AGRICULTURE KNOWLEDGE CENTRE BULLETIN: FEED ANALYSIS IMPORTANT

Slow growth and maturation of crops, combined with the cool, wet weather or frost, is challenging producers to consider the nutrient quality of animal feed at harvest time.

Provincial agrologists recommend conducting a feed analysis on cereal and oilseed crops harvested for livestock feed in order to identify the nutrients, toxins and moulds. The feed analysis will enable producers to decide how to achieve their winter feeding program.

Feed grains that are frozen tend to be lighter in weight and contain less energy than higher graded grains. Feed grains stored in moist conditions can be susceptible to moulds, and potential mould toxins. Crops that have been frozen and salvaged for feed may be at risk for nitrate content. Frozen flax and green flax straw may contain prussic acid, which is toxic to all ruminants. Forages that are baled while moist, or spoiled when in silage, may be susceptible to toxic mould formation.

All of these factors can affect good animal health, and producers need to be cautious.

In addition to feed management information, producers looking for harvesting information related to grain dryers, or the proper storage of harvested grains, can visit Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization's Web site at www.agr.gov.sk.ca, or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377. To add a crop for grazing, call the department's Feed Grain and Forage Listing Service at 1-800-667-7564, or review crop listings at www.agr.gov.sk.ca/feedforage under the Category "Standing Forage" – Other.

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For More Information, Contact:

Rick Bjorge Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Moose Jaw Phone: (306)694-3813