Meet the Nutrifeed team – Inge van As

Do you know the great people that make up the team for piglet and sow at Nutrifeed?  This time, meet our colleague:

Inge van As

Research piglets

In her position as Researcher piglets, she is responsible for the R&D (research and development) of our Nutrifeed products over the whole world. In this interview, she tells us more about her work and what is so great about working at Nutrifeed.

How did you end up at Nutrifeed?
A few months before my graduation, I started searching for jobs preferably focusing on swine nutrition and research. I really liked doing (applied) research during my study, so when I saw the vacancy for a researcher piglet feed I knew immediately that I had to apply. After some interviews and an assessment, I was hired!

What is your role (responsibility) within Nutrifeed?
Within Nutrifeed, I am responsible for the research for the (development of) piglet products. I make trial protocols and I am, together with my colleague, responsible for the execution and supervision of these trials at the Pig Farm or at a commercial farm. Thereafter, I will analyze the obtained data and present the results to sales- or product managers and/or translate them to new products or concepts.

What is your previous work experience?
To be honest, this is my first job after graduating from Wageningen University. I studied Animal Sciences, both the bachelor and master, with a focus on animal physiology and nutrition. During my study, I wrote my thesis at the R&D of Agrifirm and I did an internship at the R&D of De Heus, both about piglets. So I did have a little experience within the animal feed sector.

What do you like best about your job?
What I like the most about my job is the challenge to keep improving the nutrition and welfare of piglets without compromising on performance. And the fact that I learn every day something new about piglets, nutrition or research.

What do you like best about piglets?
Small changes in the feed or living conditions can already have a major impact on the performance or intestinal safety of piglets. In addition, piglets are very smart animals and I like the challenge to rear them in the best possible way.

What is the biggest challenge in your work?
The biggest challenge is to find solutions to problems in the pig industry, such as reducing mortality after birth, tail biting, or post-weaning diarrhea.

What do you like most about working at/for Nutrifeed?
What I like the most is the nice working environment at Nutrifeed. People are very kind and welcoming. In addition, I like all the opportunities there are to develop myself further as a researcher in piglet feed. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all better!