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Search for low ESC + starch hay
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Gary Moore
I finally was able to borrow a hay probe and test my bales. I sent one sample to Equi -Analytical. I did the fast track. The ESC was 6.5 and starch 1.2 as fed (ESC 7.0 and starch 1.3 dry matter) Which should I go by? At the same time. I sent a sample to Cumberland Valley for wet chem results. They are not back yet. (I did it this way because it was cheaper than 1 sample to Equi for a wet chem) My hay this year is double what is was last year in sugar and starch. I always soak it. Her insulin is going up on this hay. I am not sure what to do.
I know weather, etc are big factors in sugar levels. Are there any general guidelines for sugar levels as far as 1st, 2nd, or 3rd cuttings in grass hay? I can't afford to keep testing a lot of hays. Does anyone in south central PA have a good resource for hay? -- Sue in PA 2020 https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Sue%20and%20DJ😊 https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=279072 |
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Sherry Morse
Hi Sue, Fast track is done via NIR which can be off by up to 30% from Wet Chem. That gives you a combined ESC+starch of 7.7 (you always look at the "As Fed" numbers NOT DM basis). That means that the hay could be a touch over the 10% ESC+starch we recommend. Given that I would continue to soak it.
Thanks, Sherry and Scutch (and Scarlet over the bridge) EC Primary Response PA 2014 https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Sherry%20and%20Scutch_Scarlet https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=78891 |
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Hi Sue,
Sugars in hay vary more by the time of day and level of maturity they are cut at, than they do by 1st/2nd/3rd cutting. Look for hay that was not grown under stressed (drought) conditions, cut early in the am after a warm night or after several days of overcast weather. Avoid hay with lots of seed heads (ie, look for less mature hay, or more mature hay that has just dropped it's seed heads). You'll find a few posts on hay cutting conditions from Dr Kellon if you search the messages. Go by the "as fed/sampled" numbers, not the "dry matter" numbers. -- Kirsten and Shaku (EMS + PPID) and Snickers (EMS) - 2019 Kitimat, BC, Canada ECIR Group Moderator Shaku's Photo Album Snickers' Case History Snickers' Photo Album |
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Gary Moore
I have not been able to get much information about the hay from hay growers and suppliers here. All they can tell me is what cutting and type it is. Thus, I am having to gather and send multiple samples which is getting very costly. The wet chem is cost prohibitive for me on multiple samples. I did both tests on my current hay to see exactly what I have. I just received the NIR and wet chem results from my current hay NIR ESC 6.5 Starch 1.2 and Wet chem ESC 7.35 Starch 1.0. Both samples were pulled at the same time using a hay probe. All of her hay is always soaked due to a previous epiglottis surgery. Her insulin has tripled from 14.2 in Oct to 45.72 in January. She began eating this hay in October. (Last year's hay was much lower in ESC + starch) Until I find a lower sugar hay, will her insulin continue to rise or has it leveled off (although not good) if she continues eating this hay? Thanks for your help.
-- Sue in PA 2020 https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Sue%20and%20DJ😊 https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=279072 |
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Sherry Morse
Hi Sue, We can't actually answer that question about her insulin because you're not necessarily comparing apples to apples. Given that you live in PA it's a pretty good bet it was colder in January when you did bloodwork and we know insulin will go up when the temperature is under 40F. Is DJ in any kind of work program at the moment? If not, if it's possible to get her in work that will help with her insulin levels no matter what time of year it is.
Thanks, Sherry and Scutch (and Scarlet over the bridge) EC Primary Response PA 2014 https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Sherry%20and%20Scutch_Scarlet https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=78891 |
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