Dosage on forage

Nutritional analysis of forage allows for the evaluation of the overall nutritional value of animal feed , such as silage, hay, alfalfa, or grass mixtures. This analysis provides essential indicators for formulating rations and optimizing livestock performance. It determines the dry matter, crude protein, fiber, mineral, and energy content —key elements for balancing the nutritional intake of ruminants, horses, and monogastric animals.

Analytical methods

Several techniques are combined to obtain a complete forage profile:

• Gravimetry for measuring 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 digestibility and forage 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 ;
• Classical 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

Precise dosing of forage is essential for:

• Animal farmers and feed manufacturers wishing to adjust formulations according to actual fiber and protein intake;
• Laboratories and research offices that monitor the quality of harvests or silage;
• Nutritionists and veterinarians seeking to optimize rations according to the energy and productive 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 assessment and contributes to improving milk yield, digestive health and farm profitability.

Analytical interest and further analyses

Analysis of forage composition can be combined with other tests for a more comprehensive approach:

• Amino acid analysis to characterize protein quality;
• Mineral analysis to complete the mineral profile assessment;
• NIRS analysis of compound feed for rapid control of overall composition;
• Total starch content measurement to assess 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 access to a wide network of partner laboratories specializing in animal nutritional analysis , accredited to ISO 17025 and/or COFRAC . We select the laboratory best suited to your matrices (hay, silage, pulp, mixtures) and your analytical objectives, whether for 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, numerous manufacturers, cooperatives, and animal nutrition companies have trusted us to manage their analyses.

To obtain a quote or submit a specific need, contact our scientific team today.