HAMILTONTatyoon _ Penshurst _ Woorndoo

Dr Steve Cotton

Outlineo Importance of testing

o Coring silage

o Subjective assessment

o Objective assessmento DMo NDFo Digestibilityo ME and CPo WSC and Ash

o Factors affecting quality

o Comparing the cost of silages

o Review of 12-13’ season

o Stock requirements

Question…….How can you make an informed decision on how much to feed your stock if you don’t know the quality?

Answer…….

You can’t!You need to have it tested!

Importance of testing?

• Test before you feed –

• Determine if stock requirements can be met

• Calculate feed rations

• Budget for feed gaps

• Informed management decisions

• Utilise feed efficiently, manage stock effectively

• Test before you buy –

• Insist on knowing what you are purchasing

Grain and Pasture sampling Instructions AFIA recommended method

Grain

For grain samples taken from a silo or field bin:

1. Fill a plastic bucket full of grain and take 5+ random handfuls from the bucket and place in the zip lock bag provided.

2. Discard the remaining grain from the bucket, refill and repeat STEP 1 above – two more times until you have filled the zip lock bag 2/3 full.

Pasture

To collect a pasture sample for NIR analysis, follow procedure below:

Diagram of paddock – Pasture sampling method

To obtain the best pasture sample possible: 1. Use a pair of hand shears 2. Do not pick up dung or dirt with grass cuttings 3. Do not sample pasture on stock camps, dung or urine patches 4. It is important that your zip lock bag does not become full half way across the paddock as this

indicates your sample volume at each location is too much and it will not truly represent the entire paddock.

60 Portland Rd, Hamilton 3300 Phone (03) 5572 1419 Fax (03) 5572 1311 s.cotton@livestocklogic.com.au

When you have finished sampling

1. Fill bag FULL with pasture or 2/3 full with grain. Exclude as much air as possible from bag before sealing.

2. Important that pasture sample is placed in fridge NOT freezer if not sent on same day as collected. 3. Avoid sending the sample(s) late in the week, e.g Thursday or Friday. If harvested late in the week,

leave in fridge over weekend and send on Monday. 4. Deliver or post the sample(s) to 60 Portland Rd, Hamilton VIC 3300 together with submission form.

Please call Steve Cotton on 0447 352 321 if you require any further information or

www.livestocklogic.com.au

1. Start at red dot (cnr of paddock) and cut approx. a 5cm2 area of pasture to ground level and place in zip lock bag provided.

2. Walk diagonally through the paddock and continue sampling (step 1) (green dots in diagram), until you reach the other end of the paddock.

3. If you get to the other side of paddock and zip lock bag is not full, walk to the opposite corner and repeat steps 1 and 2 above (follow purple line) until bag is full.

4. If you get ½ way across the paddock and you find the bag is filling too quickly, take more steps between each sample location to ensure the whole paddock is covered

Hay sampling Instructions AFIA recommended method

The accuracy of your Feed Logic report depends largely on the sample you send to our laboratory. 1. The best method for obtaining a uniform and representative

sample is a core sample. Grab samples (flakes) are not recommended.

2. To obtain a corer, there are 3 options:

a. Buy one - KELSPEC SERVICES PTY LTD 38 Woodburn Street (P.O. Box 31), DUNKELD, Victoria 3294 – Phone (03) 5577 2216

b. Borrow one – From Livestock Logic. Deposit required.

c. Make one – If you’re doing a lot of testing.

Sampling large square bales and round rolls

Sample (core) between 5 and 10 bales selected at random from the stack. Take one core from each side of the bale at different heights and repeat this on the remaining bales you have selected for coring.

Front of bale back of bale

Sampling small square bales

Sample (core) between 10 and 20 bales selected at random from the stack. Take one core from each of the bales selected in the centre of the bale on the longest edge of the bale or “butt” end as shown below.

Stainless steel tube. 30mm diameter 450mm long (min.)

Adapter – attaches to cordless drill. This adapter slides down the tube and is held in place by brass pin that is removed after use to collect sample from tube

Cutting tip. Can be welded or screwed to steel tube. Will need to be sharpened every now and then

60 Portland Rd, Hamilton 3300 Phone (03) 5572 1419 Fax (03) 5572 1311 s.cotton@livestocklogic.com.au

Insert corer here and push back through the bale in the direction of the red arrow

Side 1 of bale Side 2 of bale

When you have finished coring

1. Combine the core samples into the zip lock bag provided and exclude as much air as possible before sealing the bag. Do not allow sample to sit in the hot car/ute or in the sun before sending.

