Recipient Organization
NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY
1620 STANDLEY DR ACADEMIC RESH A RM 110
LAS CRUCES,NM 88003-1239
Performing Department
Research Administration Servic
Non Technical Summary
The Animal Nutrition Laboratory in the Animal and Range Science Department at New Mexico State University plays a pivitol role in cutting edge livestock nutrition research involving the investigation of nutrient digestibility, nutritional management of stressed calves, and productivity of the beef cow in challenging conditions in addition to providing hands on experience to train graduate and undergraduate students in research methods and provide feed and forage analysis services to New Mexico livestock producers. Most commonly collected samples requiring fat analysis are livestock feed and forage samples; however, with our current fat analysis equipment, all samples requiring fat analysis are sent to external laboratories as the age and disrepair of the equipment makes operation dangerous and results unreliable. The impact of a new ANKOM XT-15 Solvent Extraction Machine at NMSU Department of Animal and Range Sciences will greatly aid in the production of precise and accurate data and training of students in the field of Animal Science. An increase in data generation will increase publication productivity and make us more competitive for grant funding in the future and expand our capabilities to adopt and/or develop new assays.
Animal Health Component
45%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
45%
Applied
45%
Developmental
10%
Goals / Objectives
The goal is to obtain one-half funding for an ANKOM XT-15 Solvent Extractor, which will be used by members of the Animal and Ranges Sciences Department at New Mexico State University (NMSU). The other half of the funding will be provided by the Department of Animal and Range Sciences. This piece of equipment is crucial to meeting the following objectives:The overreaching objective of the research conducted in animal sciences at NMSU is to provide our stake holders with tools to improve the efficiency of ruminant animal production in arid environmentsProvide feed, forage, and fecal sample analysis for New Mexico producers and the New Mexico Cooperative Extension ServiceTeach graduate and undergraduate students proper laboratory techniques and have all of the tools necessary for students to analyze all of their samples in house
Project Methods
The new solvent extractor will be located in the Nutrition laboratory at NMSU in Knox Hall that is under the supervision of Dr. Sergio Soto-Navarro. It will be installed in the solvent extraction laboratory where the current ether extract rack resides. After the new solvent extraction machine has been installed a representative from the manufacturer will train our Nutrition Lab Coordinator, Lyndi Bryant, on the use of the machine. She will then present this information to the professors and student researchers in the department who will be using this machine. Prior to use of the solvent extractor, all users will be properly trained to ensure user safety and prevent machine damage. Routine maintenance will be handled by the Nutrition Laboratory Coordinator. The Nutrition Laboratory is a multi-user laboratory and all equipment usage and scheduling is handled through the online learning system, Canvas. This allows for scheduling of equipment, tracking of equipment usage, tracking of users, and provides information of equipment use hours and when maintenance should be performed. Additionally, a log book will be located in close proximity to the solvent extraction machine with maintenance logs to be completed prior to each use. In the event that a repair is needed that is not covered under warrantee, the fees will be paid by funds maintained in the equipment maintenance fund in the Nutrition Laboratory account. All users of the Nutrition Laboratory are charged a fee and a portion of each fee is set aside for equipment maintenance.General maintenance for the new solvent extractor will include:A. Before useEach user will be trained on proper operating procedures and review the user manual.Use only consumables that are compatible with the machine.Check equipment for damage before each use.Check that machine is loaded correctly and all necessary solvents are at required fill level prior to operation.B. During useDo not exceed the maximum number of samples than can comfortably fit in the extraction vessel.The operator should not leave the solvent extractor until the machine indicates correct start up procedures have begun.Cancel the run immediately if an unusual condition (noise or smell) or error message appears, and check solvent levels, seals, and that the extraction vessel has been properly installed.C. After useCheck the extraction vessel for damage or other maintenance requirementWhen finished promptly remove samples and properly shut down the machineInspect the machine and report any necessary maintenance to the laboratory manager.