Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is at the heart of numerous new technologies, all designed to help farmers and contractors secure accurate and real time information as they operate in the field and while formulating forage-based livestock rations.
This was the key message communicated at a grassland management webinar hosted by John Deere UK this week. The event was supported by Meath Farm Machinery.
In the field, they can deliver continuous information on forage dry matter, ME (metabolisable energy) values plus forage sugar and energy levels.
NIRS consequences
Two practical consequences are the linked ability to alter chop length, depending on forage dry matter, and to tweak inoculant application rates in line with sugar levels. Again, all these changes can be made automatically and in real time as the forage harvester is operating.
NIRS can also be used to assess the nutritional values of all the dietary components included in a TMR, each time a feed is made up.
Nutrient value of slurry
The third use to which NIRS can be put is that of analysing the nutrient value of slurry – again on a real time basis – as it is spread using a dribble bar or trailing shoe system.
By combining the results generated by previous yield maps and the use of a NIRS system – linked to a variable rate slurry applicator – the farmer / contractor can specifically apply the requisite amount of slurry at each point within a field.
By taking this approach, best use can be made of what constitutes an extremely valuable resource on all livestock farms.
Equipment
John Deere’s offering within this sector is HarvestLab 3000. While in the field, it provides on-the-go measurements of moisture; dry matter; protein; starch; fibre; neutral detergent fibre; acid detergent fibre; and sugar levels within the grass or forage being harvested..
Extensive trials in the UK have confirmed that the system can be used to drive the efficient use of variable rate slurry application systems.