The level of 1,600 ppm nitrate nitrogen calculates to about 7,800 ppm nitrate. This level is safe to feed to nonpregnant cattle and needs to be limited to 50 to 75% of the diet of pregnant females. If you are short on hay, consider baling and using. The nitrates are usually confined to the stalk and in particular the lower 6 to 8 inches of the stalk. In a stalk field grazing situation, cattle commonly select the stalk last to eat after the corn, husks, and leaves are eaten. However, if stocking rate is heavy or cows have been left to graze the field too long (too many days) and grazing selectivity is limited, cows will begin consuming the stalks, and nitrate problems can occur. Our experience is that as long as cattle can select corn, husks, and leaves, more than 50% of their diet will be these three items. Our recommendation would be to fill pregnant cows up with forage (hay) before turning them into this stalk field, and do not graze it so long or hard that you force cows to eat the stalks.

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