Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 3 · column 1 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
Nitrogen
A Problem
In Silage
Current drought conditions in Virginia may cause corn silage to have excessive nitrate levels. Elevated nitrate levels can cause nitrate p°'*egiii£.$ (methemoglobinemia) in animals' This can lead to reduced production or death if levels of nitrate in consumed feed are high enough.
Silage that is high in nitrates can also cause problems in storage before it is fed. Poisonous nitrogen gas may be formed during the fermentation process. This gas can be potentially lethal to both livestock and humans if the gas collects in enclosed areas without proper ventilation.
Livestock producers harvesting corn silage should have the silage tested for nitrates. The forage test would then recommend not feeding the silage or limit the intake based Upon the nitrate level found.
Much of the nitrogen applied to grow the corn crop may also be left in the soil because lack of moisture may have limited nitrogen uptake. According to Nutrient Management Specialists, it is not uncommon to find over 100 pounds of nitrate per acre left after a drought year. This unused nitrogen has significant potential to leach to groundwater over winter if another crop is not planted before winter to take up the nitrogen.
93.3%