2. Deliver or post the sample(s) ASAP to 60 Portland Rd, Hamilton VIC 3300 together with submission form

Please call Steve Cotton on 0447 352 321 if you require any further information or

www.livestocklogic.com.au

Testing silage - Coring

o AFIA guidelines

• Use a hay corer (We have loan corers available)

• Core 10 -15 bales

• Select at random until bag is full

• Core “across” not with the flakes

• Tape up holes immediately

Grab SampleCore sample

Core Vs Grab Sample

o Easy

o No uniformity

o Not representative

o Increases processing time

o Results less accurate

o Takes longer to obtain sample

o Uniform stalk length

o Representative of bale and paddock

o Reduces processing time by ¾

o Results accurate and meaningful

Subjective assessment- Colour

Indicates heating

• < DDM & CP• Poor sealing &/or compaction

Greeny/brown Light amber brown Dark brown

Cut too late

• > % mature grasses

• > DM but < quality

Normal

• Good mix of yield & quality

• Indicates good fermentation

Subjective assessment- Aroma

1. Musty/mouldy/composty = poor compaction

2. Tobacco/caramel/burnt sugar = heat damaged

3. Vinegar = poor fermentation

Common with low DM and low sugar silages

4. Sweet/fruity = > % yeasts present, high ethanol levels

5. Slightly sweet = heavily wilted low fermentation

6. Mild/acidic/yoghurt = normalDesirable

Not Desirable

Objective silage quality

DigestibilityNDFADFCPMEAshWSC

Dry Matter As tested Vs As Fed

oLabs traditionally report on DM(%) basis (after oven drying), BUT:

oWhen feeding out silage it is not oven dried SO:

Need to correct values to “As Fed”

oUse the formula DM(%) x ME as tested/100 (This is calculated for you in your Feed Logic report)

Consider Dry Matter (DM)

Silage 1 Silage 2

DM 46% 35%

ME (MJ/kg )as tested 11.5 11.5

ME as fed 5.3 4.0

Total MJ/t as fed 5300 4000

No. stock supported/day* 88 67

Based on a 300kg weaner gaining 0.5kg/day

Dry Matter

< 30% • > effluent, < fermentation• Loss of nutrients

>50-55% • < anaerobic conditions• > chance of heating & mould growth

Baled silage can have > DM(%) than pit

Too low

Too high

Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF)

Predictor of dry matter intake (DMI)

High NDF reduces intake

Example:

Based on a 500kg cow

Target variable but < 55% of DM is good

NDF Intake (% LW) Amount eaten60 2.0% 10kg DM50 2.4% 12kg DM

Importance of Fibre

– Assists in rumen movement, mixing and rumination

– Stimulates saliva production

– Fibre slows the flow through the rumen to give the microbes more time to digest the feed

Feeds high in fibre

Long stemmy pasture

Straw Silage

Hay

Digestibility of Pasture

Source: Horizon Ag Website

Grass plant Clover plant

Digestibility

Measure of how much food is digested by the animal

Silage target > 66% + of DM

3 Kg Dung

10 Kg eaten

70% Digestible

ME and CP

The higher the ME values the better!CP is less critical – no point exceeding min req.

Target:> 10MJ ME/kg DM

> 12% CP for pasture silage (to satisfy stock requirements)

> 18% CP for legume silage (vetch/clover/lucerne)

Remember: Livestock requirements vary

The better the feed quality, the less you need to feed!

WSC & Ash

• WSC concentration important in parent material

• Usually low in silage – not reported

• Ash value maybe irrelevant• Includes inorganic minerals that are not burnt off at 550oC• Will vary within and between paddocks• Target < 10%

A 7-day delay in harvest decreases quality by 0.25-0.6 MJ/kg DM.

A 1% increase in digestibility in cattle will increasemilk production by approx. 0.3 kg/day Weight gain by 45 g/day

Factors affecting quality• Harvest Date

Early Mid Late

Days from first cut - 9 17

Digestibility 71.3 67.2 64.2

Intake (kg DM/day) 7.2 7.0 6.7

LW gain (kg/day) 0.92 0.78 0.6

Yield (t/Ha) 12.9 12.8 13.5

Source: Steen (1992)

Good Vs poor quality silage

Remember:

Good quality silage has:

• Digestibility > 66%• ME > 10 MJ ME/kg DM• CP > 12%• NDF < 55% DM• DM 30-55%

Parameter Good PoorDM 50.1 25.5Moist 49.9 74.5DDM 67.0 57.0DOMD 63.0 56.0ME 10.2 9.0CP 14.2 9.7NDF 52.0 59.0ADF 30.0 34.0WSC ---- 2.9Ash 12.0 9.0

Growth Stage ME (MJ/kg DM) CP (% DM) Yield (t DM/ha)

Early (vegetative) 10 – 11 15 – 25 1.5 – 3.0

Mid (head emergence) 9.5 – 11 12 – 22 2.5 – 4.0

Late (flowering) 8.5 – 10 10 – 20 2.5 – 5.0

Perennial Ryegrass

Growth Stage ME (MJ/kg DM) CP (% DM) Yield (t DM/ha)

Vegetative 10 – 11 22 – 28 0.75 – 1.4

Budding 9.0 – 10 18 – 24 1.2 – 2.4

Early flowering 8.0 – 9.5 15 – 22 1.5 – 3.2

Late flowering 6.0 – 8.0 6 – 15 1.8 – 4.0

Lucerne

Quality

Source: Successful Silage – Top Fodder Manual 2006

Results – what do they mean?

