July 8, 2020 Issue, Page 5 of 8

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Agriculture Wednesday, July 8, 2020 “i The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Page 5 Correcting two myths about nitrates in forages From the Beckham potentially dangerous situ- by seven to 10 days after a To evaluate the signifi- between “farms” were sub- or proportion of dangerous County Extension Office ation. As the plant starts to “good” rain, plant metabo- cance of the change in ni- stantial and significant. The samples of forage sorghum Oklahoma summers often grow and turn green once lism returns to normal and trate concentration in forage mean concentration of ni- hay. Don’t be led into a false bring “high pressure domes” again, the nitrate uptake is nitrate accumulations begin sorghums during the day, trate for individual farms that cause 100-degree days accelerated. Plant enzymes to decrease. Be sure to test Oklahoma State University varied from only 412 ppm sense of security by thinking and no rain. (such as nitrate reductase) the forage before cutting and Extension Educators col- to 8935 ppm. The mean ni- that forages cut in the after- The resulting heat stress are still not present in great storing a large quantity of lected samples at two-hour trate concentrations across noon or evening are safer. can cause nitrate accumula- enough quantities or active potentially poisonous hay. intervals from 8 a.m. to 6 all farms were 3857, 3768, Source: Levalley and co- tion in summer annual for- enough to convert the nitrate For many years, producers p.m. Five cooperator’s fields 4962, 4140, 4560, and 4077 age crops. Producers are to plant proteins. Therefore, thought that the time of day (“farm”) were divided into workers. 2008 OSU Animal ppm for samples at 8 am., very cautious about cutting the plant nitrate concentra- of cutting would affect the quadrants. Three random 10a.m.,noon,2 p.m.,4p.m., Science Research Report. or grazing the drought- tions become even greater nitrate concentration in the samples, consisting of 10 and 6 p.m., respectively. ‘To learn more about nitrate stressed forages - and for in the first few days after the summer annuals that were stems each, were taken from Remember, most laborato- toxicity, download and read good reason. However, first rain. harvested. (Myth number 2). each quadrant at the speci- ties consider nitrate concen- when the first drought-eas- Producers should exer- This harvesting practice fied interval. The samples OSU Fact Sheet PSS-2903 ing thunderstorm comes cise caution and test forages was based on the assump- were analyzed at the Okla- trations at, or above 10,000 “Nitrate Toxicity in Live- along, cattlemen are anxious before cutting or grazing tion that the plant continues homa State University Soil, ppm potentially —_ lethal. stock.” For more informa- to cut the forage or turn in shortly after a drought-eas- soil nitrate uptake during Water, and Forage Analyti- There was much more varia- tion, contact Greg Hartman the cattle on the field that ing shower. Some of the cal Laboratory to determine nighttime hours, followed tion between farms than be- has just received rain. (Myth greatest concentrations of by accelerated conversion of the level of nitrates, in parts tween harvest times. Time Beckham/Washita County number 1), nitrate in forages will be re- the nitrate to protein during per million (ppm). of day of harvest did NOT Extension at 580-928-2139 This practice can lead to a corded at this time. Usually daylight hours. As expected, differences impact nitrate concentration or 580-832-3356, Lucas joins another representative to help meat, poultry processors US. Rep. Frank Lucas will provide grants to help on the incredible impor- am an original cosponsor vice president. “The RAMP “Previous COVID-related (3rd District-Oklahoma) and these rural small businesses tance of a strong food sup- UP Act addresses these sup- harvest facility disruptions of this legislation because House Agriculture Commit- meet that demand, wherever ply chain,” Thompson said. increased competition and ply chain issues by ensuring created a lasting bottleneck tee Chairman Collin Peter- their customers live.” “The RAMP-UP Act will capacity in the meat process- cattle ranchers and farmers on farms where millions son (7th District-Minnesota) Original cosponsors to the ease the strain on our meat ing sector is good for farm- have robust access to new last week introduced the RAMP-UP Act also include and poultry industry by cut- ers and the American con- markets regardless of where of hogs remain backed- Requiring Assistant to Meat U.S. Representatives San- ting red tape for processors sumer,” Aderholt said. “The their livestock is processed. up,” said National Pork Pro- Processors for Upgrading ford Bishop of Georgia, Jeff and get food on the tables of Ramp Up Act will help ad- We're grateful to Chairman ducers Council President Plants (RAMP-UP) Act. Fortenberry of Nebraska, every American family more dress the current backlog of Peterson and Rep. Lucas for Howard A.V. Roth. “As a “The RAMP-UP Act Chellie Pingree of Maine, quickly.” livestock and build a stron- their leadership and atten- result, we face mounting would establish a program to G.T. Thompson of Pennsyl- “The RAMP-UP Act rep- ger industry for the future.” tion to this critical issue.” financial losses and a se- make facility upgrades and resents important investment vania, Jim Costa of Califor- “Over the past several de- The RAMP-UP Act has planning grants to existing nia, David Rouzer of North in the resiliency of our food the added support of a broad cades, we have come to rely vere emotional strain. We meat and poultry processors Carolina, Angie Craig of system, by helping proces- range of livestock, farm and on fewer and larger facilities thank Congressmen Peter- to help them move to fed- Minnesota and Robert Ader- sors of all sizes to participate agricultural —_ associations, to process all of our meat,” son, Fortenberry and Lucas eral inspection and be able holt of Alabama. in Federal inspection and Lucas’ release stated. said National Farmers Union for taking steps to expand to sell their products across “This legislation reduces meet the full range of con- “The livestock and pro- President Rob Larew. “This harvest capacity and bring state lines,” Lucas stated in the burdens associated with sumer demand, wherever it cessing sectors faced se- system, though efficient, is much-needed relief to Amer- a news release. “The