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USCP Agronomy Check
BRENT BEAN
LUBBOCK, TEXAS
Avoiding prussic acid problems in sorghum Abundance of rain in many mid-South fields after sorghum had reached maturity led to widespread sprouting in the heads in some areas. The feeding value of sprouted grain is actually very good. However, for those who were unable to harvest their grain, grazing or haying may be an option. In some cases, grazing or harvesting the stover following grain harvest may be desired.
When feeding sorghum stover to livestock, prussic acid is often a concern. Cattle and horses are susceptible to prussic acid poisoning. However, if precautions are taken, prussic acid will disappear, and cattle and horses can consume sorghum forage safely, either through grazing standing stalks or by consuming hay or silage.
What is prussic acid?
Production of prussic acid, also known as hydrogen cyanide, occurs naturally in all types of sorghum when plant tissue is damaged from a freeze or drought. This damage causes dhurrin, a product found in sorghum, to come into contact with enzymes, producing prussic acid.
Although all sorghum types can produce prussic acid, Sudan grasses produce the least; grain sorghum and Johnson grass produce the most. Accumulating almost exclusively in the leaves, new leaf growth can be particularly high in prussic acid. Very little can be found in the stalk and none can be found in the grain.
Avoiding prussic acid
Grazing poses the greatest risk of prussic acid poisoning. Avoid grazing sorghum with new growth following a drought or even following grain harvest. Prussic acid can be present in the new growth for several days.
After the first hard freeze, it is suggested to wait at least five days before grazing. By that time, the prussic acid in the dead plant tissue releases into the atmosphere, making the forage safe to consume. Grazing sorghum following a light non-killing freeze poses the greatest risk, since any new growth can be particularly high in prussic acid. If cattle or horses have been grazing sorghum prior to the non-killing freeze, remove them immediately and do not allow them to graze the sorghum until five days after a killing freeze has occurred. To reduce the risk of poisoning from prussic acid, feed cereal grain to animals prior to releasing them to graze. This will give the animals more time to adjust to the prussic acid levels and provide more time for the prussic acid to dissipate to a safe level.
When consuming hay or silage, prussic acid is rarely a problem because the acid has had time to dissipate as a gas. However, if prussic acid levels were particularly high when the sorghum was harvested, hay or silage should be tested prior to feeding.
Testing
When collecting samples for testing, it is best to collect several stalks with leaves from different areas of the field. Keep samples cool and transport to the lab immediately. Prussic acid is considered toxic if it contains more than 200 parts per million (ppm) on a wet weight basis. Anything less than 100 ppm is considered safe. Although prussic acid is a common concern this time of year, it is seldom a problem if these precautions are taken. ∆
BRENT BEAN: Agronomist, United Sorghum Checkoff Program
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