If in doubt, it would be good to test for nitrate before feeding such hays, especially before feeding large amounts. Producers who cut drought corn or sorghum for hay are encouraged to check nitrate levels before feeding. Be sure to take a good representative sample when sending to the laboratory for analysis. Prussic acid or cyanide poisoning can also be a problem in grazing drought stunted plants such as Johnson grass, sorghum, sorghum hybrids, and sudan grass. If forage for hay is allowed to sun cure thoroughly for three to five days, bleaching out any bright green color, prussic acid should not be a problem.
Cattle grazing short pasture are more likely to consume toxic plants .
Alternate day feeding of protein supplements, like cottonseed cubes, has been recommended to save labor. The practice is still good for high protein supplements but is not to be used for grain type supplements. High energy acid-producing feeds tend to decrease rumen pH and fiber digestion and alternate day feeding of large amounts, more than four pounds, simply magnifies the decrease in rumen pH. Further, unadapted cows should be started on grain feeding slowly or the problems of acidosis, founder and even death may result. Lack of adequate water will aggravate the impaction program. Hay harvested from vacant city lots, roadsides, etc., broiler lifter and other such feed may contain nails, wire, or foreign objects which can pierce the rumen wall resulting in death of the animal.