Drought and Nitrate Toxicity to Livestock

 TEST YOUR CROPS FOR NITRATE CONTENT!

Drought conditions can raise the nitrate level in crops.  NECi, The Nitrate Elimination Company Inc., has developed  Nitrate Test Kits (Ag-NTK) that let you know whether your feed or forage is safe for animal consumption.  
NECi Ag-NTK measure nitrate levels on-site in standing hay, corn, silage, and forage grasses. 

You can use Crop Nitrate Content info to:

• make better harvest decisions

• set mower height in hay fields

• blend high nitrate feeds with safe sources

 USA DROUGHT 2006/7

During the summer of 2006, with high temps and a lack of rain, more than 60 percent of the U.S. was in drought.  The University of Nebraska (at Lincoln) Drought Monitor has updates with maps and other information on the drought and its impact on agriculture; see the latest maps at:  http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html

WHAT’S SAFE FOR LIVESTOCK?

Experts suggest these guidelines for nitrate content for cattle, pigs, and milk production:

• Generally considered safe: zero – 1500 ppm nitrate-N

• Problem levels, take precautions:  1500 – 5000 ppm nitrate-N

• Do not feed:  anything over 5000 ppm nitrate-N

Nitrate is reported a number of ways depending on your state and consultant preferences.  Table of Nitrate Units used in Ag Reporting (PDF)

NECi Ag-NTK ARE

• FAST:                    Results in 30 minutes. No shipping or waiting for lab results

• RELIABLE:          Accurate information you can use to make important decisions

• ECONOMICAL:  As low as $5 per test

• EASY-TO-USE:   No special skills or equipment required

• NON-TOXIC & NON-POLLUTING: Safe to use on-site, in the field or at your home office

 Two Types of NTK for Livestock Feed Testing

1. Livestock Feed (LF-NTK):  Use in medium drought conditions (when sap available).
   Test range 0-2000 ppm nitrate-N (same as 0-9000 ppm nitrate, or 0-0.90% nitrate).

2. Dry Forage (DF-NTK):  For crops in medium drought conditions (when no sap available).
   Test 0-2000 ppm nitrate-N (same as 0-9000 ppm nitrate, or 0-0.90% nitrate)

 Test Livestock Drinking Water or Your Own Drinking Water

NECi also sells NTK for water – test your well water for drinking water safety, or test runoff for compliance monitoring.  The AW-NTK series is set at the US EPA limit of 10 ppm nitrate-N (same as 45 ppm nitrate in California reporting units).

 NECi stands for Safe and Accurate Nitrate Testing with Easy-to-Use Kits