A forage sample that accurately resembles a producer's hay is essential to test and measure the nutrient concentration.
Hay testing needs to be a regular part of a livestock operation because nutrient concentration varies in all forages. Knowing the nutrient concentration helps producers balance the animal's rations and, if needed, accurately provide supplements based on the animal's needs and what the
forages are providing.
The only effective method to sample hay is by using a core sampler, available from many agriculture supply catalogs and forage testing laboratories, or some local Cooperative Extension offices may have one available for loan.
Use the hay probe to collect one core from 15 to 20 bales from the same field and cutting. A core will fill the hay probe. Collect the sample from the center of the bale. Combine the samples from this group into one larger sample to send to the lab. UNL Cooperative Extension offices have mailers on hand to forward forages samples to the UNL forage testing laboratory. The cost per sample is about $15.
Decayed or moldy material, which should be discarded anyway, should not be included in the sample. This will make the sample similar to the actual diet of the livestock. If the hay will be sold, include the less desirable material in the sample to accurately represent all hay to be
sold.
Dave Varner is an Extension Educator with the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension office in Dodge County. Dave may be contacted at 727-2775, 1206 West 23rd Street in Fremont, or at dvarner1@unl.edu
