Key facts

Course Dates
25 - 29 Nov 2019
Type/Duration
Course - 5 days - The course can be taken as a stand alone training course but also makes up one of the four courses required to earn a Postgraduate Certificate in Ruminant Nutrition.
Entry Requirements
Graduate level or experienced within the animal production industry
Credits
15
Cost
£1200.00
IFST Membership
Your course enrolment also entitles you to one year of free membership to the IFST (Institute of Food, Science and Technology).
Course Provider
Harper Adams University
Course Arrangements
Full joining instructions will be confirmed by the course provider.
Course Location
Harper Adams University
Cohort
AFTP Cohort
Tutors

Jim Huntington

Course overview

The Principles of Ruminant Nutrition specifically examines the chemistry and biochemistry of feed constituents and the anatomy and function of the digestive system in the ruminant and pre-ruminant.

The module then progresses to provide the participants with knowledge and understanding of the principles of feed analysis and factors affecting voluntary feed intake. Lectures will be supported by practical laboratory work.

This module is primarily aimed at specialists within the animal feed industry and vets undertaking CPD. The course provides the background and underpinning knowledge required for subsequent modules in ruminant nutrition.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Ruminant Nutrition course participants will be able to:

  • Identify the nutrients contained within animal feeds and explain how they are digested by rumen microbes and the host animal and subsequently absorbed from the digestive tract.
  • Explain the structure and function of the ruminant and pre-ruminant digestive tract.
  • Evaluate factors influencing grass and forage production and quality and assess how developments in plant breeding will impact on this.
  • Analyse animal feeds to determine their chemical composition and interpret forage and feedstuff analysis.
  • Predict voluntary feed intake in ruminants and assess how factors affecting intake can be managed to optimise animal performance and health.
Additional Course Information

Areas covered on this ruminant nutrition course will include:

  • Feed ingredients and their chemical composition
  • Ruminant physiology and digestion
  • Rumen microbial metabolism, growth and degradation of feed components.
  • Forage production
  • Feed and forage analysis
  • Voluntary food intake
    My AFTP training course has given me greater confidence day-to-day and more insight into the impact of new techniques and technologies.
    Andy Russell - Fresh Produce Technologist, Bakkavor

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