especially cattle, if they eat corn plants or other vegetation containing too much nitrate. Eating plants with too much nitrate can cause damage to red blood cells, resulting in lethargy, miscarriage, and even sudden death," Evans says.
The good news is if you have your corn tested and you're showing nitrates, but they're not yet at dangerous levels, ensiling can lower those nitrate levels. But, make sure you get a firm grasp of the nitrate levels you're facing.
"Producers have several options to help determine whether nitrate toxicity might be a problem," says Iowa State University veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine specialist Steve Ensley. "Assess the corn field that will be harvested to determine how much of the field has stunted corn that’s not developing a normal ear. Take samples either by taking grab samples of silage cut by a forage chopper or by cutting several entire plants by hand that represent the various types of corn in the field."
Check with your local university Extension office to learn more about how to get your field samples tested for nitrates, specialists advise.
