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Submit A Sample

How To > Feed Analysis

How to submit your

Feed Analysis

There are a wide variety of Feed & NIRS samples we can assist you with: hay, silage, bunk, and grain. Follow the applicable sampling procedure below to ensure precise, targeted nutrition for your animals.

​​Download the submittal form and make sure you include your name, address, phone number, sample ID, and desired analysis. Email address is suggested for rapid return on reports.

Download Submittal Form

Need help filling out your form?

Pricing

  • NIRS – Forages
  • F-9. Nitrate Testing
  • For pricing and full list of Feed & NIRS Analysis’ see our Pricing.

Feed Sampling Procedures:

We recommend following the National Forage Testing Association’s
Recommended Principles for Proper Hay Sampling 

  1. Define ‘lots’ of hay. Sampling from one field that has been harvested and baled in one consecutive time frame.
  2. Use a hay probe.
  3. Take a minimum of 20 probes per lot or sub sample at least 20% of the bales at 12”-18” into the bale.
  4. Submit samples in a ziplock bag and ship or mail shortly after sample has been taken.
  5. Label your samples clearly with an ID that makes sense to you and a Description that will allow the lab to determine the correct NIRS calibration to use such as ‘grass hay’, ‘alfalfa hay’, or ‘mixed species hay’.

When sampling pastures we recommend to imitate grazing behavior as much as possible to get the closest representation of the animal’s diet possible.

  1. Take a diagonal or zig-zag pattern through the pasture being tested.
  2. Stop and observe what plants are being grazed or you predict will be grazed and pull those plants and plant parts either with your fingers or scissors as you go across the field.
  3. Fill a minimum quart-size Ziplock bag. If sampling tall, high-yield forages such as sorghum or cover crops, you may fill a trash bag full. In this case chop sample to 1-2 inch pieces or use a chipper shredder and follow the quartering procedure to reduce mass prior to submitting your sample to the lab.
  4. Submit samples in a ziplock bag and ship or mail shortly after sample has been taken.
  5. Label your samples clearly with an ID that makes sense to you and a Description that will allow the lab to determine the correct NIRS calibration to use such as ‘pasture grass’ or ‘cover crop mix’.

There are 2 best times to sample silage, first, when it is being put up and second as it is being fed out. When sampling silage as it is chopped and put up.

While putting up silage:
  1. Pull samples throughout the day using a cup or scoop.
    Combine those samples into a clean 5-gallon bucket and thoroughly mix.
  2. Pour samples out onto a large paper or tarp and perform the quartering procedure.
  3. Submit samples in a ziplock bag and ship or mail shortly after sample has been taken.
  4. Label your samples clearly with an ID that makes sense to you and a Description that will allow the lab to determine the correct NIRS calibration to use such as ‘alfalfa haylage’, or ‘corn silage’.
During Feed out:
  1. Divide the face of the silage into 9-quadrants.
  2. Take a scoop and sample from each of the 9 quadrants.
  3. Combine these sub-samples into a clean 5-gallon bucket and mix them together.
  4. Pour samples out onto a large paper or tarp and perform the quartering procedure.
  5. Submit samples in a ziplock bag and ship or mail shortly after sample has been taken.
  6. Label your samples clearly with an ID that makes sense to you and a Description that will allow the lab to determine the correct NIRS calibration to use such as ‘sorghum silage, or ‘corn silage’.

For grain and mixed feed samples the best time to sample is when it is in motion. So, as it is being unloaded for storage, or fed out after being mixed for example. As the feedstuff is streaming off a truck, it is the best time to collect a sample.

  1. Use a scoop or cup to sample periodically (8-10 sub-samples).
  2. Mix sub-samples in a clean 5 gallon bucket.
  3. Use the quartering procedure to reduce mass when necessary.
  4. Submit samples in a ziplock bag and ship or mail shortly after sample has been taken.
  5. Label your samples clearly with an ID that makes sense to you and a Description that will allow the lab to determine the best equations for calculated energy values such as ‘wheat grain’, ‘mineral pre-mix’, or ‘Bunk’. 
  1. Always sample the final product not the batter or mix. The baking process can impact the fiber content of the pet treat.
  2. Sample each different recipe separately. Combine multiple treats from the same recipe for a representative sample.
  3. Send a minimum of 30g.
  4. Label your samples clearly with an ID that makes sense to you and a Description that will allow the lab to determine the best equations for calculated energy values such as ‘dog treats’.
  1. Sometimes when forages and feeds are sampled, the total of the aggregate samples is too large and bulky to send into the laboratory. The total sample size can be properly reduced and still maintain a representative sample.
  2. Mix the entire sample thoroughly.
  3. Pour it into a pile on clean paper or plastic.
  4. Divide the sample into four equal parts (quarters), saving the opposite two quarters.
  5. If the sample is still too large, repeat the procedure until the proper sample size of one pint to a quart is obtained.
  6. Once you have obtained your sample place it in a quart-size zip lock bag and send it to the laboratory for testing.

Download, print, and fill out a submission sheet to send in with your samples. Download a sheet here.

All samples can be mailed to PO Box 788, Kearney, NE 68848 or shipped to or dropped off at 4007 Cherry Ave., Kearney, NE 68847.

Detailed Instructions
Download Submittal Form
Order Sampling Supplies

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