Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Prediction of diet quality for sheep from faecal characteristics: comparison of near-infrared spectroscopy and conventional chemistry predictive models

D. G. Kneebone A B D and G. McL. Dryden A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Animal Studies, University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia.

B Present address: 12 Bottletree Place, Calamvale, Qld 4116, Australia.

C Present address: Dryden Animal Science, 59 Heise Road, Summerholm, Qld 4341, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: don@kneebone.com.au

Animal Production Science 55(1) 1-10 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN13252
Submitted: 25 June 2013  Accepted: 15 November 2013   Published: 14 January 2014

Abstract

This study evaluated the ability of equations developed from the analysis of faecal material by conventional chemistry (F.CHEM), and by near-infrared spectroscopy (F.NIRS), to predict intake and digestibility of forages fed with or without supplements. In vivo datasets were obtained using 30 sheep and 25 diets to provide 124 diet–faecal pairs, with each sheep fed four or five of the diets. The diets were five forages fed alone or with urea, molasses, cottonseed meal or sorghum grain supplements. Ninety-nine diet–faecal pairs were selected at random, but ensuring that all diets were represented and both the F.CHEM and F.NIRS prediction equations were developed from this dataset. The remaining 25 diet–faecal pairs were used as a validation dataset. Regressions for F.CHEM were developed by stepwise regression, and F.NIRS prediction equations were developed by partial least-squares regression. Prediction equations based solely on faecal analyte concentrations (F.CHEMc) had poor predictive ability, and models incorporating faecal constituent excretion rates (F.CHEMe) were the best at predicting feed constituent intakes. These models had slightly lower standard errors of prediction (SEP) for organic matter (OM) intake and digestible OM intake compared with the F.NIRS models that did not include faecal excretion rates. However, F.NIRS models had lower SEP for protein intake and OM digestibility. Good agreement between the F.CHEMe and F.NIRS methods was evident (according to the 95% limits-of-agreement test), and both predicted the reference values precisely and with small bias. Equations derived from a dataset that included representatives of all diets used in the experiment gave much better prediction of diet characteristics than those developed from a dataset constructed entirely at random. Equations for F.NIRS developed in this way successfully predicted the characteristics of diets that included forages fed alone and with the type of supplements used in tropical Australia.

Additional keywords: digestibility, faecal NIRS profiling, intake, predictive models, sheep.


References

AFRC (1990) Technical Committee on Responses to Nutrients, Report No. 5. Nutritive requirements of ruminant animals: energy. Nutrition Abstracts and Reviews 60, 729–804. [Series B]

Andrés S, Calleja A, López S, Mantecón AR, Giráldez FJ (2005) Nutritive evaluation of herbage from permanent meadows by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy: 2. Prediction of crude protein and dry matter degradability. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 85, 1572–1579.
Nutritive evaluation of herbage from permanent meadows by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy: 2. Prediction of crude protein and dry matter degradability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Arnold GW, Dudzinski ML (1963) The use of faecal nitrogen as an index for estimating the consumption of herbage by grazing animals. The Journal of Agricultural Science 61, 33–43.
The use of faecal nitrogen as an index for estimating the consumption of herbage by grazing animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bland JM, Altman DG (2003) Applying the right statistics: analyses of measurement studies. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology 22, 85–93.
Applying the right statistics: analyses of measurement studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3szivVKrsA%3D%3D&md5=53c14a9e2fb73e062bc83534a9511ea4CAS |

Boval M, Archimède H, Fleury J, Xandè A (2003) The ability of faecal nitrogen to predict digestibility for goats and sheep fed with tropical herbage. The Journal of Agricultural Science 140, 443–450.
The ability of faecal nitrogen to predict digestibility for goats and sheep fed with tropical herbage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Boval M, Coates DB, Lecombe P, Decruyenaere V, Archimède H (2004) Faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to assess chemical composition, in vivo digestibility and intake of tropical grass by Creole cattle. Animal Feed Science and Technology 114, 19–29.
Faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to assess chemical composition, in vivo digestibility and intake of tropical grass by Creole cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXjtFanu7k%3D&md5=b438d888ef76abfd38038bae3bd97e66CAS |

Brooks J, Anderson M, Urness PJ (1984) Infrared reflectance analysis of forage quality for elk. The Journal of Wildlife Management 48, 254–258.
Infrared reflectance analysis of forage quality for elk.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Brown RD, Hellgren EC, Abbott M, Ruthven DC, Bingham RL (1995) Effects of dietary energy and protein restriction on nutritional indices of female white-tailed deer. The Journal of Wildlife Management 59, 595–609.
Effects of dietary energy and protein restriction on nutritional indices of female white-tailed deer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bruker Optik (1997–2006) ‘OPUS, version 6.0.’ (Bruker Optik GmbH: Ettlingen, Germany)

Coates DB (1998) Predicting diet digestibility and crude protein from the faeces of grazing cattle. Final Report, Project CS.253. CSIRO, Townsville, Australia.

