Diet Formulation

Diets built from individual samples are risky.

Multi-sample formulation specs are messy without the right tools.

Dairyland's apps and web pages make it easy to:

• Identify trends that justify re-formulation
• Identify and remove outlier samples
• Average multiple samples that represent today's feeds
• Re-sample and track active feeds
• Create and execute sampling schedules

Dairyland's reporting options deliver:

• the reports you need
• where you need them
• in the form you choose

Whether you are an:

• individual farm
• a feed company with multiple consultants
• or an independent consultant working with multiple mills

• Customized PDFs
• XML imports
• CSV downloads
• FTP delivery options

Dairyland's network of laboratories, convenience routes, and UPS or USPS shipping options mean most dairy and beef operations are within one day's shipping to a Dairyland lab.  

See Dairyland's Locations for a list of shipping options in your area.

Starch digestibility primarily varies due to:

• Particle size
• Extent of fermentation (ensiling)
• Extent of gelatinization (steam flaking)
• Protein matrix development (genetic and agronomic drivers)

While no testing methods exist that give reliable formulation inputs across all feed types, Dairyland provides a robust set of tools including:

• NIR IVSD7 provides kd estimates that line up well with in vivo data on common starch sources but cannot account for variation due to particle size.
• UW Grain 2.0 incorporates particle size, the extent of fermentation (HMSC, and snaplage), and prolamin (dry corn) into starch digestibility metrics including kd. 
• In vitro gas production can be used to create unlimited time points to characterize the rate and extent of starch digestion in low fiber feeds (corn grain, steam flaked corn, hmsc, etc).

Amino acids are key inputs for diet formulation but have only recently become available in routine NIR analyses.  Results from Dairyland Labs indicate the amino acid content of silages varies above and below traditional book values depending on how much deamination (ammonia production) has occurred. 

Dairyland offers NIR analysis of amino acids on most high-protein feeds as well as industry-leading turnaround time on amino acid chemistry. 

The most important inputs for diet formulation  (moisture, NDFom, NDFD, and starch digestibility) do not have third-party validation programs available, so it's important to choose a lab with a demonstrated record of performance and trust. 

That said, Dairyland participates in third-party certification and quality control programs when they are available including:

• NFTA (National Forage Testing Association) certifies CP, NDF, and ADF on five alfalfa hay, two corn silage, and one grass hay sample per year. All Dairyland locations are NFTA certified.
  
• AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) offers voluntary proficiency-testing programs that allow labs to see how they compare to other labs analyzing the same samples. Dairyland utilizes AAFCO proficiency testing for all available methods.