Nitrates Appearing in Crops

The Ministry of Agriculture is reminding producers to have their crops checked for nitrate.

Due to the warm summer and lack of precipitation, nitrate is popping up in crops all over the prairies.

"Both of those have caused nitrates to show up in grain feed and we have seen that already through testing that has been done," Catherine Lang, a livestock and feed extension specialist with the ministry of agriculture, said. "It is really important to get any kind of grain feed tested for nitrates. As well if you're trying to use something like a canola, it is important to remember that canola can also accumulate nitrates as well as sulphur. That's another thing that it needs to be tested for, just so we're pushing safe levels for the cattle."

The nitrate issue isn't just being reported in just one area specifically either, especially with such harsh growing conditions hitting the majority of the prairies this year.