Nitrate poisoning is caused by goats consuming nitrate-accumulating plants or certain environmental conditions causing increased levels of nitrates to occur. Fertilizers, run-off from fertilized fields, or water contaminated with animal wastes can also serve as sources of nitrates, which are cumulative in nature. Plants will accumulate increased levels of nitrates during times of rapid growing following a drought or hormonal herbicide application, decreased sunlight, mineral-deficient soils, and low temperatures. Plants containing greater than 1% nitrates per dry weight and water with more than 1,500 ppm nitrates can cause acute toxicity in goats.
