Testing in Hornsdale SA

Feed testing is the process of sending a sample of hay, grain, silage, or other livestock feed to a laboratory for analysis of its nutritional composition. The results tell you exactly what is in the feed - how much protein, energy, fibre, and moisture - rather than requiring you to estimate based on appearance or species alone.

It matters because feed quality varies enormously and you cannot reliably assess nutritional value by looking at a bale or a grain sample. Two loads of lucerne hay from the same region in the same season can have meaningfully different protein levels depending on when they were cut, how they were cured, and how they have been stored. A load described as "good quality oaten hay" could be 7% crude protein or 12% crude protein - and that difference affects how much you need to feed, whether you need additional supplementation, and whether you are getting value for your money.

For buyers, a feed test result gives you the confidence to purchase based on numbers rather than trust. For sellers, a test result backs up your claims about quality, allows you to market your hay at the right price, and demonstrates professionalism to buyers.

LocalAg integrates with Feed Central for quality assurance on the platform. Feed Central has been Australia's leading independent fodder quality assurance organisation since 2002 and tests hundreds of thousands of tonnes of hay, grain, silage, and straw each year. Their testing results, quality scores, and assurance badges appear directly on LocalAg listings, giving buyers objective data before they commit to a purchase.

Hay testing on LocalAg is delivered through the platform's partnership with Feed Central, Australia's most trusted independent fodder quality assurance organisation. Here is how it works in practice.

For sellers listing hay on LocalAg: Feed Central can arrange a sample collection from your property or you can submit a sample directly. The sample is analysed using NIR (near-infrared reflectance) technology at a laboratory powered by DairyOne, one of the world's leading agricultural labs. The results are then displayed directly on your LocalAg listing, showing buyers the protein, energy, fibre, and moisture content of your hay before they make contact.

Listings with Feed Central test results attached carry significantly more buyer confidence than listings without data. Buyers on LocalAg actively look for feed test data when comparing listings, particularly for large purchases or when buying sight unseen from interstate.

For buyers wanting to test hay before purchasing: If you are considering a significant purchase and the seller does not have current test results, Feed Central can arrange testing on a sample before you commit.

Quality badges. Feed Central's Visual Gauge, Quality Assured badges, and Weed Safe designations are also available through the testing and assessment process and appear on qualifying listings on LocalAg.

NIR stands for near-infrared reflectance. It is the technology used by Feed Central to analyse the nutritional composition of hay, grain, and other livestock feeds quickly and accurately.

Here is how it works in simple terms. When a feed sample is exposed to near-infrared light, different chemical compounds in the sample absorb and reflect different wavelengths of that light. The NIR analyser measures the pattern of reflected light and uses calibration equations to calculate the concentration of specific nutrients including protein, energy, fibre, moisture, and other components.

The key advantage of NIR testing over traditional wet chemistry methods is speed.

NIR analysis produces results in minutes rather than days, which makes it practical for commercial hay and grain trading where timely information matters.

Feed Central's NIR testing is powered by DairyOne, one of the world's leading agricultural laboratories. DairyOne supports Feed Central's analysis with thousands of calibrations developed from decades of wet chemistry reference data, which underpins the accuracy and reliability of the NIR results. Feed Central is also the only laboratory in Australia offering EquiAnalytical testing for equine-specific analysis, which provides tailored nutritional insights for horse owners and professionals who need more detailed reporting than standard NIR panels provide.

NIR testing is the industry standard for commercial hay quality assessment in Australia and is the method used for all Feed Central test results displayed on LocalAg listings.

A standard Feed Central NIR feed test covers the key nutritional metrics that buyers and sellers need to assess hay and grain quality and formulate livestock rations. The main metrics reported include:

Crude Protein (CP) measured as a percentage of dry matter. The primary indicator of the hay's value as a protein source for livestock.

Metabolisable Energy (ME) measured in megajoules per kilogram of dry matter (MJ/kg DM). The primary indicator of the hay's value as an energy source.

Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) measured as a percentage of dry matter. A key indicator of digestibility - lower ADF means more digestible hay.

Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) measured as a percentage of dry matter. An indicator of the total fibre content and how filling the feed is. Higher NDF means higher fibre and lower voluntary intake.

