How do you do a hay analysis?
Using a hay corer, collect samples from 10-20% of the bales in a single load. Do not combine loads of hay, even if they are different cuttings from the same field, or the same cutting from different years. Once a sample is collected and placed in a labeled bag, the sample is shipped off to a laboratory for analysis.
How do you assess quality hay?
Look for the following characteristics:
- Maturity – High quality hay will have a high proportion of leaves in the bale, with few or no coarse stems or seed heads.
- Condition – High quality hay will contain little dust or mold.
- Color & odor – High quality hay generally has a bright green color and a sweet, fresh odor.
When should you test hay?
Don’t sample hay immediately after baling. Delay sampling until three to four weeks after baling for hay stored out of the weather.
How do you test a hay sample?
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.
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.
Does orchard hay have a lot of sugar?
Most cool-season grasses, like orchardgrass and fescue, can have high sugar content. Timothy and crested wheatgrass tend to be medium in sugar content, as are most warm season (native) grasses.
How long do you soak hay to remove dust?
Hay soaking for short periods of time (30-60 minutes) is an acceptable management method for reducing respirable particles and certain nutrient concentrations. Feed soaked hay immediately after soaking to eliminate the potential for mold growth.
Can you over soak hay?
Generally, the newer studies corroborate my findings; soaking hay removes significant amounts of WSC even though some hays that are extremely high in WSC are not salvageable.
Does soaking hay really work?
Findings: There was no overall significant difference in the WSC contents of loose or dense hays after soaking. This suggests that water is capable of penetrating the hay quickly when it has been baled.
Does soaking hay remove dust?
Soaking hay is the the most common method used to reduce dust and spores in a horse’s environment. A five minute soak has been found to reduce the number of particles released from hay by 97% – while a twenty four hour soaking resulted in a 99% reduction, but with a big loss in equine nutritional values.
How long can hay cubes soak?
Soaked alfalfa cubes are easier to eat, and they contain more nutrients than grass hay. Before feeding an older horse, soak the cubes for 10 to 30 minutes, or until they’re soft and soupy. If necessary, experiment with soaking methods and keep an eye on your horse’s feeding habits to find its preferred consistency.
What’s better hay or haylage?
Poorer quality hay is low in nutrients and could cause severe long term health problems due to the presence of moulds. Haylage is much closer to the horses natural diet of grass, both in texture and nutritional value it is more palatable and digestible than hay, has a higher nutritional value and is less dusty.
Do you feed more haylage than hay?
Haylage is typically between 50 and 70% dry matter. Due to a greater amount of moisture in haylage you actually need to feed more haylage by weight than hay to provide the same amount of dry matter.
Does haylage have less sugar than hay?
During fermentation, sugars in the haylage are converted to lactic acid and volatile fatty acids (VFA), meaning that contrary to popular belief, haylage is normally lower in sugar than hay. Haylage is, however, higher in protein, and more digestible than hay giving it a higher DE content.