Feed Nutritionist

Working Schedule

• Feed Nutritionists work full-time, with night or weekend hours needed in some cases. They may work in offices, labs, outdoors—or a combination of all three! Occasional travel is needed. During fieldwork, they can be exposed to inclement weather or other environmental conditions. Some positions require close proximity to animals. 

Typical Duties

• Meet with employers, clients, and business leaders or consultants to discuss ideas, projects, goals, budgets, research findings, etc.
• Conduct studies and laboratory-based research; propose and prepare animal feed formulas based on nutritional requirements and benefits, financial considerations, and target consumer demands (if applicable) 
• Add supplements to feed to support health, growth, reproduction, and/or performance
• Stay current on state and federal laws related to food manufacturing (i.e., hygiene, raw materials, additives, labeling, etc.), and feeding practices
• Conduct site visits to feed mills and feedlots/animal feeding operations

1. Note, a feed mill “produces food, including premixes, supplements, and concentrates, for animal (non-human) consumption from grain, grain byproducts, or alfalfa and other ingredients, without cooking” 
2. A feedlot is an agricultural operation “where animals are kept and raised in confined situations...Feed is brought to the animals rather than the animals grazing or otherwise seeking feed in pastures, fields, or on rangeland.”

• Apply Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point principles, Good Manufacturing Practices, eco-friendly practices, and other manufacturing procedures
• Ensure businesses understand and comply with hygiene and traceability rules
• Work as part of a research and development team
• Conduct field trials to assess the viability of new feed formulas 
• Review animal activities, living spaces, and eating habits; suggest changes to farmers and other animal owners or caretakers
• Assess levels of any harmful contaminants or signs of spoilage found within feed
• Offer suggestions for preventing and addressing problems
• Study industry trends; use new technologies and apply lessons learned

Additional Responsibilities

• Prepare budgets for research work 
• Oversee procedures for the safe receipt, loading, storing, or shipping of raw materials, as needed
• Apply for grants, participate in professional organization activities, and contribute to the advancement of the field by writing articles for academic journals
• Supervise or mentor assistants and other staff, as directed
• Specialize in an area of nutrition, such as:

1. Aquaculture
2. Companion animals
3. Corporate work
4. Horses
5. Livestock 
6. Pets (dogs, cats, etc.)
7. Veterinary sciences
8. Zoo and wildlife

Soft Skills

• Analytical 
• Attention to detail
• Communication skills
• Curiosity
• Empathy
• Investigative
• Objectivity 
• Organizational skills
• Patience
• Problem-solving
• Resourcefulness
• Sound judgment and decision-making
• Teamwork

Technical Skills

• Academic/scientific writing 
• Biology and chemistry
• Data analysis programs 
• Eco-friendly manufacturing 
• Familiarity with lab instruments 
• Feed manufacturing, feed mill, and feedlot processes
• Good Manufacturing Practice
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point
• Knowledge of ingredients and formulas
• Knowledge of quality standards and applicable regulations
• Laboratory-based sciences
• Math and statistics programs such as IBM’s SPSS

• Animal health companies
• Consulting roles/self-employment
• Livestock producers
• Manufacturing
• Pet food manufacturers 
• Research and development facilities
• Veterinary offices and animal clinics
• Zoos and animal caretakers

Feed Nutritionists often work independently and sometimes under pressure to meet deadlines or other objectives. They require a deep understanding of animal nutrition and must keep up-to-date on research by reading scientific journals, attending conferences, and perhaps taking continuing education courses.

Strong communication skills are necessary to work with farmers, feed manufacturers, veterinarians, and other potential employers or clients. Nights or weekend work may be needed to travel to sites or be present when animals are feeding. In addition, Feed Nutritionists might have to be “on call” in the event of an emergency. 

When doing fieldwork, they may be exposed to inclement weather, dust, pesticides, fertilizers, or other potential hazards. Being around certain animals can carry additional risks, which is why they must always exercise caution and understand how to work safely. 

There’s been a shift towards more sustainable, more nutritionally-optimized animal feed. This includes the use of alternative protein sources like plant-based ingredients over traditional sources like soy and fishmeal. 

Feed Nutritionists also use technology and data analytics to tailor precision nutrition formulas, promoting better animal health and improving efficiency. Tied to this is the inclusion of additives such as probiotics, prebiotics, and organic acids which support intestinal health and enhance immunity. These trends in innovative feed solutions continue to advance, requiring the skills of science- and tech-enabled workers!

Feed Nutritionists probably grew up loving animals and nature! Analytical yet intellectually curious, they might have been interested in subjects such as biology, chemistry, food science, veterinary topics, and nutrition.