The Advancing Agricultural Excellence project is a comprehensive training program on animal feeding, cropping systems, and nutrient management for international fellows from the Global South. The University of Florida accepted 4 fellows who visited Gainesville and the surrounding area for 12 weeks, attending various educational activities focused on sustainable agriculture.
Research Scientist
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
Agronomist and Social Scientist
Institute of Environment and Agriculture Research (INERA) in Burkina Faso
Animal Science Researcher
Directorate of Animal Science in the Agricultural Research Institute Mozambique
Assistant Farm Manager
Animal Production Directorate in Ghana
Date: May 30th
Location: Plant Science Research and Education Unit, Citra, FL
Activities: At the 2024 Corn Silage and Forage Field Day, the fellows attended educational talks on silage production, explored new materials and technologies at a trade show focused on corn and sorghum production, and toured silage hybrid trials. They learned about silage quality and animal performance from a presentation by Diwakar Vyas and gained insights into irrigation and fertilizer management of corn through a presentation by Vivek Sharma.
Date: May 31st
Location: North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna, FL
Activities: During the Panhandle Cattlemen’s College Pasture Class, the fellows participated in hands-on activities, including ground preparation, planter calibration, seeding rate calculations, and planting Bahia and other pasture crops. They also helped build fencing, identify feeds, and calibrate a sprayer.
Date: June 12-15
Location: Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa, Jensen Beach, FL
Activities: At the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Florida Section meeting, the fellows attended professional development workshops, technical sessions, and educational panels featuring various professors. They learned about new developments in agricultural and natural resources, nutrient management recommendations for Florida’s major crops, pesticide runoff, flood mitigation, and more.
Date: June 16-20
Location: Palm Beach County Convention Center, West Palm Beach, FL
Activities: During the American Dairy Science Association 2024 Annual Meeting, the fellows participated in workshops, attended panels, and networked with other scientists. Topics covered included dairy science breakthroughs in animal behavior, animal health, breeding and genetics, dairy foods, extension education, human health, ruminant nutrition, and more.
Date: June 30th-July 2nd
Location: Harrell’s Coating Solutions and Pursell Agri-Tech, Sylacauga, Alabama
Activities: This visit provided the fellows with an opportunity to learn about various technologies used in the manufacturing of controlled-release fertilizer.
Date: July 7-20th
Location: NFREC, Marianna, FL
Activities: This trip with Dr. Jose Dubeux enhanced the fellows’ knowledge and practical experience in sustainable agricultural practices, including cropping systems, forage production, nitrous oxide emissions from soil, and livestock and beef cattle production systems. The visit included hands-on experience with research methods.
Date: July 30th-August 2nd
Location: Orange, Osceola, Volusia, Putnam, and St. John’s Counties, and FAMU
Activities: The fellows visited extension offices in Orange County, Osceola County, and St. John’s County to learn about livestock production, forage production, and cropping systems. They networked with experienced extension agents and received hands-on demonstrations addressing local agricultural challenges and innovations. In Orange County, they learned about water quality and quantity management; in Osceola, Putnam, and St. John’s Counties, they studied the cultivation and management of tropical grasses and summer forages. In Volusia County, they visited small farms and feed stores. Lastly, at FAMU Brooksville Agricultural and Environmental Research Station, they learned about small ruminant production systems.
Feeding Management and Sample Collection in Dairy Cattle Projects:
The fellows were involved in the daily management of feeding regimes for dairy cattle, ensuring that the animals received balanced and nutritious diets. They collected samples for various analyses to monitor the health and productivity of the cattle.
Silage Trial:
The fellows conducted trials to assess the quality and effectiveness of different silage formulations. They learned about the processes of silage making, preservation, and storage.
In-vitro Batch Culture Experiment:
In these experiments, the fellows examined the fermentation process and microbial activity within the rumen under controlled laboratory conditions. They evaluated the nutritional value and digestibility of different feedstuffs.
Fiber Analysis:
The fellows conducted fiber analyses to determine the composition and quality of forage and feed. This involved using techniques such as neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) analysis.
Ration Formulation:
They learned to formulate balanced rations for dairy cattle that met their nutritional requirements. This included understanding the principles of diet formulation and the use of software tools for ration balancing.
Statistical Analysis:
The fellows were trained in statistical methods to analyze data collected from their experiments. They learned to use statistical software to interpret results and draw meaningful conclusions.
Experimental Design:
They gained knowledge in designing robust experiments that could provide reliable and valid results. This included learning about different types of experimental designs, sampling methods, and the importance of replication and randomization.
In addition to these laboratory and on-farm activities, the fellows also visited various agricultural operations and research facilities to broaden their understanding and gain practical insights:
Commercial Dairy Operations:
The fellows visited large-scale commercial dairy farms to observe best practices in dairy management, milk production, and animal health protocols.
Small Ruminant Farms:
They toured farms that specialize in small ruminants, such as sheep and goats, to learn about the management and nutritional strategies employed in these settings.
Research Stations:
Visits to research stations provided the fellows with exposure to ongoing agricultural research projects and innovations in forage production, cropping systems, and livestock management.
These visits complemented the fellows' training by providing real-world contexts where they could see the application of the principles and techniques they were learning. This holistic approach ensured that the fellows were well-equipped to implement improvements in dairy and livestock production systems in their home countries.
This blog is authored by Dorothy Mwachiro, GFSI project manager. The...
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