This short course is aimed at delegates who wish to develop their knowledge of ruminant nutrition. The course is specifically designed for those who have recently become involved in giving on-farm advice including animal nutrition advisors, veterinary surgeons and teachers.

The objectives of the course are to establish a thorough working knowledge of nutrition and diet formulation. By the end of the course delegates will be able to solve practical problems based on a knowledge of nutritional theory and devise suitable rations for dairy cows.

The course content will cover the principles of dairy cow nutrition including; rumen function, energy and protein nutrition, feed intake, practical ration formulation and mineral nutrition.

This two day course is split between time ‘in the classroom’ and ‘on farm’ to reinforce the more practical aspects of dairy cow nutrition. The tutors, Julia Moorhouse and James Husband, will cover the theory of dairy cow nutrition, including the drivers of feed intake, energy and protein metabolism, mineral requirements and the fundamentals of ration formulation.

The Gold Cup winning farm we will be visiting (PE King Ltd, Laddenside) is a 15 minute drive from the course hotel in Falfield, Gloucestershire. The time spent on the farm will allow a more hands-on approach to the production and assessment of forage, feed identification and the challenges of implementing a ration accurately and monitoring its effects.

Note: Delegates will need appropriate protective clothing for a farm visit and a laptop.

If you are booking 5 or more delegates, please contact us for a group discount.

Date: 4^th & 5^th June 2024
Duration: 2 Days
Time: Course starts 10am on the first day and finishes at 4pm on the second day
Venue day 1: The Gables Hotel, Bristol Road, Falfield, South Gloucestershire, GL12 8DL
Day 2: PE King, Laddenside Farm, Bristol Road, Iron Acton, BRISTOL, BS37 9TG

Cost (Course): £600 + vat
Cost (Inc DBB): £720 + vat

If you are booking 5 or more delegates, please contact us for a group discount.

Julia Moorhouse, Head of Veterinary Services, Map of Ag

Julia qualified at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Science in 2000 and worked in mixed, mainly farm animal practice in the North of England for 13 years before joining Map of Ag (previously EBVC / Evidence Group). She holds the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Certificate in Cattle Health and Production and completed a MSc in Sustainable and Efficient Food Production at the University of Aberystwyth in 2019.

Julia’s role involves provision of technical advice relating to dairy herd health, welfare, nutrition and management to the dairy industry including processors, retailers and their producers. She also provides direct consultancy advice to dairy farms in the North of England.

Julia’s key areas of interest include feeding management, forage production and youngstock.

James Husband, Senior Livestock Consultant, Map of Ag

James qualified from vet school in 1993. He has 28 years of technical experience. This includes a certificate in Cattle Health & Production (RSVS 1998), a diploma in Cattle Health & Production (RCVS 2003), a diploma in Bovine Health & Management (ECBHM, 2006) before becoming specialist in Cattle Health & Production (RCVS, 2009).

James works for Map of Ag across both the business development team, working to understand industry needs, as well as the technical team, supporting and advising clients with the delivery of data and consulting projects to help meet their aims. James oversees many of the environmental sustainability projects day to day, in order to support the industry in understanding opportunities to improve on farm efficiency and environmental sustainability.