Pasture & Forage Testing

Pasture and Forage Testing

New Zealand's pastoral sector has been built on feeding stock with high quality pasture, supplemented at appropriate times of the year with additional feedstuffs to ensure optimal animal health and performance. Click here for more information

Pasture Testing

There are several dimensions to pasture analysis that farmers need to consider – energy, protein, fibre, dry matter and mineral content. And some of these dimensions are more important at particular times of the year than others.

For a more complete listing of our pasture testing options and the associated test details, simply download our services offered, specifically designed for pasture and feed testing.

Nitrate Feed Testing

The nitrate component of pasture or feeds is absorbed very quickly into the bloodstream of ruminant animals. When the level of dietary nitrate is high, some of the absorbed nitrate is converted to nitrite, which reduces the ability of the blood (haemoglobin) to carry oxygen. “Nitrate Poisoning” is actually a form of suffocation (anoxia). To ensure that the risk of nitrate poisoning is appropriately managed we recommend using our Nitrate Feed Testing services. Details of this service can be found in our technical note.

Feed Dry Matter Testing

Dry Matter (DM) refers to the weight of feed as harvested forage or silage after removal of all moisture, expressed as a % of the fresh weight. An accurate assessment of dry matter is important for three main reasons:
 • Forages are often traded on a dry matter basis.
 • Dry matter content is used to develop feed rations (along with other feed quality parameters).
 • Dry matter content is required to measure herbage production per area from field plot trials. 
Where forage is traded on a dry matter basis, there can be large financial transactions involved so it is essential that error in DM measurements is minimised. Our technical note explains more. 
DIY Feed samplings kits are available to order online, and include sampling instructions  or bulk supplies can be ordered for regular customers.

Latest Stories

Our Toitū Commitment

At Hill Labs, sustainability is more than a goal we have - it’s a responsibility we take seriously. We understand that our operations have an environmental impact, and we’re committed to reducing that impact through thoughtful, consistent action. Last year, our efforts were recognised with the achievement of the Toitū Carbon Reduce Certification, a milestone that marked a significant step in our environmental journey.
  20 May 2025

Embracing the Unpredictability of Every Kiwifruit Season

It's now been five years since Hill Labs established a Bay of Plenty branch dedicated to serving the New Zealand kiwifruit industry. Our Bay of Plenty branch collects kiwifruit samples from across Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, and Whanganui. These samples undergo a range of maturity testing at our Tauranga lab, providing trusted results for Zespri, growers, and packhouses to make informed harvest decisions.
  20 May 2025

Waka Dairies' Ambitious Goals Supported by Hill Labs' Reliable Testing

Waka Dairies were recently honored with multiple awards in the Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards. They are setting new standards in sustainable and efficient farming on their 380ha property in Dannevirke. Managing Director Michael Phillips and Business Manager Andrew Evans, also known as Bubbles, run the farm as business partners to bring it forward by making important decisions every day.
  20 May 2025

What our customers have to say

"We've always found them to be responsive in getting results back and giving advice on problems we might be facing."

Andrew Hutchinson, Technical Manager, Turners & Growers

"We strongly recommend Hill Labs as a sound testing service provider to the honey industry."

Nick Walker, Technical Manager, Egmont Honey

"Their sample registration system has made things simple and seamless - collect, scan and send!"

Mathew Bannister, Compliance Manager, First Fresh New Zealand

Accreditations

As a New Zealand accredited laboratory by International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ), Hill Labs' commitment to quality is tantamount to our overall operating philosophy. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work.