HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Murdock, F. R. Articles by Baker, A. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Murdock, F. R. Articles by Baker, A. S.

Utilization of Nitrates by Dairy Cows¹

Department of Animal Science

A. S. Baker

Department of Agronomy and Soils, Washington State University, Western Washington Research and Extension Center, Puyallup 98371

ABSTRACT

Oat hays of varying nitrate nitrogen content (.02 to .96%) were fed to lactating dairy cows and bred heifers under controlled conditions wherein intakes were ascertained. Some death losses, diagnosed as nitrate poisoning, had occurred previously in a beef herd on the farm where this hay was produced.

No toxic symptoms were observed in either the heifers fed oat hay as the sole ration or the cows which received oat hay and supplemental concentrates according to production. High nitrate nitrogen intakes did not appreciably impair milk production.

Blood methemoglobin was generally low. Elevated methemoglobin was not always coincident with high nitrate intake. Unknown physiological factors other than nitrate-nitrogen intake per se may contribute to high methemoglobin and development of toxic symptoms.

¹ Scientific Paper 3772. Washington Agricultural Experiment Stations, Pullman. Project 1439.