Portable NIR Technology Helps Farmers Monitor Forage Quality in Real Time

Portable NIR technology is becoming an increasingly valuable tool for forage management, helping farmers and nutritionists quickly evaluate forage quality directly in the field.

Research conducted by University of Wisconsin demonstrated strong accuracy in measuring dry matter content of both corn silage and alfalfa silage using the portable NIR analyzer developed by Dinamica Generale.

According to dairy scientist Randy Shaver, the system showed results comparable to traditional oven dry matter analysis during 11 weeks of field testing.

The portable analyzer allows users to obtain real-time information on key forage parameters such as:

• Dry Matter
• Crude Protein
• ADF
• NDF
• Digestibility

Researchers and extension specialists highlighted how real-time forage analysis can help producers optimize harvest timing, improve nutrient management, and better balance forage quality and yield.

Unlike traditional laboratory analysis, which may require days or weeks to return results, portable NIR technology provides immediate feedback directly on the farm or in the field.

The system can also be continuously improved through calibration updates using local forage samples collected throughout the year, helping account for seasonal and environmental variability.

As forage quality becomes increasingly variable due to changing environmental conditions, portable NIR solutions are helping farmers make faster and more informed feeding decisions while improving overall forage management efficiency.

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