Tag: Cherokee County

Christopher LeMaster, Jr.
Livestock & Forage Agent
Cherokee, Spartanburg, & Union Counties

We don’t usually associate tall fescue with nitrate toxicity in the spring. However, the current D3 drought conditions have changed the equation. This is not only a “summer problem,” but cool-season grasses—such as tall fescue or winter annuals—can pose a risk under these specific conditions.

If you applied high levels of nitrogen this spring to catch a flush of growth that never came, the risk in your fescue fields is real. Without rain, the plant couldn’t convert that nitrogen into growth. It simply accumulated in the lower portion of the plant. Now that we are finally seeing some rain, that “stuck” nitrogen is being pulled into the plant at a rapid rate.

The Spike

It is a common misconception that the danger passes as soon as the grass turns green again. In reality, research shows that nitrate levels typically spike 2 to 3 days after a drought-ending rain. This is the most dangerous window for your livestock.

• The One-Week Rule: While the spike is most acute in the first 48 to 72 hours, we recommend waiting at least one week before grazing or harvesting. This allows the plant time to resume normal metabolism and begin “growing out” of that initial nitrate flush.
• Hay is “Locked In”: Nitrates do not dissipate in dry hay. Once your mower hits the field, you are locked in at that nitrate level forever.
• Silage/Fermentation: If you are putting up high-moisture forage or baleage, the fermentation process can reduce nitrate levels by 40% to 60%, but this should still be verified with a test.

Don’t Guess—Test

If you have fields with a high nitrogen history that are currently recovering from drought, I strongly recommend sampling the standing forage before you cut.

• Get a Representative Sample: Take “grab samples” from multiple areas of the field, specifically focusing on the lower portions of the plant where nitrates concentrate.
• Utilize the Lab: Bring your samples to your local Extension Office or send them directly to the Agricultural Service Laboratory. They can provide a precise analysis of nitrate-nitrogen levels.
• Check the Backlog: We may also consider testing outside of that initial one-week window. Once the plant has had time to work through the backlog of accumulated nitrogen, a follow-up sample can confirm if the forage has returned to an acceptable or safe range for harvest.

Next Steps

If your test results come back with an elevated nitrate level, we can work on a plan to safely manage that forage. Whether that means diluting the feed with other forages, adjusting your grazing strategy, or simply waiting a few more days for the plant to balance out, there are ways to keep your herd safe.

Have questions about how to pull a proper sample or interpret your lab results?
Reach out to your local livestock and forage agent today.

The pandemonium at the bread and milk aisle must mean we are due for some wintry weather and milk sandwiches. At the time of this blog, forecasts call for snow, ice, and long periods of sub-freezing temps. While this is not uncommon for our area, we have a few more precautions than your average homeowner as livestock producers. The biggest concerns for our livestock in wintry weather are hypothermia and dehydration. Shelter and added calories are the best defense for hypothermia. Water is always a challenge in winter but pay close attention to ice-over and monitor animal intake as we approach Sunday.

Animals burn considerably more calories with windchill and a wet coat. Ruminants and horses (hind-gut) generate heat when they ferment forages. For this reason, consider feeding in the late afternoon to help provide max heat during overnight lows. Ice will make grass more inaccessible than snow, so be prepared to put out hay early and often. In addition, rolling out hay to provide warm, dry bedding can be a relief to younger animals. Ensure you have adequate room to lessen the chance of young animals getting stepped on. Shelter is often not feasible for our cattle herds but encourage animals to bed in windbreaks by hay placement.

Winter weather in the south means ice. Besides the loss of traction, power loss is usually imminent in an ice storm. Temporary fences will fall to the added weight of the ice and may require a battery power source. Before the weather, top off feeders that are hard to access or need electricity (augers). If you are on well water, consider putting out extra troughs in case we lose power. Make sure your machinery is ready by checking fluids, adding weights, and don’t forget your small engines (ATV, chainsaw, generator).

Although the list of preparations is long, farmers are ever-ready and solid. They are the first called to pull a neighbor out of a ditch or cut a tree off a driveway. So while you’re trudging in snow caring for your livestock, please take a second to enjoy the views and know it too will pass soon.