Serving Montana Agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky

Feed, Forage & Misc

Feed, Forage & Misc

Sample Submission Guidelines

Approval is required to submit samples to the laboratory for out of state customers. Please contact us at 406-577-7917 to obtain approval prior to shipping any sample(s) to the laboratory.

Sample Size

  • Hay/Straw/Other Feedstuffs: Gallon Ziploc bag ~ 3/4 full
  • Water (Livestock Only): ~ 1 to 2 quarts in a non-glass container
  • Other: Contact the laboratory. 

Sampling Procedure

  • Hay/Straw/Other Feedstuffs:
    • DO NOT INCLUDE SOIL IN THE SAMPLE.
    • Cut standing plants to obtain the same portion as would be harvested (or eaten).
    • Field: Walk the field in a "W" pattern & take a sample at each point of the W.
    • Hay bales/stacks: Probe. Do not mix different types or cuttings of forage. Take as many cores as possible, at least twenty per stack, more for larger or dissimilar lots.
  • Other: Contact the laboratory.

Shipping

  • We do not accept samples that have deteriorated or become compromised.
  • Ship Monday - Thursday so that samples arrive on a weekday.
  • DO NOT SHIP ON FRIDAY OR BEFORE A HOLIDAY.
  • Refrigerate water samples prior to shipping.
  • Hay/Straw/Other Feedstuffs:
    • Ship wet sample(s) in a plastic bag & add "blue ice" packs to prevent spoilage.
  • All Liquid Type Samples (i.e. water; liquid feed): Package carefully to prevent leaking during shipment.

Sample Discount

To be eligible for the discount, samples must be submitted at the same time for the same test.

  • 1-2 Samples: No Discount
  • 3-6 Samples: 10% Discount
  • 7+ Samples: 20% Discount

Helpful Links

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Montana Rules & Code: Analytical Lab Services

MCA 80-1-104: Analytical Laboratory Services

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