A forage crop being utilized more offered in central Kentucky is Sorghum based forages like sorghum, sudangrass, and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids. As these forages can be productive for grazing and for hay and baleage. Prussic acid (cyanide) and nitrate poisoning is new real concern for producers this year due to drought and frost conditions.  

The Boyle County ANR Agent was asked to prepare a timely topic to present on a local program on October 7, 2022. This radio program normally reaches about 5,000 individuals across serval counties. That morning the ANR Agent presented on ways to prevent prussic acid (cyanide) poisoning in livestock. Later that morning a local beef producer contacted the agent requesting information about prussic acid poisoning and a farm visit be conducted to test sudangrass for prussic acid and nitrate before cutting for baleage after hearing the radio broadcast from earlier. The producer has a cow-calf operation of about 250 cows. To protect their investment forage testing was conducted; the results showed some cyanide gas was present at the time of the test. This allowed the producer to make an informed decision for his herd.