What updates will I receive on my sample status?
Generally, the first update you will receive is the emailing of your sample analyses report(s).
What is the Sample ID and where do I get this?
Sample ID is the unique term or name you give an individual sample, thus allowing you to know which sample is which when the sample report(s) are returned to you. For example, “First Cutting” or “Old hay”.
Can I dropoff the sample to the laboratory?
The laboratory lobby is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on days that the Texas A&M University campus is open. This includes closure due to weather or early dismissals.
How much forage sample do need to supply for testing?
Approximately one pint of hay collected from a grab sample, or one full cup of hay collected using a hay-bale probe.
Why do you recommend using a bale probe to collect samples?
Using a bale probe insures an unbiased sample is collected and reduces the chance for loss of leaf tissue, better represents the bale(s) surface and internal contents than samples simply collected from the edge or edge (grab samples).
Does the laboratory test for nitrates and prussic acid?
The SWFTL does nitrate analyses in forages, but does not perform analyses for prussic acid.
Which forage test should I select?
A good overall analyses for feed nutritive value of forages is the NIRS test.
What part of the plant should I select for nitrate analyses?
Nitrate accumulation is generally greatest in the stem near ground level and lowest in the leaves. Unless the forage is being chopped and ensilaged, good testing approaches are to test the lower grazable or cuttable portion of the plant separate from the overall plant(s).
What should I put my hay sample in prior to shipment?
We recommend hay and non-silage samples be placed in clean paper bags. Avoid putting fresh tissues in plastic bags, as degradation of the sample will likely occur in transit.
Can you provide fertilizer recommendations based on my hay analyses?
No. All fertilizer recommendations are based on soil samples, not plant or forage tissues.
How long does it take for nitrates to leave my hay?
After cutting, the nitrate levels will not be lowered, unless significant water leaches through the hay. Generally speaking, nitrate levels begin to drop in live forages, following 4-5 days of good active growth (often after frost or rainfall following drought conditions).
Do you test for mold?
We do not test for mold or other microbial components in any samples.
Why is my protein level low, I heavily fertilized?
Common reasons for low hay protein levels are 1), overly mature hay, 2) leaching of nitrogen, 3) poor uptake of nitrogen due to soil compaction or other limiting nutrients and 4) leaching of protein from hay left in rainfall or outside.