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Summer
is here and along with the hot dry conditions comes a new set of
concerns for cattle producers. Traveling throughout the state, it is
apparent that several locations are suffering through a dry late spring
and early summer. This along with cool windy conditions in early May has
lead to reduced hay production and short pasture grasses. I have talked
to several producers who are feeding hay and are considering the
possibility of grazing hay fields as a way to meet the nutritional needs
of their cattle.
While
we hope that this is not a long term situation, there are two factors
that producers need to consider during this period. The first is
concerns over nitrate toxicity and the second factor is finding
economical ways to extend the forage you have available.
First,
let’s look at nitrate toxicity and how it can become a management
concern this summer. Nitrogenous products accumulate in plants when soil
nitrogen levels are high and readily available, but the plant is unable
to utilize it. When nitrate consumption is excessive, the reduction of
nitrite to ammonia becomes overloaded and toxic levels of nitrites
accumulate in the rumen. This is absorbed into the bloodstream and
affects the animal’s ability to carry oxygen to tissues. The result is
a lack of oxygen throughout the body and is most often associated with
the blood of the animal having a chocolate color.
Nitrate
levels can go up and down rapidly in plants. It accumulates only in the
vegetative parts of plants and is usually not excessive unless adequate
soil moisture is present. Drought-stressed crops that receive rain a few
days before harvest through hay, grazing or silage can accumulate
significant levels of nitrate. Acid soils, sulfur deficiency, phosphorus
deficiency, low environmental temperature, good soil aeration and the
use of animal waste as fertilizer are conducive to nitrate accumulation.
Herbicide damage to plants can also lead to significant nitrate uptake.
We see more of a problem with nitrate toxicity in sorghums/sudans and
winter annuals over native forages.
Symptoms
of nitrate poisoning include muscular weakness, incoordination,
accelerated heart rate, difficult or rapid breathing, cyanosis, coma and
death. Drop in milk production, abortion, poor performance and poor feed
conversion is seen in less severely affected animals.
A
forage sample can easily detect nitrate levels and will probably be
reported to you as NO3. When interpreting laboratory results, make sure
that the interpretation is based upon the correct reporting method. Your
local Quality Co-op can assist you in taking and sending forage samples
to a certified laboratory and I will be glad to assist you in proper
interpretation of the results. The following will also assist you in
interpretation of results.
Again,
if you have any questions concerning nitrate poisoning, please contact
me at jimmyh@alafarm.com
or 256-947-7886.
The
next question during times of reduced grazing is how to extend forage
for your cattle. The first step is to recognize that you are extending
forage, not replacing it. You must plan ahead and supplement your cattle
to extend forage. You cannot wait until all the forage is gone to start
this type of program. Cattle have a requirement for at least 10 pounds
of long stem forage per day for normal digestion. A cow that is
unsupplemented can consume over 30 pounds of forage per day. The 20
pound difference between what they require and what they can consume is
where we need to make adjustments to help stretch forage as long as
possible.
To
do this a producer needs to consider their situation and select the very
best products available to help. Several complete feeds, ingredients and
supplements are available to assist you in reducing the forage cattle
eat each day. Complete feeds that are available include 13% with Bovatec,
TP Cattle Ration, Alabama Cattle Ration, Bull & Steer, and
Performance Beef. Each of these feeds offers a complete diet with higher
levels of fiber to help meet the daily needs of the cows.
TP
Cattle Ration, Alabama Cattle Ration, Bull & Steer, and Performance
Beef are high fiber, textured feeds that offer cottonseed hulls as an
effective fiber source to help slow down the passage rate as well as
helping to meet the daily fiber requirements of the animal. 13% with
Bovatec is a pelleted feed that works very well where you have some
forage available, but it is of lower quality. 13% will help fill in the
gaps that poor quality forage cannot meet.
Soyhulls,
peanut hulls, whole cottonseed and cottonseed hulls are ingredients that
could be available to help stretch your forage. Soyhulls and cottonseed
can be provided as a source of energy, protein and fiber to your cattle,
while you would need to mix other ingredients with cottonseed hulls and
peanut hulls for proper intake and utilization.
I
would also encourage you to consider supplement tubs such as Sweetlix
Roughage Converter Blocks and Crystalyx Supplement Blocks. While neither
provides additional fiber to your cattle, they do promote more effective
use of the pasture the cattle are grazing. This will allow your cattle
to do a more complete job in utilizing grass and hay that will lead to
lower intake of forages needed to meet their requirements.
Another
consideration to help make decisions for fall and winter feeding is
incorporating winter annuals into a feeding program. The early outlook
for ryegrass seems to be in plentiful supply and economically priced. I
would suggest that you start the process now to determine your needs for
this fall. Whether you broadcast the seed in a prepared seed bed or
drill into existing pastures, you need to have the ability to control
graze the crop. Your local Co-op can assist you in providing seed, grain
drills and fencing supplies to meet your needs.
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