Analysis

Explanation of terms:

Dry Matter

This represents the moisture content, i.e. a low DM = wet sample and vice versa. The DM value represents everything in the sample other than water including protein, fibre, fat, minerals, etc. Animals consume feeds to meet their dry matter needs, because it is the dry matter that contains all of the nutrients. Thus, it is very important to know the dry matter content of a feed (and the nutrients within it) to establish feeding rates and insure that livestock receive the proper amount of feed to meet their daily needs.

Minerals

Total Mineral Content - Ash - a measure of the total mineral content. Samples are weighed and incinerated at 600oC for two hours. This burns off all of the organic material (protein, fibre, fat, etc.) leaving behind the minerals. The ash residue weight is then divided into the original weight to determine the percentage of ash (total mineral content).

Calcium (Ca) - bone and teeth formation, blood clotting, muscle contractions, milk component, transmission of nerve impulses, cardiac regulation, activation and stabilization of enzymes.

Phosphorus (P) - bone and teeth formation, key component of energy metabolism, milk component, body fluid buffer systems.

Magnesium (Mg) - enzyme activator, found in skeletal tissue and bone, neuromuscular transmissions.

Potassium (K) - osmotic pressure regulation and water balance, electrolyte balance, acid-base balance, enzyme activator, muscle contraction, nerve impulse conductor.

Sodium (Na) - Acid-base balance, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, maintenance of body fluid balance, osmotic pressure regulator, cellular uptake of glucose, amino acid transport.

Iron (Fe) - haemoglobin and oxygen transport, enzyme systems.

Zinc (Zn) - enzyme activator, wound healing, skin health.

Copper (Cu) - required for haemoglobin synthesis, coenzyme functions.

Manganese (Mn) - growth, bone formation, enzyme activator, fertility.

Carbohydrates

Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) - a measure of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin representing the fibrous bulk of the forage. These three components are classified as cell wall or structural carbohydrates. They give the plant rigidity enabling it to support itself as it grows, much like the skeleton in animals. Hemicellulose and cellulose can be broken down by microbes to provide energy to the animal. The NDF value can show the digestibility of the forage i.e. a low NDF indicates high digestibility and a high NDF will be poor digestibility.

Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) - a measure of cellulose and lignin. Cellulose varies in digestibility and is negatively influenced by the lignin content. As lignin content increases, digestibility of the cellulose decreases.

Starch - a polysaccharide found primarily in the grain or seed and/or root portions of plants.

Protein

Crude Protein (CP) - the total protein in the sample including true protein and non-protein nitrogen. Proteins are organic compounds composed of amino acids. They are a major component of vital organs, tissue, muscle, hair, skin, milk and enzymes. Protein is required on a daily basis for maintenance, lactation, growth and reproduction.

Residual Sugars

This is an important measurement when considering haylage as it shows the amount of sugar remaining after fermentation. The process of fermentation uses up the sugar in the crop and therefore a high level may indicate limited fermentation. The sugar level can be affected by the time of day, sunlight, time, weather and maturity of crop.

UFC - Unite Fouragire Cheval

The French Feed Unit (UFC) - Unite Fouragire Cheval - system for horses. These evaluation systems especially developed for feeding horses have been in use in France since 1984. They have also been adopted in several European countries such as the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Italy, whereas some other countries have shown interest in adopting them. The UFC system was also adopted in Iceland in 1998.

A limited knowledge is available on energy and protein requirements of horses compared to most other livestock. The development of UFC is therefore a big step forward.

Energy requirements for maintenance and growth of horses are shown in UFC. The requirements increase considerably during activities such as exercise, training and general use of the horses.

As an example of how the UFC is used as a measure, the recommended allowances of pregnant mares increase after seven months of pregnancy. At that time the daily increase in energy intake above maintenance has to be around 0.3 UFC increasing continuously and reaching 1 UFC during the last month of pregnancy. Then mares need to be fed 5 UFC above maintenance following parturition, when suckling the foal. This additional recommendation falls to 3.8 UFC during the second and third month and then to 2.3 UFC.

The UFC value of the forage shows the energy level available per kilo of the forage.

Note

We strongly recommend that you fully understand the content of the forage that you give your horses. Any potential supplier that has not taken the trouble to analyse their product should not be taken seriously as such. Our analysis certificates may be viewed on request.