UWIL, SWITZERLAND — After a 10-month training period, 18 individuals have been awarded a diploma from the Swiss Institute of Feed Technology (SFT).

Participants from 14 different countries took part in the 35^th specialized course. The top student was a participant from Israel.

During the training, the students gained in-depth knowledge about feed production, both in the context of private study and in attendance phases.

“They now rank among the experts in their field,” said Marcel Scherrer, president of the SFT.

 Efficient technologies and know-how are needed for sustainable animal feed production. Alongside the growing demand, specific requirements also are increasing. The demands presented by customers and end consumers as well as legal regulations are constantly presenting feed millers with new challenges.

A broad field is covered from the bases of individual process steps, plant design, animal nutrition, feed safety to the new sensor technologies as the basis for digitalizing the industry. With their training, the graduates are now qualified to undertake management responsibilities.

A special distinction was given to Shimon Elmaliah, the top student of the year at the graduation ceremony, who passed this course with flying colors. Elmaliah, who is an agronomist as well, is from Israel and has worked a long time for a feed additive manufacturer. He shared his many years of experience with his fellow students. Elmaliah achieved a mark of 5.76, an outstanding attainment for which he received the traditional pewter plate.

 The “Feed Production Engineer” diploma course took place in 2018 for the fifth time after the new concept was established. The aim is to allow participants to complete the training in parallel with their occupational duties. Attendance time is eight weeks, divided into two blocks. Between the teaching blocks in Switzerland the course participants have to work on topics themselves and submit evidence of achievement, whereby 21 subject areas are involved.

During both intensive courses the students sat a total of 14 written exams. The highlight and conclusion of each individual block is the two oral exams in the core subjects before a panel of experts.

The SFT operates as a non-profit association and is recognized as a further education and training establishment by the Association of Swiss Feed Manufacturers (VSF).

The SFT provides professionals from the feed industry and related industries with knowledge relating to the production of animal feed. Successful completion of the specialist course provides graduates with the capacity to understand all modern processing technologies and processes in a compound feed plant and to apply them appropriately in practice.

The next course in compound feed technology will start in January 2019 in German.