Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

A fools guide to silage testing

  • 04-10-2013 9:20pm
    #1
    locky76
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 867 ✭✭✭


    Hey folks,
    I made six batches of baled silage this year. I've marked each bale (1 to 6) with spray paint and would like to get the silage tested to see what the prime stuff is to allow me feed the best stuff to the finishing cattle and also how it compared with how it was made, how long it was wilted etc.
    Who do i send the samples to and how best do i take samples?
    Does it have to come immediately when i open a bale or can it be left for a while and take a bit out of the middle of the bale?
    How do you physically send it to the lab?
    Which lab would people recommend?
    Thanks in advance,
    Locky76...


Comments

  • #2
    Muckit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,174 ✭✭✭✭Muckit


    Hi Locky

    http://www.afbini.gov.uk/index/about-us/location/hillsborough.html

    I used these guys last year and found them excellent.

    email Kyla.Whiteside@afbini.gov.uk and ask her to send you out some sample bags. They are blacked out bags that have the address printed on them. It cost me €4 to post to their lab in the north. Your paying by the weight, so have a weighing scales and just put in the minimum amount that they require. I got an invoice back for I think £17.99 (about €22 as far as I remember)


  • #3
    Muckit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,174 ✭✭✭✭Muckit


    Snip from email I received from them:


    You are best to get a good representation of the silage and therefore need to sample from several parts whether it be bales or freshly cut pit, each sample can then be mixed and sub sampled if there is to much. We need between 300- 500 g.

    If you complete your full details on the request forms including your email address we will email the results within 4 days. The invoice will then be sent out the next month with details of were to sent a Euro cheque.


  • #4
    bbam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,410 ✭✭✭bbam


    That's good value.

    I used Oldcastle Labs last year and it
    Was €45 per sample.


  • #5
    cavandown
    Closed Accounts Posts: 63 ✭✭cavandown


    Are you buying your cattle feed from privately owned shop/store or directly from manufacturer? Most of the millers will test your silage free - well you don't pay for it directly. Then maybe i am being a bit cynical


  • #6
    bob charles
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,343 ✭✭✭bob charles


    Whatever you do, decide on what test and lab your are going use and stick with it, so as you are comparing like with like. Labs will give different results on the same tests. Northern lab always give a lower DMD value than southern Labs I have being told but I havnt used them to say for sure. For cheaper plant/forage testing look to the UK. I use NRM in UK allot and they are super to deal with. turn around times are second to none, just looking, and its a sister company that does the forage testing that I have never used http://www.cawoodscientific.co.uk


  • Advertisement
Advertisement