Take a Sample - Here's How It Works
The quality of the sampling is crucial for the reliability of all test results. Mistakes made during the sampling process cannot be corrected later. Therefore, utmost care is required. All equipment and containers used must be clean and dry to avoid contamination.
The samples of forage should allow for a precise characterization of each silo as well as each batch of silage. Sampling should be done when the silage is well-fermented, which usually takes at least 4 to 6 weeks.
Sampling with the auger
We recommend sampling with an auger, as it can also be performed on closed silos. This allows you to sample your silo in advance and receive the results as well as the ration calculation in time for the silo opening. Depending on the needs and size of the silo, either the entire silo or only parts of it can be sampled.
- Remove the net and weights (soil, sandbags, tires, etc.) from the area where sampling is to be carried out.
- Clean the surface of the plastic at the sampling location.
- Cut the plastic in a cross shape at the sampling point and fold it back.
- Use the auger to take the sample from the entire depth of the silo, possibly in several stages.
- Seal the sampling point again with the plastic. Clean it thoroughly and seal it with weatherproof tape.
- Finally, place the bird protection net and the weights back on the silo.
Further Instructions
At the cut surface
If the silo has already been opened, samples can be taken from the cut surface. To obtain representative results, samples should be taken from various points in a W-shape and mixed in a bucket. The larger the silo, the more locations should be included in this composite sample.
The cut surface should be as fresh as possible. Therefore, sampling directly after the feeding time is recommended. Alternatively, the first layer (approximately 20 cm) can be discarded.
Optimal Sample Preparation for Accurate Results
In the laboratory, we need 500 to 1,000 grams of sample material, depending on the type of feed. Mix the collected samples in a large bucket and take the material for shipping from it.
It is important to package the sample airtight, ideally by vacuum-sealing, to preserve its quality during shipping.
The Components of the Sano Laboratory Report at a Glance
A laboratory report contains many different abbreviations and values. This provides farmers and consultants with a valuable tool for ration optimization and performance prediction. Here, you will find the most important innovative metrics and units from the Sano laboratory report explained simply, so you can directly understand what’s in your feedstuffs.
- Crude Protein (XP): Represents the protein content based on the total nitrogen content of the sample. It includes not only the true protein but also the non-protein nitrogen.
- Ammonium XP Equivalents: Indicates the proportion of ammonia in the crude protein. Excessive values may indicate protein breakdown in the silo, for example, due to Clostridia.
- ADF: Acid Detergent Fiber. Fiber components that are insoluble in an acid detergent solution, primarily lignin.
- aNDF: Neutral Detergent Fiber. Fiber components that are insoluble in a neutral detergent solution. This includes hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin.
- NDF Digestibility: The proportion of the NDF fiber components that can be digested by the cow within the specified time.
- uNDF: The proportion of NDF fiber components that cannot be digested by the cow within the specified time. It forms the counterpart to NDF digestibility.
- Sugar (Ethanol and water-soluble): The proportion of sugar that dissolves in water or in an 80% ethanol solution.
- Starch: The starch content of the sample.
- Starch Digestibility: The rate of starch breakdown in the animal.
During the corn silage storage, the digestibility of the starch in the corn changes. This has an impact on the choice of additional feedstuffs. With the help of the CNCPS feed analysis, you can target the use of feedstuffs effectively.
- Volatile Fatty Acids: Formed by carbohydrate degradation during the silage process. Used for evaluating the quality of the silage process.
- Lactic Acid: Formed by carbohydrate degradation during the silage process.
- Acetic Acid: High levels are caused by long field storage times, long filling duration, and too slow acidification.
- Butyric Acid: Formed by excessively wet, contaminated silage material, low sugar content, and/or insufficient levels of lactic acid bacteria. Produced by Clostridia.
- 1,2 Propanediol: Propylene glycol. Produced by heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria.
- Amino Acids - Absolute: Absolute content of essential, semi-essential, and non-essential amino acids in the sample.
- NH3: Ammonia content of the sample.
- Amino Acids - Ideal Digestibility: The proportion of each essential, semi-essential, and non-essential amino acid that is digestible in the small intestine (ileum). Species-specific for pigs and poultry.
- NIRS Analysis Results: Content of crude nutrients in the sample.
- Phosphate (P2O5): Total phosphate content in the sample. Usable for nutrient flow balance.
- Nitrogen (N): Total nitrogen content in the sample. Usable for nutrient flow balance.
- Energy Evaluation: Energy evaluation of the sample specific to sows, fattening pigs, poultry, and ruminants.