Forage Analysis For Beef Cattle: Why, How, and So What Dr. Matt Hersom Dept. of Animal Sciences.

Forage Analysis For Beef Cattle: Why, How, and So What

Dr. Matt HersomDept. of Animal Sciences

Forage Testing - Why

Matt Hersom, 2008

How can you tell the relative difference between forages?

Is a bale of hay a bale of hay?

Forage Testing - WhyHow can you tell the amount of nutrients present?

Matt Hersom, 2008

Which group of cattle need a particular forage quality?

Requirement Cycles in Beef Cows

January

Matt Hersom, 2008

Forage Testing - Why

• So you know what you are working with!–What is the supply of nutrients–Which nutrients are deficient/excess–How big is the deficiency–What kind of supplementation is needed–Make better decisions

Matt Hersom, 2008

Forage Testing - How

Matt Hersom, 2008

Forage Testing - How

• Take random sample from – Pasture– Hay supply

• How much / many samples

Matt Hersom, 2008

Need for Proper Sampling

Matt Hersom, 2008

Sample Number and Variation

Matt Hersom, 2008

Forage Testing - How

• Get enough sample(s) to be an accurate representation of the forage– Hay• Sample different lots/cuttings• 20-25 cores from each grouping to composite

– Pasture• Sample individual pastures• Multiple random locations

Matt Hersom, 2008

Forage Testing – So What

• Assessment of the concentration of important nutrients– Dry matter– Energy : TDN or NE– Protein : Crude protein, degradable protein– Minerals– Others• Fiber fractions• VFA score• Mycotoxins

Matt Hersom, 2008

Matt Hersom, 2008

Here’s Your Analysis, Now What?

Matt Hersom, 2008

Look at allDry Matter Values

Matt Hersom, 2008

Moisture / Dry Matter

1,100 lb bale in the field = 1,015 lb of DM to feed

Matt Hersom, 2008

Energy Values=TDN

1,100 lb bale = 467 lb TDN

Matt Hersom, 2008

Energy Values=Net EnergyMaintenance (NEm)Gain (NEg)

Matt Hersom, 2008

Protein Values=CP

1,100 lb bale = 92 lb CP

Matt Hersom, 2008

Protein Values=CP

Degradable Intake Protein =DIP

1,100 lb bale = 55 lb of DIP

Matt Hersom, 2008

Mineral Concentration

Matt Hersom, 2008

Everything Else

Forage Testing – So What• What do you do with the numbers?– Use to calculate DM lbs of TDN or CP– Consult Cow Nutrient Requirements• How do they compare

– Determine limiting nutrient(s)– Put into ration balancing software• Formulate diets or intake potential

– Calculate cost of TDN and CP coming from forage• Compare to supplemental sources of TDN and/or CP

– Determine supplementation needsMatt Hersom, 2008

Matt Hersom, 2008

“What can I do to make more money and/or cut costs in my beef cattle operation”

Forage Testing For Beef Cattle

• “Don’t guess forage test” John Arthington

• Assessment of fertilization and forage management practices

• Absolute necessity for ration balancing• What is the cost of forage testing,

What is the true cost of not forage testing……..

Matt Hersom, 2008

Forage Testing Facilities

• UF Forage Extension Laboratory http://rcrec-ona.ifas.ufl.edu/papfel

• Dairy One http://www.dairyone.com• Waters Laboratory http://www.watersag.com• http://www.foragetesting.org

Matt Hersom, 2008