Feed Laboratory

The Significance of a Laboratory in Agribusiness
A modern agricultural laboratory is the heart of an innovative agricultural enterprise, ensuring increased efficiency and profitability through:
- Optimizing animal yield and productivity.
- Extending the number of productive lactations.
- Improving digestive processes and animal health.
- Strategic feed base planning.
- Enhancing feed digestibility and optimizing their consumption.
- Developing rations tailored to the specifics of animals and regional climate conditions.
- Quality control and preservation of feeds at all stages of storage and preparation.
- Precise determination of the timing for harvesting feed crops to maximize nutrient retention.
The laboratory adapts to the unique conditions of each agricultural facility, allowing each enterprise to maximize its potential.
How We Collect and Prepare Samples
The key step in feed quality analysis is proper sample collection. In our laboratory, we use innovative sampling tools that automate and simplify this process, minimizing human error and increasing result accuracy.
Our sample collection techniques include:
- Using specialized tools for collecting samples from silage trenches and storage.
- Deep sampling of feed for analyzing layers and their constituents.
- Extraction of liquids from the cattle rumen for digestive process analysis.
- Comprehensive analysis of composite samples, including separation, grinding, and selection of the required material fraction.
This approach ensures the collection of representative samples for an accurate assessment of feed quality and nutrient content.

How We Analyze Feed Nutrient Content
Our methods for assessing the nutrient content of roughage include the analysis of energy value and comprehensive feed quality evaluation, forming the basis for maximum livestock growth and health.
Physical Feed Assessment
We conduct a detailed physical analysis of feeds, evaluating particle size, cross-sectional shape, structural integrity, hardness, and fermentation kinetics. This allows us to:
- Detect inconsistencies in feed mixing in a timely manner.
- Identify ingredient heterogeneity or excessive grinding.
- Compare the quality of feed mixes from different manufacturers.
- Determine the optimal timing for harvesting crops for silage.
- Control the risk of acidosis and milk quality preservation.
Measurement Operations
We use comprehensive measurements for precise feed assessment, including:
- Moisture and temperature determination in feeds.
- Analysis of granulometric composition and density of feed mixtures.
- Measurement of physical properties of cattle rumen, such as permeability and buoyancy.
Rapid Feed Analysis with NIRS
In situations where immediate decisions are required during harvesting or animal feeding, traditional chemical analyses can be too slow. Our laboratory is equipped with advanced Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) for spectral analysis, providing fast and accurate data.

Parameters of Spectral Feed Analysis
- Ash content
- Crude protein and its fractions (A+B1, B2, B3)
- Rumen-degradable protein (RDP)
- Rumen-undegradable protein (RUP)
- Crude fat
- pH-activated acidity
- Mycotoxin content
- Crude fiber
- Sugar
- Starch
- Calcium and phosphorus
- Content of organic acids (acetic, lactic, oleic, propionic)
Feed Digestibility Analysis
Our methods for studying feed digestibility include the use of an automated artificial rumen to monitor microbial fermentation processes accurately. This allows us to determine the impact on feed fermentation of additives, including stabilizers, inhibitors, tonics, mycotoxins, and microbial preparations. Monitoring is carried out through measurements of gas pressure, pH, millivolts, temperature, and digestion rates, providing a comprehensive understanding of feed rations.
Measurement Operations for Assessing Feed Digestibility
- Analysis of feed digestion in an artificial rumen with automated data collection.
- Assessment of the impact of protein additives on feed digestibility and their optimal inclusion in rations.
- Identification of fermentation inhibitors in feeds affecting digestive processes.
- Control of the applicability of urea in feed rations and determination of its safe levels.
- Determination of the most effective dosages of mineral-vitamin complexes for feed optimization.
- Assessment of the bioavailability and digestibility of various types of protein and energy supplements in animal diets.
Comprehensive Feed Analysis: Physiological and Productive Evaluation
Based on verified data on the nutritional value of feed components and their digestibility, our computer program automatically performs calculations and provides forecasts for the maximum daily feed intake by animals, milk yield, and milk fat content. This provides a complete assessment of feeding to maximize livestock efficiency.
Key Feeding Performance Indicators:
- Metabolic Energy of Feeds
- Net Energy for Lactation
- Evaluation of Digestibility of Mixtures from Various Feeds
- Analysis of Digestibility of Rations with Different Feeding Methods
- Possibility of Including Urea in Feed Rations
- Optimal Doses of Mineral-Vitamin Complexes
- Effectiveness of Feed Additives
Using modern analytical data, our laboratory helps determine whether the diet will contribute to increased ruminant productivity or if there is a risk of acidosis, leading to diseases and decreased productivity. Proper diet calculation is the key to high efficiency and herd health.
Creating Optimal Rations for Cattle Groups
Feeding is the leading factor influencing zootechnical and economic indicators of livestock farming. Feed mixtures for ruminant animals are prepared daily and include about fifteen components of different types of feed. Practice shows that high milk yields and high profitability are achieved by following a number of rules for feeding cows:
- The concentration of nutrients and biologically active substances in the ration and their ratio (balance) should correspond to the required level of productivity, live weight, its gain, the condition of animal maintenance, environmental parameters, etc. It should be remembered that both nutrient deficiency and excess reduce productivity.
- Rations should be prepared using computer programs that minimize the cost of the ration while maximizing productivity with given feed and livestock product quality.
- Animals should be fed with high-quality feeds.

