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


Bale grazing demonstration

about 2 years ago by Colby Guffey

Bale grazing is a technique of winter-feeding stored forages to beef cattle that has gained in popul... Read More


Corn Fungicide Trial

about 2 years ago by Colby Guffey

Grain crop producers continually struggle each season with the decision of whether to apply a fungic... Read More


Stories by Clinton County CES


Trunk or Treat

about 2 years ago by James Cecil

Trunk or Treat is a community program that we partnered with this year. Trunk or Treat is a safe pla... Read More


HO HO HO

about 2 years ago by James Cecil

Christmas Village is a program that we work with our FCS Agent on and it is held at the Early Childh... Read More