What's new in the lab
01.07.25 - New modeling updates dial-in snaplage results
Our snaplage and earlage analysis has been notably improved - further refining your ability to dial in diets with accurate snaplage results.
Next steps: If you or your clients harvested snaplage or earlage in 2024, or have it on the radar for 2025, check out our Comprehensive Nutrition Analysis to take full advantage of the improved model and dial in your snaplage use within the complete ration.
Resource: Hay and Forage Grower article https://rockriverlab.com/file_open.php?id=393
12.02.24 - New Fatty Acid NIR Analyses for Commodities
Starting this week, Rock River Laboratory is complimenting our forage and corn grain fatty acid profile options with new fatty acid NIR analyses for commodities.
- We can now measure total fatty acids and fatty acid profiles on your commodity feed samples.
- Accurate fatty acid profile and total fatty acid content NIR models, developed for forages and corn grain are already available and have been in use over the past ten years.
- Commodities account for a substantial amount of fat in the typical dairy ration and book values still remain the norm for these more expensive purchased feeds - until now.
Next steps: Select the Comprehensive Commodities package for your next commodity sample and gain fatty acid nutrition insights.
Resources: Hay and Forage Grower here, or download the article here.
11.12.24 - Enhanced Nutrition Report Features: KPS Indicators
We’ve added a Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) KPS Indicator on our nutrition analysis reports to better inform ration decisions.
- ‘Likely above 70’ denotes a high probability for KPS at or above 70; alternatively ‘Likely below 70’ depicts the opposite.
- The 70% threshold has been a long-standing goal
- For samples likely below 70, producers should consider assessing KPS with traditional methods
Next steps: This new indicator is available within our Comprehensive Nutrition Analysis (CNA) by NIR for corn silage. Try it out today!
Resources: Read the Frequently Asked Questions here; Our current interpretive guidelines for standard KPS test results can be found and downloaded here.
Example Report
10.22.24 - New Total Tract Fat Digestibility Tool
We have a new tool to assess total tract fat digestibility (TTFD) in lactating dairy diets thanks to collaborative research with the UW-Madison College of Agriculture & Life Sciences.
- TTFD in cattle can be predicted with fecal fat, much like fecal starch has been used to project total tract starch digestibility.
- Fat supplements in dairy diets are expensive and there is likely a range in supplement digestibility.
Next steps: Choose the Comprehensive Fecal Analysis by NIR or by wet chemistry for your next fecal sample. Dairy, beef, and calf options are available on these packages.
Resources: Read the complete details, guidelines, and benchmarks, here.
10.09.24 - Enhanced Nutrition Report Features: Forage Nitrate Nitrogen
Today we are launching a new, novel Forage Nitrate Nitrogen indicator on Rock River Laboratory nutrition analysis reports.
- These new categorical predictions stand to assist our customers by supplying additional information to guide decision-making.
Next steps: Choose any of our Comprehensive Nutrition Analysis (CNA) by NIR packages to start seeing this reported - for applicable feed types!
Resources: Learn more about this new report feature in our downloadable FAQs document.
Example Report
