ag_aman2004
Active Member
Dera all,
Please take care on Corn Feed.
Dealing with High-Nitrate Corn Silage If corn silage is suspected to contain nitrate, it should be tested to determine level. The following feed management practices can be used to help avoid problems when using feed ingredients that are suspected to contain moderate to high levels of nitrate.
1. To determine if high nitrates are present, test the corn plant before harvesting.
2. High-nitrate forage should be harvested as silage since 40 to 60% of the nitrate will be destroyed during the fermentation process.
3. Utilize Alliance® Animal Health forage preservative products to ensure a good fermentation.
4. Do not add non-protein nitrogen sources, such as urea or anhydrous ammonia, to corn that tests high in nitrate.
5. Cut forage high. The bulk of nitrates are contained in the lower one-third of the stalk or stem. As much as 45% of the total nitrate in a corn plant may be present in the lower eight inches of the stalk.
6. Avoid cutting silage for at least five to seven days following a “soaking” rain.
7. Do not enter a silo for seven days after filling unless absolutely necessary. When filling, let the blower run for 10 to 15 minutes before entering. Be on guard for signs of silo gas, such as nasal or lung irritation, penetrating odor, yellowish-green color, or dead birds or animals at the bottom of the silo chute.
8. Feed corn silage more often (three to four times daily versus one to two times). Harmful effects are less likely to occur from nitrates if small amounts are consumed at any one feeding.
9. Cows with normal functioning rumens can handle moderate levels of nitrates. Ensure rations contain adequate structural fiber. Good rumen function is essential for the cow to handle nitrate.
10. Determine the nutritional adequacy of the ration.
A lack of protein, as well as an excess of highly degradable protein, can reduce ruminal nitrate conversion, thus increasing the chance for toxicity to occur.
Ensure adequate energy intake, especially fermentable carbohydrates.
Do not feed excess soluble protein (>34%).
11. Avoid sudden ration changes. Cows can handle moderate levels of nitrates if introduced gradually into the ration.
12. If corn silage contains a moderate to high nitrate level, check water supply also. Water nitrates and feed nitrates are cumulative. Cows consuming water containing nitrates can tolerate less in the feed.
Regards
Amanullah AG.
Please take care on Corn Feed.
Dealing with High-Nitrate Corn Silage If corn silage is suspected to contain nitrate, it should be tested to determine level. The following feed management practices can be used to help avoid problems when using feed ingredients that are suspected to contain moderate to high levels of nitrate.
1. To determine if high nitrates are present, test the corn plant before harvesting.
2. High-nitrate forage should be harvested as silage since 40 to 60% of the nitrate will be destroyed during the fermentation process.
3. Utilize Alliance® Animal Health forage preservative products to ensure a good fermentation.
4. Do not add non-protein nitrogen sources, such as urea or anhydrous ammonia, to corn that tests high in nitrate.
5. Cut forage high. The bulk of nitrates are contained in the lower one-third of the stalk or stem. As much as 45% of the total nitrate in a corn plant may be present in the lower eight inches of the stalk.
6. Avoid cutting silage for at least five to seven days following a “soaking” rain.
7. Do not enter a silo for seven days after filling unless absolutely necessary. When filling, let the blower run for 10 to 15 minutes before entering. Be on guard for signs of silo gas, such as nasal or lung irritation, penetrating odor, yellowish-green color, or dead birds or animals at the bottom of the silo chute.
8. Feed corn silage more often (three to four times daily versus one to two times). Harmful effects are less likely to occur from nitrates if small amounts are consumed at any one feeding.
9. Cows with normal functioning rumens can handle moderate levels of nitrates. Ensure rations contain adequate structural fiber. Good rumen function is essential for the cow to handle nitrate.
10. Determine the nutritional adequacy of the ration.
A lack of protein, as well as an excess of highly degradable protein, can reduce ruminal nitrate conversion, thus increasing the chance for toxicity to occur.
Ensure adequate energy intake, especially fermentable carbohydrates.
Do not feed excess soluble protein (>34%).
11. Avoid sudden ration changes. Cows can handle moderate levels of nitrates if introduced gradually into the ration.
12. If corn silage contains a moderate to high nitrate level, check water supply also. Water nitrates and feed nitrates are cumulative. Cows consuming water containing nitrates can tolerate less in the feed.
Regards
Amanullah AG.