EXTENSION SERVICE: How do I sample my hay and baleage
I have been getting questions about forage sampling over the last couple of weeks. Producers have been challenged establishing their winter annual forages this past fall and the feeding of hay has increased in local herds. Forage quality is only a guess unless you test. In order for a cattle or forage producer to obtain the best results from a test please collect a representative sample by following these guidelines: Test each lot of forage separately. A “lot” is defined as hay that was harvested at the same time, out of the same field, and under the same conditions. (If part of the field was rained on before baling – sample rained on bales as a new lot.) Please remember that a forage analysis is only as good as the sample collected. Below is information about forage testing from UGA Forages.
Dry Hay
1. Using a hay coring probe, collect 15-20 cores from each lot.
2. Insert the hay probe on the side of the bale, coring towards the center so you cross several windrows.
3. Remove the hay probe and empty the contents into a clean container (i.e. bucket or bag).
4. Mix the material thoroughly to decrease bias. Pour in enough sample material to fill up a 1-quart plastic bag.
5. Label each sample with a self-imposed sample ID to make it easy to remember the lot sampled.
6. Fill out the UGA Feed and Forage Testing Application, attach the form to the sample, and submit via the UGA County Extension Office.
Baleage
Baleage samples may be collected at multiple times:
• Post baling – before wrapping: collect core samples just prior to wrapping, using the dry hay protocol.
•After wrapping: collect core samples from various locations in the tube or from several individually wrapped bales from the same lot. Ideally this would occur post fermentation (6+ weeks post-wrapping).
• Just prior to feeding: collect core samples from the tube or lot of bales that you plan to feed next. This decreases potential spoilage due to hole punctures over a prolonged time period.
When sampling baleage
1. Seal the puncture hole immediately after coring with an “X” using a UV protected silage tape.
2. Remove as much air from the sample bag as possible prior to sealing.
3. Ship baleage samples to the lab immediately and early in the week to re-duce the chance of spoilage between collection and analysis.
If you have any questions about forage sampling please contact your local county Extension office.