Feed Microscopy Short Course
Focusing upon Ruminant Feed & Restricted Use Proteins
December 9-11, 2004, The McClellen Facility Meeting Center, Sacramento, California, USA.

Course Instructors
Patricia Ramsey, USA
Neil Vary, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canada

Delegates interested in Feed Microscopy met in Sacramento, California, USA. Due to the existence of BSE or Mad Cow Disease, this course focused on the individual ingredients and mineral present ruminant feeds and mixed ruminant feed. Additionally, conference delegates learned more about rendered animal products and restricted use proteins. The classes were hands-on and provided individual instruction. There were also a number of unknown ingredient mixtures for delegates to identify.

Key topics covered:

• Ingredient identification, equipment used, sample preparation techniques and observation methods
• Ruminant Feed Ingredients
• Rendered Animal Protein Products
• Restricted Use Proteins
• Identifying Hair and Bone
• Distinguishing Bone from Minerals using Microscopy
• Flotation
• Applicable Micro Chemical Spot Tests