Success StoryForage Danger Awareness



Forage Danger Awareness

Author: David Appelman

Planning Unit: Bracken County CES

Major Program: Forages

Plan of Work: Beef Production and Management

Outcome: Initial Outcome


Due to the recent drought, available forage for grazing livestock is being sought by everyone at this time, but there are major concerns with certain types of grass.  

The Buffalo Trace Ag Agents hosted their annual Farm School for Women and the topic for the second meeting was pasture management.  This included a farm tour that looked at various pasture management issues including the use of annuals such as sorghum / sudan grass to fill the summer grazing needs.  Because of the recent drought, it was explained how these types of forage can accumulate Nitrates and be toxic to animals grazing them.  Once sufficient rainfall is available, growth to dilute the accumulated nitrates may allow the plants to be grazed or harvested.  A second concern with this forage is the chance for Prussic Acid to be released if a frost occurs.  This is even more of a concern since many hay fields that may have Johnsongrass which is very similar to Sorghum are being grazed to stretch forage supplies.  

Following the field tour, a demonstration on how to test for Nitrates and also for Prussic Acid were conducted and participants were urged to work with the agents in case they have fields that needed to be checked.  






Stories by David Appelman


Parasite Resistance

about 1 years ago by David Appelman

There is concern within the beef industry that our products we now have available to treat animals f... Read More


Pasture weed management

about 1 years ago by David Appelman

Weed pressure in grazed pastures has increased in recent years due to many factors that include over... Read More


Stories by Bracken County CES


Arcs & Sparks

Arcs & Sparks

about 1 years ago by Molly Jordan

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is estimated that more than 3 million skill trade jo... Read More


The Dinner Table

The Dinner Table

about 1 years ago by Shannon Smith

The Bracken County Family and Consumer Science Agent met with the FRYSC and the Bracken County Schoo... Read More