Coates DB (1999) Faecal spectroscopy (NIRS) for nutritional profiling of grazing cattle. In ‘People and rangelands: Building the future. Proceedings of the VI International Rangeland Congress, 19–23 July, 1999, Townsville, Qld’. (Eds D Eldridge, D Freudenberger) pp. 466–467. (International Rangeland Congress: Townsville, Qld)

Coates DB (2000) Faecal NIRS—what does it offer today’s grazier? Tropical Grasslands 34, 230–239.

Coleman SW, Stuth JW, Holloway JW (1995) Prediction of intake by near-infrared spectroscopic analysis of fecal samples. Research Report. Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Stillwater, OK, USA. pp. 145–155.

Conzen J-P (2006) ‘Multivariate calibration – A practical guide for developing methods in the quantitative analytical chemistry.’ (Bruker Optik GmbH: Ettlingen, Germany)

De Boever JL, Cottyn BG, De Brabander DL, Vanacker JM, Boucqué ChV (1996) Prediction of the feeding value of grass silages by chemical parameters, in vitro digestibility and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Animal Feed Science and Technology 60, 103–115.
Prediction of the feeding value of grass silages by chemical parameters, in vitro digestibility and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Decruyenaere V, Lecomte P, Demarquilly C, Aufrere J, Dardenne P, Stilmant D, Buldgen A (2009) Evaluation of green forage intake and digestibility in ruminants using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS): Developing a global calibration. Animal Feed Science and Technology 148, 138–156.
Evaluation of green forage intake and digestibility in ruminants using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS): Developing a global calibration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXht1Smtg%3D%3D&md5=80ed4ddb82ef4a890be4ecb1095ba28cCAS |

Dixon RM, Coates DB (2005) The use of faecal NIRS to improve nutritional management of cattle in northern Australia. Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia 15, 65–75.

Dixon RM, Coates DB (2008) Diet quality and liveweight gain of steers grazing Leucaena-grass pasture estimated with faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (F.NIRS). Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 835–842.
Diet quality and liveweight gain of steers grazing Leucaena-grass pasture estimated with faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (F.NIRS).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dixon RM, Coates DB (2010) Diet quality estimated with faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy and responses to N supplementation by cattle grazing buffel grass pastures. Animal Feed Science and Technology 158, 115–125.
Diet quality estimated with faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy and responses to N supplementation by cattle grazing buffel grass pastures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXmvVSrsro%3D&md5=713cf7233e4f1985dc520348bd4155e9CAS |

Dove H (2002) ‘Principles of supplementary feeding in sheep-grazing systems In ‘Sheep nutrition’. (Eds M Freer, H Dove) pp. 119–142. (CAB International: Wallingford, UK)

Doyle PT, Casson T, Cransberg L, Rowe JB (1994) Faecal output of grazing sheep measured by total collection or using chromium sesquioxide. Small Ruminant Research 13, 231–236.
Faecal output of grazing sheep measured by total collection or using chromium sesquioxide.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dryden GMcL (2003) ‘Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy: Applications in deer nutrition.’ RIRDC Publication No. W03/007. (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation: Canberra)

Fanchone A, Boval M, Lecomte Ph, Archimède H (2007) Faecal indices based on near infrared spectroscopy to assess intake, in vivo digestibility and chemical composition of the herbage ingested by sheep (crude protein, fibres and lignin content). Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy 15, 107–113.
Faecal indices based on near infrared spectroscopy to assess intake, in vivo digestibility and chemical composition of the herbage ingested by sheep (crude protein, fibres and lignin content).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXktVOhsbw%3D&md5=f7a13d97550a44666fa51b5b69f4a3d7CAS |

Fanchone A, Archimede H, Boval M (2009) Comparison of fecal crude protein and fecal near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy to predict digestibility of fresh grass consumed by sheep. Journal of Animal Science 87, 236–243.
Comparison of fecal crude protein and fecal near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy to predict digestibility of fresh grass consumed by sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXptFOltw%3D%3D&md5=c2be1b86b223e7c02e325472ffe644b9CAS | 18791152PubMed |

