This procedure is performed on botanical materials (plant and feed) that have been air-dried or oven-dried at 55-60ºC and ground, to allow for correction of test results to 100% dry matter. The method quantitatively determines the dry matter content based on the gravimetric loss of free water associated with heating to 105ºC for a period of three hours. The method does not remove molecularly bound water.
If the moisture content of the sample as submitted is needed (prior to drying and grinding), request the Partial Dry Matter test (method reference 150). Total Moisture (TM) may be calculated using the Partial Moisture and Dry Matter data.
Sample amount requested: 1 g
Questions concerning limited sample size can be answered by the UC Davis Analytical Laboratory.
NFTA, Moisture Task Force Report, 2.2.2.5 Laboratory Dry Matter by Oven Drying for 3 hours at 105oC, 2001. pp. 1-3.
NFTA Forage Analyses Procedures, Method 2.2.3 Determination of Sample Total Dry Matter using the Two-step Procedure, July 1993, pp. 43-44.
