Success StoryWheat for forage



Wheat for forage

Author: Colby Guffey

Planning Unit: Clinton County CES

Major Program: Forages

Plan of Work: Livestock, Poultry & Crops

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Wheat is often used as a source of forage for beef cattle in the area.  With the late freeze events of 2020 producers were concerned about the wheat crop being damaged and increasing the risk for Nitrate concentration in the forage.  Several producers contacted the local ANR Agent about assessing the Nitrate levels in the wheat crop prior to cutting it for forage. The ANR agent made several farm visits to wheat fields using the nitrate test strips provided by UK forage specialist to determine Nitrate levels. One field was excessively high in Nitrates and the producer was encourage to wait before harvesting the wheat. A return trip to the same field, yielded a lower Nitrate concentration via the test strips and the producer harvested the wheat for forage. Other fields that were visited had lower concentrations of Nitrates and producers harvested the wheat accordingly.  High Nitrate levels in forages can lead to Nitrate toxicity and cause death losses in ruminant animals.  The producers were also encouraged to send forage samples to the UK Vet diagnostic lab to accurately determine Nitrate levels before feeding to livestock.  






Stories by Colby Guffey


Gardening with 3rd Grade

about 6 years ago by Colby Guffey

Gardening with 3rd grade StudentsFollowing a program developed by the Wayne County Extension Service... Read More


Master Haymaker Series

about 6 years ago by Colby Guffey

The Clinton, Cumberland, Wayne and Russell County Extension Agents partnered to host the Master Haym... Read More


Stories by Clinton County CES


Addressing Food Insecurity

about 6 years ago by Christy Stearns

According to Feeding America, the overall food insecurity rate in Clinton County is 16.5%. In an eff... Read More


Longest Day of Play

about 6 years ago by Christy Stearns

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40.1% of Clinton County adult residents... Read More