Introduction

Dairy production is a tool to poverty alleviation and promoting food security due to its nature of providing regular income to households through sale of milk. Dairying is however faced with various challenges including feed shortage and low quality of feeds that limit dairy production, high costs of concentrates which are also of poor quality, high costs of feeds and inadequate advice on dairy cattle feeding and feed formulations for the farms and limited knowledge on best feeding practices among other challenges. As a result of these challenges, dairy farmers end up making losses or stagnant in their production which is contrary to their goal of making profit. Understanding how to formulate feeds can go a long way in improving feeding of dairy animals and in reducing feeds costs. In addition, a good livestock diet can boost profitability on the farms, as well-fed animals are healthier, more productive.

This 5 day course will empower participants with skills and knowledge including hands-on training in the use of excel in feed formulation, optimization of diet formulation by the use of linear programming techniques, learn feed milling technology, feedstuff sourcing and least cost formulation of feeds among others.

Duration

5 Days

Who should attend?

·        Field technicians and agricultural extension staff

·        Farmers

·        Representatives of cooperative societies

·        Individuals who would like to venture into feed formulation and manufacturing.

·        Agricultural Extension officers

·        Representatives of NGOs

·        Private organizations

Course objectives

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

·        To use spreadsheets in formulating feeds for different classes of animals

·         Understand the principles of feed formulation and its preconditions

·        Understand feed milling management capability

·        Understand  various ingredient for processing methods

·        Understand economic benefits of feed mill

·        Learn safety regulations pertaining to feed manufacture

·        Use both manual and computer software to formulate simple feeds

Course outline

Module 1: Introduction to animal foods

·        Basics of animal nutrition

·        Groups of Foods (Food components; carbohydrates and fats, proteins, minerals, and trace elements)

·        Food Processing Terms

·        Feed ingredients

·        Water

·        Feed analysis

·        Feeding standards and ration formulation (using computer software)

Module 2: Calculating rations

·        The Object of Rationing

·        Nutritional Requirements of the Animal

·        Calculating a Maintenance Ration

·        Cattle at Pasture

·        Working Out Rations for a Herd

·        Nutrient Requirements for a Dairy Cow

·        Working Out the Total Requirements

·        Feeding a Ration to Meet Nutrient Needs

·        The Dairy Ration

·        Ready Mix Feeds

·        Using Protein Contents

·        A Summary of Rationing

·        Further Considerations in Rationing

Module 3: Animal feed production, quality assurance, and regulation

·        Feed mill establishment and operation

·        Feed milling machine designs, components and maintenance operations

·        Feed Mill Accessories

·        Feed stuff sourcing

·        Feedstuff storage

·        Feedstuff processing (Plant origin)

·         Feedstuff processing (Animal byproducts) and utilization

·        Standardization and quality control in Animal Feeds

·         Finished Feed quality and handling

·        Principles and Techniques of manual formulation

·        Pearson’s Square Method

·        Simultaneous Equation Method

·        More Complex diets (Trial and Error Method)

·        Computerized Feed Formulation and Practical formulation using the spreadsheets and other available software

Module 4

·        Formulating to produce concentrates/supplements

·        Feed Production

·        Economics and management of feed mill operations

·        Safety regulations pertaining to feed manufacture.

Module 5: Field Visit

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TRAINING CUSTOMIZATION

This training can also be customized for your institution upon request. You can also have it delivered your preferred location.

For further inquiries, please contact us through Mobile: +254 732 776 700/+254759285295 or Email: training@fineresultsresearch.org  

REQUIREMENTS

·        Participants should be reasonably proficient in English.  During the trainings, participants should come with their own laptops.

TRAINING FEE

·        The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, lunch, and study visits.

ACCOMMODATION

·        Accommodation is arranged upon request. For reservations contact us through

·        Mobile: +254732776700 / +254759285295

or Email: training@fineresultsresearch.org