Nitrates and Feeding Cattle
Fall has come to Southeastern Colorado and winter will soon be here. This finds many livestock producers gathering hay or stubble leases to carry their livestock through the cold months. Although the area had a good summer with adequate precipitation and low stress on crops I have had and heard reports of livestock feed testing high in nitrates. It is advised that livestock producers test potential feed bales or grazing stubble for nitrates. With the higher-than-normal prices of cattle, testing feed is another tool to protect your investment.
Forage samples can be brought into the extension office and be given an initial diphenylamine test. A few drops of the diphenylamine solution are placed on the sample and observed for a dark blue or purple color change. The change of color can indicate the presence of nitrate over a level of 5,000 part per million. When results show positive (blue color), the forage needs to be sent to laboratory for a quantitative analysis before feeding…