scholarly journals Real-Time Quantification of Crude Protein and Neutral Detergent Fibre in Pastures under Montado Ecosystem Using the Portable NIR Spectrometer

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 10638
Author(s):  
Emanuel Carreira ◽  
João Serrano ◽  
Shakib Shahidian ◽  
Julio Nogales-Bueno ◽  
Ana Elisa Rato

The Montado is a Mediterranean agro–forestry–pastoral ecosystem. Knowledge of pastures' nutritional value is critical for farm managers’ decision-making. Laboratory determinations are very expensive, destructive and costly, in terms of time and labour. The objective of this experimental work was to calibrate and validate a portable near-infrared spectrometer (micro-NIR) to predict the nutritive value (neutral detergent fibre, NDF and crude protein, CP) of pastures in the peak of spring 2021. Thus, a total of 87 pasture samples were collected at eight experimental fields located in the Alentejo, Southern region of Portugal. The results show good correlations between in-situ micro-NIR measurements and pasture NDF reference values (R2 of 0.73 and 0.69 for calibration and validation models, respectively), and a moderate correlation between micro-NIR measurements and pasture CP reference values (R2 of 0.51 and 0.36 for calibration and validation models, respectively). These results show the potential of this tool for the quick evaluation of pasture quality and constitute a starting point for future work, which should include the monitoring of temporal variability (throughout the entire vegetative cycle of the pasture) and spatial (with geo-referenced information) diversity of pastures characteristic of the Montado ecosystem in the Mediterranean region.

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (9) ◽  
pp. 1504 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Keim ◽  
H. Charles ◽  
D. Alomar

An important constraint of in situ degradability studies is the need to analyse a high number of samples and often with insufficient amount of residue, especially after the longer incubations of high-quality forages, that impede the study of more than one nutritional component. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been established as a reliable method for predicting composition of many entities, including forages and other animal feedstuffs. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of NIRS for predicting the crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) concentration in rumen incubation residues of permanent and sown temperate pastures in a vegetative stage. In situ residues (n = 236) from four swards were scanned for their visible-NIR spectra and analysed for CP and NDF. Selected equations developed by partial least-squares multivariate regression presented high coefficients of determination (CP = 0.99, NDF = 0.95) and low standard errors (CP = 4.17 g/kg, NDF = 7.91 g/kg) in cross-validation. These errors compare favourably to the average concentrations of CP and NDF (146.5 and 711.2 g/kg, respectively) and represent a low fraction of their standard deviation (CP = 38.2 g/kg, NDF = 34.4 g/kg). An external validation was not as successful, with R2 of 0.83 and 0.82 and a standard error of prediction of 14.8 and 15.2 g/kg, for CP and NDF, respectively. It is concluded that NIRS has the potential to predict CP and NDF of in situ incubation residues of leafy pastures typical of humid temperate zones, but more robust calibrations should be developed.


2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 1117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Zhu ◽  
C. S. Bai ◽  
X. S. Guo ◽  
Y. L. Xue ◽  
Kazuo Ataku

Combining corn with legumes for silage is a feasible strategy to improve crude protein concentration in corn silage. This study was conducted to determine the fermentation characteristics and overall nutritive value of ensiled corn (Zea mays L.), vine peas (Pisum sativum L.), and mixtures of the two crops at three different ratios. The two crops were ensiled in corn/pea mixtures containing 0, 33, 50, 67, and 100% corn in vacuumed plastic bags for 60 days at room temperature. The addition of peas to corn crude protein and dry matter concentrations in the ensiled forages had a negligible influence on neutral detergent fibre concentration compared with corn silage. Corn silage had a greater (P < 0.05) lactic acid concentration than vine peas silage and the mixtures. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in in vitro dry matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibility among the silages made from the vine peas, corn, and mixtures. Improved fermentation characteristics were obtained in vine peas and corn mixture silage at a ratio of 33 : 67 compared with the other mixtures and vine peas silage. Results generated from this study suggest that combining vine peas with corn for silage could provide livestock with not only a high energy concentration feed, but a high concentration of crude protein as well.


