September 22, 2005

New sensor can calculate cattle forage's nutrients
 

A small, low-cost, handheld optical remote sensor that can calculate, store and display data on forage's nutrient quality has been developed by US's Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) Grazinglands Research Laboratory.

The lab recently established a cooperative research and development agreement with two local private firms for designing, manufacturing and marketing the sensor.

According to ARS soil scientist Patrick Starks, the nutritional value of live, standing forages in pastures is essential knowledge for livestock producers. It allows them to make informed management decisions about stocking rates, beginning and ending dates for grazing and the need for supplements.

Previously, Starks and ARS collaborators showed that spectral reflectance data could almost immediately show the quality of forage grasses.

The method's accuracy is comparable to much slower conventional lab analysis.