I To date analysis of thirtythree Rappahannock tor age

I To date analysis of thirtythree Rappahannock tor age samples have been made. What do these analysis, reveal? Of what value Is a forage test? First, forage tests allow the live stockman to apply economics to his feeding program by (1) budgeting feeds to his livestock in such quantities that nutritive requirements to do a particular job are met. By this we mean the livestockman can figure the exact amount of feed to satisfy the animal requirements in digestible nutrients and protein to produce 50 pounds of milk daily; make 3/4 to 1 pound daily gain; or in the case of a beef cow, to maintain her body weight and produce a healthy normal calf, or to suckle and raise a calf. Secondly in knowing the percent digestible nutrients ant percent digestible protein in his forages, a livestockman ir in a better position to buy, o. use his concentrates produced rt homo more wisely. Some people will say they have been feeding livestock for years and by looking at hay and ensilage they can deter mine the quality and judge tl.e amount of feed. We'll agre^ there is no replacement fo. the “eye-of-the-master* yet the facts are that on one can look at forages and come close to estimating feed values. Farmers themselves have proven this. When samples are submitted ?or analysis each farmer reports whether jhe considers the quality to be; Excellent, Good, Fair,-or Poor. A summary of all samples tested shows that the TDN and Digestible Protein content to be about the same no matter |what the eye-test rating made ■by the farmer was yet there are considerable differences in all types of forages submitted for test. Then too, I challenge anyoao to look at an animal and oil whether he is over, or under feeding protein or TDN with any degree of accuracy. For sure there are some eye guides: whether the animal is thin or fat, has normal body function or is as loose as a goose (excessive amounts of protein will scour calves, etcj But when a llvestockman combines keen observation with feeding balanced rations composed of the most economical ingredients on a budgeted basis, then he is more likely to produce at below average costs. Remember prices of most products are about equal to the average cost of production. The business man who survives is the one who produces at below average costs no matter whether he be an automobile manufacturer, farmer or a maker of buttons. Another advantage the livestockman gets through forage testing is insight on how he may adjust his management practices that will enable him to have higher TDN or digestible protein in his forages. The variety grown has some Influence, however c.* all fac-i tors influencing quality stage of maturity at harvest is the greatest. If the forage is Orchard grass. . cut it i.i the j early head stage (boot); / lfalfa when 1/10 to 1/4 bloom except first cutting (after the orchard grass in the mixture has headed but before it has bloomed.); Clover - 1/2 to full bloom; corn for ensilagehard dough stage. Still other advantages forage testing can be to livestockmen are in saving labor and in holding down fixed costs. In forr^e production a farmer Is striving for the greatest amount of TDN or digestible protein produced at the lowest cost per acre. In forage feed