Dosage on fodder

Forage dosing allows the overall nutritional value of feed intended for animal feed , such as silage, hay, alfalfa or grass mixtures to be assessed. This analysis provides essential indicators for formulating rations and optimizing zootechnical performance. It allows the determination of dry matter, crude protein, fiber, minerals and energy content , key elements for balancing the nutritional intake of ruminants, equines or monogastrics.

Analytical methods

Several techniques are combined to obtain a complete profile of the forage:

• Gravimetry for the measurement of dry matter and total ash after drying and incineration;
• Van Soest method for the determination of NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber) , ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber) and ADL (Acid Detergent Lignin) , indicators of forage digestibility and structure;
• Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for rapid and non-destructive analysis of the main nutritional constituents (proteins, lipids, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars);
• Kjeldahl method for measuring crude protein ;
• Classic chemical analysis for mineral content (Ca, P, Mg, K, Na) and energy value (UFV, UFL, MAD).

These complementary approaches guarantee reliable results that are representative of the actual quality of the forage.

Industrial applications

Dosage on fodder is essential for:

• Breeders and feed manufacturers wishing to adjust formulations based on actual fiber and protein intakes;
• Laboratories and design offices monitoring the quality of harvests or silage;
• Nutritionists and veterinarians seeking to optimize rations according to the energy and production needs of animals;
• Control bodies and agricultural cooperatives for the characterization of batches and the promotion of local production.

This analysis forms the basis of any forage balance and contributes to improving milk yield, digestive health and farm profitability.

Analytical interest and complementary analyses

The analysis of the composition of fodder can be combined with other tests for a more comprehensive approach:

• Amino acid dosage to characterize protein quality;
• Mineral dosage to complete the mineral profile assessment;
• NIRS analysis of compound feed for rapid control of overall composition;
• Determination of total starch to measure the energy contribution of rations.

All of these analyses allow for a detailed understanding of the nutritional and energy value of rations, promoting animal health and productivity.

YesWeLab Services

YesWeLab provides a large network of partner laboratories specialized in animal nutritional analyses , accredited ISO 17025 and/or COFRAC . We select the laboratory best suited to your matrices (hay, silage, pulp, mixtures) and your analytical objectives, whether it is quality control, harvest monitoring or nutritional optimization.

Thanks to the YesWeLab digital platform , you can centralize your analysis requests, track your samples online, and receive your results quickly. Since 2020, many manufacturers, cooperatives, and animal nutrition players have trusted us to manage their analyses.

To get a quote or submit a specific requirement, contact our scientific team today.