Dry Matter (DM) percentage, from which the moisture content is calculated. Critical for storage safety and for calculating the actual nutrient content per kilogram of fresh weight.

Moisture calculated from the dry matter figure. Hay above 15% moisture is a storage and heating risk.

Digestibility expressed as digestible dry matter (DDM) or similar measures depending on the report format. An overall indicator of how much of the feed the animal can extract and use.

For equine-specific testing through Feed Central's EquiAnalytical service, additional metrics including non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), and starch are reported. These are critical for horse owners managing metabolic conditions.

For grain testing, the panel is adjusted to reflect the relevant quality metrics for grain including moisture, protein, test weight, and screenings.

Metabolisable energy, or ME, is a measure of the energy available to the animal from a feed after accounting for energy lost in faeces, urine, and gas during digestion. It is expressed in megajoules per kilogram of dry matter (MJ/kg DM) and is one of the two most important numbers on a feed test alongside crude protein.

Why it matters:

Every livestock production outcome - growth, milk production, reproduction, and simply maintaining body weight - has an energy requirement. If a feed does not supply enough metabolisable energy to meet those requirements, the animal draws on its own body reserves to make up the deficit, losing condition over time. If the energy requirement is met, the animal maintains or improves condition and production.

ME values in commonly available Australian hays:

1. Good quality lucerne hay: 9.5 to 11.5 MJ/kg DM
2. Cereal hays (oaten, wheaten, barley): 8 to 10 MJ/kg DM
3. Pasture and grass hays: 7.5 to 9.5 MJ/kg DM
4. Rhodes grass and tropical hays: 7.5 to 9 MJ/kg DM

Practical use:

When comparing two loads of hay at similar prices, ME tells you which one delivers more energy per dollar. A hay with ME of 10 MJ/kg DM fed at the same rate as a hay at 8 MJ/kg DM delivers 25% more energy to your livestock. Over a large feeding program, that difference is significant.

ME is also the starting point for calculating how much hay you need to feed to meet your livestock's energy requirements at a given production stage. Without it, you are feeding on guesswork.

Crude protein, abbreviated as CP, is a measure of the total protein content of a feed expressed as a percentage of dry matter. It is calculated by measuring the nitrogen content of the sample and multiplying by a standard conversion factor, because protein contains a relatively consistent proportion of nitrogen.

It is called crude protein rather than true protein because the method measures all nitrogen in the sample, including a small fraction that comes from non-protein nitrogen sources. For practical livestock feeding purposes, crude protein is the standard and widely used measure.

Why it matters:

Protein is essential for muscle development, reproduction, milk production, immune function, and the production of enzymes and hormones. Livestock at different production stages have different protein requirements. When a feed does not supply enough crude protein, the animal's performance suffers - weaners grow more slowly, ewes produce less milk, dairy cows have lower milk protein, and animals in poor condition take longer to recover.

Typical crude protein ranges for commonly available Australian feeds:

1. Lucerne hay: 18 to 25% CP
2. Vetch hay: 16 to 22% CP
3. Cereal hays (oaten, wheaten, barley): 7 to 12% CP
4. Pasture and grass hay: 6 to 14% CP depending on species mix
5. Rhodes grass hay: 6 to 12% CP
6. Feed grain (barley, wheat): 10 to 14% CP
7. Lupins: 28 to 32% CP

Knowing the crude protein of your hay or grain tells you whether it can meet your livestock's protein requirements on its own, or whether you need to supplement with a higher-protein feed. Without this number, you are making feeding decisions without the most basic information about what you are actually feeding.

Feed Central's NIR testing turnaround is fast by design. Because NIR analysis is rapid compared to traditional wet chemistry methods, results are typically available within one to two business days of the sample being received at the laboratory.

For buyers needing results before committing to a purchase, this turnaround is practically useful. A sample submitted early in the week can have results back before the end of the week, allowing you to make an informed purchasing decision without significant delay.

For sellers listing hay on LocalAg, having current test results ready to attach to a listing is one of the most effective things you can do to attract serious buyers quickly. Buyers who can see the numbers are more likely to inquire and convert than buyers who have to take quality on trust.

