Forage Nitrate Poisoning
O. E. Olson, R. J. Emerick, and E. I. Whitehead
South Dakota State University
Occasionally forages accumulate nitrates in quantities that are toxic to some farm animals. As long ago as 1895, the literature reported cases of this. In the 1930’s heavy cattle losses from what was then termed “oat hay poisoning” were reported in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain areas. These losses were found to result from the high nitrate content of the hay. It has now been well established that several forage plants and weeds accumulate nitrates in toxic amounts under certain soil and environmental conditions.
Nitrates, regardless of their source, can cause livestock poisoning. However, this pamphlet deals with the problem when forages are concerned. Some mention is made of the occasional involvement of livestock water since nitrates in water contribute to this problem.
