THE MANY and varied forms that land-based education has taken in recent years is typified by the fact that it’s been 10 years since the first student graduated from Harper Adams University with a Diploma in Ruminant Nutrition, thanks to an initiative spearheaded by Mole Valley Farmers.
In 2008, Dr Chris Bartram, head of nutrition for Mole Valley approached Harper’s Professor of animal science, Liam Sinclair, with a vision to professionalise the feed industry. Together, they set about designing an industry-leading course, which has since been attended by nearly 200 feed specialists. From the outset, the aim was to put together an independent course for anyone involved in the feed industry, not just Mole Valley employees.
Dr Bartram added: “We felt that there was a need for official training and certification within the animal feed industry. To sell animal medicines, you need an AMTRA qualification and to be an agronomist you need to be FACTS and BASIS qualified, but traditionally, there was nothing for ruminant nutritionists. Ultimately, it’s about…
