According to a 2014 report of Department of Livestock Production, total mixed animal feed produced domestically was over 14.4 million tonnes, 8, 1% higher comparing to that in 2010. The total animal feed manufacturing factory in 2014 was 203 including 56 foreign enterprises.
Through practice, in many factories manufacturing animal feeds, there are factors that can potentially affect quality, safety and hygiene of animal feeds, such as road systems, materials, manufacture procedure, material warehouse and animal feed warehouse…, which do not warrantee hygiene and safety. Meanwhile, the quality of animal feed plays an important role in effective husbandry. Therefore, animal feed quality inspection activities is necessary for improving the conditions of animal feed and guaranteeing health of human and livestock.
In animal feed quality assessment activities, sampling is the most important step. Sampling requires samples to reflect the entire quality characteristics and to be able to present the average composition of the whole shipment. Besides, samples need to be well processed and preserved to retain their nature. In order to meet these requirements, sampling staffs must be trained in animal feed sampling technique as in Vietnam standards TCVN 4325:2007 on animal feed sampling.
At the request from VinaCert JSC and Quality Assurance and Testing Center 1, Department of Livestock Production organized a workshop on animal feed sampling at VinaCert’s headquarter, with two sessions: theory and practice. Through this workshop, VinaCert can enhance the workforce of animal feed sampling with fully technique and certification granted by Department of Livestock production.
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Panorama of the workshop
At the workshop, Mr Chu Dinh Khu, Head of Animal Feed Department (Department of Livestock Production) instructed the participants on the principles and techniques of sampling, including: location and time of sampling; general checking of the shipment before sampling; diagram of sampling, sampling tools and equipments; mixing equipments and containers, method of determining sample size and quantity; method of choosing sampling location; sample preparation; writing sampling sheets and records.
Exciting atmostphere of the workshop
Before the end of the theory session on animal feed sampling, Mr Chu Dinh Khu introduced to participants analysis factors used for examining and evaluating the quality of animal feeds. He also provided lists of designated laboratories of animal feed testing, designated organizations of animal feed conformity certification, and designated organizations of imported animal feed quality inspection. In which VinaCert Certification and Inspection JSC is included in all three lists.
After the instructor had finished the instruction, students took a test on knowledge of animal feed sampling.
By the end of the theory session, some staffs of Quality Assurance and Testing Center 1 visited VinaCert’s laboratory.
After the theory session, in the early afternoon, the whole workshop practiced sampling at Hanoi New Hope Co. Ltd. Here are some pictures of the practice session of animal feed sampling.
The workshop listening to sampling method instruction
Practicing sampling
The workshop listenning to the instruction and practicing mixing and deviding sample
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Praticing writting sample sheet and wrapping