Any suspect feed should be tested for nitrate levels before feeding. The silage can also be tested at harvest to determine if nitrates are a cause for concern. Because nitrate levels decline during ensiling, regular forage tests for formulating rations, taken as the silage is fed, should also include a nitrate analysis.
Under certain environmental conditions, such as dry weather followed by a wet period, there is the potential for nitrates to increase in corn silage. Although it is difficult to predict when nitrates will become problematic, the problem is most severe on drought stunted, heavily manured fields for 3—4 days following a drought ending rain event. In addition to health concerns for cattle, higher nitrate silage can also pose a higher risk for the development of silo gas.
A representative chopped sample (~1 pint) of silage should be collected, frozen and then sent to the lab in a sealed plastic bag as quickly as possible (Overnight). If the sample begins to ferment the results will not be reliable.
Service Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| At Harvest Corn Silage Nitrate Test | $15.00 |
Submitting Your Sample
To submit a sample, complete the Corn Silage Nitrate Submission Form and send your sample with payment to:
The Pennsylvania State University
720 Tower Rd.
University Park, PA 16802
PDF document, 1.1 MB
Feeding adequate quantities of high-quality forages is the basis of profitable milk and livestock production. Forage production, harvest, storage, and feed practices have changed greatly over the past 50 years in Pennsylvania, and silage has become a staple forage. High-level management and sizeable financial outlays are necessary to efficiently produce, harvest, store, and feed silage. The information in the publication should enable you to make more effective decisions about harvesting, managing, and feeding silage.
Crop conditions have turned from dry to wet in many areas and our corn silage harvest is continuing. This has raised some concerns about the potential for nitrates in corn silage. Nitrates are a possibility under these conditions and are often hard to predict when then will appear.
PDF document, 141.0 KB
Use this form to submit credit card payment with your corn silage samples.
Ag Analytical Services Lab
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Email aaslab@psu.edu
- Office 814-863-0841
- Fax 814-863-4540
Ag Analytical Services Lab
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Email aaslab@psu.edu
- Office 814-863-0841
- Fax 814-863-4540
