Group Performance Report - Season 2024-2025

The maize silage analytical performance grades were good. 56% of the laboratories obtained an A grade, with 43.75% achieving a B grade.

The grades awarded show a members of the FAA Group Proficiency Testing Scheme have robust testing protocols in place.

Grading of starch analysis was good, with less variability compared with the other parameters, with 69% of laboratories achieving an A grade.

Dry matter results were more variable on this testing round with 50% attaining an A grade. One laboratory was scored a C grade for DM on this occasion, requiring a small testing adjustment.

NDF results were good, with a combined A and B score of 94%. One laboratory was awarded a C grade for this parameter.

The overall combined grading scores for the final round of whole crop silage testing of dry matter, protein and starch content are very good. 81% of laboratories scored an A grade for their performance. The remainder of the laboratories scored a B grade.

50% of laboratories scored A grades for their dry matter testing performance, and 50% were awarded a B grade. 81% of the laboratories scored an A grade for starch and protein results, with the remaining laboratories a B grade.

In summary, the grades achieved show that laboratories produce results that are comparable with master reference wet chemistry results.

This clearly demonstrates that they practice good quality control when it comes to the testing techniques used, meaning that users of the FAA Group member laboratories can confidently use their silage analysis reports when developing diets for livestock.

94% of the laboratories have achieved an overall combined A and B grade for the final grass round of the FAA Group analysis season demonstrating customers can have confidence when using FAA group member analytical results to formulate diets. Using accurate forage analytical results helps optimise on farm performance and supports decision making when considering environmental impact of feeding stock.

When overall results are split, 63% achieved an A grade and 31% B grade across the combined scores from Dry Matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP) and Fibre (NDF). One laboratory could not submit results and had a justified reason for not doing so.

NDF analysis has shown good improvement for this round compared with previous testing sessions. Wet chemistry results from central master laboratories and data submitted by the group members are continually compared and reviewed on a regular basis to further develop NIRs calibrations and improve accuracy of the prediction. Overall, the correlation between reference wet chemistry and lab analysis methods remain good and provide confidence when using the analytical results to formulate diets./p>

Maize silage brings challenges when it comes to analysis, as it can be difficult to achieve a homogenous sample.

This analytical performance grading of the second maize silage round of the season however shows that member laboratories are following protocol and that customers can be assured of the quality and consistency of results.

94% of labs achieved an A or B grade (56% A and 38% B). One lab did not submit data resulting in a Justifiable Reason P grade. For the individual parameters, one laboratory was scored a C grade for Dry Matter. A and B grades were achieved for all laboratories for Starch and Fibre (NDF).

The performance of the laboratories in this second round of whole crop silage was very good, and better than that of the first round of Whole Crop tested this season for the key parameters measured; dry matter (DM), starch and NDF. The scores indicate laboratory values very close to the reference chemistry with 87.5 % of members receiving an A grade for DM and Starch. For NDF 68.75 % of laboratories received an A grade.

Laboratories receiving B grades are also considered to be performing well. The overall scoring of the laboratory performances resulted in 93.75% of those being awarded an A grade. One laboratory did not submit results due to a Justifiable Reason and received a P grade.

The second grass silage round of the season achieved 63% of A grade and 31% B grade across the combined scores from Dry Matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP) and Fibre (NDF). One laboratory could not submit results due to an instrument issue.

Overall, the correlation between reference wet chemistry and lab analysis methods were good and provide confidence when using the analytical results to formulate diets. Wet chemistry results and data from the group are reviewed on a regular basis to further develop NIRs calibrations and improve accuracy of the prediction.

Maize silage bring challenges when it comes to analysis, as it can be difficult to achieve a homogenous sample. This analytical performance grading of the first maize silage round of the season however shows that member laboratories are following protocol and that customers can be assured of the quality and consistency of results. 94% of labs achieved an A or B grade (50% A and 44% B). One lab did not submit data resulting in a Justifiable Reason P grade. On the individual parameters, there was one C grade in Dry Matter and only A and B grades on Starch and Fibre (NDF).

For the first whole crop round of the season, overall very good performance was achieved by many group members. Overall, 87.5% achieved an A or B grade for the three key parameters of Dry Matter, Starch and Fibre (NDF). This was made up of 62.5% A grade and 25% B grade. The scores indicate laboratory values very close to the reference chemistry. One lab did not provide data resulting in a Justifiable Reason grade P for this round. A second lab did not submit all the required data for their samples and were consequently allocated F grades for starch and NDF.

All laboratories contributed to the new season grass silage analysis.
The percentage of A and B grades is 62.5 % : 37.5 %, which reflects overall good agreeement of the laboratories when their results are compared with reference chemistry. Although good, where B grades were awarded, there is some room for refinement of the laboratory methodology used.
The grading results for this round may reflect the variable weather and grass growing conditions experienced this season. This may become more apparent as the PT season progresses.
Development of the grass silage grading results will be monitored by the FAA Group technical team over the season.