Livestock Studies 2005, Vol 45, Num, 1     (Pages: 001-006)

The Use of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy in Animal Nutrition Science

Yücel ÜNAL 1

1 Kafkas Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Hayvan Besleme ve Beslenme Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı - KARS - Many laboratory analysis methods have been developed to determine forage nutritive value such as Weende analysis, detergent chemical analysis, in vitro ruminal and enzymatic techniques. However, their maintenance is expensive and comprehensive to use in practice since they are required many chemicals and so that results often emerge late. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is a technique with great potential for rapid, accurate and cost effective evaluation of forage nutritive value. The feed analysis with the methods of Weende and Van Soest might be done with NIRS technique. In addition, NIRS has the potential to predict biological parameters such as feed intake and digestibility that promises a great future. Keywords : NIRS, Weende analysis, intake, digestibility