New Game Feed training course will improve bird nutrition, welfare and sustainability practices

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The Marsdens Game feed team has recently completed a new feed training course covering game nutrition, welfare and how to support improved sustainability practices, following its launch in July. 

The new course – The Feed Adviser Register (FAR) Game Feed Module level one – is run by the Agricultural Industries Confederation.

The course has been designed to improve gamebird nutrition, production systems, feed management, biosecurity, hygiene, health and welfare and key performance indicators. It also includes a focus on sustainable game feed and how this relates to the carbon footprint of game farms, shoots and game meat. The content of the new course marks a significant step forward to help drive continued progress in the UK game sector. 

“With game meat growing in popularity with consumers it’s essential that game feed advisers are equipped with a basic understanding of how a well-planned diet leads to healthy gamebirds, whilst continuing to be conscious of reducing the environmental footprint of gamebird rearing and breeding”, explained David Moss, Technical Manager at the Agricultural Industries Confederation.

As well as feed merchants such as Marsdens, the course is also suitable for gamebird breeders, rearers, and keepers, landowners, shoot owners, and game meat buyers, who want to better understand the impact that gamebird feed has on management practices, biosecurity and hygiene, meat quality, and sustainability targets.

 “The FAR Game Feed module recognises the value of advice into the sector which is such an important part of the rural economy and increasingly, the food chain. I hope it will play its part in encouraging more retailers to promote game to consumers, knowing that the sector is now underpinned by quality assurance”, said Nick Major, Corporate Affairs Director at ForFarmers, and Chair of AIC’s Feed Executive Committee.

“At Marsdens we pride ourselves on supporting customers with dedicated, local support and the most up-to-date guidance as they navigate the challenges affecting our industry” says

Andrew Fothergill, National Poultry Advisor. “The training also helps our specialist game team to recommend nutrition and advise on feeding regimes which minimise environmental emissions and pollution.”

The FAR Game Feed Module, level 1, covers nutrition, gamebird production systems, feed management, biosecurity, hygiene, health and welfare, key performance indicators, and sustainability.

The module can be completed in participants’ own time, at their own pace, with online assessment. Successful participants will receive a certificate of completion.

The module is available free of charge to all FAR Members, while non-members can join FAR as an Associate Member for an annual fee of £75 plus VAT, before taking the module. Future game feed modules are planned.

To find out more about the Feed Adviser Register (FAR) Game Feed Module level one contact David Moss at AIC david.moss@agindustries.org.uk or call 07585 323943.