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 1384 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Moura ◽  
T. R. Tomich ◽  
L. G. R. Pereira ◽  
A. M. Teixeira ◽  
D. S. C. Paciullo ◽  
...  

The present study aimed to evaluate two rotational stocking intervals (GI) over three consecutive grazing periods on forage productivity, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu pastures, and the subsequent impact on milk production. Grazing treatments were (1) fixed rest period at 30 days (30-FG) and (2) grazing interval when canopy was intercepting 95% photosynthetically active radiation (95-LI). Eighteen multiparous Holstein × Zebu cows (548 ± 61.0 kg bodyweight, BW) and 70 ± 18.1 days in milk were used. Experiment lasted for 99 days (i.e. 33 days per period). Nine cows with similar milk production and BW were randomly allocated to each GI treatment balanced on milk production and BW. The adjustment of carrying capacity per paddock was made aiming to achieve a post-grazing residual height of 20 cm. For this, additional dry Holstein × Zebu cows (averaging 550 kg BW) were added and removed from the paddocks according put-and-take technique. Data were statistically analysed considering field sites as block (n = 2), GI (30-FG vs 95-LI), periods (three consecutive) and interaction GI × periods. Interactions occurred between GI and periods for pre- and post-grazing height (P ≤ 0.05). Greater pre-grazing height was observed for 30-FG (P < 0.01), but post-grazing height was greater (P < 0.01) for 30-FG only in the third period. GI for treatment 30-FG was ~6 days longer (P = 0.01) than that for 95-LIand light interception was greater (2%) for 30-FG. Total forage, stem and dead material mass per area were greater (P < 0.01) for 30-FG than 95-LI. However, stocking rate was 11.3% greater (P = 0.02) for 95-LI than 30-FG. In the pre-grazing period, 95-LI had greater (P < 0.01) proportion of leaves and a greater leaf : stem ratio, whereas neutral detergent fibre concentration tended to be lower (P = 0.08) and crude protein concentration greater (P < 0.01) in 95-LI than in 30-FG. Daily milk productivity per area and its components were 16–28% greater (P < 0.01) for 95-LI than for 30-FD. These results suggest that GI of Marandu grass determined by light interception at 95% (95-LI) enabled the reduction of GI, improved forage nutritive value and increased milk productivity compared with a fixed 30 days (30-FG) of rest.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 132-132
Author(s):  
Jose M Diaz ◽  
Douglas R Tolleson ◽  
Jay P Angerer ◽  
Amelia Christian ◽  
William E Fox ◽  
...  

Abstract We used a fecal near infrared spectroscopy (FNIRS) calibration for cattle diet crude protein (CP) to evaluate the efficacy of growing degree day (GDD) as a remotely-sensed method to monitor grazing animal nutrition. Composite fecal samples representing a herd of 24 cross bred beef cows grazing native range pastures in southwest Texas were collected along with GDD and precipitation data from April 2018 to September 2019. Regression analyses were performed to determine relationships between FNIRS-predicted diet CP and GDD within year and growing season. In 2018, FNIRS-predicted diet CP ranged from a minimum of 7.05% in August to a maximum of 9.69% in July. 2018 cumulative precipitation was 28% and 94% of the 20-year average for January-April and May-August, respectively. In 2019, FNIRS-predicted diet CP ranged from a minimum of 6.85% in September to a maximum of 12.01% in May. 2019 cumulative precipitation was 74% and 102% of the 20-year average for January-April and May-August, respectively. There were no significant (P &gt; 0.1) simple linear relationships identified between FNIRS-predicted diet CP and GDD. There were, however, cubic exponential relationships identified in both 2018 (y = 7E-10x3 - 5E-06x2 + 0.0106x + 2.9603; R² = 0.7261; P = 0.1271) and 2019 (y = 1E-09x3 - 6E-06x2 + 0.0062x + 9.2923; R² = 0.7659; P = 0.0493). As expected, perennial range grass phenology/nutritive value (i.e. cattle diet CP) was influenced by accumulation of heat units (i.e. GDD) and precipitation. Although FNIRS is an established non-invasive method to monitor grazing animal nutrition, a remotely-sensed method to accomplish this task, such as GDD, has the potential to facilitate large-scale monitoring of grazing animal nutritional status. Our results indicate that complementary research using data from multiple locations and for more than 2 years is needed to fully evaluate these techniques.


