SDSU Extension provides additional drop boxes for free nitrate testing

Golden windrows in a hay field
High nitrate levels in hay and forage can pose serious health risks to livestock, particularly pregnant animals and ruminants such as cattle. Nitrate test strips can give producers a quick, free screening tool to estimate nitrate levels in their hay..

BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University Extension is providing additional drop-off locations for free nitrate testing to ensure a safe feed supply for livestock as dry conditions linger across much of the state.

Nitrates accumulate in common forages such as oats, sorghum, sudan grass and corn during dry conditions. High nitrate levels in hay and forage can pose serious health risks to livestock, particularly pregnant animals and ruminants such as cattle.

SDSU Extension welcomes livestock owners and forage growers to bring in their forage samples at the new sites, which are at livestock auctions in Worthing, Yankton, Mitchell, Kimball, Platte, Burke, Winner, Presho, Mobridge, Phillip, Faith, Martin, St. Onge, Belle Fourche and Newell. SDSU Extension staff will pick up samples weekly and the results will be communicated as soon as testing is done.

Samples can also be dropped off at SDSU Extension regional centers in Aberdeen, Lemmon, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Watertown and Winner; Berg Agricultural Hall and Raven Precision Agriculture Center on the SDSU campus in Brookings; at Sioux Nation in Fort Pierre; and at the Bennett County, Butte County, Clay County, Fall River County and Haakon County offices.

Collect forage samples in a gallon-size plastic or small paper bag. Complete the submission form available at the drop-off location and staple it to the sample bag. Proper sampling will increase the accuracy of results.

Those interested in a forage test can learn how to take proper forage samples by visiting the SDSU Extension educational page. For a free, how-to guide on using nitrate test strips at home, visit our online guide.

For more drought resources, visit the SDSU Extension drought page. For more information on nitrate testing, contact Taylor Grussing, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist; Jaelyn Whaley, SDSU Extension Sheep Field Specialist; Parker Witt, SDSU Extension Crop-Livestock Systems Field Specialist; or Kim Ricardo, SDSU Extension Forage Field Specialist, at 605-773-8120 or Kimberly.Ricardo@sdstate.edu. 

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