Agreement has been obtained between the major fodder testing laboratories on uniform analytical procedures to measure moisture, crude protein and metabolisable energy, and a set of recommended methods will be distributed and implemented by late 1998. If accepted, it will be implemented nationally and become part of the AFIA Vendor Declaration Form. The agreement obtained among laboratories will result in an effective system of quality description, easily recognised and understood by the industry, and will lead to improved marketing of fodder products, both in Australia and on export markets. Buyers would get better value for money, and sellers would receive bonus payments for a higher quality product. Background Oat hay is an important export commodity.
Most export hay is produced in South Australia and Western Australia.
This restored confidence in Australian hay, but the hay industry was warned trade would be suspended if more toxic hay was exported to Japan. There were two major components to the project. The first was to establish testing services in South Australia and Western Australia to enable hay samples to be tested for the bacterium. Research was then undertaken to assess different sampling strategies for stored and processed hay. Sampling strategies for hay crops and bales in the paddock, were evaluated.