Pasture & Forage Testing

Pasture and Forage Testing

New Zealand's pastoral sector has been built on feeding stock with high quality pasture, supplemented at appropriate times of the year with additional feedstuffs to ensure optimal animal health and performance. Click here for more information

Pasture Testing

There are several dimensions to pasture analysis that farmers need to consider – energy, protein, fibre, dry matter and mineral content. And some of these dimensions are more important at particular times of the year than others.

For a more complete listing of our pasture testing options and the associated test details, simply download our services offered, specifically designed for pasture and feed testing.

Nitrate Feed Testing

The nitrate component of pasture or feeds is absorbed very quickly into the bloodstream of ruminant animals. When the level of dietary nitrate is high, some of the absorbed nitrate is converted to nitrite, which reduces the ability of the blood (haemoglobin) to carry oxygen. “Nitrate Poisoning” is actually a form of suffocation (anoxia). To ensure that the risk of nitrate poisoning is appropriately managed we recommend using our Nitrate Feed Testing services. Details of this service can be found in our technical note.

Feed Dry Matter Testing

Dry Matter (DM) refers to the weight of feed as harvested forage or silage after removal of all moisture, expressed as a % of the fresh weight. An accurate assessment of dry matter is important for three main reasons:
 • Forages are often traded on a dry matter basis.
 • Dry matter content is used to develop feed rations (along with other feed quality parameters).
 • Dry matter content is required to measure herbage production per area from field plot trials. 
Where forage is traded on a dry matter basis, there can be large financial transactions involved so it is essential that error in DM measurements is minimised. Our technical note explains more. 
DIY Feed samplings kits are available to order online, and include sampling instructions  or bulk supplies can be ordered for regular customers.

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As a New Zealand accredited laboratory by International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ), Hill Labs' commitment to quality is tantamount to our overall operating philosophy. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work.