Profession animal feed nutritionist

Animal feed nutritionists analyse the nutritional value of animal feeds in order to provide dietary advice to agricultural, manufacturing, zoological and public sector staff. They undertake research on nutritionally balanced food stuffs and maintain awareness of technical and scientific developments on the subject.

Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic
• Investigative / Artistic
• Investigative / Social

Knowledge

• Prepared animal feeds

  Composition, nutritional specifications and formulas of animal feeds. Feed additives, energy values, nutritional and supplemental needs depending on different species. Feed requirements according to legislation in force.

• Food legislation

  Legislation related to the food and feed industry including food manufacturing, hygiene, safety, raw materials, additives, GMOs, labelling, environmental and trade regulations.

• Animal feed ingredients

  Animal feed ingredients to determine the maximum level of undesirable substances (i.e. contaminants) in raw materials set by the European Union to prevent toxicity.

• Prepared animal feeds contamination hazards

  Contamination and spoilage hazards related to animal feeds. Prevention and reaction.

• Feed additives

  The products used to improve the quality of animal feed and the quality of the food that these animals produce or are turned into; or to improve the animals' performance and health.

• Laboratory-based sciences

  Laboratory based sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, integrated science or advanced laboratory science.

• Regulations for hygiene in feeding animals

  The body of regulations that require feed business operators to comply with standards of hygiene and traceability and the registration and approval of their establishments.

Skills

• Develop prepared animal feeds

  Develop innovative and effective animal feeds.

• Assess nutritional characteristics of food

  Assess nutritional characteristics of food for human consumption for a better healthy diet.

• Apply HACCP

  Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).

• Formulate diets with the feeds to animals

  Formulate diets and rations to maximise animal growth, reproduction, health, and/or performance.

• Apply GMP

  Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

• Communicate technicalities with clients

  Communicate with and support clients and veterinarians in case of problems. Provide feedback to production and management.

• Follow an environmental friendly policy while processing food

  Assure an environmental-friendly policy when working with natural resources like meat, fruits and vegetables. This means handling resources in the most efficient and nature-friendly way while trying to minimalise pressure on the ecosystem.

• Ensure no harmful effects on feed additives

  Ensure that feed additives undergo scientific evaluation to assess if the additive has any harmful effects on human or animal health or on the environment.

• Manage the reception of raw materials for animal feeds

  Ensuring procurement and reception of raw materials, planning and execution of production, as well as the loading and dispatching of feed.

• Apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages

  Apply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.

• Maintain updated professional knowledge

  Regularly attend educational workshops, read professional publications, actively participate in professional societies.

• Handle documentation for prepared animal feeds

  Registering the required transport documents for prepared animal feeds. Registering medicated feeds.

• Evaluate nutritional value of feeds

  Evaluate the chemical and nutritional value of feeds, feed supplements, grass and forage for commercial animals.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB