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Extension: Frost Can Create Prussic Acid with Forage Sorghum
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 10/21/2013

There has been an increase in the number of acres of forage sorghum and sorghum-sudangrass planted in Wisconsin this past year due to the long winter, late wet spring, drought last year and some areas of the state having a lot of alfalfa winter kill. Recent frosts can create prussic acid problems with these crops if they were not harvested prior to the frost and are not utilized in a safe manner according to Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin-Extension forage specialist at UW-Madison.

Undersander noted sorghums, and sorghum-sudangrass crosses may be poisonous if grazed or fed improperly. The danger of prussic acid poisoning is greatest for forage sorghum varieties, less for sorghum-sudangrass crosses, and least for surdangrasses. Fall is a difficult time since repeated light frosts may continually rupture new cells and release prussic acid

The young, dark green growth or regrowth less than 18 to 24 inches is the most dangerous stage. Shortly after frost, prussic acid release potential increases slightly. However, they can be safely grazed a few weeks after freezing if there is no substantial regrowth.

Since prussic acid poisoning is very fast-acting, death will occur quickly. Watch animals closely for any signs of toxicity. Symptoms of prussic acid poisoning are gasping, staggering, trembling muscles, convulsions, and death resulting from respiratory failure. The mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes may have a blue coloration as evidence of cyanosis. In cases of recovery, there appears to be no permanent effects.


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