Silage and dung testing ?

moy83

Im thinking of getting a sample of the pit tested , just to see whats good/bad about it .
Most of the cattle are gone in nearly two weeks now and id like to test a few dung samples before I dose them , just to be sure im hitting what I should with the dose .
How do I collect the dung samples ? Like different cows / calves or would they all be carrying the same stuff . How soon after they pass the dung would I need to take the sample and send it off ?
When they give back the results ,aswell as telling me what to dose for would they give any diet advice .
We are happy with the pit silage but im just curious to see what could be done to improve it .
Where do ye usually get these tests done ?

6480

i think thats a good idea to do before u dose as u will know the right dose to treat ur herd with

moy83

It would be no harm for me anyhow because I wouldn't be very well up on dosing and the father might only think about dosing if he saw them coughing up phlegm balls the size of his fist

MOOVAN

Go around the cow shed maybe where the cows stand at the head feed, bring a tea spoon and a sample bottle'take a few different scoops.Take separate samples from the calves. Your vet will send the samples to the lab for you.The vet will give you all the dosing advice you'll need.
Teagasc provide silage sampling service costs 33euro.Sampling results will give you info on your silage quality and then you will be able to feed to supplement if you need to.
I sample silage and dung every year, it has saved me a fortune over the years.
Best of luck

moy83

MOOVAN wrote: »

Go around the cow shed maybe where the cows stand at the head feed, bring a tea spoon and a sample bottle'take a few different scoops.Take separate samples from the calves. Your vet will send the samples to the lab for you.The vet will give you all the dosing advice you'll need.
Teagasc provide silage sampling service costs 33euro.Sampling results will give you info on your silage quality and then you will be able to feed to supplement if you need to.
I sample silage and dung every year, it has saved me a fortune over the years.
Best of luck

Thanks MOOVAN , I'll give the vet a buzz during the week and organise it with them . I wouldnt fancy eating a yogurt with your cutlery :D

MOOVAN

moy83 wrote: »

Thanks MOOVAN , I'll give the vet a buzz during the week and organise it with them . I wouldnt fancy eating a yogurt with your cutlery :D

LOL :pac:. Thank god for dishwashers !!

Skiup

We sent our dung samples to the district vet office direct. They then charge you through your vet for some reason and will only give the results to your vet. Very worthwhile to do it but there is no way to give the levels of fluke only if they are present or not so advice from your vet is essential and using your own judgement to a certain extent as to levels of dosing or no dosing. Make sure to take a good spread of samples as well.