Kevin Grooms American Agricultural Lab McCook, Nebraska Forage Sampling Revisited: Review of the 2011 NFTA/AOAC Workshop Findings Kevin Grooms American Agricultural Lab McCook, Nebraska 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Abstract Forage Testing is Vital for the Evaluation of Hay/Forage Quality Value of feed to animal Value to the farmer/producer Laboratory Analysis is Only As Good As The Sample Taken Sample Must be Representative of the Lot of Hay 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Objectives To Show the Variability Within a Bale To Show the Variability Between Bales Provide Instruction on Proper Sampling Technique Hands-On Sampling for Better Understanding of the Process Have The Opportunity to Utilize Many Different Probe Types 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Overview Attendees of the Workshop to be Split Into Sampling Groups Each Group to Choose the Probe Type They Would Use Throughout The Sampling Bales to be Identified by Type Sampling Stations to be Identified Sampling Protocols to be Explained Bales to be Probed and Samples Collected 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

What We Had To Work With Bale Types Three 3’x3’ Large Square Bales Two Large Round Bales 15 Small Square Bales Note – Bale Types Represent Different Lots of Hay. 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Probes Eight Different Probes Types Were Available Frontier Hay Probe Hart Canister Probe Oakfield Hay Probe Colorado Hay Probe Penn State Sampler Sierra Hay Probe Star Forage Probe Non-Descript Hay Probes 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Bales on Trailer 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Probes - continued 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Methods Attendees Split Into Six Sampling Groups Six ‘Powered’ Samplers Were Chosen Bale Types Were Explained Sampling Stations Identified per Bale Type Sample Collection and Compositing Explained 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Sampling Protocols Each Sampling Station Consisted of One or More Bales of a Given Bale Type Each Bale Type was Virtually Divided Into Sampling Locations Every Group Would Sample the Same Sampling Location. All Groups to Take a Single Core from a Sampling Location and Composite into One Sample per Sampling Location 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

3’x3’ and 3’x4’ Sampling Locations 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Round Bale Sampling Locations 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Preliminary Small Square Sampling Location 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Tom Keene Explaining Probes 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Explaining Proper Sampling Techniques 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Explanation of Bales & Sampling Protocols 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Sampling 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Sampling 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Sampling 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Analysis of Samples Samples Collected Were Taken Back to Hotel for Analysis Un-dried, Un-ground Samples were Analyzed Compliments of Dr. John Shenk and John W. Shenk. 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Result Examination Relative Feed Values (RFV) were Calculated Based on the ADF and NDF Results from the Analysis Crude Protein Values are Included and notated in Red 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

3’x3’ Large Square Bale A RFV 173 Standard Dev. 9 Range 27 Crude Protein, % 22.50 Standard Dev. 0.56 Range 1.60 r (CP,RFV) 0.9513 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA Copyright 2012 NFTA

3’x3’ Large Square Bale B RFV 161 Standard Dev. 6 Range 16 Crude Protein, % 21.19 Standard Dev. 0.33 Range 0.76 r (CP,RFV) 0.7755 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

3’x3’ Large Square Bales 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

3’x3’ Large Sq Bales Mean Values RFV 167 Standard Deviation 10 Range 33 Crude Protein 21.84 Standard Deviation 0.81 Range 2.30 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

3’x4’ Large Square Bale C RFV 181 Standard Dev. 14 Range 44 Crude Protein, % 22.70 Standard Dev. 0.77 Range 2.35 r (CP,RFV) 0.9745 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

3’x4’ Large Square Bale F RFV 154 Standard Dev. 10 Range 27 Crude Protein, % 21.04 Standard Dev. 0.62 Range 1.62 r (CP,RFV) 0.9545 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

3’x4’ Large Square Bales 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

3’x4’ Large Sq Bales Mean Values RFV 167 Standard Deviation 19 Range 58 Crude Protein 21.87 Standard Deviation 1.09 Range 3.61 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Large Round Bale D RFV 130 Standard Dev. 11 Range 27 Crude Protein, % 15.54 Standard Dev. 1.32 Range 3.12 r (CP,RFV) 0.8893 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Large Round Bale E RFV 123 Standard Dev. 12 Range 35 Crude Protein, % 15.90 Standard Dev. 1.21 Range 3.55 r (CP,RFV) 0.8803 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Large Round Bales 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Large Round Bale Mean Values RFV 126 Standard Deviation 12 Range 44 Crude Protein 15.72 Standard Deviation 1.23 Range 3.44 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Small Sq Bales Group G RFV 187 Standard Dev. 9 Range 18 Crude Protein, % 23.32 Standard Dev. 0.96 Range 1.35 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Small Sq Bales Group H RFV 191 Standard Dev. 4 Range 3 Crude Protein, % 23.87 Standard Dev. 0.31 Range 0.43 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Small Sq Bales 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Small Sq Bales Mean Values ** RFV 187 Standard Deviation 9 Range 21 Crude Protein 23.60 Standard Deviation 0.66 Range 1.44 **Note – Cores taken from multiple bales. Not one core/sampling location/bale 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

