Wynnstay offer a forage analysis service across our stores and through our Wynnstay Representatives on farm. Simply bring your forage sample to one of our stores to fill a provided bag, or ask a member of our team on their next farm visit.
Having a forage analysis done on your silage provides valuable insights that directly impact animal performance, feed efficiency, and farm profitability. Key benefits include:
1. More Accurate Ration Formulation
A forage analysis tells you exactly what nutrients your silage contains including energy, protein, fibre, sugars, starch, and minerals. This allows Wynnstay to balance rations precisely, avoiding under or over-feeding concentrates, protein supplements, or minerals.
2. Improved Animal Performance
When diets are matched to the actual nutrient content of the silage:
- Dairy cows produce more consistent milk yields and milk solids
- Beef cattle achieve better daily liveweight gains
- Youngstock grow more evenly
3. Reduced Feed Costs
Silage quality can vary widely, even within the same clamp or between cuts. Forage analysis helps:
- Avoid unnecessary purchased feed
- Reduce overuse of expensive protein or energy supplements
- Identify where home-grown forage can replace bought-in feeds
4. Better Rumen Health
Analysing fibre levels (NDF, ADF) and digestibility helps ensure the ration supports good rumen function. Balanced fibre improves:
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Wynnstay can advise on rumen buffers.
5. Early Identification of Silage Problem
Forage analysis can highlight issues such as:
- Low dry matter or poor fermentation
- High acidity or ammonia levels
- Low energy or protein content
- Potential spoilage or heating risks
Identifying problems early allows you to adjust feeding strategies before performance suffers.
6. Improved Consistency Throughout the Year
Regular forage analysis helps maintain consistent diets as silage stocks change. This reduces fluctuations in:
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Milk yield |
Growth rates |
Body condition |
Consistency supports animal health and simplifies day-to-day feeding management.
7. Helps Monitor Fermentation and Preservation Quality
Silage analysis often includes pH, lactic acid, ammonia-N, and dry matter, helping you assess how well the crop was preserved. This can highlight whether changes are needed in wilting, chop length, or additive use.
8. Stronger Return on Investment from Home-Grown Fee
Silage is one of the largest feed inputs on most livestock farms. Forage analysis ensures you’re getting maximum value from it by turning unknown feed into a predictable, high-value component of the ration.