By James Rogers, Forage crops production specialist

NDSU Extension

Several years ago, I was working with a producer in north Texas during a particularly hot and dry summer. He called me up one morning, and when I asked him how he was doing, he said, “Well, we’re one day closer to a rain.”

That’s a great reminder that things will get better – we just need to keep making the best decisions we can until the weather turns in our favor.

The weather continues to be baffling. Isolated and large storms have been popping up, bringing some relief to some areas while others continue to bake. There are many management considerations during dry periods, so here are some major ones to keep an eye on.

Livestock water quality and quantity

As temperatures increase, livestock water consumption increases. For the beef cow, this will also be influenced by milk production and physical size. A 1,300-pound nonlactating cow at 65 degrees Fahrenheit will consume an estimated 12 gallons of water daily. If a cow is lactating and temperatures are in the 90s, water consumption increases to 17-20 gallons. Cattle do get moisture from grazing, but as forages mature, moisture content and forage intake will decline. Dry weather will accelerate this decline. Ensure livestock have an adequate supply of water.

Water quality can be an issue during dry weather. Total dissolved solids, sulfates, nitrates and microbiological contaminants can reach toxic levels with elevated temperatures and drought. Nitrate levels in forages can be compounded by nitrate levels in livestock water. Testing is available to assess water quality. Additional information can be found in an up-to-date NDSU publication, “Livestock Water Quality.”

Nitrates

Adverse weather conditions can cause nitrates to accumulate in many forage species. Many variables contribute to nitrate accumulation, including nitrogen fertility, plant species and plant stress. In general, annual crops are at a higher risk for nitrate accumulation than perennials. This year, annual crops normally harvested for grain are being harvested for hay instead. If nitrate levels are elevated at harvest, they will remain elevated in the hay. Nitrate forage testing is available, so contact an NDSU Extension county office for more details. For more information on nitrate, refer to the NDSU publication “Nitrate Poisoning of Livestock.”

Drought-stressed corn silage

Drought-stressed corn can be chopped for silage. If considering turning a corn crop into silage, first check with your crop insurance agent. Then check pesticide labels to make sure that harvest intervals and restrictions are followed.

Moisture content is critical for making good silage. Ideal moisture content for silage placed into bunkers is 65%-70%. If it's chopped too dry, it will not pack or ferment well, increasing the chance for spoilage. Chopped at moisture levels too high, and silage can weep, reducing nutrient content and increasing the possibility of clostridial bacteria forming.

Moisture content of corn can be deceptive and should be tested before chopping. Corn stalks can hold a lot of moisture, and a field that looks dry can have a higher moisture content than you might think. If moisture levels have dropped below 65%, water can be added to raise the moisture content, but it is usually not practical. As a rule of thumb, it takes seven gallons of water per ton of silage to raise the moisture content by 1%. If moisture levels are too low for proper ensiling in a bunker, consider other methods, such as silage bags or baleage.

Nitrate levels can be elevated in drought-stressed corn and should be tested. Nitrates accumulate in the lower part of the plant stalk. Raising the cutting height to 10-12 inches will help reduce the concentration of nitrates going into the silage. Raising cutting height will reduce yield, but the trade-off can be worth it. Nitrates will also decline as the corn goes through the ensiling process. It is still good management to test the silage before feeding, just to make sure nitrate concentrations are at a safe level.

If corn to be ensiled is on the dry side, reducing the chop length can improve silage packing. This will increase the anaerobic environment and improve ensiling. Adding a microbial inoculant to drier silage can also improve the ensiling process. When adding an inoculant, follow the label directions to ensure that an adequate number of bacteria are added to the silage volume for the process to be effective.

Corn should be ensiled for a minimum of three weeks. Always be cautious and aware that silo gas can form during the ensiling process, and it is lethal.

Additional forage considerations

Most small-grain crops are bearded (awned). These awns, when baled, can cause mouth irritation when the hay is fed. Be aware of potential lump jaw when feeding bearded small-grain hay.

Alternative hay is often produced during drought, such as canola hay or straw, kochia hay (kochia can accumulate nitrates), and pigeon grass hay. Many of these will produce decent hay, but be aware that hay can also be a source of seed spreading. Be cautious where you feed these types of hay so that you don’t accidentally spread something to a location where you don’t want it. This would also be true for purchased hay. Also, it is a good management practice to test all of your hay to know what you are feeding.

Prussic acid accumulation can be a concern with sorghums. There are prussic acid-free lines of sorghum on the market, and if you have planted one of these types, prussic acid accumulation is not a worry. If sorghums are cut for hay, prussic acid will dissipate during the curing process. Sorghums can also accumulate nitrates, and sorghum hays should be tested to quantify nitrate levels. For additional details on prussic acid poisoning, refer to the NDSU publication “Cyanide Poisoning, Prussic Acid and Poisoning Hydrocyanic Poisoning.”

Our roller coaster weather year is continuing. Maybe it will snow next week.

(James Rogers is a North Dakota State University Extension forage crops production specialist at the North Central Research Extension Center near Minot, North Dakota.)

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Aug. 4, 2026

Source: James Rogers, 701-857-7682, james.rogers.1@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu