Nutritional Monitoring of Rangeland Beef Cattle in the Edwards Plateau of Texas Using Region-Specific Fecal Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Predictions of Diet Quality

Douglas R. Tolleson; William E. Fox; William E. Pinchak; Jay P. Angerer

doi:10.1016/j.rala.2024.11.004

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15 April 2025 Nutritional Monitoring of Rangeland Beef Cattle in the Edwards Plateau of Texas Using Region-Specific Fecal Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Predictions of Diet Quality

Douglas R. Tolleson, William E. Fox, William E. Pinchak, Jay P. Angerer

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Rangelands, 47(2):109-117 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2024.11.004

Abstract

Determining the quality of grazed forage remains a challenge for nutritional modeling and monitoring in livestock.
One method used to accomplish this task has been near-infrared spectroscopy of feces (FNIRS) combined with the Nutritional Balance Analyzer Model (Nutbal).
Users of the FNIRS-Nutbal system in the Edwards Plateau of Texas have observed inaccurate predictions of diet quality on rangelands.
Application of a regional-specific FNIRS calibration improved the estimation of grazing animal diet quality in this region.
Nutritional monitoring of beef cows grazing Edwards Plateau rangeland via the FNIRS-Nutbal system was accurate enough (± 0.5 body condition score, 80% occurrence) to inform management decisions, but incorrect predictions of animal performance did occur.

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Douglas R. Tolleson, William E. Fox, William E. Pinchak, and Jay P. Angerer "Nutritional Monitoring of Rangeland Beef Cattle in the Edwards Plateau of Texas Using Region-Specific Fecal Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Predictions of Diet Quality," Rangelands 47(2), 109-117, (15 April 2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2024.11.004

Published: 15 April 2025

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