I thought I’d look at some of my previous hay/forage analyses, run them through Brunetti’s formula and post the nitrogen:sulphur ratios. Unfortunately, several of my earlier analyses did not report sulphur.
The equation is Crude Protein divided by 6.25 = Nitrogen x .10 = Desired Sulphur Level
The desired ratio of Nitrogen to Sulphur is a maximum of 10:1
7/1/08 Homegrown Mixed Grass Hay, 1st Year Remineralization
CP = 9.8%
S = .15
Desirable S = .1568
Ratio = 10.45:1
4/30/07 Grass Pasture (Green Forage) Lime only, from Same Field as Above
CP = 17.08
S = .19
Desirable S = .19
Ratio = l3.84:1
(Note the CP appears “lower” in the hay, but the ratio has improved so the mineralized hay has proportionately less non-nutritive nitrogen and possibly more amino acids. This is a pretty graphic illustration of how the numbers on the analysis can fool you.)
12/28/07 Purchased Grass Hay, Source Unknown
CP = 9.31
S = .26
Desirable S = .15
Ratio = 5.73:1
(Note the MAXIMUM desirable ratio is 10:1)
12/20/06 Purchased Grass Hay, Wilsonville/North Willamette Valley
CP = 8.29
S = .13
Desirable S = .11
Ratio = 12.06:1
11/30/07 Purchased Alfalfa (3rd Cutting)
CP = 18.53
S = .11
Desirable S = .17
Ratio = 17.47:1
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