2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1775
Author(s):  
U. P. Tiwari ◽  
B. Turano ◽  
R. Jha

Napiergrass can produce large amounts of biomass and its nutritive value has a significant effect on its effectiveness for animal production. However, temperature and drought stress limit its productivity. Drought-tolerant pearl millet × napiergrass hybrid (PMN) varieties were developed and produce high biomass yields. The nutritional content and digestibility of PMN is not well known, which limits its use in animal feeding. It was hypothesised that PMN hybrids are more drought tolerant and have higher nutritive value than napiergrass varieties. Four napiergrass varieties (Bana grass, Mott, MB4, and N51) and four PMN (PMN2, PMN3, 5344, 4604) were tested with or without irrigation treatment in a strip-plot design, with the objective of evaluating the nutritional value and in vitro digestibility of PMN hybrids and napiergrass. The forages were harvested on Day 110 of planting. Samples were hand chopped, oven-dried, ground to pass through a 1-mm screen and analysed for their nutrient content and in vitro digestibility using near-infrared spectroscopy. Dry matter (DM) content of PMN2 (24.3%) and PMN3 (22.9%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than 5344, Bana grass and N51 napiergrass varieties. No differences (P > 0.05) in acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, crude protein and metabolisable energy were found among napiergrass varieties. With no effect (P > 0.05) of irrigation, lignin content was highest (P < 0.08) in 4604 (8.2%) and lowest in 5344 (5.2%). Starch was highest (P < 0.05) in irrigated MB4 than both irrigated and non-irrigated 4604. Non-fibre carbohydrate content was highest (P < 0.05) in PMN2 (12.8%) than MB4 (8.7%). The in vitro true digestibility was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in 5344 and Bana grass (70.0% and 68.0% of DM, respectively), than PMN3 (54.5%). Rate of digestion was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in 5344 (4.9%/h) than PMN2 (2.7%/h), others were in between. Neutral detergent fibre digestibility (NDFD) of 5344 and Bana grass (56.7% and 53.2% of neutral detergent fibre, respectively) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than PMN2 (38.0%). Although no effect of irrigation was observed, there was an interaction (P < 0.05) between variety and irrigation on neutral detergent fibre digestibility of napiergrass varieties. In conclusion, among four PMN varieties tested, PMN3 and 5344 has higher nutritional value and in vitro digestibility than PMN2 and 4604 even when grown in non-irrigated condition. Thus, PMN3 and 5344 is the preferred napiergrass variety for animal feeding, even in rain-fed farming conditions.


1987 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 807 ◽  
Author(s):  
GL Walsh ◽  
HA Birrell

