Haylage is one of the most important feeds for farm animals, and its quality has a direct impact on animal health and feed efficiency. However, how do you know if the haylage is really good and not just “green matter”? This is where haylage analysis comes to the rescue.
Why do we even need to analyze feed? Can we do without a laboratory? What is the difference between high-quality and low-quality haylage and why is it so important to use the services of an accredited forage laboratory? Let’s get to the bottom of all these questions so that you can be sure that your animals are getting only the best feed and that your farm is running at maximum efficiency.
What is haylage and why analyze it?
Haylage is green matter, usually derived from grasses, which is fermented during the hay storage process. This feed is widely used in livestock production, especially in the feeding of cattle, sheep, goats and even some birds.
But what happens to the haylage after it enters the feed bins? Proper haylage quality is not just about its appearance. It’s about its chemical composition: moisture content, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. All of this affects the health of your animals and their performance. That’s why analyzing haylage helps you determine exactly how well the feed meets your animals’ needs.
Here are a few reasons why it’s important to analyze feed on a regular basis:
- Determining nutritional content. Different types of haylage can have different compositions that affect feed efficiency.
- Disease prevention. Poor-quality haylage, such as that with a high moisture content, can lead to putrefactive processes and even disease in animals.
- Increased productivity. Well-chosen forage contributes to better growth, development and health of animals.
Methods of haylage analysis
There are several ways to analyze haylage, each of which is used to evaluate different aspects of forage quality. These can range from visual inspections to more complex laboratory tests. Let’s take a closer look at exactly what is being evaluated and how.
Visual assessment and odor
This is the very first step that any farmer can do on their own. Visually it is important to evaluate:
- The color of the haylage. It should be bright, green, with no signs of souring or mold.
- Odor. Good haylage smells fresh and grassy. If the odor is sour or rotten, it is likely that the haylage has begun to spoil.
- This initial assessment helps identify obvious problems, but laboratory methods should be used for a more accurate analysis.
Laboratory testing
A feed laboratory provides accurate results to determine how nutritious your haylage is and whether it is suitable for your type of animal. Specialized accredited laboratories perform several types of tests:
- Moisture content determination. The moisture content of haylage affects its storage and fermentation. High moisture levels can cause haylage to spoil quickly.
- Nutrient Determination. The lab tests the protein, carbohydrate, fiber and fat content. These values will help you understand how balanced the ration is.
- Micronutrient content. The balance of vitamins and minerals is very important for animals. Deficiencies or excesses of certain elements can cause disease or growth problems.
It is important to remember that such tests can only be performed by an accredited feed laboratory that has the necessary certificates and equipment.
Toxin and fungal analysis
This analysis is often done to rule out the risk of disease in animals. Molds, as well as certain types of fungi, can produce toxic substances that are dangerous to animals in large quantities. This is especially important if the haylage has been stored for a long time or under inadequate conditions.
The role of accredited feed laboratories
The haylage tests themselves may seem complex and time-consuming. However, thanks to modern technology, these processes can be greatly simplified. And most importantly, they can be made as accurate as possible.
Why is it important to contact an accredited laboratory? The fact is that accreditation guarantees:
- Accuracy of results. Accredited laboratories are obliged to comply with strict quality standards and use modern equipment.
- Compliance with standards. The laboratory has the right to conduct tests in accordance with legislative and international standards, which makes the results official.
- Qualification of specialists. Such laboratories employ only highly qualified specialists who can correctly interpret the results of the analysis.
In addition, accredited feed laboratories can provide recommendations on how to improve your feed if the test results show deficiencies. These recommendations will help you optimize feed and improve the productivity of your farm.
Typical haylage problems and how to solve them
So what are some of the problems that can occur with haylage and how can you prevent them? Here are a few of the most common problems:
- Excess moisture
If haylage is too wet, it creates conditions for bacteria and fungi to multiply, which can lead to spoilage. To avoid this, it is important to follow proper mowing and packaging techniques and to store the haylage in conditions that prevent rain.
Solution: Analyze the moisture content. If the percentage is too high, it is worth considering using haylage with lower moisture levels or redistribute it for better storage.
- Mold and rotting
Mold on haylage can occur with inadequate ventilation or improper storage. These microscopic fungi release toxic substances that are dangerous to animals.
Solution: It is important to periodically check haylage for mold. If found, the spoiled feed should be replaced. Regular laboratory tests will help to determine if the feed is free of toxins.
- Unbalanced composition
Sometimes haylage may not contain all the necessary nutrients. This can happen if nutrients are lost during storage.
Solution: Laboratory tests should be used to adjust the composition of the forage to add missing vitamins or minerals.
How to choose an accredited feed laboratory?
If you decide to have your haylage analyzed by a laboratory, it’s important to choose the right facility. Here are a few criteria to look for:
- Accreditation. Make sure the lab has accreditation from national or international bodies.
- Reputation. Read reviews about the lab, find out which farmers and agrarians trust it.
- Timing of the analysis. The faster the lab performs the tests, the faster you can make a decision about the quality of the haylage.
- Price of services. The cost of the lab’s services can vary, but it should be justified by the quality and accuracy of the work.
Conclusion
Analyzing haylage is not just a feed test, but an important step to improving your animals’ health and feed efficiency. With laboratory testing, you can determine exactly what is going wrong with your feed and what improvements need to be made. To be assured of high quality tests and accurate results, it is important to contact an accredited feed laboratory such as WinnerAgro.
WinnerAgro provides professional haylage analysis services that guarantee you accurate and timely results. By ordering analysis from this lab, you will get all the data you need to improve the quality of feed and increase the productivity of your animals. The laboratory’s professional experts will not only help you diagnose current feed problems, but also suggest the best solutions to correct them.
Don’t risk the health of your animals and the efficiency of your business – order a haylage analysis from WinnerAgro and provide your pets with only the best conditions for growth and development!