Sample collection timing matters. The turnaround clock starts from when the sample arrives at the laboratory, not from when you decide to test. If you are planning to test hay before a sale, allow time for sample collection and courier delivery on top of the laboratory turnaround. Feed Central can advise on the best way to collect and submit samples from your location. Contact the team at feedcentral.com.au or through the LocalAg testing service for guidance.

Yes. If you are considering a significant hay purchase and the seller does not have current feed test results available, you can arrange independent testing through LocalAg's partnership with Feed Central before you commit to the purchase.

This is particularly valuable for large purchases, interstate transactions where you cannot physically inspect the hay, or situations where the quality of the hay is a critical factor in your feeding program.

The process involves Feed Central collecting or receiving a representative sample of the hay from the seller's property and conducting a NIR analysis. Results are typically returned within one to two business days of the sample being received.

For buyers purchasing hay for specific nutritional purposes such as pre-lambing feeding, high-production dairy rations, or horses with metabolic conditions where the precise protein, energy, or NSC values matter significantly, independent testing before purchase is the most reliable way to confirm the hay meets your requirements.

Feed test pricing through Feed Central is available directly from the Feed Central team and may vary depending on the type of test, the species being tested, and the specific panel of metrics required.

For current pricing on standard hay and grain NIR testing, equine-specific EquiAnalytical testing, and any additional services including sample collection, fire insurance risk reporting, or on-farm visual assessments, contact Feed Central directly at Feed Central's website.

What we can say is that the cost of a feed test is small relative to the value of a typical hay purchase. If you are buying a full truck load of lucerne hay, a test result that confirms the protein content is what the seller claims protects an investment that is many multiples of the testing cost. For buyers making regular large purchases, the cost of testing is a normal and expected part of doing business in the commercial hay market.

For sellers, the cost of a test result is also justified by the pricing premium that documented, verified quality hay commands over undocumented hay on the market. Listings on LocalAg with Feed Central test results attached consistently attract more buyer interest than listings without quality data.

ADF and NDF are both measures of the fibre content of a feed, but they measure different fractions of that fibre and tell you different things about how a feed will perform in the livestock's digestive system.

ADF - Acid Detergent Fibre

ADF measures the least digestible components of plant cell walls, primarily cellulose and lignin. Lignin is essentially indigestible and cellulose is only partially digestible. The higher the ADF, the more indigestible structural material is in the feed and the lower its overall digestibility.

ADF is inversely related to feed quality. Lower ADF means more digestible hay. As a rough guide:

1. ADF below 31%: high quality, highly digestible
2. ADF 31 to 35%: good quality
3. ADF 36 to 40%: fair quality
4. ADF above 40%: lower quality, less digestible

NDF - Neutral Detergent Fibre

NDF measures the total cell wall content of the plant including cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. It is a measure of the total structural fibre in the feed. NDF is related to how filling the feed is and how much of it an animal will voluntarily consume.

Higher NDF means more bulk fibre, which fills the rumen faster and limits voluntary intake. Animals eating high-NDF hay will fill up before they have consumed enough energy to meet production demands. Lower NDF hays are less bulky and animals can consume more dry matter per day.

NDF is particularly important in dairy ration formulation, where voluntary dry matter intake is a key variable in determining total energy and protein consumed per cow per day.

Using ADF and NDF together:

ADF tells you about digestibility. NDF tells you about intake potential. Together they give a more complete picture of how a feed will perform than crude protein and ME alone. A feed nutritionist formulating rations for dairy or intensive beef operations will use all four metrics together.

For the majority of hay buyers managing sheep, beef cattle, and horses in non-intensive systems, crude protein, ME, and moisture are the most practically relevant numbers in a routine feed test. ADF and NDF become more important when precise ration formulation is required.

Yes. Grain testing is available through LocalAg's partnership with Feed Central and suits both buyers wanting to verify the quality of grain they are purchasing and sellers wanting to document the nutritional value of grain they are selling.

For grain, the key metrics tested include moisture content, crude protein, and in some cases test weight and screenings depending on the grain type and the purpose of the test.

For buyers: Testing grain before purchase confirms the moisture content is within safe storage limits and verifies the protein content matches what the seller has described. For grain being incorporated into livestock rations, knowing the protein and energy content allows you to formulate rations accurately. For grain with elevated moisture being offered at a discount, a test result confirms whether storage or drying costs are justified before you commit.

