Hay and Forage Producers Encouraged to Submit Samples for Analysis

The Beef and Forage Committee of Austin County is encouraging beef cattle producers to turn in a sample of their hay for analysis.  Hay samples may be turned in at the Austin County Extension Office, Harrison’s Farm Service and Linseisen’s Feed in Bellville, Adamcik’s Farm Supply and Steinhauser’s Inc. in Sealy, Dudensing Farm Service in New Ulm, and Lindemann’s Store and Blezinger’s Inc. in Industry from August 25 – September 4, 2015. The analysis will be done by the Texas A&M Forage testing lab and the results will be handed out during the annual Fall Forage Seminar on September 25^h.  The analysis is offered free of charge to anyone that is growing or feeding hay. 

The analysis will give producers very useful information about the quality of the hay that they are feeding to livestock, and the test will help them determine what additional level of supplement that they may need during the winter.  The test will show the hays crude protein level, the level of total digestible and acid detergent fiber (ratio of leaf to stem).  The testing campaign and Hay Show is open to any hay producer from Austin, or surrounding counties.

Producers may submit as many samples as they wish for analysis in each of the following categories; Coastal Bermudagrass, Other Bermudagrasses (eg. Common Bermuda, Tifton 85, Jiggs, Alicia), Other Perennial Warm-Season Grasses (eg. Eastern Gammagrass, Bluestem, Johnsongrass), Annual  Warm Season Grasses (eg. Rice Straw, Hay Grazer, Sudan Crosses), Cool Season Grasses (eg. Wheat, Oats, Rye), Legume-Grass Mix (Rye/Clover) and Legumes (Clover, Peanut, Cowpea).  There is no entry fee, however the deadline for entering the show is September 5^th .   Please refer to the Austin County Hay Show Guidelines which are available online at http://austin.agrilife.org/  http://austin-co.tamu.edu and at each of the drop off locations.

For more information on submitting a forage sample for analysis, or supplementation of beef cattle, contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service of Austin County at (979) 865-2072 or visit our website at http://austin.agrilife.org and click the Ask the Agent tab.