High-tech stockfeed software boosts teaching

A cutting-edge stockfeed formulation program worth half a million dollars has boosted teaching resources at the University of Queensland’s Gatton Campus.

Leading technology company Format International made the software package available through their Australian agent Dr Michael Evans, a UQ Gatton graduate.

Gordon Dryden. senior lecturer in animal nutrition at UQ Gatton, said he was delighted to have the latest commercial feed blending software available for teaching and research.

“It will give our students real-world experience and enhance their employment prospects in the intensive livestock sector,” he said.

Dr Dryden said the software had been installed on the University computer system for access by a range of students working on animal nutrition subjects.

“This is a growth industry with a big expansion in commercial cattle feeding,” he said. “There are job opportunities in the feed manufacturing sector and in major farm enterprises such as cattle feedlots.

“Format is an internationally-recognised company in this highly specialised field and students will benefit from working with the latest technology.”

The software will initially be used by students studying a Bachelor of Applied Science in Animal Studies and by Master of Animal Studies students.

Dr Dryden said the computer software would be an asset in the formulation of feed rations for the poultry, feedlot cattle, dairy and deer units at UQ Gatton.

“We also plan to build special short courses to offer instruction for people employed in the feeding industry,” he said.

Dr Evans, who operates the Brisbane-based company Applied Nutrition Ltd, is Australian and Pacific Region agent for Format International.

Dr Evans completed an honours degree in Applied Science at UQ Gatton and developed an interest in feed nutrition into a specialist career.

“Optimising rations is critical to the success of intensive livestock feeding,” he said.

In addition to marketing Format International software, Dr Evans works as a nutrition consultant for the company world-wide.

Media: For more information, contact Dr Gordon Dryden (telephone 07 5460 1255) or Anthony Smith (telephone 0409 265 587).