Provider of NIR Calibrations for Feed Grain Analysis

In the News

AusScan Update  - December 2011
The initial data from 2011 harvest samples is indicating that new season grain is distinctly different from last year’s weather affected crop. New seasons grain samples had been accumulated by Symbio Alliance and tested using AusScan, results have been compared to grains analysed from the 2010 harvest and the AusScan reference database.
It is well recognised that this year’s harvest is resulting in lower protein results. The average wheat and barley protein is 1.0% and 1.7% lower respectively.


The consistent feature across the AusScan database and the 2010 and 2011 harvest grains is the degree of variation between samples. The data highlights the value in using NIR technology in providing useable data. Grains vary significantly above and below the average and unless companies are regularly getting their grains analysed they are very likely to be either over or under formulating for available energy.
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New AusScan NIR Calibration Interpretation Guide
An updated copy of the AusScan NIR Calibration Result Interpretation guide is now available for download.
Following a recent Technical Review of AusScan, it was requested that this guide be updated to include minimum and maximum values. The tables in the guide provide the range of results for each analysis and each grain type. Use of these tables allows the user to identify where individual grain test results sit relative to the AusScan dataset. The data has also been updated to include the latest results from ongoing pig, broiler and wet chemistry analysis.  Should you have any questions relating to this guide, please contact John Spragg.

AusScan is also seeking to have more users of the technology. There are now eight laboratories that are providing test results to users, refer to the contact list, and there are also a number of companies with their own NIRs that have licences to use of the calibrations. John would welcome enquiries from any other users.

Next Calibration Upgrade
AusScan is working to have the next upgrade released as soon as possible. This will include an increased number of Broiler AME and Pig Faecal, and Ileal, DE results from additional grain samples. The wet chemistry calibrations will also be improved with increased numbers of samples, and the provision of a protein and fat calibration.



Who is AusScan?
AusScan is a business arm of the Pork CRC, with the primary role of commercialising near-infrared (NIR) calibrations, in particular those developed by the Premium Grains for Livestock Program (PGLP) and enhanced by research from the Pork CRC and the Chicken Meat research program.

The goal of AusScan is to ensure that rapid measurement through NIR technology, particularly energy value for different livestock types, becomes the industry accepted standard for valuing and using grains for livestock.

What NIR calibrations are licensed by AusScan?
The major products are NIR calibrations that predict the energy value of whole cereal grains for different types of livestock including ruminants, pigs and broilers, and also predict specific chemical and physical characteristics of grains.  The services provided are sub-licenses for the calibrations, maintenance and upgrade of the calibrations and between licensee ‘ring-test’ comparisons to ensure the calibrations remain accurate across licensees.  The existing calibrations will be upgraded through continuing research and new calibrations in related areas developed. 

The Pork CRC Subprogram 1B- Quality assessment of feed ingredients is being undertaken to provide further measurements of the nutritional quality of cereal grains for pigs.   The data derived from this research will strengthen the NIR calibrations being commercialised through AusScan.

AusScan Promotional Leaflet available
Pig nutritionists and feed suppliers can now measure grain DE using NIR technology developed by the Australian pig industry.  Rapid analysis NIR technology provides a low cost and accurate method of determining the DE content of grains.  Make sure you access this latest technology and the feed cost savings it offers

AusScan Contact
Further information about AusScan, including a list of commercial laboratories  running AusScan analyses can be obtained by email from the Project Manager, John Spragg or telephone 03 9769 7027