The value of forage analysis increases in tight economic conditions. Hay analysis plays a critical role in stretching hay supplies, balancing livestock rations and is an important aspect of buying and selling hay.

Proper sampling of hay is extremely important to assure an accurate analysis. As the old saying goes: “An analysis is only as good as the sample provided to the laboratory.” If sampling procedures are carefully followed, sampling variation can be reduced to an acceptable level and the potential forage quality successfully predicted. The following are industry accepted guidelines for hay sampling.

• Identify a single “lot” of hay. A hay lot is identified as a single cutting, a single field and variety, and generally is less than 200 tons. Combinations of different lots of hay cannot be represented adequately by a forage sampling. Thus, different lots should be sampled separately.

• Get a timely sample. It is important to sample the hay either as close to feeding or as close to point of sale as possible.

• Use a hay sampling probe or coring device. Never send flakes or “grab” samples, as these do not adequately represent the hay lot. A list of hay probes is available at the National Forage Testing Association website, www.foragetesting.org/

• Take a minimum of 20 cores for a composite sample to represent a hay lot, regardless of bale size or shape. With small bales, take one core per bale, but with larger bales (1 ton or greater), take two to three cores per bale in the center of the ends.

• Sample butt ends of the hay bale, between the strings or wires and not near the edge. The sides or the top of the bale should not be sampled, since these cores will only represent one flake from a single area of the field, and also misrepresent the leaf-to-stem ratio.

With round bales, sample on the rounded portion towards the middle of the bale on an angle directly towards the center of the bale.

• Sampling should be done so about a one-half-pound sample is produced for the laboratory. The sampler should ensure that the entire one-half-pound sample is ground by the laboratory.

• Seal the composite 20-core sample in a plastic bag and protect from heat. Double-bagging is beneficial. Deliver or mail to the laboratory as soon as possible. Do not allow samples to be exposed to excess sun.

• Lastly, choose a National Forage Testing Association-certified laboratory. A list is available at the above-mentioned website.

Forage analysis doesn’t cost, it pays, especially when feed budgets are tight.  PD

—Excerpts from University of Illinois news release, November 2008

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