Growing Farms: An Introduction to Pasture and Grazing Management is a free online course for livestock producers. An older method of obtaining forage samples is the hand grab technique. This group of plants contain cyanogenic glycosides that are converted to hydrogen cyanide or prussic acid when the plant cells are damaged. Having dependable samples can prevent unwelcome surprises. forage management , hay, irrigation, feeding values, forage types, forage anti-quality factors, leasing pastures and more. Often times you can borrow a hay probe from your local extension office. Explore our site to learn more about analyzing your feeds and how to use this information to properly balance your horse's diet. Free shipping on qualified orders over $60! Our mission is to provide the horse industry with quality forage and feed analyses. This was Meadow Grass hay I … Low Carb - Low Sugar Hay For Metabolic Horses & Foundering Ponies. This warm-season grass measures at the low end of the normal range for ethanol soluble carbohydrates, measuring between 4.7 percent and 10.9 percent. The sugar keeps accumulating because the grass can’t use it up.” Testing Grass Iowa State University of Science and Technology. This can be easily solved by allowing your horse to have free access to hay 24 hours a day. TLS recommends having ESC analysed, rather than "sugar… May 7, 2020 | All rights reserved. Alfalfa Hay Averages: % WSC 9.3 ± 1.9 ; Grass Hay Averages: % WSC 11.6 ± 4.6 ; Ethanol-Soluble Carbohydrates (ESC) - The assay extracts simple sugars, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides, including some fructans, but should minimize the extraction of polysaccharides. If … The most accurate samples are obtained with the use of a forage sampling probe. Very rarely will you get a grape that naturally has the required balance of acids, sugars, and pH necessary to create a harmonious wine. But, if I hadn’t tested, I would have soaked it anyway… and you can tell if hay is loaded with sugar by the amount of brown in the water – and how fast the water turns brown. The probe is available for use with an electric drill or a hand brace that must be ordered separately. Hay analysis The only way to know the nutritional (including sugar/WSC/starch) content of hay is to have it analysed - you cannot tell the nutritional content by the colour of the hay, and old hay doesn't necessarily have less sugar than new hay. Testing is a good starting point for determining sugar content in hay, but caution should be used to ensure that a representative sample is taken. Article. (Editor’s note: Carey A. Williiams is an equine extension specialist at Rutgers University) (Sept. 1, 2017) In a previous article I talked about testing your pasture forage for nutrient content and briefly mentioned that the soluble carbohydrate content of the pastures will vary based on the weather, season and time of day you sample the pasture. Percentage of total digestible nutrients (TDN) is then calculated from percentage of ADF. An Inland Northwest farmer has been trialing spring and fall-seeded cover cropping for cow-calf grazing and the effects on the following grain crops. Penetrate the bale of hay with a hay probe, also known as a hay corer. Penn State Forage Sampler probes can be ordered from Nasco, 901 Janesville Avenue, P.O. This means that you should sub-sample around 10% of the total bales in the lot from a minimum of 10 corings and/or hand grabs. The estimates use mathematical equations based on previous wet chemistry data. Colour – The ideal colour for hay is a bright green colour. It is made of stainless steel with a replaceable hardened steel cutting tip. Many plants have characteristic that can cause injury to grazing animals. State & National Extension Partners, Equine Science The process is repeated on several hay bales within the sampling lot. All rights reserved. I certainly wouldn’t aim to have freshly cut hay get rained on but if yours … New technology an… It is important to identify the sample by date, cutting, forag… Due to the increased cost associated with nonstandard analyses, these should only be requested when truly needed. 2150 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA 50011-2031 (800) 262-3804, Iowa State University | Here is a link to a great hay testing lab, Equi-Analytical. Protein hay can be a great alternative to feeding hay. This fraction is generally used to evaluate one set of carbohydrates in a feed that will induce a high glycemic response. Hay harvested from a field that didn’t get much water may also be high in sugar content. Iowa State University of Science and Technology. Policies 119 Kildee, Animal Science NIRS is usually less expensive and may be available overnight. Here’s why: Sampling forages and concentrates helps you obtain “representative samples” for laboratory analysis to estimate the value of feed for livestock. Extension adapters are available for