On-farm feed analysis with mobile NIR spectroscopy enables feed companies to optimize forage analysis and feed formulation directly in the field. The next-generation mobile NIR ecosystem provides high-precision, portable tools, real-time data, and seamless integration with existing spectral databases. By improving measurement consistency, operational flexibility, and efficiency, it supports animal health, productivity, and sustainable practices while inviting further exploration of its applications and potential impact on livestock farming.
Director Mobile Spectroscopy
trinamiX GmbH
The next-generation mobile NIR ecosystem empowers feed companies to optimize forage analysis and feed formulation directly on-farm. With the introduction of the trinamiX PAL Two spectrometer and Eurofins forage applications, users gain access to portable, high-precision tools for real-time decision-making. The system ensures consistent measurements, seamless integration with existing spectral data, and customizable user experiences, enabling advisors and nutritionists to improve animal health, boost productivity, and support sustainable practices.
Modern livestock farming is under increasing pressure from rising input costs, climate variability, evolving regulations, and shifting consumer expectations. Farmers are expected to produce more sustainably, improve animal welfare, and reduce environmental impact—all while maintaining profitability. Feed companies play a critical role in helping farmers meet these demands, particularly through smarter feeding strategies.
Feed costs can account for up to 70% of total farm expenses, making efficient forage use and accurate feed formulation essential. To support this, trinamiX GmbH, a leading provider of innovative mobile NIR spectroscopy solutions for the agriculture industry, has expanded its ecosystem with the launch of the trinamiX PAL Two spectrometer and the introduction of ready-to-use forage applications developed in collaboration with Eurofins Agro Testing.
This empowers feed advisors and nutritionists to access real-time forage data directly in the field, enabling more effective forage management and precise feed formulations that support animal health, boost productivity, and reduce environmental impact.
PORTABLE NIR SPECTROSCOPY WITH HIGH PRECISION
Developed with a focus on usability and analytical perfomance, the mobile spectrometer addresses three key challenges:
• Accurate measurement of inhomogeneous and high-moisture samples such as silages,
• Compact and portable design for field use,
• High device-to-device transferability for consistent results across units.
The spectrometer operates in the 1,300–2,350 nm wavelength range and uses specialized grating optics to enhance signal quality. This configuration ensures a high signal-to-noise ratio, contributing to reliable and repeatable measurements. The trinamiX PAL Two delivers robust performance for on-site analysis, prioritizing mobility, speed, and ease of use, making it an ideal complement to benchtop systems. An exemplary model for protein content in rapeseed and soya extraction meals demonstrates the small device to device deviation between 20 spectrometers. Predicted values closely match reference values, confirming the system’s reliability across multiple units (Figure 1).
EUROFINS FORAGE APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE ON TRINAMIX PAL TWO
The first set of forage applications—covering fresh maize, maize silage, corn cob mix, grass and clover silage, and haylage—is now available in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland. The Eurofins application models offer a comprehensive set of parameters and are regularly updated.
Additional forage types and regions will be added as the season progresses. trinamiX also offers mobile applications for feed ingredients and finished feed, expanding the scope of on-site analysis. Updates to application and parameter availability are published regularly online.
MOBILIZING FEED MILLS’ IN-HOUSE NIR CAPABILITIES
Using mobile NIR technology allows companies to extend their existing laboratory capabilites into the field. They can access ready-to-use applications or develop customized mobile NIR solutions within trinamiX’s open ecosystem. This flexibility is particularly valuable for feed producers already using NIRS in their labs and production facilities.
By transitioning to mobile solutions, companies gain greater operational flexibility, shorten turnaround times, improve efficiency, and deliver enhanced value to their customers by bringing lab-grade analysis directly to the field and on farm.
SEAMLESS INTEGRATION WITH EXISTING SPECTRA DATA
Building a new spectral database can be resource intensive. To simplify adoption, trinamiX offers a database transfer service that allows companies to migrate existing spectral data into the mobile ecosystem. The process requires:
• Exemplary measurements with the trinamiX PAL Two
• Corresponding benchtop spectrometer data
• Corresponding reference analyses
The transfer function compensates for differences in resolution and wavelength range, enabling a cost-effective and fast transition to mobile NIR. Based on an exemplary small data set measured with a benchtop spectrometer and the mobile spectrometers, a transfer function can be set up. This transfer function can translate an existing database of benchtop NIR spectra to trinamiX PAL Two spectra, circumventing the need to create a new database from scratch. In this way, already existing NIRS databases can be used to build calibrations for the mobile spectroscopy solution (Figure 2).
Custom applications can be hosted in the trinamiX cloud or integrated with the users’ own infrastructure. A dedicated API allows seamless data exchange with ration formulation software, ensuring smooth workflows and consistent user experiences.
CUSTOMIZING THE USER EXPERIENCE
The Guide App provides access to various applications via intuitive icons. Companies can brand these icons and even co-brand the app interface to reflect their corporate identity. This enhances user engagement and reinforces brand recognition while maintaining a streamlined measurement process.
About Nils Mohmeyer
Having studied chemistry at the University of Bayreuth in Germany, Nils Mohmeyer earned his PhD, joining BASF in 2006 as a lab team leader in Polyurethanes Research, later taking on various roles in marketing and sales in Polyurethanes and Construction Chemicals. As Head of Sales Benelux, he gained international experience. In 2019, Mohmeyer joined trinamiX as Manager Business Development & Sales and now leads the B2B Spectroscopy Business as Director Mobile Spectroscopy.
