Errors in Forage‐Quality Data Predicted by Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is rapidly being accepted for routine prediction of forage quality and chemical constituents. Accurate predictions require calibration with samples analyzed by reference methods. This study was conducted to determine whether deviations between values predicted by NIRS and those determined by conventional techniques are random. In all, 108 samples from the basal 150 mm of immature and mature stems of replicated, field-grown cultivars of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) were studied