NEAR INFRA-RED SPECTROSCOPY FOR ASSESSING NUTRIENTS IN FEEDING MATERIALS AND MIXTURES

The present paper presents the results of comparative studies performed by means of the NIR technique and standard methods, in compliance with the Commission Regulation (EU) No 152/2009. The reliability of predicting the content of nutrients in typical feed matrices was confirmed. The ratio of mean values obtained by means of standard methods to predicted values was within the range of 0.95 to 1.00. Statistical parameters of the method were calculated following ISO 12099 (E), e.g. standard error of prediction, SEP, and bias. Participation in numerous proficiency testing rounds (Bipea in the years 2016-2018 and NIRS 2018) let us obtain an objective confirmation of the quality of the calibration software for the NIRS analyzer in case of testing model feed products and materials. Moreover, identification of feed matrices requiring developing new calibrations was performed.