Services | Feed & NIRS Analysis

Concerned about feed input costs on your livestock operation?

Feed testing at Ward Laboratories ensures that every dollar you spend is a solid investment.

Testing ensures precise, targeted nutrition for your animals.

Tight profit margins and variations in market price make efficiency a top priority for every livestock producer. Our feed testing program aligns your unique production goals with the information needed to create a balanced ration or supplementation strategy for your livestock.

Here are some common issues that feed testing can address:

  • Precisely balancing key nutrients in mixed feeds.
  • Reducing overfeeding which results in wasted feed and excessive feed costs.
  • Preventing underfeeding which results in poor animal health and production losses.
  • Meeting specific goals, such as daily weight gain of steer or egg production efficiency.
  • Evaluating and mitigating risk related to nitrates in forages.
  • Ensuring optimum grain particle size, to encourage proper digestion and protect animal health.

Save money and get accurate results with NIRS testing

Near-infrared spectroscopy or NIRS testing works by directing near-infrared light onto a sample and measuring the reflected rays to determine concentrations of key nutrients including protein, carbohydrates, and fat. While not available for every type of feed, an NIRS report provides many constituents for a more affordable price than wet chemistry methods

Consult the chart below to see if NIRS testing is appropriate for your needs. Samples that are not approved for NIRS testing may be tested with traditional wet chemistry methods.

NIRS Recommended Wet Chemistry Required
Legume Hays Any Non-Corn Grain
Grass Hays Rations and Mixed Feeds
Green Chop Seeds
Fresh Forages Minerals and Concentrated Feeds
Legume/Grass Hay Mixes Soybean Meal and Other Meals
Haylages Milk and Milk Replacers
Small Grain Silages Liquid Feeds
Corn Silage  

Here’s a look at our best-selling options:

NIRS – Forages

$19.50 USD

This is a popular test with our livestock producers! NIRS testing for your forages is an economical option for determining critical information about your feed with a quick turnaround time. 

This analysis measures the following:

  • Moisture
  • Dry matter
  • Crude protein
  • Acid detergent fiber (ADF) & amylase-treated neutral detergent fiber (aNDF)
  • Ash
  • NDFD48
  • IVTDMD48
  • Fat
  • Lignin
  • Non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC)
  • Starch
  • Ethanol soluble carbohydrates (ESC) & water soluble carbohydrates (WSC)
  • Calculations given for relative feed value (RFV), relative forage quality (RFQ) & beef cattle energy values (TDN, NEm , NEg , NEl)
  • Horse Energy Value: DE (calculated upon request)

F-10. Beef Cattle Rations

$43.50 USD

We’ll test your rations and measure levels of moisture, dry matter, ADF, crude protein, fat and other critical components. If your results show that your feed isn’t supporting optimal animal health, we can help you formulate the correct feed for your livestock.

(Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Fat, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Sulfur, Sodium, Molybdenum; Calculated Beef Cattle Energy Values: TDN, NEm , NEg , NEl; Calculated upon request: Horse Energy Value: DE)

F-9. Nitrate Testing

$13.75 USD

When animals (commonly cattle or horses) eat excess quantities of certain common plants, nitrate poisoning can occur. Nitrate poisoning can cause serious illness or even sudden death of the animal. Testing your feed for nitrates can indicate whether nitrate content is at a safe level for your livestock.

(Moisture, Dry Matter, Nitrate-Nitrogen (NO3 -N))

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does testing cost?

Prices effective January 1, 2024. All prices are subject to change without notice.
All prices are in USD.

Download the Feed & Forage Analysis Prices

Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)
  LEGUME, GRASS & HAYLAGE $19.50
 

Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Heat Damaged Protein (HDP), NDF Insoluble Protein (NDICP), Insoluble Protein, Soluble Protein, Acid
Detergent Fiber (ADF), amylase-treated Neutral Detergent Fiber (aNDF), Ash, NDFD48, dNDF48, IVTDMD48, dNDF30, IVTDMD30, Fat, Lignin,
Non-Fiber Carbohydrates (NFC), Starch, Ethanol Soluble Carbohydrates (ESC), Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC)
Calculated: Relative Feed Value (RFV) Relative Forage Quality (RFQ)
Calculated Beef Cattle Energy Values: TDN, NEm, NEg, NEl

Calculated upon request: Dairy Cattle Energy Values: TDN, ME, NEm , NEg,NEl

Calculated upon request: Horse Energy Value: DE, Non-Structural Carbohydrates (NSC)

