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 (located at 800 E. Wendt St), Harrison Farm Service and Linseisen’s Feed & Supply Inc in Bellville, Steinhauser’s in Sealy, Dudensing Farm Service in New Ulm, and Lindemann Store in Industry from August 1-August 31, 2021. The analysis will be done by the Texas A&M Forage testing lab and results will be available during the Annual Fall Forage Seminar at the Austin County Fairgrounds on October 8th or mailed directly to the producer. Each location will have entry forms, directions for collecting a sample, and boxes provided for samples available. In addition, the analysis is offered free of charge to anyone growing or feeding hay. More details regarding the Fall Forage Seminar on October 8th are to be announced.
The analysis will give producers very useful information about the quality of the hay they are feeding to their 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 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 (e.g., Common Bermuda, Tifton 85, Jiggs, Alicia), Other Perennial Warm-Season Grasses (e.g. Eastern Gammagrass, Bluestem, Johnsongrass), Annual Warm Season Grasses (e.g. Rice Straw, Hay Grazer, Sudan Crosses), Cool Season Grasses (e.g. Wheat, Oats, Rye), Legume-Grass Mix (Rye/Clover) and Legumes (Clover, Peanut, Cowpea). There is no entry fee charged, however the deadline for entering the show is Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Please refer to the Austin County Hay Show Guidelines which are available online at http://austin.agrilife.org 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 and speak with the Agriculture and & Natural Resource Agent
Stacie Villarreal.
Stacie M. Villarreal, MS
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
County Extension Agent- Agriculture & Natural Resource │Austin County
