A cool bath on a hot day! Jaxon Bilbrey hoses his market steer off at the showmanship clinic sponsored by the Biddle Busy Beavers 4-H Club.
4-H members practice sheep showman skills under the guidance of Jen Bice at a recent showmanship clinic.
"One would think that if there was ever a year that nitrate levels would not be a concern, this would be it," stated Powder River Extension Agent Mary Rumph. "However," she added, "we are seeing some high levels of nitrate in samples of small grains being cut for forage."
High levels of nitrates in cereal grain are usually present under drought conditions. The roots of growing plants will continue to take in nitrate nitrogen; however, normal plant metabolism which convert nitrate to protein is disrupted and high nitrate levels accumulate. Any time the plant is stressed, nitrate levels can increase. This can also occur as the result of a hail storm.
At normal levels of nitrate in the soil, the nitrate content is usually higher in young immature plants, but decreases as the plant matures. The nitrate is usually highest in grain hay harvested before the dough stage of development. As the plant approaches maturity, the nitrate content usually decreases to well within safe feeding levels. Waiting until the soft dough stage can significantly decrease nitrate levels. Winter wheat is much less likely to accumulate nitrate compared to spring grains. Several tests of triticale earlier this summer reflected safe levels of nitrate, according to Rumph. Oats accumulate nitrate more than most other cereal forages.
"This year, due to adequate moisture, the crops are beautiful; the vegetation is lush; and the storm clouds are looming," said Rumph. "We are receiving immature samples at the Extension Office that haven't even began to fill with grain, and, some have tested high for nitrate."
Reader Comments(0)