What Does The Data Show? Variability Exists Within Any Given Bale of Hay or Forage Bale to Bale Variation is Significant Between the Two Bales of Each Bale Type 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

What Can Be Concluded? Multiple Samples Must Be Taken to ‘Average Out’ the Variability/Lot of Hay Sampling Points in the Bales Should Be Consistent Throughout The Lot Bales to be Sampled in a Lot Must Be Random to Better Represent the Overall Lot Client/Sampler Education and Certification to Improve Sample Quality 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Special Thanks to… All participants of the workshop Nebraska Department of Agriculture and it’s representatives Dr. John Shenk and John W. Shenk AOAC Midwest Section Stock Hay & Grain for supplying the bales NFTA Board Members Plus 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Questions on Sampling Workshop? 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Hay Sampling Certification Exam Kevin Grooms American Agricultural Lab McCook, Nebraska 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Purpose of Sampling Certification Standardize Hay Testing Protocols Improve Understanding of Sampling Process Learning Opportunity 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

http://foragetesting.org 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Recommended Principles for Proper Hay Sampling Key Points Identify a Single ‘Lot’ of Hay Single Cutting Single Field and Variety Less than 200 Tons 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Recommended Principles for Proper Hay Sampling Key Points When to Sample After the Hay Moisture has Equilibrated Post “Sweat” As Close to Feeding as Possible As Close to Point of Sale as Possible 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Recommended Principles for Proper Hay Sampling Key Points How to Choose the Best Coring Device Sharp Device with 3/8” - 3/4” Diameter Shaft Cutting Edge 90o to Shaft – Not Angled Shaft Length Should Allow Probing 12” – 24” Cutting Tip Should Cleanly Cross Cut Hay Not Produce Fines Should Enter Bale Easily and Represent Leaf-Stem Ratio Produce About 200g Sample from 20 Cores 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Recommended Principles for Proper Hay Sampling Key Points Sample at Random Take Samples All Around the Stack Try to Sample Both Ends of Bales Sample in a Random Fashion Do Not Bias for or Against Any Bales in the Stack Don’t Avoid or Choose Bales Based on Appearance 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Recommended Principles for Proper Hay Sampling Key Points Take Enough Cores Take a Minimum of 20 Cores to Composite into the Sample to Represent a Hay Lot If Hay Lot is Large, Take Up to 35 Cores If Hay Lot is Variable in Composition, Take Up to 35 Cores 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Recommended Principles for Proper Hay Sampling Key Points Use Proper Technique Sample Butt Ends of Square Hay Bales Insert Probe at 90o Angle to the Bale Don’t Take Samples Close to One Another Don’t Take Sample From Top or Sides of Bale Sample Round Bales at an Angle Directly Towards the Middle of the Bale 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Recommended Principles for Proper Hay Sampling Key Points Correct Sample Size Sampling Should Produce About 200g of Sample This Allows Labs to Grind Entire Sample More Easily 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Recommended Principles for Proper Hay Sampling Key Points Handle Samples Correctly Seal the Composited Sample in a Plastic Bag Protect Sample From Heat and Direct Sun Deliver to Lab as Soon as Possible Refrigeration is Helpful 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Recommended Principles for Proper Hay Sampling Key Points Never Split Samples Without Grinding If a Split Sample is Needed, Request a Split of the Ground Sample from the Lab. Unground Splits Yield Two Different Samples 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Recommended Principles for Proper Hay Sampling Key Points Choose an NFTA-Certified Lab Certified Labs Listed on NFTA website Methods and Grades Published for Review Participating Labs are Committed to Proficiency 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

http://foragetesting.org 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

http://foragetesting.org 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Other Sampling Resources on NFTA Website 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Other Sampling Resources on NFTA Website 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Other Sampling Resources on NFTA Website 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Other Sampling Resources on NFTA Website 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA

Questions or Comments? Contact Information nfta@foragetesting.org kevin@amaglab.com 05 June 2018 Copyright 2018 NFTA