Dry conditions are creating additional feed concerns for South Dakota cattle producers. SDSU Extension Cow-Calf Field Specialist Robin Salverson says drought-stressed feed can have elevated nitrate levels, making testing especially important. “If nitrates are too severe, we can actually have the death of that cow or that animal. Drought is also reducing pasture quality and could force some ranchers s to begin supplemental feeding earlier than normal. Grass that would normally provide six to seven percent protein may now provide only two to three percent. Salverson recommends producers evaluate their pastures, consider supplemental protein and energy when needed, and monitor cattle body condition scores as animals are worked this fall.
