The moisture content of silages can be subjected to variations in time, leading to a potential decrease in dry matter (DM) content in the total mixed ration (TMR) and consequent impaired performance and health status in cows. With the purpose to maintain and improve the overall efficiency and the health of dairy cows, this study aimed to develop a new application in agricultural system for a commercial microwave sensor (MS) to online detect corn silage (CS) DM content. This would lead to the daily adjustment of the total amount of CS provided in the TMR based on its actual DM content, lowering performance fluctuations of cows. A calibration straight line for MS over CS samples was developed, following the sensor manufacturer instruction, from 75 dried samples experimentally rehydrated to reach 50-70% of moisture and the relative MS Quotient (emitted/residual energy) over four readings per sample was recorded. A Linear regression analysis showed a good correlation between Quotient and moisture content (r2=0.79). MS calibration was then tested against 22 CS fresh samples, subsequently analysed for DM (Reg. CE 152/2009). The linear regression analysis evidenced a good relationship between MS DM and lab DM results (r2=0.73), even if an offset of 9.60% with a slight difference in the slope of the straight lines (0.03 rad) was observed. A MS could be a promising tool to daily online monitor the DM content of CS, although further implementation in the number of samples for the calibration and the development of a correction coefficient for offset and slope of the straight line are needed to improve the accuracy. Funding was provided by the project P.L.U.S.- Precision Livestock Unifeed System (ID: 145923 CUP: E77H16001570009).

Development of a microwave sensor application for online detection of corn silage dry matter content / V. Perricone, A. Agazzi, A. Costa, M. Lazzari, A. Calcante, M. Baiocchi, E. Sesan, G. Savoini, F.M. Tangorra (ANNUAL MEETING OF THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR ANIMAL PRODUCTION). - In: Book of abstracts of the 69th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal SciencePrima edizione. - [s.l] : Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2018. - ISBN 9789086863235. - pp. 475-475 (( Intervento presentato al 69. convegno Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science tenutosi a Dubrovnik nel 2018.

Development of a microwave sensor application for online detection of corn silage dry matter content

V. Perricone
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
A. Agazzi
Writing – Review & Editing
;
A. Costa
Data Curation
;
M. Lazzari
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
A. Calcante
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
G. Savoini
Supervision
;
F.M. Tangorra
Project Administration
2018

Abstract

The moisture content of silages can be subjected to variations in time, leading to a potential decrease in dry matter (DM) content in the total mixed ration (TMR) and consequent impaired performance and health status in cows. With the purpose to maintain and improve the overall efficiency and the health of dairy cows, this study aimed to develop a new application in agricultural system for a commercial microwave sensor (MS) to online detect corn silage (CS) DM content. This would lead to the daily adjustment of the total amount of CS provided in the TMR based on its actual DM content, lowering performance fluctuations of cows. A calibration straight line for MS over CS samples was developed, following the sensor manufacturer instruction, from 75 dried samples experimentally rehydrated to reach 50-70% of moisture and the relative MS Quotient (emitted/residual energy) over four readings per sample was recorded. A Linear regression analysis showed a good correlation between Quotient and moisture content (r2=0.79). MS calibration was then tested against 22 CS fresh samples, subsequently analysed for DM (Reg. CE 152/2009). The linear regression analysis evidenced a good relationship between MS DM and lab DM results (r2=0.73), even if an offset of 9.60% with a slight difference in the slope of the straight lines (0.03 rad) was observed. A MS could be a promising tool to daily online monitor the DM content of CS, although further implementation in the number of samples for the calibration and the development of a correction coefficient for offset and slope of the straight line are needed to improve the accuracy. Funding was provided by the project P.L.U.S.- Precision Livestock Unifeed System (ID: 145923 CUP: E77H16001570009).
TMR; DM content; corn silage; microwave
Settore AGR/18 - Nutrizione e Alimentazione Animale
Settore AGR/09 - Meccanica Agraria
Settore AGR/10 - Costruzioni Rurali e Territorio Agroforestale
   Precision Livestock Unifeed System (P.L.U.S.)
   P.L.U.S.
   REGIONE LOMBARDIA
   ID 145923
2018
European Federation of Animal Science EAAP
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/620750
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