Colorado Hay Probes

How to use the Push-in Style Colorado Hay Probe (pdf)

How to use the Drill Style Colorado Hay Probe (pdf)

Suggested Directions for the use of
Colorado Hay Probes / UDY Forage Sampler (Drill Type)

Good Sampling Methods Improve Hay Test Accuracy
by Dan Putnam and Steve Orloff, University of California Cooperative Extension

See Pricing and Accessories in the table below.

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UDY Corporation 201 Rome Court, Fort Collins Co 80524 Voice: 970-482-2060 Fax: 970-482-2067
COLORADO HAY PROBE
Our Most Popular Model			Quality Products from UDY Corporation
MODEL 2001	MODEL 2004	MODEL 2000	MODEL 2000PB	MODEL 2002

PUSH STYLE	DRILL STYLE	PUSH STYLE	PUSH STYLE	DRILL STYLE

Colorado Hay Probes to choose from:
Models	2000	2000PB	2001	2002	2004

Professional Hay Probe From UDY Corporation	Features
	Hay and Forage Core Sampler. Low Cost Easy to Use "Push style" design. Durable Aluminum Alloy with Stainless Steel Tip (resharpenable) Can be Used on All Bale Sizes and All Types of Baled Forages Probe Cuts A Core 5/8 Inch in Diameter and 18 Inches Long Collection Chamber Holds Apx. 10-15 Core samples. All components are replaceable Colorado Hay Probe Professional (Removable tip version, Push Style) Model 2001 Only $306.90 Shipping weight Approx. 6 lbs Quantity:
UDY Corporation 201 Rome Court, Fort Collins Co 80524 Voice: 970-482-2060 Fax: 970-482-2067
UDY Forage Sampler	Features
	Hay and Forage Core Sampler Low Cost Easy to Use "Drill style" Design. Durable Aluminum Alloy with Stainless Steel Tip. (resharpenable) Can be Used on All Bale Sizes and All Types of Baled Forages. Probe Cuts A Core 3/4 Inch in Dia. and 18 Inches Long. Single Core All components are replaceable Colorado Hay Probe (Drill Style Single core.) Model 2002 Only $226.60 Shipping weight Approx. 6 lbs Quantity:
UDY Corporation 201 Rome Court, Fort Collins Co 80524 Voice: 970-482-2060 Fax: 970-482-2067
Colorado Hay Probes	Features

	Hay and Forage Core Sampler Low Cost Easy to Use "Drill style" Design Durable Aluminum Alloy with Stainless Steel Tip (resharpenable) Can be Used on All Bale Sizes and All Types of Baled Forages. Probe Cuts A Core 3/4 Inch in Diameter and 18 Inches Long Collection Chamber Holds Approx. 15-18 Core Samples. All components are replaceable Colorado Hay Probe (Drill Style with Collection Chamber) Approx. shipping weight 7 lbs Model 2004 Only $358.60 Quantity:
UDY Corporation 201 Rome Court, Fort Collins Co 80524 Voice: 970-482-2060 Fax: 970-482-2067
Only From UDY Corporation	Features
	Hay and Forage Core Sampler Low Cost Easy to Use "Push style" Design Durable Aluminum Alloy with Stainless Steel Tip (resharpenable) Can be Used on All Bale Sizes and All Types of Baled Forages Probe Cuts A Core 5/8 Inch in Diameter and 18 Inches Long Collection Chamber Holds Apx. 10-15 Core samples. All components are replaceable Colorado Hay Probe (Removable tip version ) Model 2000 Only $281.60 Approx. shipping weight - 6 lbs Quantity:
UDY Corporation 201 Rome Court, Fort Collins Co 80524 Voice: 970-482-2060 Fax: 970-482-2067
Low cost Push Type Hay Probe	Features
	Hay and Forage Core Sampler Low Cost Easy to Use "Push style" Design Durable PVC Chamber with Stainless Steel Tip (resharpenable) Can be Used on All Bale Sizes and All Types of Baled Forages Probe Cuts A Core 5/8 Inch in Diameter and 18 Inches Long Collection Chamber Holds Apx. 10-15 Core samples. All components are replaceable Colorado Hay Probe (PVC Collection Chamber, Push Style) Model 2000PB Only $236.50 Shipping weight Approx. 6 lbs Quantity:
UDY Corporation 201 Rome Court, Fort Collins Co 80524 Voice: 970-482-2060 Fax: 970-482-2067

Note: Be sure to drive (by hand) the entire probe into each bale. Using the wood dowel provided (WITH TIP GUARD IN PLACE), drive each core into the collection chamber before probing the next bale (CAUTION: KEEP FINGERS AWAY FROM TIP DURING THIS PROCESS). To remove contents from chamber, turn the rubber cap counter clockwise. To tighten, turn the cap clockwise 4-5 turns only. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. NOTE: THE BLACK TIP GUARD SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN PLACE FOR STORAGE (AS WELL AS WHEN NOT IN USE) AND WHILE PLUNGING THE CORE INTO THE CHAMBER. THIS IS A SAFETY DEVICE FOR YOUR SAFETY AND PROTECTION.It is recommended that a small round file (i.e. chainsaw file) be used on occasion to keep a sharp edge on the probe tip.

*** If the rubber cap becomes difficult to tighten or loosen, disassemble the rubber bumper from the pressure plug. Apply a small amount of bearing grease to both sides of the expandable bushing. Be sure to return the large metal washer and the small plastic washer to their original position while reassembling.

CAUTION: HAY PROBE MUST BE INSERTED INTO AND REMOVED FROM THE BALE IN A STRAIGHT FORMAT TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF BENDING STAINLESS STEEL TIP.

