Farmer Forage Testing

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) Farmer Forage Testing Program is a service designed to help North Carolina (NC) farmers evaluate the quality of their livestock forage. Through this program, NC farmers can submit forage samples, such as hay or silage, to be analyzed for key nutritional components like crude protein, fiber content, energy values, and mineral composition. These results help producers make informed feeding decisions, ensuring optimal animal health and performance while improving overall farm efficiency. The NCDA Food & Drug Division, Animal Feed Program provides these tests at an affordable cost ($10.00/sample for complete analysis), making it an essential resource for NC farmers looking to enhance the quality and value of their forage crops. Please feel free to contact us via phone at 984-236-4820 or via email at NCFeed.Forage@ncagr.gov with any questions related to forage testing. 

Forage Analysis Form (Digital)

Forage Analysis Form (PDF)

SAMPLE SIZE REQUIREMENTS FOR ANALYSIS:

• Fresh forage, hay, and silage samples must fill a gallon sized bag.
• Grain, roughage, home mix, or TMR samples must fill a quart-sized bag.

PAYMENT OPTIONS/INFORMATION:

• Include check or money order made payable to NCDA&CS.
• If paying by credit card: Please indicate as such on your form, and make sure to include your phone number and a member of our staff will call you once we receive the sample.
• DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION. We will call you.

MAILING SAMPLES:

REMEMBER: Before mailing or dropping off samples, please be sure to label each sample clearly, AND include an envelope containing your payment (cash/check) with the Farmer/Producer’s name written clearly on the envelope.

If you have any questions about how to sample your forage, how to interrupt your results, or any other related questions, please reach out to your NC State Cooperative Extension County Livestock Agent. 

The NCDA Farmer Forage Testing Service will not analyze COMMERCIAL FEED SAMPLES.