 
  CORN SILAGE & UNFERMENTED CORN SILAGE $19.50
  Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Heat Damaged Protein (HDP), NDF Insoluble Protein (NDICP), Insoluble Protein, Soluble Protein,
Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), amylase-treated Neutral Detergent Fiber (aNDF), Ash, NDFD48, IVTDMD48, dNDF48, IVTDMD48, dNDF30,
IVTDMD30, Fat, Lignin, Non-Fiber Carbohydrates (NFC), Starch, Ethanol Soluble Carbohydrates (ESC), Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC)
Calculated Beef Cattle Energy Values: TDN, ME, NEm, NEg, NEl Calculated upon request: Dairy Cattle Energy Values: TDN, ME, NEm, NEg, NEl
 
  MIXED SPECIES HAY & FORAGES $19.50
  Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Heat Damaged Protein (HDP), NDF Insoluble Protein (NDICP), Insoluble Protein, Soluble Protein,
Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), amylase-treated Neutral Detergent Fiber (aNDF), Ash, NDFD48, dNDF48, IVTDMD48, Fat, Lignin, Non-Fiber
Carbohydrates (NFC), Starch, Ethanol Soluble Carbohydrates (ESC), Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC)
Calculated: Relative Feed Value (RFV) Relative Forage Quality (RFQ)
Calculated Beef Cattle Energy Values: TDN, ME, NEm, NEg, NEl Calculated upon request: Dairy Cattle Energy Values: TDN, ME, NEm, NEg, NEl Calculated upon request: Horse Energy Value: DE, Non-Structural Carbohydrates (NSC)
 
  NON-BRASSICA COVER CROPS $19.50
  Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Heat Damaged Protein (HDP), NDF Insoluble Protein (NDICP), Insoluble Protein, Soluble Protein,
Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), amylase-treated Neutral Detergent Fiber (aNDF), Ash, NDFD48, dNDF48, IVTDMD48, Fat, Lignin, Non-Fiber
Carbohydrates (NFC), Starch, Ethanol Soluble Carbohydrates (ESC), Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC)
Calculated Beef Cattle Energy Values: TDN, ME, NEm, NEg, NEl
 

All Prediction Models from NIRS Forage and Feed Testing Consortium.

Use wet chemistry analysis for feedstuffs not eligible/listed for NIRS analysis.
All prices are in USD.

Feed Analysis: Wet Chemistry
F-1 PROTEIN $14.00
  Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein  
F-2 PROTEIN AND BEEF ENERGY $22.25
  Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF)
Calculated Beef Cattle Energy Values: TDN, NEm , NEg , NEl;
Calculated upon request: Horse Energy Value: DE
 
F-3 PROTEIN, BEEF ENERGY, AND MINERALS $37.25
  Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Sulfur, Sodium, Molybdenum
Calculated Beef Cattle Energy Values: TDN, NEm , NEg , NEl
Calculated upon request: Horse Energy Value: DE
 
F-4 PROTEIN, RFV, AND MINERALS $46.00
  Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), amylase-treated Neutral Detergent Fiber (aNDF), Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Sulfur, Sodium, Molybdenum
Calculated: Relative Feed Value (RFV)
Calculated Beef Cattle Energy Values: TDN, NEm , NEg , NEl
Calculated upon request: Horse Energy Value: DE
 
F-5 PROTEIN AND RFV $30.75
  Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), amylase-treated Neutral Detergent Fiber (aNDF)
Calculated: Relative Feed Value (RFV)
Calculated Beef Cattle Energy Values: TDN, NEm , NEg , NEl
Calculated upon request: Horse Energy Value: DE
 
F-6 PROTEIN AND MINERALS $29.25
  Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Sulfur, Sodium, Molybdenum  
F-7 LIQUID FEED SUPPLEMENT $40.50
  Moisture (Karl Fischer), Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Sulfur, Sodium, Molybdenum  
F-8 MINERAL PACKAGE $23.75
  Moisture, Dry Matter, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Sulfur, Sodium, Molybdenum  
F-9 NITRATE $13.75
  Moisture, Dry Matter, Nitrate-Nitrogen (NO3 -N)  
F-10 BEEF RATIONS $43.50
  Recommended for Beef Rations
Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Fat, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Sulfur, Sodium, Molybdenum
Calculated Beef Cattle Energy Values: TDN, NEm , NEg , NEl
Calculated upon request: Horse Energy Value: DE
 
F-11 PROXIMATE ANALYSIS $37.50
  Recommended for poultry feeds and novel/unique feedstuffs
Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Crude Fiber, Fat, Ash,
Calculated: Nitrogen Free Extract
Calculated Beef Cattle Energy Values: TDN, NEm , NEg , NEl
Calculated Upon Request Poultry Energy Value: MEn
 