For sellers: A test result allows you to market grain with documented quality rather than relying on buyers to take your description on trust. For high-protein grain varieties or specialty crops where quality commands a premium, a verified test result supports your asking price.

Contact Feed Central for details on grain testing options, turnaround times, and pricing for the specific grain type and test panel you require.

A Feed Central Quality Certificate is a formal document issued by Feed Central following the testing and quality assessment of a hay lot. It represents the highest level of quality assurance available for hay in the Australian market and is recognised by buyers, sellers, and industry participants as a credible, independent verification of a hay lot's quality.

The certificate is based on a combination of NIR feed test results and, where applicable, Feed Central's on-farm visual assessment process. It documents the key nutritional metrics of the specific hay lot including protein, energy, fibre, and moisture, as well as any quality designations that the hay has earned including Quality Assured and Weed Safe.

For buyers on LocalAg, a Feed Central Quality Certificate attached to a listing is the strongest quality signal available. It means the hay has been independently assessed and documented by an organisation with over 22 years of industry experience and no commercial interest in the outcome other than providing accurate, trustworthy information.

For sellers, a Quality Certificate allows you to stand behind your product with third-party verification. In competitive markets and during high-demand periods, certified hay consistently commands better prices than undocumented hay. It also protects you from disputes by establishing an agreed, documented record of what the hay lot contained at the time of sale.

Feed testing before selling is one of the most straightforward things a hay producer can do to improve their commercial outcomes, and the producers who do it consistently report better prices, faster sales, and fewer disputes.

You can price your hay accurately. Without a test result, you are either underpricing good hay because you cannot prove its quality, or asking a price that buyers will challenge because there is no data to support it. A test result that shows your lucerne at 22% CP or your oaten hay at 10% CP and 9.5 MJ ME gives you the evidence to price confidently and defend that price in a negotiation.

You attract serious buyers faster. Buyers looking for hay to meet specific nutritional requirements, particularly for dairy, pre-lambing sheep programs, or horses with metabolic needs, skip listings without data and contact the ones with numbers. A test result on your listing means you are visible to the buyers who are most ready to purchase.

You differentiate from undocumented hay. In any given market at any given time, most hay listings do not have test results attached. Having documented quality sets your listing apart and signals professionalism to buyers who have been burned before by undocumented hay that did not perform as described.

You protect yourself from disputes. If a buyer later claims the hay did not perform as expected, a Feed Central test result from the time of sale is your evidence of what the hay contained. Without it, quality disputes become your word against the buyer's.

It builds your reputation over time. Sellers who consistently provide quality documentation build a buyer network that returns season after season. Repeat buyers who trust your quality data are more valuable than one-off transactions where quality is questioned every time.

Yes, and the economics are more straightforward than most small producers realise.

The cost of a Feed Central NIR test is modest relative to the value of even a small hay consignment. If you are selling 50 round bales of oaten hay at $25 per bale, that is $1,250 worth of hay. A test result that allows you to demonstrate your hay is 10% CP and 9.5 MJ ME, rather than an undocumented load of unknown quality, is likely to support a higher price per bale and a faster sale. The return on a single test cost can be recovered from the first transaction it influences.

Beyond the direct financial return, feed testing provides a few other practical benefits for small producers.

Buyer confidence. Small producers often sell to local buyers through word of mouth or community platforms. A Feed Central test result adds credibility to your listing and reassures buyers who do not know you personally that your hay is what you say it is.

Understanding your own product. Testing your hay each season tells you how your management decisions, cutting timing, and storage practices are affecting quality. This is useful agronomic feedback that helps you improve over time.

Dispute protection. For a small producer, a dispute over hay quality with a local buyer can damage relationships that matter in a community context. A documented test result from the time of sale protects both parties and gives both sides an objective reference point if a quality question arises.

Access to quality badges. Feed Central's Quality Assured and Weed Safe designations are available to small producers who meet the criteria. On LocalAg, these badges lift the profile of your listing regardless of the volume you are selling.

Feed Central works with producers of all sizes. Contact them at feedcentral.com.au to discuss what testing and quality assurance options make sense for your operation and volume.