Haylage Analysis
Know What You’re Buying
Very little haylage is analysed because it is so expensive to do it properly. Haylage that has been analysed is usually based on a typical sample, which often bears no resemblance to what you are actually feeding to your horse. We believe that by having each crop from each field fully analysed, it will be invaluable to you and the well-being of your horse. It certainly gives us confidence in what we are supplying.
Other than typical samples, we've never seen another producer publish the results of their analysis, even if they claim they are carried out on each crop.
The Laboratory Analysis
A variety of laboratory analyses are carried out from the day of cutting to when the haylage has finished fermenting. The actual results for each individual bale will vary from the sample results.
The different analyses are as follows:
- Minerals – levels of copper, zinc, calcium, iron, potassium, sulphur, manganese, sodium, phosphorus etc.
- Haylage – levels of dry matter, protein. D value, metabolisable energy, ash, pH, ammonia, total fermentation acids, lactic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid etc.
- Moulds – levels of total moulds, potentially pathogenic moulds, total yeasts and thermophilic actinomycetes (responsible for Farmers' Lung in humans and usually associated with hay, but are also present in high dry matter haylage).
Equine Nutritionist's Report
To make life easier for us all, after analysing the reports from each crop, a qualified Equine Nutritionist comments on its suitability for horses. Our instructions are to produce a report that is independent and does not hold anything back.
We don't compromise when it comes to feeding horses, and any crops that don't meet our high standards are sold to farmers for feeding to store cattle.
Comment by Zoe Davies MSc. Eq. S., R.Nutr:
"As one of the partners in DLP Equine Consultants, I have been requested by White Beach Farm to analyse and comment on each set of nutritional reports regarding haylage from each crop from each field and its value in feeding to horses. This analysis and reporting is completely unbiased and informs potential customers of the nutritional facts regarding White Beach Haylage. White Beach Haylage has been produced to suit the needs of all horses in light, medium and hard work.
This programme of ongoing testing and improvements if required is highly unusual and refreshing in the production of haylage for horses. It is of paramount importance that anyone feeding haylage to horses knows that it has fermented properly and is of the correct quality to feed to horses.
White Beach Farm is to be commended for their diligence in the quality control of their products"
Analysis by Field Number, Date of Harvesting and Bale Size
2010 Small Bales
- Early Cut - 19th June - Field 1918 –Meadow Grasses - SOLD OUT
- Early Cut – 19th June - Field 1340 –Meadow Grasses - SOLD OUT
- Early Cut – 20th June - Field 6710 -Meadow Grasses - SOLD OUT
2010 Medium Bales
- Early Cut – 19th June - Field 6436 –Meadow Grasses - SOLD OUT
- Early Cut – 19th June - Field 7239 –Meadow Grasses - SOLD OUT
- Early Cut – 20th June - Field 1260 -80% Ryegrass 20% Timothy - SOLD OUT
Example of the analysis from the 2009 crop - PDF
Comment on the 2010 Crop (31 July 2010)
Since the last comment on 20th July 2010, incredibly, all our first cut haylage has now been sold. We can't take any more orders until we harvest our second crop. In July we received more than double our average rainfall, we just hope we get a break in the weather to start our harvest, as the second crop is looking even better than the first crop, with much more leaf and heavier. The yield and product should be very good indeed.
Using Haylage
Haylage can be used all year round. If you have found this not to be the case, especially in the summer, it is because of the inferior quality of haylage you’re using. In 2007, we carried out a full analysis on haylage made 18 months earlier in 2006 and the comparison results showed virtually no discernable difference.
Information
We include two guides from Dodson & Horrell, one on Feeding Fermented Forages and the other and Hay, both of which gives plenty of useful advice. |
Dodson & Horrell Feeding Fermented Forages |
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Dodson & Horrell Hay |