The use of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict dairy fibre feeds in vitro digestibility

Information on dairy fibre feed digestibility is important in ration formulation to better predict dairy cattle performance. However, its measurement takes time. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is a rapid, precise, and cost-effective method to predict nutrient value, such as chemical content and digestibility of feedstuffs. This study aims to develop a database for an in vitro digestibility prediction model using NIRS, including dry matter digestibility (DMD), neutral and acid detergent fibre digestibility (NDFD and ADFD), and hemicellulose digestibility (HSD). Eighty dietary fibre feeds consisting of Napier grass, natural grass, rice straw, corn stover, and corn-husk were collected from four dairy farming areas in West Java (Cibungbulang District of Bogor Regency, Parung Kuda District of Sukabumi Regency, Pangalengan District of Bandung Regency, and Lembang District of West Bandung Regency). The spectrum for each sample was collected thrice using NIRSflex 500, which was automatically separated by 2/3 for calibration and 1/3 for validation. External validation was conducted by measuring 20 independent samples. Calibration and validation models were carried out by NIRCal V5.6 using the partial least squares (PLS) regression. The results showed that all parameters produce r2 > 0.5 except for ADFD. Relative prediction deviation (RPD) > 1.5 was only found in hemicellulose digestibility prediction. RPL (SEP/SEL) <1.0 were found in DMD and hemicellulose digestibility. It is concluded that hemicellulose digestibility can be predicted using NIRS accurately while other parameters need improvement.

Optimizing Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy to Predict Nutritional Quality of Chickpea Straw for Livestock Feeding

Multidimensional improvement programs of chickpea require screening of a large number of genotypes for straw nutritive value. The ability of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to determine the nutritive value of chickpea straw was identified in the current study. A total of 480 samples of chickpea straw representing a nation-wide range of environments and genotypic diversity (40 genotypes) were scanned at a spectral range of 1108 to 2492 nm. The samples were reduced to 190 representative samples based on the spectral data then divided into a calibration set (160 samples) and a cross-validation set (30 samples). All 190 samples were analysed for dry matter, ash, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin, Zn, Mn, Ca, Mg, Fe, P, and in vitro gas production metabolizable energy using conventional methods. Multiple regression analysis was used to build the prediction equations. The prediction equation generated by the study accurately predicted the nutritive value of chickpea straw (R2 of cross validation >0.68; standard error of prediction <1%). Breeding programs targeting improving food-feed traits of chickpea could use NIRS as a fast, cheap, and reliable tool to screen genotypes for straw nutritional quality.

PSV-15 Using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to predict lab scoured yield in Rambouillet sheep

Lab scoured yield (LSY) is a major indicator of wool quality. LSY is used for the valuation of wool in commercial settings and can be used by growers as selection criteria for breeding stock. Current laboratory methods for LSY are costly and labor intensive. Evaluation of fleece core samples using Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIR) may present an efficient, cost-effective alternative to predict LSY. Lamb and yearling fleece core samples from flocks originating from Texas were scanned on a FOSS 6500 spectrometer. Constituent data were obtained from the Bill Sims Wool and Mohair Laboratory using ASTM methodology. LSY ranged from 48–68%. Spectral data were pretreated with a 14 nm moving average and Savitsky-Golay 2nd derivative. Eight outlier spectra were removed. Samples were parsed from the center of the distribution to minimize the Dunn effect creating calibration (n = 108) and test (n = 41) sets. Calibrations were executed using a partial least squares regression on spectra from 1100 to 2492 nm. Test set calibration statistics for LSY were: r2=0.64, RMSE=3.39, and slope=0.91. Independent validation statistics for LSY using spectra for different years were: r2=0.33, RMSE=3.69, and slope=0.29. RMSE for independent validation and lab methods on side samples are similar. Between flock independent validations were less promising. Accuracy of laboratory methods for estimating yield is 2 percentage units. NIRS calibrations can be improved by developing calibration sets with a uniform distribution, which can be difficult within flocks because of the small number of fleeces in the tails of the distribution. These data demonstrate that when calibration and test sets are developed such that test samples are drawn from the calibration population, NIR is a reliable predictor of LSY. However, when test samples are drawn from populations dissimilar to the calibration set, reliability of NIR predictions are greatly reduced.