Forage Laboratory
The mission of the forage laboratory is to improve the understanding of forage quality and the means of producing quality forages to benefit dairy animal health, production and the dairy farm as an ecological system. The staff conducts research trials, demonstrates techniques to students, and collaborates with universities and national testing laboratories to standardize methodologies, including:
Dry Matters/Ash
Dry matters (DM) are performed in either 60º or 105ºC gravity or forced air ovens. Large crop trials are done in industrial sized ovens. Samples are ashed using our muffle furnace. Loss on ignition (carbon content) can also be determined with the furnace.
Detergent Analyses and In Vitro Digestions
The Institute operates an Ankom fiber and digestion system to perform in vitro digestions, true and apparent digestibility (DMDa and DMDt), NDF, NDFd, ADF, lignin, and ash (combined) using fistulated cows.
Volatile Fatty Acid Analysis
Water extracted samples are filtered and analyzed using a Varian 3800 Gas Chromatograph with FID detector. The output includes: acetic, lactic, valeric, isovaleric, propionic, and butyric acids.
Nitrogen (Crude Protein, Fractions)
A recently purchased Leco FP428 nitrogen analyzer is used to determine nitrogen via Dumas combustion. Dried samples can be prepared to fractionate soluble/insoluble total nitrogen.
Sugar and Starch (NSC)
Starch and sugar analyses are performed on dried and ground samples using University of Florida’s ethanol extraction process.
Hoenig Boxes
Aerobic stability work is conducted using Hoenig boxes to measure DM loss during anaerobic storage.
Mold and Bacteria
Mold identification and bacteria counts are conducted on fermented forages and feeds using Thermo-Forma Steri-Cult incubators.
Midi Silos
Adjacent to the dairy barn complex are 12 Midi-Silos for forage fermentation studies. Each silo has a 1,000 lb feed storage capacity.
Miner Institute offers these analyses along with interpretation of the results. For current pricing or further information, contact Kurt Cotanch at (518) 846-7121 ext 123 or fax (518) 846-7774.
Environmental Laboratory
The environmental laboratory has been in operation since 1972, when the Applied Environmental Science Program (AESP) was born at Miner Institute. Since that time the laboratory has adapted to changing needs to focus on education and research. The fall semester AESP utilizes this space for research on soil science, geology, and water quality modeling, including tank reactor simulations and biochemical oxygen demand. Along with a complement of basic bench chemistry equipment, our newest additions enable allow detailed monitoring of silage effluent systems (biochemical oxygen demand and total phosphorus) and tile drained field export (phosphorus and pesticides) throughout the Little Chazy River watershed. The goal is to detail how farm based Best Management Practices really function to minimize environmental damage for sustainable agriculture.
For additional information contact Steve Kramer at (518) 846-7121 ext 127.
