7 tips to avoiding nitrate poisoning

1. Test the pasture – ask your vet for a nitrate testing kit. Tests need to be done at sunrise, as nitrate levels often fall later in the day (as sunshine naturally reduces nitrate levels).

2. Supplement stock with hay or silage before allowing them onto fresh pasture, so they're less likely to gorge on it. Eating pasture more slowly means animals eventually adapt to higher nitrate levels over time (over 14+ days).

3. Graze older stock on riskier pasture first as they're less likely to be affected.

4. Only allow stock access to new pasture on warm, clear days, preferably in the afternoon when nitrate levels are naturally lower. Cooler, cloudy weather after a period of good growing conditions means nitrate levels will be higher, as plants aren't getting enough sunlight to process nitrates into protein.

5. Don't let pasture get really low – nitrate levels are highest at the base of plants.

6. Avoid adding nitrogen fertiliser.

7. Check animals in the first two hours after putting them on new pasture. If there are any signs, call your vet and move animals out of the field immediately.