volunteer peas

[kens]

Is there a concern with nitrate poisoning after volunteer peas have been hit with frost? Is it alright to let cows graze them? There is other grazing also avaiable in the same field.

[buss]

I consulted one of our forage specialist about your question. Her name is Mona Lee Kirkland and her email is mona.lee.kirkland@gov.ab.ca. Here is her reply to your question: Terry, When checking into this for you I contacted Rick Corbett, Dairy Nutritionist with AAFRD. His response to the question was that 1) no information was available on nitrates in field peas and 2)his best guess was that since legumes tend to not accumulate nitrates and peas are a legume he wouldn't think there should be a problem. Even so, nitrate test are not expensive and my thoughts are it's wise to err on the side of caution. MLee Hope this helps.