ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE April 2025 55 Feed costs typically make up the largest portion of the animal production budget – accounting for up to 70% of costs – and so producers are always on the lookout for ways to bring these expenses down. It’s no wonder then, that we see growing interest in precision nutrition strategies; an approach designed to get the most out of feed for maximum productivity and minimal cost. Historically, manual feed analysis was notably time-consuming. It could be challenging to diagnose a problem on-farm and quickly and accurately calculate how a ration should be adjusted. However, the introduction of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) changed the game with the ability to analyse feed and raw material samples within minutes and provide the actionable data needed to fine-tune formulations on the spot. NIR technology has certainly advanced over the years and its continued development is expected to help producers work smarter and faster, for more efficient animal production. NIR EXPLAINED NIR is an analytical method that provides real-time data and monitoring of a variety of raw materials and feed, including values for total dietary fibre and non-starch polysaccharide (NSPs) alongside ingredient analysis. It works by measuring how feed ingredients absorb and reflect near-infrared light, allowing for an accurate prediction of their chemical composition. “The demand for Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) technology has surged in recent years due to its ability to deliver precise, real-time analysis. Producers value its reliability over traditional wet chemistry, with fewer stages where things can go wrong. It is also a simpler process, displaying results so quickly that the user can analyse many samples of the same product at no extra cost.” OPTIMISING FEED STRATEGY WITH NIR TECHNOLOGY Simon Flanagan NIR Services Manager AB Vista Rocio Garcia NIR Software Application Manager AB Vista
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