The adage \u201cyou can\u2019t judge a book by its cover\u201d is also true for the nutrient quality of hay. Just because a particular cutting of hay looks superior to another doesn\u2019t mean it has the nutrients that a cow herd needs to thrive. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to BioZyme \u00ae Inc. to provide forage testing to its customers \u2013 to make sure proper nutrients are getting to the cattle when they are most needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cForage testing is an extremely important service we offer as part of the BioZyme services so we can align nutritional programs to our customers\u2019 specific needs,\u201d said Jack Oattes, BioZyme\u2019s Regional Business Manager in Canada, on a recent Facebook Dealer Training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forage testing is a management practice that helps you plan ahead to make the best nutritional decisions for your herd. Testing in the early fall will help your customers know which forages to feed during which stages of production and the proper amounts of protein and energy they need to supplement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before collecting forage samples, be sure each lot of hay is identified by field and cutting number so the producer will know which sample came from which lot. For example, nutrient needs peak at lactation as the cow is trying to maintain her own condition, raise a calf and prepare for breed-back, so producers will want to make sure their highest quality hay is kept from that lot for that period of the production cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you collect the samples, work with your Area Sales Manager to get them sent in and analyzed. The results are typically generated within a week, indicating any deficiencies in energy or protein. In addition to knowing the nutrient content of your forages, it is also important to know the amount of each lot of hay the customer has and the number of cows to feed when working with the BioZyme Nutrition Team to plan the next steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t know the analysis, it\u2019s hard to know what to do,\u201d said Dan Shike, Associate Professor of Animal Science, University of Illinois, during the dealer training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to forages, Shike said producers might consider other feed alternatives like crop residues, bakery or grocery store wastes. Regardless of the feedstuffs, the nutritional value needs to be known so proper supplementation can take place. Shike also reminds that feeding must consider the cost per unit of energy or cost per unit of protein, and those calculations need to factor in more than just the feed and supplements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot one size fits all. We need to think about equipment and labor,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the tests are analyzed and interpreted and the protein and energy needs are determined, there are five ways to supplement proteins using the Amaferm \u00ae advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feed mineral with Amaferm.<\/strong> Get the most out of what your cows are consuming by increasing intake and digestibility. This is the least expensive option as the added cost of Amaferm is less than 5 cents per cow, per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n