Prussic acid in sorghum following a hard freeze
After a hard freeze, there could be questions regarding prussic acid in sorghum. Prussic acid poisoning is more of a concern when grazing sorghum than when harvested for hay or silage.
Test to prevent nitrate and prussic acid poisoning
Many Kansas cattle operations rely on some type of harvested feed to use in the winter months. Forages in the sorghum family are prone to two different problems for feeding cattle, nitrate poisoning and prussic acid poisoning. Learn about how to test for these and key characteristics of each toxin.
grazing sorghum forage prussic acid nitrate toxicity sudan millet
Testing methods for nitrates in forages
In last week's eUpdate, nitrate and prussic acid poisoning was discussed when feeding cattle certain types of forages. In this follow-up article, we share information on the different tests available and how to collect a representative sample.
fall forage hay prussic acid nitrate toxicity forage testing
Managing the prussic acid hazard in sorghum
While sorghum is a valuable forage crop, sorghum species can produce prussic acid, which can be toxic to livestock. The potential for toxic levels of prussic acid is affected by several different factors. If proper management occurs, sorghum can be a safe and beneficial forage crop.
Test to prevent nitrate and prussic acid poisoning
Many Kansas cattle operations rely on some type of harvested feed to use in the winter months and common among those sources is forage sorghum, millets, sorghum-sudangrass, and sudan. When feeding cattles, forages in the sorghum family are prone nitrate poisoning and prussic acid poisoning. Learn the difference and how to test for these before a problem occurs.
Managing forages after a hard freeze
Freezing temperatures change plant metabolism and composition, and different forage species respond differently to cold stress. Damaging frosts significantly reduce forage quality in most forage species and can create possible feeding-related issues for livestock.
Managing forages after a hard freeze
Freezing temperatures change plant metabolism and composition, and different forage species respond differently to cold stress. Depending on plant species, these changes in metabolism resulting from freezing temperatures can create possible feeding-related animal disorders. Learn more about managing forages after a freeze in this article.
Test forages to prevent nitrate and prussic acid poisoning
Many Kansas cattle operations rely on some type of harvested feed to use in the winter months. Common sources include forage sorghum, millets, sorghum-sudangrass, and sudan. Depending on the forage type, toxicity issues can occur due to high levels of nitrate and/or prussic acid.
sorghum cattle grazing prussic acid forages nitrate toxicity sudan