Executive course on livestock feeds processing and feeding systems

The executive course on livestock feeds processing and feeding systems was conducted at the Centre of Excellence for Livestock Innovation and Business (CoELIB), Egerton University, Njoro campus from 26th April- 1st May, 2015. The course had a total of fifteen participants drawn from various Non Governmental Organisations, companies and farms from Eastern,western and southern regions of Kenya.

Eight presentations were made. These included, “Livestock feed industry in Kenya” by Dr. J.O Ondiek which aimed at introducing the participants to the current situation of livestock feed industry in Kenya. The presentation covered livestock feed and feeding systems in Kenya, challenges and opportunities. Dr. Ambula
presented “Introduction to digestive systems”. This presentation aimed at teaching the participants physiology of the cow and ruminants in general.

Dr. Onjoro presented “Classification of feeds and nutrient requirements” with the objective of teaching the various classes of feeds for the different types of livestock with different digestive systems. Nutrient content for the specific feeds was also taught. This presentation specifically covered feeds for ruminants (dairy, beef, goats and sheep), non-ruminants (poultry and pigs), pseudo- ruminant (rabbits and horses) and fish (carp, tilapia and catfish). “Quality control and certification” and “marketing and distribution” were all covered by the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (AKEFEMA). The presentations gave the participants an overview of the state of feed processing in Kenya, the challenges that most people who have ventured into the industry face, how to maintain the quality of feed and the certification process of feed manufacturer.

“Raw materials: energy sources, animal protein sources and plant protein sources” was presented by Dr. Ambula. Nutrient content of raw materials, selection and source of raw materials, mycotoxins and salmonella in feeds, macro premixes and effective feed cost formulation were covered during the presentation. She also made a presentations on “Feeding systems: conventional and improved”, “home-made versus bought-in feeds” and “optimising production by manipulating feeding systems” and lastly “Ration formulation and costing” with the objective of teaching the participants the different ration formulas for the different types of feed. The different feeds covered include dairy meal, chick mash, growers mash, layers mash, broiler starter and finisher, sow and weaner, rabbit pellets and fish pellets.

Participants carried out practical’s on formulation of dairy meal, poultry feeds, sow and weaner meal, rabbit pellets and fish pellets. At the end of the course the participants were awarded certificates for successful completion of the course. The course enabled the participants to have a thorough understanding of the
technique used in evaluation of livestock feed and assessment of nutrient requirements of various classes of animals, ability to utilize quantitative data in the formulation of diets and feeding strategies for different classes of livestock.