Dairy Technologist and Poultry Supervisor Overview

The fundamentals of dairy technology are based on the science of Biochemistry, Bacteriology and Nutrition. Dairy farming includes breeding and care of high yielding cattle, procuring and processing milk into a variety of dairy products like cream, butter, cheese, ghee, biscuits, ice-cream, puddings, custards, etc. 

 

We also get various types of milk like whole milk, double toned milk, toned milk, skimmed milk, etc. Milk is also processed to produce various products like yoghurt, butter, ghee, ice-cream, etc. This production process requires engineers for the maintenance of processing plants and dairy technologists for overseeing the processing of milk products. 

 

A Dairy technologist’s work mainly involves procuring milk from rural dairy farmers or supervising large dairies and monitoring the procurement and collection process. Marketing of the dairy products is handled by marketing and sales professionals.

 

Poultry farming encompasses the breeding and rearing of chicken, feed formulation, feed substitutes/additives and prevention and control of diseases. It also involves the overall management of the farm including finance and marketing functions.

 

Dairy Technologists are needed to run these ultra modern firms that process milk in semi automatic or fully automatic systems. They also man the analytical and quality control laboratories. There is even scope to branch into marketing.

 

The dairy industry can be split into two broad categories viz. production and processing. Milk production involves collection of milk for which breeding and rearing of high yielding cattle is involved. The Procurement Officer carries out this procurement or collection of milk from various sources. 

 

You will also be required to come up with ways to utilise waste products and produce better products with increased shelf-life for human consumption. You will check the quality and packaging as well. Organising the distribution of products and maintaining records will keep you busy. 

 

Dairy Technologists also work as milk procurement officers. In the processing industry, you could work as a consultant or as an Engineer and look after plant maintenance, fabrication, equipment, plant design and project execution.

 

Different types of poultry farms cater to different segments of the market. Breeding farms are set up for the sole purpose of hatching and raising poultry for sale to other farmers. The farmers who buy poultry from these farms set up broiler farms. Broiler chickens are reared just for their meat. 

The common practise is to procure day-old chicks, keep them for six weeks and market them. During the time that they are in the farm, their feeding, supplements, etc. is closely monitored. Another type of poultry farm is layer farm, where the chicken is raised only for egg production. In breeding farm or hatchery the work will involve procurement of eggs, ensuring proper conditions for hatching, etc. 

 

Feeding is an important aspect of the work at the farm. The birds need a balanced diet in the right quantity for a disease-free growth. So the feed should be specially formulated keeping various factors in mind. This, in fact, is such a specialised area that large corporate houses are now manufacturing animal feed. A lot of planning and research goes into the manufacture of animal feed, to suit specific areas and ensure optimal production. 

 

Another important aspect of poultry farms is disease control. Adequate precautions need to be taken to keep diseases at bay. You will have to be well informed about vaccines, deficiencies and how to counteract them, basic hygiene, etc.

 

Ensuring adequate water supply and the right amount of feed supply to the birds, keeping a lookout for any sick bird, etc. are all a part of the daily work which goes on in a poultry farm.

You could specialise in areas like vaccinations, artificial insemination, research on feed formulation, use of feed additives, even managing the amount of light the birds are exposed to, etc. Once you graduate to being in charge of quality control, you have pressures like maintaining quality standards of perishable items.

 

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