F-12 SWINE INGREDIENTS $35.75
  Recommended for swine ingredients
Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Fat, Ash
Calculated Upon Request Swine Energy Values: GE, DE, ME
 
F-13 SWINE DIETS $61.25
  Recommended for swine ingredients or diets
Moisture, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Fat, Ash, Starch
Calculated Beef Cattle Energy Values: TDN, NEm , NEg , NEl
Calculated Upon Request Swine Energy Values: GE, DE, ME, NE
 
COMMON NIRS+ WET CHEMISTRY PACKAGES
Any wet chemistry analysis can be added to NIRS packages.
  NIRS + NITRATES $26.50
  Recommended for nitrate accumulating species (Ex. Cane, Sorghum, Oats, etc.)
NIRS package with Nitrate (NO3 -N) added
 
  NIRS + MINERALS $34.50
 

Recommended for designing mineral supplementation program
NIRS package with F-8 Minerals added

Mineral sufficiency levels available with animal and physiological state based on NASEM guidelines.

 
  NIRS + PH $23.00
  Recommended for ensiled forages to ensure proper fermentation
NIRS package with pH added
 
Individual Feed Analysis
  Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) $10.25
  Aflatoxin $26.25
  Ash $8.75
  Available Starch $16.25
  Biomass $4.25
  Cobalt $32.50
  Crude Fiber $13.00
  Crude Protein $8.75
  Dry Matter-Karl Fischer $13.00
  Dry Matter-Oven $8.75
  Dry Matter-Vacuum Oven $10.50
  Crude Fat $7.75
  Fat-Acid Hydrolysis $11.25
  Heat Damaged Protein (HDP)/ Acid Detergent Insoluble Crude Protein (ADICP) $15.75
  Lignin $17.25
  Minerals Digest $19.00
  Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) $10.75
  Neutral Detergent Insoluble Crude Protein (NDICP) $16.25
  Nitrate (NO3-N) $8.75
  Non-Protein Nitrogen (NPN) $13.00
  Particle Size $21.50
  PH $4.25
  Prussic Acid*  
  Salt based on Chloride $8.75
  Selenium $32.50
  Soluble Protein $10.75
  Soy-Chek $8.00
  Test Weight (Grains) $8.75
  Total Starch $21.50
  Total Carbon $8.75
  Total Sugars Invert (TSI) $13.00

*Call for pricing and shipping instructions.

How Do I Take a Sample?

Click here for everything you need to know about sample types and sampling procedure!

Does Ward accept samples from any location?

Yes, we accept samples from producers all over the world! Some sample types require specific instructions. You can learn more about APHIS and its requirements here.

What are the nitrate levels in my area?

Nitrate levels are affected by many factors including plant species, soil conditions, and production management techniques such as irrigation and especially fertilization. Nitrate levels may vary within a geographical region or even within a single field. If there is a potential nitrate concern, we recommend you test the feed for nitrates. Additional extension materials regarding nitrate risks can be provided upon request to help you make an informed decision about testing for nitrates.

What are the energy values and protein levels for this year’s corn silage?

While an inference can be made as to the average energy values for corn silage, variance exists among producers. Additionally, our database is not searchable by feed type and records are not generated or kept for average sample statistics. If you are trying to balance a total mixed ration, it is recommended you test to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding animals.

Can I add tests to my report after I have received my results?

Yes, we keep your samples for 30 days. Please review your results as soon as possible and call with additional requests, while the sample is still available.

I would like to test for something not found on the Ward Laboratories, Inc. website or listed on the Fee Schedule. What can I do?

We are happy to refer you to a lab that performs a test we do not offer or send your sample to another lab for a $10 USD fee. Some commonly requested tests we send to other labs include ionophore quantification, microbial identification and vitamin quantification.

I am having trouble interpreting my report. What can I do?

We welcome your calls and emails to help you interpret your report. We have an animal scientist (rkern@wardlab.com) on staff who can walk you through your results and provide additional extension materials to help you understand the results of your testing report.

What analysis should I use to sell my hay?

Near infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is the most comprehensive test and has the constituents buyers are looking for (ie. Moisture, Protein, TDN, RFV, RFQ, Non-Fiber Carbohydrates)

Not sure what tests you need?

Our professional animal scientist, Rebecca Kern M.S. PAS can help you develop a feeding plan that will support your production goals and address any concerns you may have.