The dry matter digestibility (DMD), grinding energy, and the concentration of neutral detergent fibre, crude protein, soluble carbohydrate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus in 5 pasture species were monitored over 2 years from pasture which was grazed at 14.8 sheep/ha in south-western Victoria. The species were: perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Victorian), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L. cv. Australian), Yorkshire fog grass (Holcus lanatus), subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum cv. Mount Barker), and capeweed (Arctotheca calendula). Perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover were the dominant species and contributed 50 and 20% DM, respectively, to the sward in winter and the opposite in spring. The DMD of the 5 pasture species did not vary greatly throughout the vegetative phase of growth (autumn-mid spring). In winter, fog grass was slightly less digestible (70-74% DMD), while the other grasses were similar (76-79% DMD). Subterranean clover was not digested (72-75% DMD) as thoroughly as the other species until after late spring; then it retained its digestibility while the digestibility of the others fell. None of the species provided digestible herbage above 65% DMD in the summer. The energy required for grinding herbage was lowest in the autumn-winter, and increased with a corresponding increase in neutral detergent fibre content as pastures matured in late spring. The crude protein content of all species declined from 27-30% in autumn to 18-20% in spring, while the soluble carbohydrate contents increased from about 54% in autumn to 10-13% by spring. The implications on animal production of these seasonal changes in nutritive value are discussed. Higher soluble carbohydrate contents in spring herbage than in autumn herbage possibly explain the better performance of animals when grazing spring pasture. The levels of magnesium, sodium and potassium were adequate for the dietary requirements of ruminants; however, on grass dominant pasture, shortages of calcium (0.14-0.25% DM) and phosphorus (0.11-0.24% DM) were likely in the summer when energy and protein were also deficient. The problem of a calcium deficiency is greatly reduced by the presence of legumes. Capeweed is an accumulator of minerals, but it is only occasionally eaten and is rarely present in summer; hence its presence is of marginal benefit to stock.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 220-229
Author(s):  
KARLA RODRIGUES DE LIMA ◽  
◽  
CARLOS AUGUSTO BRANDÃO DE CARVALHO ◽  
FLAVIO HENRIQUE VIDAL AZEVEDO ◽  
PEDRO ANTONIO MUNINZ MALAFAIA ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the effect of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilisation on the forage accumulation and nutritive value of Urochloa ruziziensis during the summer of 2010/2011 and autumn, winter, spring and summer of 2011/2012. A complete randomised block design with four treatments (0, 120, 240 and 360 kg ha-1 year-1 N and K2O) and five replicates were used. The data were analysed under the PROC MIXED of SAS®. The following variables were evaluated: sward height; forage mass; forage bulk density; percentages of leaf blade dry matter, stem dry matter, and dead material dry matter; leaf blade:stem ratio; contents of dry matter and crude protein; in vitro digestibility of dry matter; neutral detergent fibre content; and lignin content of Urochloa ruziziensis. There was an interaction between the N and K levels of fertilisation and the season for all variables. In addition, there was a positive linear effect of the N and K levels of fertilisation on the forage accumulation rate, the crude protein content and the in vitro digestibility of dry matter and a negative linear effect these levels on the neutral detergent fibre and lignin contents during the spring and summer of 2011/2012. N and K fertilisation and the climate changes characteristic of each season jointly affected the accumulation and nutritive value of Urochloa ruziziensis. N and K fertilisation up to 360 kg ha-1 year-1 improved the forage accumulation and nutritive value of Urochloa ruziziensis.


2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Arganosa ◽  
T. D. Warkentin ◽  
V. J. Racz ◽  
S. Blade ◽  
C. Phillips ◽  
...  

A rapid, near-infrared spectroscopic method to predict the crude protein contents of 72 field pea lines grown in Saskatchewan, both whole seeds and ground samples, was established. Correlation coefficients between the laboratory and predicted values were 0.938 and 0.952 for whole seed and ground seed, respectively. Both methods developed are adequate to support our field pea breeding programme. Key words: Field pea, near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy, crude protein


1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Thacker ◽  
G. L. Campbell ◽  
J. W. D. GrootWassink

Two experiments of a factorial design (sex × treatment) were conducted to determine the effects of enzyme and salinomycin supplementation on the nutritive value of barley or rye-based diets for growing pigs fed from approximately 20 to 85 kg. For exp. 1, 72 crossbred pigs were fed either a barley-based control diet or a similar diet supplemented with enzyme (Aspergillus niger; 750 units g−1 beta-glucanase and 650 units g−1 pentosanase), salinomycin (25 ppm) or both additives in combination. For exp. 2, two replicates of 48 pigs were fed either a barley-based diet, an unsupplemented rye-based diet or a rye-based diet supplemented with enzyme, salinomycin or both additives. During both experiments, chromic oxide (0.5%) was added to the diet of four to six pigs/treatment to act as a digestibility indicator starting when the pigs reached 42 kg. Neither enzyme nor salinomycin, alone or in combination, significantly improved the growth rate or feed efficiency of pigs fed barley or rye. Supplementation of barley with the combination of additives significantly (P < 0.05) improved protein digestibility while neither enzyme nor salinomycin had any effect on nutrient digestibility when fed alone. In rye-based diets, salinomycin, both alone and in combination, significantly (P < 0.05) improved the digestibility of crude protein and energy. Dry matter digestibility of the rye-based diets was unaffected by treatment. Key words: Swine, rye, barley, beta-glucanase, pentosanase, salinomycin


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