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At Harvest Corn Silage Nitrate
Test
Under
certain environmental conditions, such as dry weather followed
by a wet period,
there
is the
potential for nitrates to
increase in
corn silage.
Although it is difficult to predict when nitrates will become
problematic, the problem is
most severe on drought stunted, heavily manured fields for
3—4 days following a drought ending rain event. In
addition to health concerns for cattle,
higher nitrate silage can also pose a higher risk
for the development of silo gas.
Any suspect feed should be tested for nitrate
levels before feeding. The silage can also be tested at harvest to
determine if nitrates are a cause for concern.
Because nitrate levels decline during ensiling, regular
forage tests for formulating rations, taken as the silage is
fed, should also include a nitrate analysis.
A representative chopped sample (~1 pint) of
silage should be collected, frozen and then sent to the lab in
a sealed plastic bag as quickly as possible (Overnight).
If the sample begins to ferment the results will not be
reliable.
To
submit a sample, complete the Corn Silage Nitrate Submission
form (see gray panel on left for pdf copy) and send your
sample with payment to the Agricultural Analytical Services
Laboratory, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802.
 At Harvest Corn
Silage Nitrate Test .................................................... |
$10.00 |
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