A system for automatically dispensing a supplement with a different stable isotope profile than that of the pasture has been successfully used as a more cost effective way of estimating pasture intake than using alkanes and/or alcohols as markers.
Where δ13C values are similar amongst grazed plants, the mixture of plants consumed may have minimal impact on total intake solutions or ranking of animals.
Intakes determined by alkanes and/or alcohols may not always be more credible than intakes determined by 13C due to the analytical variability that can occur with their use.