Has anyone compared hay analysis results from a batch of hay taken
using a corer versus hand grabbing samples and mixing?

I have a client whose barn owner would not let me core her hay for
analysis (long story) so the client took grab samples from about 20
bales out of the stack. I told her she needed to get as far into the
middle of the bale as the string would allow her. Mix all the
handfuls really well and then take a subsample in the amount that
equi-analytical needs for analysis.

I just got the results back and I don't know whether to believe them.
The ESC and starch come out at 3%!

I don't know why I doubt that this hay can be this good ESC and starch
wise but I do. Any ideas if this sampling technique could effect this?
I would really value the input of folks who have done a lot more hay
samples than me. I can give other nutrient values if that would help.
Clair

has anyone ever did a test where the grab sample differs from core sample ?
How much difference could there be?

Michelle



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Hi Clair,

The problem with "grab" samples as opposed to core samples are many.
Although it seems as if that should be a logical way to do it, in
fact, it does not give you a representative sample of what the hay
truly is.

When I look at my hay, there are stems, leaves, sometimes seeds.
There is the thicker, tough stuff and there are "fines". If I were
to grab a handfull of hay, the only thing that I could really hang
on to would be the bigger, thicker stuff. All of the fines, that my
horse also eats, would not be included because I didn't "scoop" out
the grab.

So, what's in the fines? Some of it is hay, some of it is seeds,
some of it is dirt and dust. But whatever it is, she EATS it.

Although her hay doesn't "look" dirty, when I core her hay, there's
an awful lot of this "fine" stuff in the baggie.

Based on the hay that I've tested (and I test every 3 months), I
think that I would have different results if I was missing
those "small pieces".

Joan and Dazzle



--- In EquineCushings@..., "cjspackman" <c.thunes@...>
wrote:

Has anyone compared hay analysis results from a batch of hay taken
using a corer versus hand grabbing samples and mixing?