One of the most valuable tools in feeding livestock is forage sampling and feed testing. Feed is a direct contributor to livestock production and a significant cost of your operation. Therefore, it is both beneficial and critical to test your forage and feed. Central Alberta Forage and Livestock Association (CAFLA) has many forage sampling services available.
Why should you test your feed?
There are several benefits.
Feed testing can be critical in making sure your feed meets the nutritional needs of different classes of cattle with specific rations. Testing can point out where supplementation is needed to avoid deficiencies, as well as notify you of the need to source alternative feeds to balance rations and compensate for feed availability.
Feed testing is especially valuable to determine any mineral and nutrient imbalances that could lead to problems with conception, calving, and/ or the rate of gain/growth. Producers should work with a nutritionist to ensure they are meeting their animals’ needs, and to make sure the product they are using is being consumed at appropriate levels.
Feed testing can also flag any presence of potentially toxic contents that impact productivity including mycotoxins, nitrates, sulfates, etc., that can be detrimental to your livestock. Additionally, as a feed buyer or seller, having a consistent and accurate method of evaluating feed is valuable in itself.
Feed Test Analysis
Lab results are reported in a feed analysis sheet, giving you information on moisture content, protein, energy, total digestible nutrients, fibre, as well as vitamin and mineral content. Additional requests could include the presence of nitrates, mycotoxins, and Relative Feed Value.
Labs will report on a Dry Matter (DM per cent) and as-fed basis of nutrients based on the percentage of moisture. Rations are always formulated on a Dry Matter basis.
Fibre content is often the basis of feed value. Two fibre values reflect either its relative energy content or feeding value. These include acid (ADF) and neutral detergent (NDF) fibre. A high ADF value indicates hay cut at a later stage of maturity, and poorer digestibility. It will be lower in energy content than the same hay cut at an earlier stage of maturity with a lower ADF value.
The occurrence of moldy feed increases with cool and wet growing conditions, which in turn also favours additional plant diseases commonly found in forage varieties. Moldy feed and certain plant diseases not only reduce plant palatability and energy content, but also present dangers to reproductive success, milk production, and weight gain. These dangers can progress to cause dangerous health conditions (convulsions, gangrenous symptoms, etc…) or even death.
What does CAFLA offer?
CAFLA has many forage sampling analysis packages available, including Standard Feed Test/ Nutritional Analysis. Mycotoxins, Ergot and Nitrates sampling packages can be additionally requested. Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions. To book a technician for all your forage sampling needs, give us a call at 403-844-2645.