The Feeds and Nutrition Course organized by Schothorst Feed Research (SFR) in the Netherlands on June 5-9 was completed with many participants from various countries.
Many participants from various countries attended the Feeds and Nutrition Course, organized in June 2023 by Schothorst Feed Research. In just one week, the course offers a full overview of nutrient evaluation, animal requirements, feed and ingredient composition, processing, nutritional management, and feed formulation for dairy, poultry, and swine.
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR ALL TARGET GROUPS
The course, which is divided into many different modules, was greatly appreciated by the participants. “This setup enables each participant to ‘mix and match’ modules, compose their own program, and design their own ‘tailor-made’ course,” said Francesc Molist, R&D manager at SFR.
“Whether you just recently started working in the feed sector, or you feel that your knowledge needs an update, or you have switched from, e.g., dairy nutrition to poultry nutrition, the course offers useful information for all target groups,” one of the attendees explained.
In each module, renowned experts from SFR shared their knowledge and expertise. Because the group sizes are small (ten to twenty attendees), interactive discussions with the course leader were encouraged.
TO PROVIDE NEW INSIGHTS
“It is also valuable to exchange ideas and experiences between participants, and to learn about nutritional strategies in other countries,” said one of the course members. “It makes you reflect upon your own habits as a nutritionist, livestock consultant, or researcher. The course has opened my mind and gave me new insights to think about.”
The first module was focused on raw materials used in livestock nutrition (their nutrient composition, digestibility, optimal processing, et cetera), and on diet formulation about the requirements of the target animal.
In other modules, animal species-specific information was provided, and the latest scientific research findings were discussed, as well as feed evaluation systems. “We need to fulfill the nutritional needs of all animal species in all stages of life, and that is quite a challenge: The still ongoing genetic progress in the performance of livestock animals changes their requirements, we learn more about feed ingredient composition and variation, and new raw materials become available for the feed sector. Continuous updating of feeding values is, therefore, a must,” said Francesc Molist.
According to SFR’s statement, a unique aspect of this course is that the species-specific modules for pigs and poultry were concluded each day with a live feed formulation session conducted by SFR consultants. This provided immediate visibility of the effects of the topics discussed on the animal’s ration composition.
SPECIAL ATTENTION TO HOT TOPICS
In this twelfth edition of the course, special attention was focused on hot topics, like animal welfare and the environmental impact of livestock and animal nutrition. As an example: slower-growing broilers, laying hens with intact beaks, and piglets with intact tails require extra attention, also from a nutritional point of view. Livestock has an impact on the environment, e.g., through emissions of greenhouse gases and minerals (nitrogen and phosphorus). The livestock industry is encouraged to decrease emissions to the environment. Adaptations of diet composition or the use of specific feed additives may help to fulfill these demands from society and policymakers. These modern challenges for the livestock and feed industry were also tackled and discussed in the course.