Foley WJ, McIlwee A, Lawler I, Aragones L, Woolnough AP, Berding N (1998) Ecological applications of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy—a tool for rapid, cost effective prediction of the composition of plant and animal tissue and aspects of animal performance. Oecologia 116, 293–305.
Ecological applications of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy—a tool for rapid, cost effective prediction of the composition of plant and animal tissue and aspects of animal performance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Givens DI, Deaville ER (1999) The current and future role of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy in animal nutrition: a review. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 50, 1131–1145.
The current and future role of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy in animal nutrition: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Goering HK, Van Soest PJ (1970) ‘Forage fiber analysis (apparatus, reagents, procedures, and some applications).’ Agriculture Handbook No. 379. (Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture: Washington, DC)

Greenhalgh JFD, Corbett JL (1960) The direct estimation of the digestibility of pasture herbage. 1. Nitrogen and chromogen as fecal index substances. The Journal of Agricultural Science 55, 371–376.
The direct estimation of the digestibility of pasture herbage. 1. Nitrogen and chromogen as fecal index substances.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF3MXnt1aksQ%3D%3D&md5=e781a867922a8725196c329a15522cebCAS |

Greenhalgh JFD, Corbett JL, McDonald I (1960) The indirect estimation of the digestibility of pasture herbage. The Journal of Agricultural Science 55, 377–386.
The indirect estimation of the digestibility of pasture herbage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF3MXpsVWqtA%3D%3D&md5=c52cf5c81282d7a17432523edee0dfabCAS |

Hmeidan MC, Dryden GMcL, McCosker JE (2001) Grain supplementation of growing rusa (Cervus timorensis) deer stags. Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia 13, 11A

Holechek JL, Wofford H, Arthu D, Gaylean ML, Wallace JD (1986) Evaluation of total fecal collection for measuring cattle forage intake. Journal of Range Management 39, 2–4.
Evaluation of total fecal collection for measuring cattle forage intake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Holloway JW, Estell RE, Butts WT (1981) Relationship between fecal components and forage consumption and digestibility. Journal of Animal Science 52, 836–848.

Jeffery H (1971) Assessment of faecal nitrogen as an index for estimating digestibility and intake of food by sheep on Pennisetum clandestinum based pasture. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 11, 393–396.
Assessment of faecal nitrogen as an index for estimating digestibility and intake of food by sheep on Pennisetum clandestinum based pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE38XksV2ntQ%3D%3D&md5=7700048801895bef26daa6522e0f618bCAS |

Kitessa S, Flinn PC, Irish GG (1999) Comparison of methods used to predict the in vivo digestibility of feeds in ruminants. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 50, 825–841.
Comparison of methods used to predict the in vivo digestibility of feeds in ruminants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXkvV2ktrc%3D&md5=89395925907ffd4427347f5d4b329f52CAS |

Lambourne LJ, Reardon TF (1963) The use of chromium oxide and faecal nitrogen concentration to estimate pasture intake of Merino wethers. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 14, 257–271.
The use of chromium oxide and faecal nitrogen concentration to estimate pasture intake of Merino wethers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF3sXktlOgu7w%3D&md5=a33907f69b3b6fc1c06f42756705aed4CAS |

Landau S, Glasser T, Dvash L, Perevolotsky A (2004) Fecal NIRS to monitor the diet of Mediterranean goats. South African Journal of Animal Science 34, 76–80.