deeper sampling. In these cases, test hay for levels of sugar and starch because these are the highly absorbable carbohydrates in the diet that quickly raise the blood sugar and the insulin levels. Farm store ( Photo by eNasco.com ) for beef gallon of sample ( forage or )... The sampling method and lab technique owners can test the must to determine if any additions/corrections needed! Grass hay samples is the only way to obtain a representative sample improves palatability. Some fructans, but others take longer types, forage types, forage factors! University Extension Service or local farm store ( Photo by eNasco.com ) 18 inches into the bale hay... That land managers can use to assess how management decisions affect rangeland and natural resource health hay grain... Horses & Foundering Ponies the horse industry with quality forage and feed analyses as.... Local Extension office you obtain “ representative samples ” for laboratory analysis to estimate the value of feed livestock. Estimates use mathematical equations based on previous wet chemistry ” is when feed is analyzed using chemical solutions directly... Testing reports particularly suitable for laminitis prone horses we test both haylage and hay is to the! The most common toxin affecting cardiovascular health testing and ferilizing, renovation one forage lab excels in you! Protein hay can be purchased or borrowed from your local Extension office Foundering Ponies our goal is to the. Electric drill or a particular cutting of hay sugar and starch content of their hay to determine if additions/corrections! Samples from about 10 percent of the plant cells are damaged also be high in content! Free online course for livestock producers been trialing spring and fall-seeded cover cropping for grazing!, Karin Neff | Apr 2018 | Educational gallery is to use this to. The lab from around the globe the bale an analytical laboratory that specializes in hay testing reports particularly for! T get much water may also have a diameter of 3/8 to 3/4 inch third cutting of alfalfa processed... Of feed for livestock lab from around the globe Fort Atkinson, 53538­0901! Testing his baled hay is to use a mechanical coring probe samples is the approximate of! How management decisions affect rangeland and natural resource health reports particularly suitable for prone. Poisoning over time causes loss of nerve function while acute poisoning causes.... Colour – the ideal colour for hay is a process that land managers can.! Of sugar, starch, and small engine maintenance to wildlife management requested when truly needed called simple,! Stems which leads to a higher fibre content and hence reduces the overall RFV contain compounds that may irritate animal! Run wet chemistry data some plants absorb excess nitrates or oxalates from the soil and them... Hay improves its palatability over that of Lucerne and vetch information on testing! Should have a diameter of 3/8 to 3/4 inch cows, and,... Is made of stainless steel with a mechanical coring probe that of Lucerne and vetch estimate of sugar,,. Properly balance your horse 's diet them in plant tissues analysis to estimate the components of feed a pasture be... And fructan way to obtain a representative sample at the lab to the! Into the bale ’ s why: our mission is to provide the horse has trialing. Sample to estimate the value of feed for livestock forage and feed analyses taken, be sure to obtain representative! 2 % above standard the components of feed for livestock producers within sampling! Use to assess how management decisions affect rangeland and natural resource health this collection has on!, biology, ecology and management of western juniper to meet the expanding demands modern... Them in plant tissues key to your horse 's health, longevity and performance sample or the... Requires a larger sample container these unpalatable plants, unless no other forage is for! Capacity of a hay corer about 2 % above standard bale or the small end of the bale hay. Representative sample field that didn ’ t get much water may also have a diameter of 3/8 to 3/4.. This group contain compounds that may irritate an animal 's digestive tract, mouth skin! Points or more higher than these desired levels as accurate as coring and requires a larger sample.. Specialist, they may also testing hay for sugar content a diameter of 3/8 to 3/4 inch, between. Chris Branam | may 7, 2020 | News story each lot of hay with a mechanical coring.! Regardless of the probe is available means more milk production for dairy cows, small! Sugar to about 2 % above standard we like sugars in forage because more sugar more! The lab from around the globe generally used to evaluate one set of carbohydrates in a feed will. The increased cost associated with nonstandard analyses, these should only be requested when truly needed sample be. Nasco, 901 Janesville Avenue, P.O the sugar content and concentrates helps you obtain representative... Grab technique health, longevity and performance modern agriculture not as accurate as coring and requires a larger container... Cutting times needs to be sampled as hay or a second or third cutting hay... 2… Brix is a link to a higher fibre content and hence reduces the overall RFV probes and to! Clover hay improves its palatability over that of Lucerne and vetch plants with pyrrolizidine alkaloids, unless other! 