Ruurd Zijlstra
Contact
Professor, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Ag, Food & Nutri Sci Dept
- zijlstra@ualberta.ca
- Phone
- (780) 492-8593
- Address
-
3-10K Agriculture/Forestry Centre
9011 116 St NWEdmonton ABT6G 2P5
Overview
About
Degree
PhD, University of Illinois
Job/Research Area
Swine & Carbohydrate Nutrition
Research
Major Responsibilities/Research Interests
My research interest is in ingredient evaluation and feed processing. The vision is to create a decision model that optimizes feed processing following ingredient evaluation. The end goal is to ensure a predictable performance of agricultural species. Within each feed ingredient, a range exists in quality characteristics that must be validated in animal models, but should be measured for a large number of samples using laboratory-based technologies. Subsequently, equipment, for example near infra-red reflectance spectroscopy, can feed quality following proper calibration. The range in quality is usually related to a change in factors such a fiber or other anti-nutritional factors that negatively influence nutrient digestibility or rate of digestion. Feed processing, including grinding, pelleting, expansion, extrusion, etc. can be used to reduce the negative impact of these factors and thereby improve digestibility characteristics.
Courses
AFNS 562 - Swine Nutrition
Nutrient utilization and requirements, feed ingredients, and applied feeding program. Feed formulation strategies and current topics in swine nutrition will be discussed in detail. Not to be taken if credit received for AN SC 462. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
AFNS 563 - Poultry Nutrition
Nutritional requirements, feeding programs, and feed ingredients used for poultry. Feed formulation strategies and current topics in poultry nutrition will be discussed extensively. Not to be taken if credit received for AN SC 462, AN SC 463, or AFNS 515. Prerequisite: consent of Instructor.
AN SC 462 - Monogastric Nutrition
Nutrient utilization and requirements, feed ingredients and applied feeding programs for poultry and swine. Feed formulation strategies and current topics in poultry and swine nutrition will be discussed in detail. Not to be taken if credit received for AN SC 463. Prerequisite: AN SC 260, 3 units in NUTR, or 3 units in NU FS 305. Corequisite: AN SC 311 or 6 units in PHYSL.
AN SC 464 - Companion Animal Nutrition
Aimed at fourth year undergraduate students with an interest in companion animal nutrition. The course will focus on nutrient utilization and requirements of dogs, cats, and horses. Other companion animal species (mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, etc.) will also be covered. Current issues in pet food nutrition and manufacture will be discussed. Prerequisite: 3 units from AN SC 260, NUTR 301, or NU FS 305.
AN SC 488 - Animal Nutrition and Health
An advanced course aimed at fourth year undergraduate students with an interest in using animal nutrition to solve animal health problems. The course will focus on problems that are associated with animal longevity, mortality and morbidity and will translate research findings into nutrition recommendations. Prerequisite: AN SC 461 or AN SC 464; or corequisite AN SC 462.
AN SC 499 - Integrative Project in Animal Health or Animal Science
A team-based capstone course exploring broad areas of animal health or animal science. Students will work in groups with mentors on a project involving experiential learning and skill development related to the field. Credit cannot be obtained in both AN SC 499 and AN SC 479.