Info
Leaflet 54
Clemson
Extension
SERVICES
FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS
Agricultural
Service Laboratory
FEED AND
FORAGE TESTING
Dairy
producers use feed
and forage analysis information extensively in their dairy ration formulations.
In order to most effectively formulate
dairy rations, producers should have feed samples analyzed for the standard
minerals, crude protein, and acid detergent fiber. In addition, neutral detergent fiber should be
determined on all forages and crude fat on all feeds containing added fat. Energy values will be calculated on most
feeds and forages from the crude protein and acid detergent values.
Beef
producers should
request the standard minerals as well as crude protein and acid detergent
fiber, which are necessary for the calculation of the total digestible
nutrients. Special circumstances may dictate further analyses.
Poultry
producers are
usually interested in the nutrient levels in finished or complete feeds. This
includes the standard minerals, crude protein, crude fat, and soluble sodium.
Knowledge of sodium levels in feeds can be useful in tracking down causes of
some behavior problems and digestive disorders such as cannibalism or wet
feces.
Swine
feeds are
usually analyzed for the standard minerals, crude protein, and acid detergent
fiber (used to predict metabolizable energy and crude
fiber contents). Analyses are most beneficial when used as verification that
the ingredients in a feed were properly weighed and mixed. Because there are
many feed ingredients that one can mix and because nutrient availabilities vary
greatly among ingredients, all analyses, except corn-soybean meal based feeds,
need some individual interpretation to be most useful to the feeder. For feeds
based on corn and soybean meal, the analyses should help provide good
predictions of feed adequacy.
For
horses, the
crude protein, crude fat, and acid detergent fiber should be determined. These
values are necessary to calculate the energy levels of the feed. The standard
mineral analysis is more valuable with a complete or manufactured feed than
individual feed ingredients. The net energy values for maintenance, growth, and
lactation are based on formulas derived from ruminant data and can only be used
to compare feedstuffs for the horse.
¥ Sampling Information
Instructions
for taking feed and forage samples can be obtained from the lab or your local
county Extension office. The sample submission forms are available on line at http://www.clemson.edu/agsrvlb or at
the county Extension office. Proper
sampling is essential to ensure results that are representative of the quality
of the feed or forage.
¥ Analysis Results
You will
receive by mail or email an analysis report for each sample analyzed. For
dairy, beef, horse, and poultry feed samples, the
results are reported on an as-sampled and dry-matter basis. For swine feed
samples, the results are reported on an as-sampled basis. Your
¥ Fees
|
Analyses Available |
Cost per Sample |
|
Standard Minerals* |
$ 6.00 |
|
Nitrate Nitrogen |
$ 5.00 |
|
Crude Protein |
$ 6.00 |
|
Crude Fat |
$ 5.00 |
|
Ash |
$ 5.00 |
|
Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) |
$ 5.00 |
|
Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) |
$ 5.00 |
|
Bound Protein (ADF-N) |
$ 6.00 |
|
Soluble Sodium and Chloride |
$ 5.00 |
|
Soluble Protein |
$ 5.00 |
|
pH |
$3.00 |
*Includes
phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, iron, and
sulfur.
SOIL
TESTING
¥ Benefits of Soil Testing
Soil
testing is a service provided as a management tool to help in decisions related
to fertilizer and lime applications for pastures and hay production. It
provides a scientific basis for maintaining adequate soil fertility levels and
proper soil pH values to help attain optimum yields of good quality forage. By testing the soil and following the
fertilizer recommendations, a farmer will ensure that the forage is competitive
with weeds, thus reducing herbicide costs, and guard against the environmental
hazards and expense from excessive fertilizer applications.
¥ Sampling Information
Instructions
for taking and submitting soil samples for analysis by the Agricultural Service
Laboratory are found on the soil bag. Record
Sheets are available on line at http://www.clemson.edu/agsrvlb
or at the county Extension office. Proper sampling is important to ensure
representative soil test results and proper fertilizer recommendations. In general, we recommend annual sampling for
hay crops and sampling every 3 years for grazed pastures. The intensity of land use should dictate your
sampling schedule.
¥ Results and Recommendations
Upon
completion of the analysis, a report with the plant nutrient levels and
fertilizer and lime recommendations will be returned to you by mail or email. Recommendations will be made for the crop(s)
listed on the Record Sheet and will include comments on cultural practices or
other specific recommendations for the crop(s) to be grown. If you have any
questions regarding the results or recommendations, your
¥ Fees
|
Analysis Available |
Cost per Sample |
|
Standard Soil Test* |
$6.00 |
*Includes phosphorus, potassium, calcium,
magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper, boron, sodium, pH, buffer pH, lime
requirement,
recommendations, CEC, Acidity, and % Base Saturation.
ANIMAL
WASTE ANALYSIS
¥ Benefits of Animal Waste Analysis
Determining
the plant nutrient content of animal waste is the initial step for utilizing
manure for crop production. Manure
analysis is necessary because the nutrient content of manures is highly
variable and not predictable. Application rates of the manure should be based
on the nutrient content of the manure, the nutrient status of the soil, and the
nutrient needs of the crop.
¥ Sampling Information
The
sample submitted must be representative of the manure to be land applied if the
analysis is to be of value. Samples
should be taken as close as possible to the time of application. If rainfall or manure additions alter the
manure, another sample should be taken. Consult
the lab or your county Extension office for sampling guidelines.
¥ Results and Recommendations
Results
are reported in pounds of nutrient per ton for solid manures and pounds of
nutrient per 1,000 gallons for liquid manures on an as-sampled basis (at the
moisture content of the sample delivered to the laboratory). A calculated estimate of available nitrogen
will appear on all reports. Provided
with the manure analysis, soil test information, and the crop to be grown, your
county agent can assist you in determining the proper application rate of
manure.
¥ Fees
|
Analyses Available |
Cost per Sample |
|
Special* |
$33.00 |
|
Arsenic |
$20.00 |
|
Calcium Carbonate Equivalency |
$10.00 |
|
Nitrate Nitrogen |
$10.00 |
|
pH |
$3.00 |
|
Soluble Phosphorus |
$5.00 |
*Includes percent moisture, organic
nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur,
zinc, copper, manganese, and sodium.