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Proper sampling procedures are essential for obtaining any meaningful results in feedstuffs. This is particularly true when testing for myocotoxins such as DON [vomitoxin] etc. which may be present only in minute quantities sporadically throughout a bin. NO ANALYSIS IS BETTER THAN FALSE RESULTS OBTAINED FROM A POOR SAMPLE.

I. Taking a sample from an auger or conveyer type system.

1. Take 10-12 samples spaced evenly throughout the run [ in other words, make sure you take a sample from the start of the run, periodically throughout the run, and at the end of the run ] and place in a bucket.  This will give you a COMPOSITE of the 10-12 samples.

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2. Mix WELL. You may either mix by hand or place the composite on a green plastic garbage bag or sheet and, by grabbing a corner of the bag one at a time, blend the composite. You may also blend the composite on the bag by mixing by hand or spatula. Scoop about 1-2 cups from this mix to obtain a sub sample.

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3. It is best to obtain a composite from 3-5 different feedings. Again, blend the sub samples obtained from each  feeding as in step 2 to obtain 1 final sample for analysis [ about 1 cup ].

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4. Place in a suitable container to send to the lab.  Containers used may be:

   *Plastic bags [ with zip lock preferably ].

   *Paper envelope with plastic liner.

   *Plain paper bags MUST be used when sample is to  analyzed for mould.

   Try to squeeze any air out of the container before sealing.

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5. Samples should be kept in a cool, dry place until sent to the lab or brought into MAX~PRO.

II. Taking a sample from bins, drop feeders, feed carts etc.

1. A probe is required to properly sample from these areas. Take samples from several spots throughout the bin, feeder or cart, if possible [see figure 1]. This important because there may be some settling and separation of ingredients.

   

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2. .When sampling from a drop feeder, if it is not possible to use your probe, it is essential to take sample from the top, middle and bottom areas of the feeder as you would with a probe. Also, samples should be taken from various feeders throughout the room, for example, from a pen near a door, at the middle of the room and at the end of the room and from pens on BOTH sides of the room.

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3. When sampling from a bin or cart, 10-12 probes is sufficient, while 3-5 would be adequate from a feeder. Again, make a composite from the samples taken from each probe. In the case of several feeders from several different pens, these must also be composited and a sub sample taken as in #2-3 above. Follow steps 4-5 above.

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III. Taking a sample from a trough feeder in a pen.

1. Steps are similar to above except that you would not be able to use a probe and therefore must take hand grab samples. Take 5-6 samples from several different spots in the trough as well as from different pens [ Figure # 2 ] PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS NO FECAL CONTAMINATION IN THE SAMPLES AS THIS WILL NEGATIVELY AFFECT RESULTS. Follow steps #2-5 Section 1 above.

   

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IV. Taking wet samples.

1. Depending on the type of system, product should be agitated or re-circulated before sampling. If tank has a draw off pipe, take 1 sample from the top and bottom and 2 samples from the middle. Mix samples thoroughly in a clean container. Take a sub sample from this mix and place in a plastic container for lab analysis. KEEP FROZEN UNTIL READY TO BRING SAMPLE IN.