National grades

AFIA, in conjunction with AQIS, are working together to enhance domestic and export trade requirements and regulations. Since incorporation, AFIA's achievements include the adoption of national hay grades (which are recognised by the National Agricultural Commodity Marketing Association NACMA), common quality testing methods, industry representation, adoption of Vendor Declaration Forms and industry communication.

With the need to align quality feed to quality livestock and milk production AFIA has initiated the use of Vendor Declaration Forms. These are made available free to members and provide a valuable tool to consumers by documenting the quality of product being supplied. This is one of the tools AFIA provides to boost confidence in fodder products.

The need for a common fodder description "language" or grading system has been achieved and is based on objective measurements. These grades relate fodder quality (hay and silage) to livestock performance. These allow both buyer and seller to instantly recognise quality by means of a simple alpha-numeric code. The grade can appear on fodder analysis reports and on the Vendor Declaration Forms.

Two separate grading systems have been adopted as shown in Table 1 and Table 2. These grades take account of the range in metabolisable energy and crude protein, which can occur in hay and silage and reflect the naturally lower protein content of cereal fodder.

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