Mindy Ward, Editor, Missouri Ruralist
(Previously published online with FarmProgress, Missouri Ruralist: July 5, 2024)
(Image Source: Hay and Forage Grower)
With the recent drought Ohio and much of the United States has experienced this year to date, analyzing and understanding forage quality will be critical for operation success. Wether you are feeding a few sheep in your back yard or have 1,ooo ewes indoors, knowing what you are providing to your stock in your pastures or in the feed bunks is important. This week, Mindy Ward outlines key steps to follow when collecting a hay sample.
As hay condition comes into question, take a closer look at your harvested bales.
Hay quality is a concern this year, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz says, so farmers should sample bales.
Schmitz says it is important to test hay to determine appropriate feeding programs. When testing hay for nutrient content, accurate sampling is crucial to obtain reliable results.
“I recommend sampling 10 to 12 bales from each lot of hay that is being tested,” he notes. “This could be from a specific cutting, specific field, different forage species, etc. Collect samples from the entire pile or line of bales to ensure bales from various places in the field are being sampled.”
Schmitz offers these key steps for collecting a representative hay sample:
Use a hay corer. To collect the sample, use a hay test corer (also known as a hay probe). These corers can be used with either electric drills or hand braces. Sample round bales from the side, not from the end. Apply some pressure to push the corer into the bale. The force needed depends on moisture and bale density. Get the corer as deep into the bale as possible to ensure a good cross section of the bale at various depths.
Avoid handful sampling. Do not pull a handful of hay from the end of the bale as your sample. This won’t give an accurate result.
Sample multiple bales. For reliable results, sample 10 to 12 bales from each lot of hay. These bales could be from different fields, cutting times or forage species. Collect samples from the entire pile or line of bales to ensure representation.
Bag the samples. Place the collected sample from each bale into a plastic freezer bag. All samples from the same lot can go into the same container. Quart or half-gallon size freezer bags filled about two-thirds full should provide enough hay for the lab.
Label the bags. Mark each bag with your name and sample identification.
Select the right lab. Choose a commercial lab that provides forage analysis services. Fill out the lab’s submission form carefully, including information about the sample (e.g., cool-season grass hay, grass-legume mixed hay, warm-season grass hay, legume haylage). Some labs may also ask about the species of animal the forage will be fed to.
Choose the right test. Decide which test to have the lab run. For common forages, Schmitz recommends tests that provide information on protein, energy and major minerals. You can also opt for a more extensive test that includes fiber analysis and trace minerals for a slightly higher cost.
While hay testing is straightforward, Schmitz notes the quality of information depends on the sample collected and the analysis requested.
Need help? Please reach out to your local Extension educator. In most cases, each office will be equipped with a forage sampling probe. Your educator can also assist with locating a forage lab near you.