- Assessment of ration digestibility with different feeding preparation methods
- Checking the possibility of using or excluding urea from rations
- Establishing optimal inclusion doses of mineral-vitamin supplements in rations
- Identifying the most effective feed additives
Based on the data obtained, it is possible to predict whether the prepared ration is ideal in terms of rumination, feed consumption, and productivity or whether there is a risk of acidosis, leading to diseases and low animal productivity.
To maintain the health of animals and achieve high productivity, it is necessary to clearly and correctly formulate and balance the animal's diet, and to daily control the quality of the diet preparation so that all calculated feed components are provided to the cows in the required proportion and composition.
Optimizing Rations for Increased Yields: Key Nutrients
- Metabolic Energy - the Basis of Energy Balance
- Net Energy for Lactation - to Support High Milk Yield
- Crude Protein - for Tissue Building and Repair
- Ration Digestibility - Adaptation to Different Feeding Methods
- Rumen-Degradable and Rumen-Undegradable Protein - for Amino Acid Balance
- Crude Fiber - to Stimulate Rumination
- Acid Detergent Fiber and Neutral Detergent Fiber - for Assessing Dietary Fiber
- Readily Digestible Carbohydrates (Sugar and Starch) - Fast Sources of Energy
- Mineral Elements (Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sodium) - for Maintaining Vital Functions
Determining the Optimal Timing for Harvesting Forage
Optimal timing for harvesting forage is critically important for producing high-quality hay, silage, and feed with optimal nutritional qualities. When it comes to forage harvesting and cattle feeding, making quick and accurate decisions about harvesting timing can be based on rapidly obtained analytical data, eliminating the need for long waits for chemical analysis results.
Precisely determining the content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in feeds is key to determining the maturity of forage, creating balanced rations, and assessing the quality of new feed crops.
Monitoring the Physiological Health of Cattle
- Monitor glucose and ketone levels in the blood
- Analyze rumen fluid
- Analyze feces for unprocessed grain particles, mucus, and undigested components of roughage; these can be easily visualized in manure. Timely visualization and monitoring of digestibility help track the animal's health and quickly respond to the early signs of illness.
Testing Milking Equipment Performance
High-quality milking equipment is essential for the successful operation of dairy farms. Regular pulsation testing is an integral part of technical maintenance, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of pulsators. Modern testing devices allow for measuring vacuum levels in the inter-stall chamber of the milking unit, guaranteeing the ideal adjustment of the pulsation system for optimal milking.
Imitating the udder is an effective method for measuring vacuum at the teat end and milk flow during milking. This allows for adapting milking equipment to different operating conditions and milk lines, improving overall performance and animal comfort. Data on milking machine performance is visualized on the display and can be printed for detailed analysis, which is a key factor in maintaining high milk quality standards.
Training Programs for Cattle Feeding Specialists
Developing competencies in livestock feeding is a key factor in increasing the efficiency of dairy farming. MAK-K offers specialized training programs that introduce specialists to advanced methods of assessing feed nutritional value and efficient feeding. Training includes practical sessions on assessing feed quality during harvesting and storage, mastering ration balancing technologies, and using feed additives to improve livestock productivity.
These courses enable specialists to acquire skills in the rapid analysis and adjustment of rations on farms, ensuring high adaptability and the ability to respond quickly to changes in feed composition. The training program is unique in that it allows for on-site optimization of feeding processes and the achievement of planned production volumes, ultimately contributing to the growth of livestock business profitability.
What Makes Our Laboratory Unique?
At times, when it comes to forage harvesting or animal feeding, there is a need to make quick decisions, and there is simply no time for chemical analysis. Hence, there is a need for obtaining analytical data in a short period.
Therefore, our laboratory efficiently utilizes the state-of-the-art Near-Infrared Spectroscope (NIRS). With the NIRS device, you can obtain real-time analytical data for feeds with different physical states without prior sample preparation. It provides the following indicators of nutritional value: moisture content, protein, fat, lipids (waxes), ash, NDF, ADF, lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, pH of ammonia nitrogen, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid. One advantage of this device is the ability to determine all indicators simultaneously.
NIRS analysis is as accurate as, and sometimes superior to, chemical analysis, while being less time-consuming and costly.

Having a Near-Infrared Spectroscope does not guarantee accurate results of spectral analysis of feeds, as the result of spectral analysis is a spectral reflectance curve of waves in the near-infrared range from feed samples.
Precise analysis can only be obtained by loading "calibrations" into the NIRS spectroscope - mathematical models created based on the comparison of multiple spectral curves with accurate chemical analyses. In this regard, our laboratory has two unique features that turn your NIRS into the heart of the laboratory:
- The availability of historical analyses and corresponding spectral lines for typical feeds in the CIS region
- Software that allows the creation of calibrations for other NIRS laboratories based on their data
With these two fundamental "know-hows," your spectroscope will surpass chemical analysis in terms of accuracy.
The laboratory has a Customs Union certificate of its own production.
