Producing Quality Oat Hay

Image 7.12 A ute mounted hay sampler as used by many
export hay buyers.
Sample handling
Immediately after sampling and mixing, the
final hay sample should be placed in a robust
(preferably ‘press-seal’) plastic bag and tightly
sealed to exclude air. This is to ensure that the
laboratory report of dry matter will approximate
the dry matter content of the ‘lot’ when it was
sampled, and is also to minimise aerobic spoilage.
Samples must be delivered to the laboratory as
quickly as possible after being taken. Avoid mail
delays over the weekend by posting samples
early in the week. Ensure that the laboratory's
PRODUCING QUALITY OAT HAY
instructions for labelling samples are closely
followed and all the required details on the
sample submission sheet are completed.
Details of sampling for ARGT are found in the
section on ARGT, Chapter 6.
Identification and traceability
Hay exporters are already required to
demonstrate sampling, testing and tracking of
hay in the export pathway. Most exporters use a
bar coded tag so each bale can easily be identified
(Image 7.13). All export bales must be tagged
before going into storage. Tags are currently
manually attached in the paddock to one of the
bale strings on the side opposite the knot.
The hay industry is considering a national bale
identification scheme for domestic and export
hay. AFIA is coordinating a project to introduce
hay bale tags that provide both a visible and
scannable number. This number could
distinguish both a property and paddock.
To save time fixing tags to bales AFIA is
developing an automated attachment device
that would fasten the tags to large square bales as
they leave the baling chamber. At the time of
writing, funding was being sought to complete
this project.
Image 7.13 Bar coded tags allow for easy identification of bale supplier and in future may identify property and paddock of
origin. Labels are located on the outside of loaded bales for ease of checking at the hay plant.
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