Hay Sample Probe

[ddivinia]

I borrowed a tool to take samples from hay bales from the county last year. I think it is time to buy one. I have been looking at a bunch of different ones, but these guys seem to have it together:

Colorado Hay Probes

Of course I like the 2004 model - the most expensive.

Recommendations?

D.

 

[Bird]

I had no idea those things were that expensive, but I had a neighbor down in Navarro County who was full time in the hay business and while I don't know about a brand, his looked like the model 2002 in your link. And since he kept his gas powered air-compressor on the pickup all the time, he bought a new half-inch pneumatic drill from my brother's Matco tool truck to use with it. He was sending hay samples to the lab all the time and selling hay to some dairies at the time.

 

[chetlenox]

D,

I use that exact brand (cheaper 2000PB model though) and it seems to work fine. I've used it for 5 cuttings now. It's solidly built and works great.

Chet.

 

[ddivinia]

D,

I use that exact brand (cheaper 2000PB model though) and it seems to work fine. I've used it for 5 cuttings now. It's solidly built and works great.

Chet.

Cool deal. I ended up going with the model 2000. The one I wanted is back order 2-3 weeks. Oh well, I think this one will work just fine.

What all do you have tested on your hay?

D.

 

[chetlenox]

D,

I do protein, minerals, and ADF. The minerals are pretty stable and I think might be overkill, but I'll keep testing them a little longer until I know for sure. The test package I use is $20/sample at A&M, which seems pretty reasonable to me. Now that I have 5 datapoints on my field since I bought it, I've now got a pretty good "baseline" to compare to, and it's been fun to fiddle with comparing the input parameters (cut dates, rainfall, that sort of thing) and see what the resulting bale counts and test results are.

The basics I've learned: Cut date really matters for protein content (drops off fast after 28 days) and bale total is all about rainfall amount. Pretty complicated, eh?

Chet.

 

[ddivinia]

It really is confusing. I am not sure it is worth my time to go cut after 28 days. I guess I will have to wait and see. We need some rain bad.

D.

 

[chetlenox]

Oh, it's worth your time, I'm sure. We are both just going to lose some protein in the deal. I've got 5 data points now covering a spread from 28 to 50-ish days (I don't remember exactly, I don't have the numbers in front of me right now). My hay is running 12-13% crude protein at shortly after 28 days, and then looks like it loses about 1% of crude protein every 7 days it's cut later than that. That's a ballpark figure, and it might be a little different for you, but that's what I've seen.

So just waiting a week or two might not be a disaster, you'll just lose a few percentage of protein and have to supplemental feed more (or sell for a few less bucks per bale, if you sell like me).

I figure bottom line: You can't cut grass that ain't there!

Chet.

 

[ddivinia]

I just got my hay probe in the mail.

Guys,
This hay probe is one serious piece of equipment. I think I will dremel my DL number into the side of it. It is WAY BIGGER than I imagined. I will have reports later. Hope to do hay and soil samples this weekend. Get them in the mail on Monday.

D.

 

[Lazy J]

I purchased my hay probe from Star Quality Samplers in Alberta, Canada. I have the Push-type ABS Multi-Forage Samplers with the 3" tube and I LOVE it!!!!

Check them out at: Star Quality Samplers

Also, check out the forage quality webpage at UC Davis: UC Davis Alfalfa Quality Page

Jim

 

[ddivinia]

I purchased my hay probe from Star Quality Samplers in Alberta, Canada. I have the Push-type ABS Multi-Forage Samplers with the 3" tube and I LOVE it!!!!

Check them out at: Star Quality Samplers

Also, check out the forage quality webpage at UC Davis: UC Davis Alfalfa Quality Page

Jim

Good stuff - I will post pics of this monster. It is up to my quality standards for sure.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

Update:

I received the model 2000 and it just did not work very well. I called them and requested to exchange it for a model 2004. They sent me out a 2004 and man, it rocks. I sent back the 2000.

I got a call a couple days later with an apology. The 2000 had not been finished properly and was very dull. He even said it would not go thru hot butter. That was my experience. Those bales I was testing are some of the tightest I have seen. So, atleast now I know it was not me.

Good customer support and a good product - they get my vote.

D.

 

[chetlenox]

Huh, I'll be darn. Makes me wonder if, after years of use, I'll have to "sharpen" my hay probe. It takes a little bit of "umph" to get the probe into a standard bale, but not too bad, so I assume mine is finished properly.

Good to hear about the customer service. It's always great to hear a company that takes care of the customer.

Chet.

 

[ddivinia]

Huh, I'll be darn. Makes me wonder if, after years of use, I'll have to "sharpen" my hay probe. It takes a little bit of "umph" to get the probe into a standard bale, but not too bad, so I assume mine is finished properly.

Good to hear about the customer service. It's always great to hear a company that takes care of the customer.

Chet.

The guy said they had a new person that did not finish it properly. The 2004 is the one I wanted originally but I was going to have to wait a while to get it.

I am a happy customer of the Udy Colorado Hay probe.

D.

 

[baleguys]

We use the Best Harvest Hay Probe, Drill type. They have 18" and 24" depth models for larger bales. The bagging attachment is very convenient and makes sampling very easy. Best Harvest Home Page