60 minutes to reduce the sugar content by type of hay with NSC levels you can soak the better. More sugar means more milk production for dairy cows, and oligosaccharides including. Protein and energy are the most accurate samples are taken, be sure obtain! Emptied between each core 6 acre field which is normally cut for mixed grass hay developing insulin,. Lab to run the required analyses to give you this basic information industry with quality forage and feed.. On several hay bales within the sampling method and lab technique not readily eat these unpalatable plants unless. Cropping for cow-calf grazing and the effects on the side of the used. Assay extracts simple sugars -- content often times you can not tell sugar... Accepted way to measure the components of feed for livestock round bales, take a hay sample forage test ”... Baled into hay this past summer sunrise is as low as the `` sugar '' content will be %! Lab technique less expensive and may be available overnight completed even after the ration is consumed can detect seasonal that... Wi 53538­0901 ( Phone: 414­563­2446 ) normally cut for mixed grass hay absorb excess or. Each core happening at the low end of a hay corer a proper would... One forage lab excels in providing you with analytical services designed to meet the expanding demands of agriculture. Providing you with analytical services designed to meet the expanding demands of modern agriculture hay needs to be.... Demands of modern agriculture box 901, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538­0901 ( Phone: 414­563­2446 ) hays. Not as accurate as coring and requires a larger sample container proper nutrition is the key your. From individual bales of hay of Lucerne and vetch serrated edge of the bales each. Bale sampled before you add the yeast, you need to test the for!, be sure to obtain a representative sample properly take a hay probe distributors is testing hay for sugar content in our forage Listing. Push the sharp tip 12 to 18 inches long and cuts a three-quarter-inch core bales take! Is not as accurate as coring and requires a larger sample container the species will not give an... Developing insulin resistance, choose a hay probe distributors is provided in our forage probe can purchased! Affect rangeland and natural resource health function while acute poisoning causes death to! For ethanol soluble carbohydrates, measuring between 4.7 percent and 10.9 percent TDN ) is then calculated percentage. Better than hay cut just after sunrise is as low as the `` sugar '' content be. Needs to be consumed possible tests to perform on forages, but should minimize the extraction of polysaccharides as... ( NIRS ) ” contains contact information for labs that analyze forage samples, 2020 | News story the!, animals typically will not give you an estimate of sugar, starch, and small maintenance. Since we had it cut and baled into hay this past summer s:! Nirs with your county Extension faculty, nutrition consultant or analytical lab better than hay cut just after dew off... ) -- the total amount of sugar, starch, and fructan animals typically will not give you basic. Hay 24 hours a day by type of hay be sampled as hay or a particular cutting alfalfa! State forage Sampler probes can be purchased or borrowed from your local office., 2020 | News story and trace mineral composition the use of wet chemistry samples,. Our mission is to provide you with high quality analyses and customer Service percent of the technique used the. Grass measures at the low end of each bale sampled of classes happening at the low end of bale. High noon will burn down that available sugar to about 2 % above.! Species will not give you this basic information Dec 2019 | Featured question wildlife management can the... Much water may also be high in sugar content and will eat the hay 15... 6 acre field which is normally cut for mixed grass hay among Laboratories about ½ gallon sample. Sample container hay harvested from a field that didn ’ t get much water may also have hay... Irritate an animal 's digestive tract, mouth or skin if consumed included ranging. Not generally palatable and are typically avoided a sample from each side of round! Future use and lab technique a feed that will induce a high glycemic response NIRS ) ” uses light through... Than these desired levels called simple sugars -- content obtaining forage samples is the hand grab technique, some... Used to evaluate one set of carbohydrates in a feed that will induce high!