How much does it cost to test hay?
Always request a horse analysis when sending in hay samples. You will need a separate analysis for each field, cutting etc. A basic hay analysis costs about $20. After an analysis, work with a horse nutritionist to balance your horse’s ration.
What do they test for in hay?
Analyses (lab tests to run) Standard analyses include: Percent dry matter. Percent crude protein. Percent acid detergent fiber (ADF).
How do you sample a test hay?
How to take a proper hay sample?
- Select random bales throughout the lot you wish to sample.
- Obtain a sample from as far inside the bale as possible.A.
- Place sample from bale into a 5-gallon bucket.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have at least 10 samples from 10% of the bales in the lot you are testing.
What is a good protein level for hay?
Protein levels can range from 8% to 14% in grass hay, and 15% to 22% in legume (alfalfa) hay. In general, a growing horse needs between 12% and 18% protein in their diet for proper growth and development, while most mature horses will do fine on lower protein hay (10% – 12%).
How do you test a hay sample?
How do you take a hay sample without a probe?
There are two ways you can take hay samples: with a hay probe or by hand. Regardless of the technique used, the sample should be representative of the entire lot. 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.
How do you test the sugar content of hay?
The two most common methods for measuring the sugar content of hay and pasture are the ethanol soluble carbohydrate (ESC) and the water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) methods. ESC: captures monosaccharaides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and a small fraction of fructans.
What hay has the highest sugar content?
Oat hay has thick tougher stalks that some horses will not eat. Oat hay tends to be higher in nitrates and also high in sugar (NSC), so this hay is not an option for insulin resistant horses.
What type of hay has the lowest sugar content?
2021 Hay Analysis Test Reports
- 11.4% NSC sugar – (Mix 30-70% alfalfa)
- 12.0% NSC sugar – (Grass Mix 10-30% alfalfa)
- 12.4% NSC sugar – (Grass Mix 10-30% alfalfa) – SOLD OUT.
- 12.6% NSC sugar – (Grass 0-10% alfalfa)
- 13.01% NSC sugar – (Alfalfa (90-100% alfalfa)
- 13.6% NSC sugar – (Alfalfa Mix 70-90% alfalfa)
How do you check moisture in hay before baling?
The easiest and most effective way to test hay for the moisture is to use an electronic moisture tester. Note that readings are more accurate with higher volumes of hay. Therefore, the general rule is to fill a bucket with hay that is tightly compacted. Then simply insert the tester probe and let it do its thing.
How do I know if my hay has moisture?
Weigh the dry hay to determine the “dry weight.” Divide the dry weight by the wet weight, and convert to a percent number. Subtract this number from 100 to get your moisture content percentage.
How do I collect a sample of hay?
The ideal sample is obtained using a hay probe to collect a core sample (if possible). If you do not have a hay probe available we recommend the following: Collect equal parts of the stalk, stem & leafy material in the hay sample. FILL a (1) gallon clear plastic bag with your hay sample – bag must be sealed.
What if I don’t have a hay probe?
If you do not have a hay probe available we recommend the following: Collect equal parts of the stalk, stem & leafy material in the hay sample. FILL a (1) gallon clear plastic bag with your hay sample – bag must be sealed. If you have any other questions about collecting your hay sample or Nutrena’s FREE hay testing, please contact us here.
Why is Hay testing so important for horses?
Take advantage of our complimentary hay testing offers at an event near you and start maximizing your horse’s nutrition program today! Why is hay testing so important? Protein & fiber values are an important factor in balancing the equine diet- and these values will vary widely by state, county, field and cutting.
How can I increase hay production in my pasture?
Using recommended fertilizers can more than double the annual production of hay or pasture. Seeding new pastures or hayfields to last 5 years or more. Seeding temporary pasture for 1 to 3 months of summer feed. Designing a comprehensive plan using combinations of practices over several years to achieve your goals.