Abstract
Advanced manufacturing techniques have enabled low-cost, on-chip spectrometers. Little research exists, however, on their performance relative to the state of technology systems. The present study compares the utility of a benchtop FOSS NIRSystems 6500 (FOSS) to a handheld NeoSpectra-Scanner (NEO) to develop models that predict the composition of dried and ground grass, and alfalfa forages. Mixed-species prediction models were developed for several forage constituents, and performance was assessed using an independent dataset. Prediction models developed with spectra from the FOSS instrument had a standard error of prediction (SEP, % DM) of 1.4, 1.8, 3.3, 1.0, 0.42, and 1.3, for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), true in vitro digestibility (IVTD), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and crude protein (CP), respectively. The R2P for these models ranged from 0.90 to 0.97. Models developed with the NEO resulted in an average increase in SEP of 0.14 and an average decrease in R2P of 0.002.
Highlights
Forages are the primary ingredient in ruminant nutrition
Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) reduces the cost of forage analysis by reducing the need for chemical and in vitro digestibility assays, that are labor-intensive and expensive
NIRS instrument technology has evolved, the scanning monochromator, the FOSS NIRSystem 6500, remains one of the most common laboratory instruments in the feed and forage industry. This system is only recently being displaced by diode array instrument technology, as FOSS discontinues support by the end of this year [4]
Summary
Forages are the primary ingredient in ruminant nutrition. The nutrient composition of fed rations differs from formulated rations due to variation in dry matter content and nutrient composition of forages [1]. NIRS reduces the cost of forage analysis by reducing the need for chemical and in vitro digestibility assays, that are labor-intensive and expensive. Utilizing these data, livestock producers adjust the composition of the diet to maintain animal health and productivity. NIRS instrument technology has evolved, the scanning monochromator, the FOSS NIRSystem 6500, remains one of the most common laboratory instruments in the feed and forage industry. This system is only recently being displaced by diode array instrument technology, as FOSS discontinues support by the end of this year [4]
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