Training

Training curriculum

Training

Built for sales and nutritional support staff within feed manufacturing companies as well as vets and farmers – a focused programme combining on-farm practice with desk-based learning. Each module stands on its own; most cohorts take three or four together.

The seven modules

M.01 — Dairy cow nutrition
From the basics to the advanced and chemical to physical nutrition.  We cover diet formulation and income-over-feed-cost optimisation as well as the full picture from forage analysis (on paper and in the pit) through to finished ration with winter and summer feeding covered.  Add-ons for advanced learning available.

M.02 — Beef nutrition
Rearing, finishing, suckler cows from dry to with calf at foot.  In our beef nutrition module we cover diet formulation and margin generation across the growing, finishing and breeding herd using traditional feeds, through to byproducts and alternative forage crops.

M.03 — Transition cow management
The period that decides the lactation. Where most fresh cow disease starts, and where most of the prevention and lactation success is built. Covering far-off, close-up and early lactation principles and covering a variety of feeding options to suit each scenario.

M.04 — Forage management
Sampling, conservation, utilisation. From the principles of forage production, we cover how to make and manage forage in the clamp, as well as in the field. Covering how to read a silage report and what to do about it through to silage stocks and forage options and even what are your alternatives if forage is short on farm.

M.05 — Alternative feeds and co-products
Making the most of your options. Liquid and moist co-products, how to feed them, when to feed them and what the pros and cons of the most common feeds on the market.  We will also cover sugars, fats (protected and unprotected) as well as delving into protected and novel proteins and micro-ingredients including yeast products and rumen buffers.

M.06 — Fertility, mastitis and lameness (plus heat stress!)
The three diseases of management. What the nutritionist can change, and what they can’t – we also look at the bigger picture of on-farm management and how to work across the entire team on farm.

M.07 — Calf and youngstock rearing
Building the next generation of cows. Covering all the influences on calf and youngstock success including colostrum management and feeding, milk feeding, weaning tactics, and how best to keep that pre-weaning success going post-weaning.

How it runs

Modules combine theory sessions with on-farm practice. Each session has follow-up support – phone and email – for thirty days after delivery.

Cohorts of six to twelve work best. Sessions can be delivered at your premises and/or at a host farm.

We can tailor any module to individual business needs and wants, just ask!