Forage Analysis For Beef Cattle: Why, How, and So What - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

1 / 24
About This Presentation
Title:

Forage Analysis For Beef Cattle: Why, How, and So What

Description:

UF Forage Extension Laboratory http://rcrec-ona.ifas.ufl.edu/papfel. Dairy One http://www.dairyone.com. Waters Laboratory http://www.watersag.com ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

Number of Views:124
Avg rating:3.0/5.0
Slides: 25
Provided by: her57
Category:

less

Transcript and Presenter's Notes

Title: Forage Analysis For Beef Cattle: Why, How, and So What


1
Forage Analysis For Beef Cattle Why, How, and
So What
  • Dr. Matt Hersom
  • Dept. of Animal Sciences

2
Forage Testing - Why
Is a bale of hay a bale of hay?
How can you tell the relative difference between
forages?
3
Forage Testing - Why
  • How can you tell the amount of nutrients present?

Which group of cattle need a particular forage
quality?
4
Requirement Cycles in Beef Cows
January
5
Forage Testing - Why
  • So you know what you are working with!
  • What is the supply of nutrients
  • Which nutrients are deficient/excess
  • How big is the deficiency
  • What kind of supplementation is needed
  • Make better decisions

6
Forage Testing - How
7
Forage Testing - How
  • Take random sample from
  • Pasture
  • Hay supply
  • How much / many samples

8
Need for Proper Sampling
9
Sample Number and Variation
10
Forage Testing - How
  • Get enough sample(s) to be an accurate
    representation of the forage
  • Hay
  • Sample different lots/cuttings
  • 20-25 cores from each grouping to composite
  • Pasture
  • Sample individual pastures
  • Multiple random locations

11
Forage Testing So What
  • Assessment of the concentration of important
    nutrients
  • Dry matter
  • Energy TDN or NE
  • Protein Crude protein, degradable protein
  • Minerals
  • Others
  • Fiber fractions
  • VFA score
  • Mycotoxins

12
Heres Your Analysis, Now What?
13
Look at all Dry Matter Values
14
Moisture / Dry Matter
1,100 lb bale in the field 1,015 lb of DM to
feed
15
Energy ValuesTDN
1,100 lb bale 467 lb TDN
16
Energy ValuesNet Energy Maintenance (NEm) Gain
(NEg)
17
Protein ValuesCP
1,100 lb bale 92 lb CP
18
Protein ValuesCP
Degradable Intake Protein DIP
1,100 lb bale 55 lb of DIP
19
Mineral Concentration
20
Everything Else
21
Forage Testing So What
  • What do you do with the numbers?
  • Use to calculate DM lbs of TDN or CP
  • Consult Cow Nutrient Requirements
  • How do they compare
  • Determine limiting nutrient(s)
  • Put into ration balancing software
  • Formulate diets or intake potential
  • Calculate cost of TDN and CP coming from forage
  • Compare to supplemental sources of TDN and/or CP
  • Determine supplementation needs

22
What can I do to make more money and/or cut
costs in my beef cattle operation
23
Forage Testing For Beef Cattle
  • Dont guess forage test John Arthington
  • Assessment of fertilization and forage management
    practices
  • Absolute necessity for ration balancing
  • What is the cost of forage testing,
  • What is the true cost of not forage testing..

24
Forage Testing Facilities
  • UF Forage Extension Laboratory http//rcrec-ona.if
    as.ufl.edu/papfel
  • Dairy One http//www.dairyone.com
  • Waters Laboratory http//www.watersag.com
  • http//www.foragetesting.org
Write a Comment
User Comments (0)
About PowerShow.com