Understanding what’s in your hay or silage is one of the most valuable steps you can take toward improving your herd’s nutrition, health, and efficiency. Forage testing allows producers to make informed feeding decisions — a vital step, especially when managing young, growing animals or lactating females with higher nutritional demands.

When you know exactly what nutrients your forage provides, you can balance rations more accurately, improving feed efficiency and reducing feed costs. Better information leads to better performance — and ultimately, better returns for your operation. Are your animals truly getting what they need?

NCDA Farmer Forage Testing Program

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) Farmer Forage Testing Program is a valuable service designed to help North Carolina farmers evaluate the quality of their livestock forage. Producers can submit hay, silage, or other feedstuffs for laboratory analysis, which tests for:

• Crude protein

• Fiber content (ADF and NDF)

• Energy values (TDN, NEL, NEM, NEG)

• Mineral composition

These results help livestock owners make informed feeding decisions, ensuring optimal animal health, growth, and productivity while improving overall farm efficiency.

The NCDA Food & Drug Division, Animal Feed Program provides these analyses at an affordable cost of $10.00 per sample, making it a valuable investment for improving feed management and animal performance.

Collecting a Good Sample

Accurate results start with accurate sampling!
Cabarrus County Cooperative Extension has a hay probe available for rent that works on both square and round bales. Using a probe helps ensure your sample accurately represents the entire lot of hay.

Steps for Sampling Hay:

1. Select 10–20 bales from the same cutting, field, and storage lot.

2. Use a hay probe to core each bale from the round side (round bales) or end (square bales).

3. Combine all cores into a clean plastic bag and mix thoroughly.

4. Seal the bag, label it with your name and sample identification, and fill out the appropriate Forage Analysis Form.

Sample Size Requirements:

• Fresh forage, hay, or silage: Fill a gallon-sized bag.

• Grain, roughage, home mix, or TMR: Fill a quart-sized bag.

Interpreting Your Results

Once your forage report arrives, you’ll see several key values. Here’s what they mean:

• Dry Matter (DM): The percentage of the forage that isn’t water. This allows you to compare feeds on an equal basis and calculate how much actual nutrients your animals are consuming.

• Crude Protein (CP): Indicates the amount of protein available for growth, milk production, and maintenance.

• Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN): Reflects the overall energy level of the forage — critical for lactating or growing animals.

• Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF): Represents the least digestible portion of the forage, including cellulose and lignin. Lower ADF values mean higher digestibility and greater energy availability.

• Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF): Reflects total cell wall content and is an indicator of intake potential. As NDF increases, animals will typically consume less of that forage.

• Ash: Measures total mineral content. Very high ash can indicate soil contamination (from raking or baling too low) and can dilute nutrient value.

• Minerals (Ca, P, Mg, K, etc.): Essential for balancing rations and formulating mineral or supplement programs.

Use these values to adjust your feeding program — or share your report with your Extension agent or nutritionist to fine-tune your ration for maximum performance and efficiency.

Submitting Samples

Payment Options:

• Include a check or money order made payable to NCDA&CS.

• If paying by credit card, indicate this on your form and include your phone number.

  • Do not include your credit card information. A staff member will call to process payment after your sample is received.

Forms:

• Forage Analysis Form (Digital)

• Forage Analysis Form (PDF)

Mailing Samples:

• Via US Mail
  • NC Food & Drug Protection DivisionForage Testing Animal Feed Program1070 Mail Service Center

    Raleigh, NC 27699-1070

• Via FedEx/UPS
  • NC Food & Drug Protection DivisionForage Testing Animal Feed Program4400 Reedy Creek Road

    Raleigh, NC 27607

REMEMBER: Before mailing or dropping off samples, please be sure to label each sample clearly, AND include an envelope containing your payment (cash/check) with the Farmer/Producer’s name written clearly on the envelope.

If you have any questions about how to sample your forage, how to interpret your results, or any other related questions, please reach out to Cabarrus County Livestock and Field Crops Agent, Sarah Newman, at 704-920-3310 or sarah_newman@ncsu.edu.