The Australian deer farming industry is well supported with information on the nutrient requirements of farmed deer, but it is difficult to continuously monitor the animals’ nutritional environment, so as to optimise the performance of deer herds. Farmers need timely information on the nutritional status of their animals and the nutritive value of pastures and supplementary feeds if they are to apply successfully this existing nutritional information.
This report reviews the use of near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy to monitor the nutritive value of animal foods and the nutritional status of grazing animals.