Forage analysis canhelp you determine

both the nutritive valueand potential toxicity offorage, as well as theneed for protein andmineral supplements.Accurate analysis requiresthat forage be sampledproperly so that repre-sentative samples aredelivered to the testinglaboratory.

Sampling Bales

The common practice of pulling samples from theends and edges of bales can cause the nutritive

value of forage to be underestimated. Decayed andlow-quality leached forages are often found on theouter edges of weathered hay bales. Cattle oftenreject this hay when they have access to more palat-able forages in other parts of the bale.

The ideal method of sampling hay bales is to use abale probe. A number of probes are available; most

probes cut a 1-inch-diameter core from the bale.Consult your county Extension agent for informa-tion on purchasing a bale probe.

Round Bales

Sample cores should be taken midway up the side ofthe bale and toward the center of the bale. Samplingnear ends or bottoms of bales may not yield a repre-sentative sample.

Remove the outer 1⁄2 inch of the bale surface beforesampling so the sample will not be contaminated bydust and debris fromthe field. Next, drillor core into the bale12 to 18 inches deep.Carefully pour thesample into a con-tainer. Good samplecontainers includemanilla mailingenvelopes, sealableplastic bags (only ifdry) and small papersacks (fertilizer andfeed sacks are notappropriate samplecontainers). Continue sampling four to five otherbales from the same field and cutting. Mix the sam-ples thoroughly and submit this composite sampleto the laboratory along with the laboratory submit-tal form. One composite sample should be collectedfor every 25 to 30 bales per field and cutting.

E-1483-12

Sampling Hay Bales and Pasturesfor Forage Analysis

T. L. Provin and J. L. PittExtension Soil Chemist, and Extension Program Specialist

The Texas A&M University System

Square Bales

Take sample cores from the ends of bales toward thecenter.

First, remove the outer 1⁄2 inch of hay. Drill into thebale 12 to 18 inches deep. Carefully pour the sam-ple into a container. Continue sampling six to eightother bales from the same field and cutting. Mix thesamples thoroughly, label the composite sample, andsubmit it to the laboratory with the submittal form.One composite sample should be obtained for every400 bales per field and cutting.

Field Sampling Pasturesto be Grazed

It is harder to obtain proper forage samples in thefield than from hay bales. You must be aware ofthe height at which the hay will be harvested, theforage height after grazing, and differences in fertil-ization from one area of the pasture to another. Do not make a composite sample from areas of thefield that have received different rates of manure orfertilizer because this will skew the final laboratory analysis. Trouble spots, areas underdifferent management and fertilization practices,and areas with different types of grass should besampled separately.

To gather a subsample, cut or tear the forage at thefinal forage height after grazing. Be careful not topull the entire plant out of the ground. Gather sub-samples from ten to fifteen areas within a given pas-ture or field (not to exceed 40 acres). Combine allsubsamples and place them in an appropriate papersack or envelope (do not use plastic bags, fertilizer

bags or feed sacks, as these containers may skew theanalysis). Label the container with appropriate iden-tification for the field and sample and submit itwith the laboratory submittal form.

Submitting a Sample

Complete the Forage/Feed/Plant Tissue SampleInformation Form available from your county

Extension agent. The form is also available at theSoil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory Web site(soiltesting.tamu.edu). Enclose payment (do notsend cash) and the completed form in the packagewith the samples. If samples are moist put the formand payment in a plastic bag. Mail the package to:Extension Soil, Water and Forage TestingLaboratory, Texas A&M University, 2478-TAMU,Soil and Crop Sciences Department, CollegeStation, TX 77843-2478, (979) 845-4816.

The Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory offers anumber of forage testing services to meet most produc-ers’ needs. These include crude protein, fiber, mineralsand nitrate analysis.

For additional information, please visit: soiltesting.tamu.edu. or soilcrop.tamu.edu