Nitrate toxicity in cattle

Abstract

Extract

Madam:- Nitrate poisoning can be a problem in livestock, but occurs commonly in cattle.⁽³⁾⁽⁷⁾ High levels of nitrate and nitrite in plants and water sources are the primary cause of acute nitrate poisoning in cattle. Groundwater may accumulate toxic levels of nitrate by leaching from effluent, or soils heavily fertilised with nitrogen.⁽⁵⁾ Plants are the main source of nitrates to cattle.⁽²⁾ These include second-growth of rape, choumollier and turnips, immature green oats, Italian ryegrass and young maize.⁽⁴⁾ Rapidly growing plants, after a period of stunting (as for example, caused by drought), grown in rich nitrogenous soils are most dangerous.