This translates to under feeding cows. Samples of silage should be retrieved from at least an elbow's depth to reduce the possibility of a sample that is too dry or too wet. Once you have obtained a feed sample, immediately send it to the laboratory. Feed companies, elevators, and private laboratories analyze feeds. Your NDSU Extension Service county agent should be able to provide a partial list of laboratories capable of evaluating feeds.
Some values obtained are more reliable than others.
Traditionally, feeds were analyzed by wet chemistry techniques, which were time consuming and costly. Dry matter, crude protein, fiber content, and mineral values from wet chemistry analysis are useful for diet formulation. Dry matter, crude protein, and acid detergent fiber values from NIR analysis can be useful if the forage sample was predominantly one forage and labeled appropriately. The precision of the results obtained from NIR relate directly to laboratory procedures. This can best be understood by describing the NIR procedure.