A&M Offers Service To Test
Nutritional Value Of Forage

COLLEGE STATION — Knowing the nutritional quality of forage is important, especially during times of drouth. The Grazingland Animal Nutrition Lab on the Texas A&M University Campus can analyze livestock fecal samples to help ranchers determine the nutritional quality of the forage their animals are eating, says to Doug Tolleson, assistant director for the lab.

Using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy, the lab can evaluate dietary protein and digestibility, Tolleson says.

Producers can also request feeding recommendations from the GAN lab in addition to forage analysis. Similar recommendations are available from Extension specialists or Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel. More than 1000 ranchers in 42 states already have taken advantage of this service nationwide.

Many farmers apply fertilizer based on a detailed soil analysis, only supplementing nutrients as needed. Most livestock producers, however, are forced to feed based on their best guess of the nutritional quality of forage available to free-ranging animals, Tolleson notes. In the past, information on the quality of that forage has been difficult to obtain or not determined rapidly enough to be meaningful.

With NIRS, lab workers can make the determination of dietary protein and digestibility within 48-72 hours of receiving a fresh, chilled fecal sample. With two-day priority service and a fax machine or e-mail, ranchers may receive results four to five days after collecting the sample.

Further information is available from the GAN lab at (409)845-5838, fax (409)845-2542.