Summers can bring “high pressure domes” that cause 100°+ days and no rain. The resulting heat stress can cause nitrate accumulation in summer annual forage crops. Producers are very cautious about cutting or grazing the drought-stressed forages, and for good reason. However, when the first drought-ending thunderstorm comes along, cattlemen are anxious to cut the forage or turn in the cattle on the field that just received rain. This practice can lead to a potentially dangerous situation. As the plant starts to grow and turn green again, nitrate uptake is accelerated. Plant enzymes (such as nitrate reductase) are still not present in great enough quantities or active enough to convert the nitrate to plant proteins. Therefore, the plant nitrate concentrations become even greater in the first few days after the first rain. Producers should exercise caution and test forages before cutting or grazing shortly after a drought-ending shower. Some of the greatest concentrations of nitrate in forages will be recorded at this time. Usually by seven to 10 days after the rain, plant metabolism returns to normal and nitrate accumulations begin to decrease. Be sure to test the forage for nitrates before purchasing or feeding to livestock.

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