legisla- attaining Federal inspection may be,” Costa said. “It will vere impacts amidst the particularly vulnerable to ican hog farmers.” tion would also require the without jeopardizing food help to ensure grocery stores COVID-19 outbreak,” said disruptions - a fact that has United States Department safety standards,” Bishop stay stocked with meat and Blayne Arthur, Secretary of become impossible to ignore “For America’s sheep pro- of Agriculture (USDA) to said. “This will assist small- poultry products, and as Agriculture of Oklahoma, as coronavirus outbreaks ducers, finding new markets work with states and report er processing facilities in ob- Chairman of the Subcom- and Chair of the National at just a handful of plants and meeting demand for on ways to improve the ex- taining a larger commercial mittee on Livestock and For- Association of State Depart- have backed up the entire lamb is critical to our abil- is Cooperative Interstate presence while helping meet eign Agriculture, I am happy ments of Agriculture’s Ani- supply chain. Small and me- ity to thrive in a quickly Shipment program.” consumer demand, which to cosponsor this bill.” mal Agriculture Committee. dium sized plants can ensure changing environment,” said “Right now, America’s has been recently impacted “The COVID-19 pan- “The RAMP-UP Act ad- greater resilience and food meat producers and pro- by COVID-19.” demic has underscored the dresses some of the most ur- security in times of crisis, as American Sheep Industry cessors are facing unprec- “T am pleased to help lead need to strengthen our food gent needs, and I am grateful well as flexibility in market- Association President Ben- edented market challenges,” the RAMP-UP Act, an excit- supply chains to prevent dis- that it reflects the feedback I ing for farmers and ranchers. ny Cox. “Chairman Peterson Lucas said. “At a time when ing bill that helps smaller muptions in moving product heard from state agricultural By helping meat process- and Rep. Lucas’s legislation producers are experiencing meat processors upgrade to the marketplace,” Rouzer leaders across the country. ing plants cover the often is tremendously welcome increased demand for high- their plants and ship product said. “This bill would help Now is the time to act swift- prohibitive cost of federal to help break down barri- quality meat, meat proces- interstate,” Fortenberry said. small processors increase ly on the evolution of the inspections, the RAMP UP sors across the United States “This is a localized solu- their capacity and thereby processing industry.” Act will bolster a strong and ers for smaller processors to are racing to increase their tion that helps diversify the provide more options for reliable meat supply chain compete nationwide. These capacity to meet the demands meatpacking industry to cre- livestock producers to get “T thank Chairman Peter- for farmers and consumers grants will ensure our local of consumers and producers. ate a public good.” their product to market. This son and all the co-sponsors alike.” establishments can meet our The RAMP-UP Act gives “During the coronavi- is a worthy bipartisan effort of the RAMP-UP Act for “As Congress looks at stringent food safety inspec- processors the tools to be- Tus pandemic, we've seen that will benefit agriculture recognizing a critical and ways to make our food sys- tion system requirements come federally inspected how disruptions in just a and the consumer.” timely need to expand meat tem more resilient for farm- and open a world of oppor- facilities, which widens their few meat and poultry facili- “Amidst disruptions in processing capacity across ers and ranchers and for con- customer base while main- ties can create ripple effects the country,” Minnesota sumers, the American Farm tunity for sheep producers.” the food supply chain due to taining strong _ inspection throughout the entire supply COVID-19, our farmers and Commissioner of Agricul- Bureau Federation appreci- “By providing assistance standards. I’m proud to join chain. We must shift towards local processors have con- ture Thom Petersen said. ates Chairman Peterson and to help small meat and poul- my friend and Agriculture a more diversified and re- tinued to innovate to get safe “Minnesota livestock pro- Reps. Lucas and Fortenberry try establishments attain fed- Committee Chairman, Con- silient processing model,” food on the table for millions ducers have seen the reper- and others for introducing eral inspection status with- gressman Collin Peterson Pingree said. “The RAMP- of Americans,” Craig said. cussions of the COVID-19 this bill to increase meat and out sacrificing critical food in expanding the opportuni- UP Act would help defray “By continuing to support pandemic, and they are poultry processing capac- safety standards, the RAMP- ties for not only OKlahoma’s the costs of attaining fed- our local meat processors, counting on new approaches ity,” said American Farm processing facilities but eral inspection for meat and we are safeguarding our like this to accelerate the re- Bureau Federation President UP Act represents a suitable meat processors across the poultry processing facilities, food supply and stimulating covery of this critical indus- Zippy Duvall. “At the same approach in expanding ca- United States.” which will give local pro- rural economies.I am proud time as this bill will help pacity during times of food “We have seen the impor- ducers more options to get to work with Chairman Pe- “The COVID-19 pandem- more processing facilities at- supply disruptions. Con- tance of having meat and food to their customers. I’m terson on this critical legis- ic caused unprecedented dis- tain federal inspection status sumer Reports commends poultry processors of all siz- proud to join as an original lation.” tuptions to beef processing and ensure producers have a Chairman Peterson for his es in Minnesota and across cosponsor of this legislation “Disruptions to meat pro- which were devastating to market for their poultry and the country over the past few that will help get local foods cessing this spring showed cattle producers,” said Don livestock, it also ensures the work on this bill,” said Brian months,” Chairman Peterson on our constituents’ plates.” that our current system Schiefelbein, National Cat- safety and abundance of the Ronholm, director of Food said. “The RAMP-UP Act “COVID-19 has shed light needs greater flexibility. I tlemen’s Beef Association food supply. Policy at Consumer Reports.