New for 2015: NIR Pro 

We are pleased to introduce our new NIR Pro forage testing package to complement the new CNCPS version 6.5 biology. CNCPS 6.5 represents the latest theory in ration balancing and requires new values to drive it. NIR Pro is the NIR Prime package modified to include the following features:

* aNDFom - NDF expressed on an organic matter (om) or ash free basis replaces aNDF.

* uNDFom and NDFDom - undigested NDF and NDF digestibility analyzed and reported on an organic matter basis replacing the option of NDFD24, 30 and 48. uNDFom and NDFDom values are reported for 30, 120, and 240 hours. All three values are included and used in conjunction to better estimate the rate of fiber digestion or kd.

* Version 6.5 utilizes the NDFDom30, 120, and 240 and internally calculates the kd using Vensim, a mathematical tool to optimize models with dynamic components. Therefore, kd will not appear when aNDFom and uNDFom are measured and reported.

* Calibrations are available for corn silage, haylage and hay.

* Price: to introduce you to these new concepts, we're offering a special 90 day introductory price of $25/sample good until 3/31/2015.

NIR Pro will represent a third tier in our forage NIR line-up, complementing the NIR Prime and Forage NIR. Visit the forms page on our website for new sample information sheets at http://dairyone.com/general-resources/forms/. If your ration software is being upgraded to include the 6.5 biology, this is the package for you!

Most current ration software is based on aNDF and this value will continue to be reported in our regular packages. aNDFom will be replacing aNDF in our CNCPS 6.5 model driven packages (327) NIR Pro and wet chemistry (315) Model Profile.

uNDFom

To be consistent with the utilization of aNDFom, a new series of NDF digestibilites are available on an organic matter basis. For example, the undigested NDF and NDF digestibility determined at 30 hours will be reported as uNDFom30 and NDFDom30, respectively. The NDFDom30 will be used in conjunction with two new digestibilities measured at 120 and 240 hours. Cornell has determined that using these 3 time points will result in a better estimation of the rate of digestion known as kd. In a rate calculation, it is important to know the end point, which in this case is the total undigestible fiber. In previous editions of the CNCPS, this was estimated as a constant (lignin x 2.4). Recent research has demonstrated that this value is best determined as the undigested fiber remaining after a 240 hour incubation in rumen fluid.

Figures 1. & 2. illustrate fiber breakdown for corn silage and haylage over time. Graphed below is the average for the feed type plus the highest and lowest digestibility for the feed type in the data set.

Likewise, the kd for non-forages can now be calculated using NDFDom values measured at 12, 72 and 120 hours. To support the need for these values, we're offering the following wet chemistry packages:

(585) Forage NDFDom        $77

Includes: aNDFom, uNDFom and NDFDom at 30, 120 & 240 hrs.

(586) Non-forage NDFDom  $77

Includes: aNDFom, uNDFom and NDFDom at 12, 72, & 120 hrs.

Please realize that these are time-intensive procedures and require 2 - 3 weeks to complete.

Additional reading:

Raffrenato, E. and M.E. Van Amburgh. 2010. Development of a mathematical model to predict sizes and rates of digestion of a fast and slow degrading pool and the indigestible fiber fraction. Proc. Cornell Nutr. Conf. p. 52-65.

Cotanch, K.W., R.J. Grant, M.E. Van Amburgh, A. Zontoni, M. Fustini, A. Palmonari and A. Formigoni. 2014. Applications of uNDF in ration modeling and formulation. Proc. Cornell Nutr. Conf. p. 114-129.