Feed Intel Report Client Details Sample Details

Client: Steve Cotton Lab No: 121133

Address: 60 Portland Rd Sample type: Hay, sub clv/Bal clv

Town: Hamilton Post Code: 3315 Sample ID: Sth Triangle

email: s.cotton@livestocklogic.com.au Collection date: 20/11/2012

Phone: 0447 352 321 Fax: (03) 5572 1419 Date submitted: 20/11/2012 Results sent: Email Fax Phone Date reported: 24/11/12

Used for: Stock Feed Sale Research Export Other

Sheep Beef Dairy Other lambs Actual weight (kg): Age:

Class of stock (e.g heifer/hogget): CS: Sex: M F

Stock scanned/tested pregnant? Yes No Stock lactating? Yes No FOO (kg DM/Ha):

Pasture Quality: Very high High Medium Low Dry Dry with green pick

NIR results

Parameter As tested (DM) As Fed (wet) Total Dry Matter (DM) (% DM) 83.3 ---- Moisture (% DM) 16.7 ---- Digestible dry matter (DMD) (% DM) 68.0 ---- Digestibility of organic dry matter (DOMD) (% DM) 64.0 ---- Metabolisable Energy (ME) (MJ/kg DM) 10.1 8.4 Crude Protein (N x 6.25) (CP) (% DM) 17.0 14.2 Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) (% DM) 42.0 ---- Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) (% DM) 31.0 ---- Water Soluble carbohydrate (WSC) (% DM) 8.0 ---- Ash (% DM) 8.0 ---- AFIA Grade: A2 Sampled By: NIR

Comments Steve, this is excellent quality hay, high in protein and can expect that this will support weaners and adult sheep into the summer. Please use the figures in the ‘as fed’ column to determine feeding requirements. Also suggest test some pasture early in January to determine quality. This will help determine balanced stock ration. Regards, Steve Disclaimer: Sample(s) tested as received. Every effort is made to minimise testing and batch variation to ensure repeatability of the results. However, results will vary depending on sampling technique, storage and the feed itself. FeedIntel participates in inter-lab testing of AFIA feed standards throughout the year to ensure we deliver consistent and accurate results consistent with industry guidelines.

60 Portland Rd, Hamilton VIC 3300 Ph: (03) 5572 – 1419

Fax: (03) 5572 – 1311 email: feed@livestockintel.com.au web: www.livestockintel.com.au

AFIA Member

Feed Logic Definitions

Dry Matter (DM) – Dry matter refers to the amount of material (feed) left after all the water in the sample has been removed by oven drying. It is expressed as a percentage of the original sample. It is the dry matter content that contains all of the energy, protein, fibre and minerals and because the moisture contents of feeds differ, all analyses are expressed on a dry matter basis. Moisture - Moisture measures the amount of water in the feed and is determined by weighing the feed sample as it is received in the lab and then oven drying to remove the moisture and re-weighing. Moisture varies according to the feed – typically 10% for grains and upwards of 50% for silage, fresh pasture and some hays. Metabolisable Energy (ME) – ME is the amount of energy present in the feed that is available to an animal for maintenance and growth. It is calculated from the digestibility of organic dry matter (DOMD) and expressed as megajoules per kilogram of dry matter (MJ/kg DM). The ME figure given in your Feed Logic report is very important as you can use it to determine if your stock are receiving adequate energy for growth based on their nutritional requirements. If feeding to stock, use the “as fed” figures to calculate requirements. Digestibility of organic dry mater (DOMD) – DOMD is the portion of the organic dry matter that can be digested by the animal and is expressed as a percentage of dry matter. This parameter objectively measures the quality of the feed and takes into account the inorganic matter (ash – (sand and dirt)). It is calculated by an industry agreed equation that relates DOMD to digestible dry matter (DMD). Digestible Dry Matter (DMD) – DMD is the percentage of the dry matter actually digested by animals excluding the inorganic matter. High quality feeds have a DMD of >65%, while low quality feeds have a DMD <55%. Where information from feeding trials is unavailable, the DMD can be calculated from ADF figures. Crude Protein (CP) – Crude protein measures the amount of true protein (amino acids) as well as non-protein nitrogen and is expressed as a percentage of dry matter. Since proteins contain around 16% nitrogen on average, the nitrogen value is multiplied by a factor of 6.25 to calculate the crude protein content of the feed. It is worth noting that because CP indicates both true and non-protein nitrogen, it does not provide information regarding the quality or availability of the protein in a particular feed – it is a crude value. Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) – NDF is a measure of the total cell wall material or plant structure in the feed. It is comprised of the acid detergent fibre (ADF) fraction (cellulose and lignin) plus hemicellulose and this value reflects the amount of forage an animal can consume. As NDF percentage increases, dry matter intake will generally decrease. It is expressed as a percentage of dry matter. Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) - ADF estimates the proportion of the feed that is indigestible to stock. It is composed of cellulose and lignin. As ADF increases, digestibility and ME of the feed usually decreases. ADF is also used to calculate DMD when there is limited in vivo animal feeding trial data available. Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC) – WSC is a measure of the total sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose) present in the feed. These sugars are the primary source of energy for rumen bacteria as well as the animal. WSC is expressed as a percentage of dry matter. Ash – Ash is the proportion of the feed that contains the inorganic fraction (minerals) that is not utilised by the animal and is expressed as a percentage of dry matter. Organic Matter (OM) – Organic matter is everything present in the feed except the ash component and is expressed as a percentage of dry matter. Fat – Fat is a measure of the lipid content of the feed and includes waxes, pigments, oils and other fat soluble substances and is expressed as a percentage of dry matter. A livestock diet comprised of a high fat content can cause issues with correct rumen function.

