Best way to collect hay samples for lab testing?

[Be.Zar]

I’m planning to send off some hay for nutrient testing and want to make sure I collect the samples properly and won't skew the results by accidentally picking good or bad spots. What is the most accurate, practical way to get a representative sample, you take cores from every bale, just a few, or mix batches together? and how much hay do you usually send in?

 

[Saz3rac]

@Be.Zar Don't mix bales from the first cut with the third cut, even if they're from the same field, that absolutely will skew your results.
For any given lot (say, 50 bales from the same cutting), randomly select at least 15 bales. Drill a core straight into the center of the end of each. Once all 15 cores are in a clean bucket, mix them up really well, and send the lab a total of about half a pound of that mixed material.
Don't send whole cores! This gives the lab a true average, making your data worth the price of the test

 

[Fer.nan.dez]

I’m planning to send off some hay for nutrient testing and want to make sure I collect the samples properly and won't skew the results by accidentally picking good or bad spots. What is the most accurate, practical way to get a representative sample, you take cores from every bale, just a few, or mix batches together? and how much hay do you usually send in

best way is to core several bales, ideally 15 to 20 pulled randomly across the batch using a hay probe, not hand grabs. Mix those cores together in a clean bucket, blend them well, and send a pint or so of that mix to the lab. Don't just sample the best looking bales or the ends, that’s where results usually get skewed

 

[Alan]

What's the update on this @Be.Zar? Still need some insights? I just think the key is randomness and enough samples. Agree with @Fer.nan.dez completely.