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Newsletters by Shelley Mills, Ag and 4-H Agent
January 2012
July 2011
March 2011
November 2010
Question of the Week: What’s a good hay probe to buy?
Now is the time of the year that we encourage livestock producers to test their hay and begin planning their winter 2011-2012 feeding programs. One unique opportunity for ranchers this year is the possibility of selling some high-dollar hay to drought-stricken regions in the southern US or to export markets. In these cases, representative forage samples must be obtained from all hay “lots”, and accurate forage analyses must be obtained from a reliable laboratory.
Very little of Montana’s hay is sold as a commercial crop - over 90% of our hay is fed on-site to cattle and sheep. Therefore it is useful to follow some of the practices recommended by hay associations, agencies and experienced commercial hay growers. One excellent source of information is the National Forage Testing Association (NFTA) which has published many standardized methods of sampling and testing forages, as well as operating a lab certification program to assure of lab accuracy.
A very good summary of hay probes is published at: http://www.foragetesting.org/index.php?page=hay_probes
In general, the larger-diameter probes (“push” or drill-type”) are considered more accurate for alfalfa and legume hay. A sharp tip is required for all drill probes – excess heat generated in tight bales can affect protein readings of the sample. At MSU, I use the “Penn State Hay Sampler” attached to a cordless drill for occasional hay sampling. For larger numbers of samples from dense bales, you should view the AMS probe –its chamber will contain 20+ samples that you should drill from one hay lot, without dismantling and emptying the chamber 20 times. If you have a good office budget and intend to loan or rent the probe, you could purchase some of the replacement parts – then charge anybody that breaks parts.
Note: we are not endorsing one probe over others to producers, but this is intended to help you educate yourselves and and narrow down some of your options. Read through the NFTA website – there is a great deal of information to help us as educators through the next few months.
Dennis Cash
Animal & Range Sciences Department
209 Animal Bioscience Building
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717-2900
406.994.5688
The Montana State University Extension is an ADA/EO/AA/Veteran’s Preference Employer and Provider of Educational Outreach.
Dennis Cash
Animal & Range Sciences Department
209 Animal Bioscience Building
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717-2900
406.994.5688
The Montana State University Extension is an ADA/EO/AA/Veteran’s Preference Employer and Provider of Educational Outreach
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