60 Portland Rd, Hamilton 3300 Phone (03) 5572 1419

s.cotton@livestocklogic.com.au

Before Making Silage………Consider testing parent material for:

o Quality – NIR testingo Quantity – DM only

Silage quality is only as good as the materials that go into it!

Comparing the cost of silagesConsider:

Cost/MJ of ME not $/tParameter Silage 1 Silage 2

DM 46% 35%

Cost ($/t DM) $120 $95

ME as tested 11.0 8.0

Total MJ/t as tested 11,000 8000

Cost/MJ as tested 1.09c 1.19c

Source: Successful Silage – Top Fodder Manual 2006

12’-13’ season average

Silage DM DDM ME CP NDF2012-13 46.1 65.0 10.1 13.5 50.1Range 18.6 - 75.0 48.0 - 77.0 7.5 – 11.6 5.8 – 21.2 35.0 – 73.0

Small reduction in quality from previous season

Variation in:

1. Where samples come from

2. What the season is doing in local areas

How do the results translate to stock requirements?

Need to know:

1. Animal requirements2. ME and CP from pasture3. Is there a deficit?

4. If yes, how much supplement you feed depends on the quality of the feed.

You need to have the feed tested!

How much silage to feed?

Stock requirements

19.5MJ ME/day 24MJ ME/day 29MJ ME/day~ 12% CP 14% CP 15+ % CP

DRY SHEEP (maintenance) LATE PREGNANCY (day 150) 9.6MJ ME/day 15MJ ME/day (single) 6-8% CP 17MJ ME/day (twin)

10-12% CPLACTATING (Day 30)

Stock requirements

DRY COW (maintenance 600kg) WEANERS 300kg 80 MJ ME/day 35 MJ ME/day maintenance 8-10% CP 57 MJ/day gaining 0.5kg/day

76 MJ/day gaining 1.0kg/day 8,10, 13% CP respectively

COW WITH CALF AT FOOT (up to 4 mths)

100 MJ ME/day 10-11% CP

Stock requirements

600kg Fresian 63 MJ ME/day maintenance

+ 1MJ ME/day if pregnant (1-5 months)+ 20MJ ME/day at 9 months pregnant+ 5MJ ME/km walked to and from dairy on hilly terrain + 5 MJ ME/L milk produced (3.2% protein, 3.6% fat)

TOTAL > 200MJ ME/day + 12-18% CP (depending on production)

Summaryo Coring silage is important – We can loan you a corer!

o Subjective assessment (aroma & colour)

o Consider DM

o Harvest time affects quality

o Think about cost of silage in c/MJ ME NOT in $/t

o Stock requirements change over the season

o Measure to manage

Before you feed it, buy it or sell it, TEST IT!

33

RIST Cattle Health Course meeting 1 Fertility& Reproduction

Aug 2009 David Rendell

• Lifetime Ewe Management• A program for sheep producers• KEY TOPICS:

– Weaning and preparing ewes for next year’s joining– Setting up for joining/manipulating ewe condition– Linking ewe condition at joining with lambing potential– Mid-pregnancy-looking forward and planning for lambing– Late pregnancy and lambing– Economic analysis of different feeding strategies

•

DEPARTMENT OFPRIMARY INDUSTRIES

For further information on ewe nutritional management

Questions?