Secrets of alfalfa hay sampling and testing

Ok, I would love to hear everyone else's thoughts.  But I have a few pearls of my own (obtained at considerable expense}, so here goes:

 

 

Sampling:  

 

Never ever ever ever use a drill type probe on alfalfa bales.  The drill core tools I have used always return more stem than leaf.  The twisting action tears a long stem out of the area surrounding the core, whereas only the leaf in the center of the core is sampled.  The result is more stem than leaf, or "over-sampling" of stem relative to leaf.  You will notice 3-4 inch stems in these samples, whereas you should only be sampling 1/2-1 inch stem portions.  This results in a test with artifically low RFV and protein, and artificially high nondigestible fiber and lignin.  You WILL GO BROKE sampling your hay with a drill type probe.   Just don't do it.

 

A push type core tool works much better.  When you use a sharp ended push tool, your stem and leaf is sampled at the proper ratio.  You will see 1/2-3/4 inch stems and a lot more leaf.  Your RFV will increase 20-3- and your protein 4-8%!!!!

 

Look at the green handled tube at the top of the link:  http://ift.tt/1Mu5PQC

 

 

Labs:  

 

There are "buyer's labs" out there.  Without naming names, they tend to be located in the middle of a large dairying area and the local dairymen and hay brokers will demand samples be sent to the local lab.  If they have any ownership with the dairies or the forage/grain companies, they are not your friends.   DO NOT COMPLY, under any circumstances.  YOU WILL GO BANKRUPT testing your hay at these labs!!  These labs will send you low test results and the local dairymen will get a discount on your premium hay.  They know that the true results are much better.  If you send your samples to these labs you also lose credibility, because only NOOBS do so.

 

If you are unsure of where to send samples, collect proper samples and send to multiple labs.  Use the labs with the results you like, not the labs the dairies deman.   Look for a lab that is "wet", because those results are more accurate.  Also look for a lab that isn't parked in the middle of the dairy market you are selling to and isn't named after a grain company or commodities broker.  Those labs are in the pocket of the buyers, not yours.

 

 

 

So let's hear about your hard earned lessons..................

Secrets of alfalfa hay sampling and testing