Landau S, Glasser T, Muklada H, Dvash L, Perevolotsky A, Ungar ED, Walker JW (2005) Fecal NIRS prediction of dietary protein percentage and in vitro dry matter digestibility in diets ingested by goats in Mediterranean scrubland. Small Ruminant Research 59, 251–263.
Fecal NIRS prediction of dietary protein percentage and in vitro dry matter digestibility in diets ingested by goats in Mediterranean scrubland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Landau S, Glasser T, Dvash L (2006) Monitoring nutrition in small ruminants with the aid of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) technology: A review. Small Ruminant Research 61, 1–11.
Monitoring nutrition in small ruminants with the aid of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) technology: A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Landau S, Giger-Reverdin S, Rapetti L, Dvash L, Dorléans M, Ungar ED (2008) Data mining old digestibility trials for nutritional monitoring in confined goats with aids of fecal near infra-red spectrometry. Small Ruminant Research 77, 146–158.
Data mining old digestibility trials for nutritional monitoring in confined goats with aids of fecal near infra-red spectrometry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Leite ER, Stuth JW (1990) Value of multiple fecal indices for predicting diet quality and intake in steers. Journal of Range Management 43, 139–143.
Value of multiple fecal indices for predicting diet quality and intake in steers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Leite ER, Stuth JW (1995) Fecal NIRS equations to assess diet quality of free-ranging goats. Small Ruminant Research 15, 223–230.
Fecal NIRS equations to assess diet quality of free-ranging goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Li H, Tolleson D, Stuth J, Bai K, Mo F, Kronberg S (2007) Faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to predict diet quality for sheep. Small Ruminant Research 68, 263–268.
Faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to predict diet quality for sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lyons RK, Stuth JW (1992) Faecal NIRS equations for predicting diet quality of free-ranging cattle. Journal of Range Management 45, 238–244.
Faecal NIRS equations for predicting diet quality of free-ranging cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Macoon B, Sollenberger LE, Moore JE, Staples CR, Fike JH, Portier KM (2003) Comparison of three techniques for estimating the forage intake of lactating dairy cows on pasture. Journal of Animal Science 81, 2357–2366.

Mayes RW, Dove H (2000) Measurement of dietary nutrient intake in free-ranging mammalian herbivores. Nutrition Research Reviews 13, 107–138.
Measurement of dietary nutrient intake in free-ranging mammalian herbivores.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXlvVaksbY%3D&md5=257d801f5926da869b2e96e7ee76bf4fCAS | 19087435PubMed |

Minitab Inc. (2007) ‘Minitab for Windows. Version 15.1.30.0.’ (Minitab Inc.: State College, PA)

NRC (1985) ‘Ruminant nitrogen usage.’ (National Academy Press: Washington, DC)

Nuñez-Hernandez G, Holechek JL, Artun D, Tembo A, Wallace JD, Galyean ML, Cardenas M, Valdez R (1992) Evaluation of fecal indicators for assessing energy and nitrogen status of cattle and goats. Journal of Range Management 45, 143–147.
Evaluation of fecal indicators for assessing energy and nitrogen status of cattle and goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Park RS, Gordon FJ, Agnew RE, Barnes RJ, Steen RWJ (1997) The use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy on dried samples to predict biological parameters of grass silage. Animal Feed Science and Technology 68, 235–246.
The use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy on dried samples to predict biological parameters of grass silage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXnt1eru7g%3D&md5=b08d516948c00e55d4e381e0c590f794CAS |

Pérez-Marín DC, Garrido-Varo A, Guerrero-Ginel JE, Gómez-Cabrera A (2004) Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for the mandatory labeling of compound feedingstuffs: chemical composition and open-declaration. Animal Feed Science and Technology 116, 333–349.
Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for the mandatory labeling of compound feedingstuffs: chemical composition and open-declaration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Reich G (2005) Near-infrared spectroscopy and imaging: Basic principles and pharmaceutical applications. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 57, 1109–1143.
Near-infrared spectroscopy and imaging: Basic principles and pharmaceutical applications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXltVeisbo%3D&md5=eb257931ce5cfea32744140186476cadCAS | 15899537PubMed |

Showers SE, Tolleson DR, Stuth JW, Kroll JC, Koerth BH (2006) Predicting diet quality of white-tailed deer via NIRS fecal profiling. Rangeland Ecology and Management 59, 300–307.
Predicting diet quality of white-tailed deer via NIRS fecal profiling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Siebert BD, Kennedy PM (1972) The utilization of spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) 1. Factors limiting intake and utilization by cattle and sheep. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 23, 35–44.
The utilization of spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) 1. Factors limiting intake and utilization by cattle and sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Streeter CL (1969) A review of techniques used to estimate the in vivo digestibility of grazed forage. The Journal of Agricultural Science 29, 757–768.

Valiente OL, Andueza D, de Vega A, Olmos G, Muñoz F (2004) The use of NIRS for prediction of intake, digestibility and diet composition in sheep fed mixed grain : roughage diets. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences 13, 227–230.

Wallis De Vries MF (1995) Estimating forage intake and quality in grazing cattle: A reconsideration of the hand-plucking method. Journal of Range Management 48, 370–375.
Estimating forage intake and quality in grazing cattle: A reconsideration of the hand-plucking method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |