Animal nutritionist

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An animal nutritionist is a person who specializes in animal nutrition, which is especially concerned with the dietary needs of animals in captivity: livestock, pets, and animals in wildlife rehabilitation facilities.

Contents

The science of animal nutrition encompasses principles of chemistry (especially biochemistry), physics, mathematics, and ethology (animal behavior). Animal nutrition in the food industry may also be concerned with economics and food processing.

Education

A Bachelor of Science in agricultural, biological or related life sciences is usually required. A typical course would study the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, minerals, vitamins and water, and the relationship between these nutrients and animal production. [1] A Master's degree in nutrition is often seen in animal nutrition and the field requires a Ph.D. in the science of nutrition. [2]

Career activities

Those with an educational background can expect to be employed in the following areas:

Notable animal nutritionists

Related Research Articles

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  1. Receive raw ingredients: Feed mills receive raw ingredients from suppliers. Upon arrival, the ingredients are weighed, tested and analyzed for various nutrients and to ensure their quality and safety.
  2. Create a formula: Nutritionists work side by side with scientists to formulate nutritionally sound and balanced diets for livestock, poultry, aquaculture and pets. This is a complex process, as every species has different nutritional requirements.
  3. Mix ingredients: Once the formula is determined, the mill mixes the ingredients to create a finished product.
  4. Package and label: Manufacturers determine the best way to ship the product. If it is prepared for retail, it will be "bagged and tagged," or placed into a bag with a label that includes the product's purpose, ingredients and instructions. If the product is prepared for commercial use, it will be shipped in bulk.

Karen Beauchemin is a federal scientist in Canada who is recognized as an international authority on methane emissions and ruminant nutrition. Her research helps develop farming techniques that improve how we raise cattle for meat and milk, while reducing the environmental impacts of livestock production.

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Preventive Nutrition is a branch of nutrition science with the goal of preventing, delaying, and/or reducing the impacts of disease and disease-related complications. It is concerned with a high level of personal well-being, disease prevention, and diagnosis of recurring health problems or symptoms of discomfort which are often precursors to health issues. Preventive nutrition may assist in prolonging the onset of non-communicable diseases and may allow adults to experience more "healthy living years" later in life. The need for preventive nutrition continues to grow as the overweight and obese population numbers steadily rise within the childhood to adult populous, as the numbers have increased over the last 40 years. To educate the public about preventive nutrition, each social structure has its own way of communicating what preventive nutrition is within its own society, this is done through either a public health forum, government programs and policies or nutritional education. In the United States, preventive nutrition is taught to the public through the use of the food pyramid or MyPlate initiatives.

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Chantal Yvette Kaboré-Zoungrana is a Burkinabè animal nutritionist and biosecurity expert. She is a professor at the University of Ouagadougou and former head of the national Burkina Faso National Biosafety Agency.

Kathryn Gertrude Dewey is an American nutritionist. She is a Distinguished Professor Emerita in the Department of Nutrition at the University of California, Davis. Her studies in nutrition led to adaptations to the World Health Organization's recommendations for infants.

References

  1. Cal Poly - Areas of Study Archived November 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  2. Auburn University Animal Sciences Archived October 16, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Exploring job types: Animal nutritionist
  4. "Zoungrana Chantal Yvette (Nee Kabore) | The AAS". www.aasciences.africa. Retrieved 2020-02-09.