Accessories and Replacment Parts for the Colorado Hay Probe

	Model 2000, 2000PB and 2001 Push Style, Single and Multicore Chamber
35-1001	Push rod (PVC)	Quantity:	$35.20	1 lb
35-1008	End Cap	Quantity:	$51.70	1 lb
35-1009	Cutting tip with Aluminum holder	Quantity:	$126.50	2 lb
35-1010	Chamber (Aluminum 13.75" x 2.375" O.D. & 2" I.D.)	Quantity:	$113.30	2 lb
35-1015	Custom Made Extended Tip.	Quantity:	$13.20	per inch

	Model 2002 Drill Style - Single Core Chamber
25-2000	Drill Adaptor	Quantity:	$88.00
25-2002	Tube Body	Quantity:	$44.00
25-2004	Push Rod with Handle (PVC)	Quantity:	$35.20
25-2006	Replacement Cutting Tip + Tube	Quantity:	$127.60

	Model 2004 Drill Style, Multicore Chamber
2004-1001	Push Rod Assembly (PVC)	Quantity:	$35.20
2004-1002	Cutting Tip (18" X .825 O.D.) Stainless with Aluminum Holder	Quantity:	$127.60
2004-1003	Collection Chamber (Aluminum 13.75" X 2.375" O.D. X 2" I.D.)	Quantity:	$113.30
2004-1005	* Drill Adaptor 1/2"	Quantity:	$127.60

Colorado Hay Probes

Good Sampling Methods Improve Hay Test Accuracy
by Dan Putnam and Steve Orloff, University of California Cooperative Extension

Hay sampling is probably the most important aspect of forage quality testing. Take a few moments to review these sampling methods. They are a critical component of accurate hay quality analysis.

What we are attempting to do with hay sampling is a little preposterous. Think for a moment about the process: A pinky-sized ground-up sample weighing less than 1 gram must represent tons and tons of alfalfa hay from the field. This 1 gram is sub-sampled from about a half-pound of material given to the lab by the sampler. It is especially critical, therefore, that the sample given to the lab accurately represents the hay being tested. Whether the sample accurately represents a stack is the responsibility of the sampler alone. The lab can only test the sample presented to them!

The protein and fiber of leaves and stems are very different. The sample must fairly represent the leaf/stem ration of the bales, as well as the weed composition of the hay, which varies considerably across the field. The protocols given below will aid the sampler in obtaining a fair representative sample of the hay lot.

Many disputes about hay testing results can be attributed to differences in sampling methods. When these sampling protocol are followed closely, different samplers can usually repeat the lab measurements within a reasonable range.

The principle of hay sampling is to obtain a randomly-chosen sample which represents the average composition of the hay stack. Never present an un-cored sample to a lab (e.g. a flake), or a small handful of forage. These protocols are fairly universal, but there are slight variations recommendations from region to region. Here are some important steps and guidelines for taking samples of alfalfa hay:

1. Identify a single lot of hay. Lots must be from the same cutting, variety, field, stage of maturity and harvested within 48 hours. Do not mix lots. A lot must not exceed 150-200 tons. If you have known sources of differences in quality, separate into different lots.

2. Choose a good, sharp coring device. The coring device should have an inside diameter of the cutting edge at least 3/8 inch and no more than 5/8 inch. The cutting edge should be at right angles to the shaft, and kept sharp. Dull probes will cause material to be pushed out of the core. Do not use an open auger or corkscrew type device, which selectively samples leaf or stem parts.

3. Sample at random. Walk around the entire stack and sample bales at various heights, to the best of your ability. Do not avoid some bales or choose others; sample at random. Try to obtain cores from as broad a group of bales as possible within the stack.

4. Take enough cores. Per lot, sample a minimum of 20 bales (one core per bale). Take more cores (20-40) in larger lots or if the hay is very variable.

5. Use good technique. Probe the ends of bales near the center, and at least 12-18 inches into the bale. Probe should be at right angles to the bale end. Do not slant the probe, or sample from the sides.

6. Handle samples correctly. Combine cored samples into a single sample and store them in a sealed polyethylene freezer bag. Do not expose to heat or direct sun, and send to the lab quickly. Moisture estimates are particularly prone to changes in the sample before the lab gets it.

7. Not too big, not too small. The sample should weigh about ½ lb. (220 grams). If you obtain greater than this amount, your probe may be too large in diameter; many labs will not grind a large sample, which defeats the purpose of careful sampling. Too small a sample will not represent the hay lot.

8. Split samples correctly. If you want to test the performance of a lab, send a fully ground and mixed sample to another lab, never split an unground sample. Reputable labs will return your ground sample for further testing, if you wish (you should reject labs who are unwilling to do this).

Research has shown that if these simple guidelines are followed, reliable results can be obtained, even using different probes or people. However, a minimum of +/-0.5% variation in results is normal and should be expected due to normal variation in the sample and normal variation in lab practices.

1998 California Alfalfa & Forage Review

Suggested Directions for use of Colorado Hay Probes / UDY Forage Sampler (Drill Type):
	Square bales should be probed near the center of either end of the base. Bales should be selected at random throughout the entire lot and sample in the same location on each bale. Collect core samples from at least 20 bales of the lot being tested. Empty probe contents directly into airtight bag. Label accordingly. Send samples to a lab ASAP. Do not allow sample to overheat or lose moisture

The above prices do not include shipping and handling!
ALL WEIGHTS LISTED ABOVE ARE FOR DOMESTIC SHIPPING ONLY! (Ground Residential Freight slightly higher) * Prices subject to change without notice. * Warranty does not apply to extended custom made tips.