Hay analysis

[harveydales]

I just got the results for the hay analysis on some samples of our 2007 hay I sent in - I wanted to know just what I am feeding Quest because of his possible Cushings and being lami prone. The results suprised me.

Because of all the rain last summer we had to cut very late (August) and we never got the chance to fertilise the field either. Yet the sugar levels are above average - 10.9% and apparantly most hay was higher in sugar than normal last year which is worrying for lami prone horses. Our hay also has a higher energy rating than I would expect from a crop cut this late.

I had a full mineral analysis done this time and again, this hay had good levels of all nutrients and minerals, mostly in the high end of the normal range but with particularly high levels of iron and mangenese. Not sure what that signifies but our field is very old ridge and furrow meadow with very little ryegrass.

All in all, our hay seems to be far more nutricious than I expected. No wonder Harvey is doing so well! Definately worth getting a full analysis done if you have any problem horses.

[nars]

That's really interesting Pam. I bet Hars has been rubbing his little hooves with glee this year.

[loopylou]

How interesting

[broxdown]

That is interesting - how much does it cost to get an analysis done?

[harveydales]

I think the cost varies depending on where you send it and what sort of analysis you ask for. I sent mine to Dengie and asked for a full analysis which cost me £25. Last year they did a minimal analysis ie sugars, starch, energy etc but not minerals and that only cost £5. Dodson and Horrel will also do an analysis with even more options but they charge even more. I suppose it is a lot of money but I needed to know just what I was feeding Quest.

[mrsp]

It is amazing what is actually in hay! many years ago (in my married days) my ex won the SE hay competition(gawd honestly!!) and the hay turned out to have more omph than oats!!! No wonder our ponies where all thugs and hooligans, we had to leave it an extra year before we could feed it to horses - thanks heavens none of them where the lami types....

[PonyGirl]

Hay in Wyoming must be inspected or it can't be sold.

[broxdown]

I'm sure most respectable hay suppliers would have each field 'tested' before selling to their customers then? Would seem a very professional approach although I'm not sure how many suppliers do it in the UK....

[harveydales]

Certainly the small local farmers round here don't have their hay tested although the bigger outfits do. Ours is our own home-made hay which is why I was particularly interested.

[Debbie]

I don't think any of the farmers I buy hay from have had their hay tested. It goes mostly by visual as to how good the crop is, and how well they've kept the weeds from intruding. Also what was planted there before, as some crops can take years (if ever) to stop them from coming through.

Anne do you know what it is they're trying to prevent from spreading in Wyoming?

[DalesLady]

this is interesting and I have thought about doing this for ours. Thing is, which bale shall I test as some of it is from different fields and that means some is meadow grass and some ex-diary pasture! They must be different.

[bevbob]

Thats the dilema I have Penny, well it was while we were on it, its all gone now but it was amazing how very different the bales were and all the land is treated the same.

I would have them both tested and then you can compare for future ref.