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Prediction of Forage Quality Using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy on Esophageal Fistula Samples from Cattle on Mountain Range¹

New Mexico State University, Las Cruces 88003^,2 , Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802^,3 and Oregon State University, Eastern Oregon Agriculture Research Center, Union 97883^,4

Abstract

Diet samples were collected from esophageal fistulated cattle on forest and grassland ranges in Northeastern Oregon between June 20 and October 10 in 1976, 1977 and 1978. Microhistological analysis confirmed the diversity in botanical composition of these samples. Crude protein (CP) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were determined. Reflectance spectra in the near infrared were developed for samples with a Neotec Model 6100 monochromator interfaced with a minicomputer. One-half the samples from forest and grassland vegetation types were used for instrument calibrations and development of prediction equations. These calibrations were used to predict measurements in the other set of samples. Correlation coefficients for calibration and prediciton, respectively, were .95 and .97 for CP and .96 and .92 for IVDMD. Standard errors for calibration and prediction, respectively, were .52 and .41% for CP and 1.44 and 1.74% for IVDMD. Standard errors of prediction by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRRS) in this study were of the same magnitude as those associated with conventional laboratory data. Spectral data experessed as log (1/R) gave best evaluations of both CP and IVDMD. The number of wavelengths needed for best predictive results for CP and IVDMD were 2 and 5, respectively. This study confirms the usefulness of NIRRS in estimations of CP and IVDMD for specimens of forage grazed from widely diverse rangelands.

¹ Journal Article 892, Agr. Exp. Sta., New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces 88003

² Assist. Prof. and graduate research assistant, Dept. of Anim. and Range Sci.

³ Professor, Dept. of Agron.

⁴ Professor of Range Nutr.