Farm Rural Business Services

Forage is the core feed for most housed animals.  The amounts and types of additional feed can only be determined once knowledge of the quality of forage being used is determined.  Forage is highly variable.  Using "average" figures in ration formulations can give false rations.  Bought-in feed is costly and can only give economic return when used in conjunction with knowledge of the quality of the forage being used.

Forage should be tested before the start of the winter feeding program.  Ideally further samples should be taken throughout the winter so that rations can be adjusted to take into account changing silage composition.

Ensuring you have the correct ration can save money, improve milk yields and milk quality and improve beef production.  To assist you further, SAC's qualified consultants can carry out rations.

Forage tests offered include:

• Forage Analysis (Wet NIR - FAA Approved Double Scan), Calibration for Grass Silage, Maize Silage and Wholecrop
• Silage Mineral Analysis (P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Cu, Zn, Fe, S, B, Mn)
• Hay / Haylage Energy Prediction (DM, CP, MADF, ASH, D Value, ME)