Forage Sampling and Varying Results
David Balbian, Area Dairy Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops
This was a topic recently discussed by Dr. Bill Weiss, from The Ohio State University. Work they recently conducted showed that sampling error can vary widely between feeds and between farms. Work they did in Ohio, using a very strict set of protocols for the sampling process, showed more variation in results than most nutritionists (and producers) would like to see.
Variation in dry matter is something that can be tested on-farm with a Koster Moisture Tester, microwave, or other method. As fed weights (when feeding by weight with TMR feeding systems) can easily be adjusted to account for those changes. But, what do you do when the actual nutrient content changes? Do you have your nutritionist adjust your ration every week? That answer really depends on whether or not your forages did actually change or was the variation a result of sampling error?
Actual change is often easily recognized by producers because they know feed came from a different field or was a different variety. How the feed is stored can impact changes at feed out. Feed differences in upright silos and especially Ag. bags will be more apparent than with bunker silos, where differences between fields are often masked because the feed is blended or layered when filling occurred.
So, is this something you should be concerned with? When feed obviously changes it should be resampled. How about when the feed is all the same? Based on the work in Ohio it seems like a good practice to follow (to be sure your results are accurate) is to sample two times a week for two weeks and then average the results. A bit extreme? Maybe, but take a few samples of the same feed in a short period of time and see what you get.
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Mother nature has really been difficult over the last few days. Significant damage has been seen throughout NYS. Please let us know what types of damage your farm may have sustained during this time. This could be in the form of property damage, lost power, milk dump due to lost power, loss of livestock, loss of stored feed or growing crops.Farms are encouraged to DOCUMENT AND SHARE any impacts the weather may have had on their home or business. This could include structure damage, crop loss, inventory loss due to power outages, damage to equipment or fencing, and more.
If your farm experienced any sort of damage, please reach out to any of the folks listed below (or all of them). The more impact information that is collected, the greater the likelihood of a disaster declaration which can bring vital emergency support and awareness. The CNYDLFC Team will continue to collect detail and submit to NYSDAM and the EDEN network.
Reporting Weather Related Impacts (For your home or farm business)
- First, ensure that all the people and animals on your farm are safe, and that there aren't any unsafe working conditions created because of the weather (check your structures!). If there's an emergency, call 911 - don't try to manage it all on your own.
- Second, document all negative weather impacts for your farm and their estimated financial cost. Take photos, make estimates, and put it all in a safe place.
- Reach out to your insurance providers - farm, vehicle, crop, etc. to initiate the claim process as needed.
- Then, share your farm's damage with any (or all) of the ag support agencies listed below. We all work together to collect storm damage information and funnel it up to Ag and Markets which can initiate a natural disaster declaration.
- Chenango: 607-334-5841
- Fulton/Montgomery: 518-853-2135
- Herkimer: 315-866-7920
- Madison: 315-684-3001
- Otsego: 607-547-2536
- Schoharie: 518-234-4303
- Saratoga: 518-885-8995
- Erik Smith: 315-219-7786
- Daniela Gonzalez: 315-749-3486
- Ashley McFarland- 315-604-2156
Your county USDA/FSA service center.
- Chenango: 607-334-3231
- Fulton/Montgomery: 518-853-4015
- Herkimer: 315-866-2520
- Madison:315-824-9076
- Otsego: 607-547-8131
- Schoharie: 518-295-8600
- Saratoga: 518-692-9940
Your county farm bureau manager
- Region 3: Bailey Coon: 518-937-0566
- Region 5: John Wagner: 315-761-9770
- Region 6: Natally Batiston: 518-937-0269
- Region 7: Todd Heyn: 518-431-9338
Please let us know how we can help you.
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