Testing Forages | Progressive Forage

Hesitation about NIRS evaluation of grass forages

Not only are NIRSC calibrations accurate for the evaluation of grass-type forages, but they successfully combine warm- and cool-season grasses, eliminating the need for separate calibrations.

September 13, 2023

Rebecca Kern-Lunbery and Bobbi Jo Anderson Husmoen

Recently, producers at the Nebraska Grazing Conference indicated that there is still a lot of apprehension around the use of NIRS in forage evaluation. The most common concern was that NIRS is “fine” for alfalfa but not accurate enough for grass forages.

Myth-busting horse hay

When it comes to hay quality, evaluating the needs of the individual horse is imperative.

August 8, 2023

McKenna Greco

Many forage buyers and sellers equate “horse-quality” hay to forages with the highest nutrient content, especially in comparison to “cow hay.”

In-field vs. in-lab testing and techniques in the archaic world of soil

While soil testing may be settled on a state-by-state basis, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done for one of these non-lab soil labs to be relevant coast to coast without needing to be reconfigured every time it crosses a state line.

July 17, 2023

Scott Fleming and Dustin Sawyer

While drones and imagery are flying along, the evolution of soil testing seems to be moving at an earthworm's pace.

A better way than crude fiber

Distinguishing between neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber can better predict how forages change nutritionally as they grow and mature.

January 25, 2023

Woody Lane

It’s a world full of confusing, shifting, mislabeled and misunderstood compounds and structures.

Forage testing for the future

July 14, 2022

Joy Hendrix

The case in favor of how valuable a forage test can be is solid and largely undisputed, but how often do those tests need to be performed to be most efficient?

It’s not too early to evaluate hay and forage levels

May 30, 2022

Robin Cox

Hay season will soon be upon us; how will your forage perform? This question is on the mind of growers who raise, feed and sell this precious commodity.

The dictionary behind forage analysis

By understanding your forage tests and the lingo they use, you can make more educated decisions on how you want to utilize the feed in your operation.

April 30, 2022

Louisa Koch

With spring just around the corner, you may be starting to think about your forage plans for your operation. Whether you are ready to put your cows out on pasture or begin a new harvest of haylage, it’s important to know what you are feeding your animals.

Why is my RFV so different from my RFQ?

March 31, 2022

Rebecca Kern-Lunbery

As a consultant at a commercial testing laboratory, this is one of the most common questions I receive from producers looking at their forage report.

Forage quality and quantity in 2022

January 31, 2022

Michael F. Hutjens

Profit margins could be a challenge in 2022 as feed prices remain high, with premium-quality alfalfa hay over $240 a ton, shelled corn approaching $6 a bushel and soybean meal over $370 a ton. One solution is if you have adequate forage amounts and quality.

Leaf percentage and why it matters

November 30, 2021

Dan Undersander

Many farmers have harvested alfalfa and then found it did not have the expected relative forage quality (RFQ). A new forage analysis, leaf percentage, may help determine the cause of the problem.

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Hesitation about NIRS evaluation of grass forages

Myth-busting horse hay

In-field vs. in-lab testing and techniques in the archaic world of soil

A better way than crude fiber

Forage testing for the future

It’s not too early to evaluate hay and forage levels

The dictionary behind forage analysis

Why is my RFV so different from my RFQ?

Forage quality and quantity in 2022

Leaf percentage and why it matters

Tales of a Hay Hauler: Poverty games

Friday night lights

USDA provides $5 million in second round of payments to help organic dairy producers cover increased costs

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