Nir spectroscopy for decision-making in the livestock sector: A technological breakthrough

The agri-food sector is undergoing a significant transformation to meet the increasing global demand for food while ensuring sustainability and economic viability. Livestock production plays a crucial role in food security and rural development, but growing consumer expectations, stricter regulations, and environmental concerns require innovative solutions. Digitalization and advanced sensing technologies, such as near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and its combination with imaging or hyperspectral imaging (HSI), are revolutionizing livestock systems by improving efficiency, traceability, and decision-making. NIRS has proven to be a valuable tool in animal feeding and meat industry, enabling rapid and non-destructive assessment of feed composition and quality. In meat production, NIRS enhances quality control, with a notable case study in the Iberian pig industry. Additionally, HSI complements NIRS by providing spatial and spectral data for detailed analysis of both animal feed and meat products. These technologies facilitate real-time monitoring and optimization of nutritional content, authenticity verification, and detection of contaminants. In addition to feed and meat analysis, NIRS technology has been further explored for use in livestock systems for in vivo analysis to provide a better understanding of animal health, physiology and welfare. The integration of these sensing technologies into modern livestock farming supports more sustainable and efficient production practices. This chapter presents research highlighting the practical applications of NIRS and HSI in the livestock sector, emphasizing their potential to enhance productivity, quality control, and sustainability across the entire value chain.