This one week module was developed to provide workforce development opportunities for the dairy industry in Western New York. This module will provide students both theory and practical skills in dairy industry core competencies.
This course will provide the student with a basic understanding of reproduction and artificial insemination (A.I.) techniques in dairy cattle. The student will gain an understanding of the anatomy of the bovine reproductive tract through examination and palpation of both slaughterhouse specimens and live palpations. The student will learn to read sire summaries, use linear scoring, apply recordkeeping approaches and analyze herd reproductive performance. Common reproductive diseases will be discussed as well as the latest information on heat detection and synchronization programs.
This module will provide students both theory and practical skills in herdsmanship core competencies. Competencies will include cow handling techniques, lameness detection and treatment, herd health, recognizing diseases, nutrition basics, and cow comfort.
This course will provide the student with a basic understanding of the nutritional, environmental and health challenges a calf must go through from birth to yearling stage. Lab sessions will focus on mastering basic calf care skills. Field trips will be incorporated into the laboratories to expose students to different management approaches including custom calf raisers, and large and small herd replacement enterprises. Students will spend two hours per week practicing calf care procedures.
Dairy Management Analysis is an overview of specific subject matter which influences dairy cattle production units today. Subject matter includes dairy records analysis, fresh cow management, heifer and calf management, housing and ventilation, economics, profitability and employee management. Participation in the Northeast Dairy Challenge interscholastic competition or an assigned farm assessment is required.
The course introduces the student to the management and production of assorted species of livestock. Breeds of sheep, beef, and swine will be studied as well as the skills in selecting and judging these species. Feeding and management of each of these species, as well as housing and equipment requirements for animals in specific types of operations will be examined. Students will be introduced to diseases and parasites that may be encountered when managing a species-specific livestock operation.
This course provides theoretical and hands-on
experiences related to the production of quality milk. Emphasis will be placed on the basics of milk
production by the cow, assessment of udder health, milking routines and parlor
supplies, mastitis and mastitis treatment protocols, milking equipment
operation and maintenance, milk inspections, and milk pricing.
Management of the transition dairy cow involves care of the pregnant cow from approximately one month pre-partum until about 60 days post-partum when the cow is at or near peak production in the lactation cycle. This course addresses management and monitoring at the herd level as well as at the individual cow level. Recognizing dystocias and abnormalities, calving procedures, fresh cow physical examinations and post calving metabolic disorders and infectious diseases will be discussed.
Using computers to manage dairy herds is essential to maintain and improve herd production and profitability. Today's dairy farmer needs to understand and utilize the powerful computer programs available to organize herd information. This course takes the student through the commonly used computer programs and utilizes actual herd information to allow students to practice using the management tools.
Replacement rearing is an important enterprise on the modern dairy farm, with the greatest investment of time and money occurring during the first three months of the heifer calf's life. This course will provide the student with a basic understanding of the nutritional, environmental and health challenges a calf must go through during this period. Lab sessions will focus on mastering basic calf care skills including care for the newborn calf, feeding neo-natal calves, weaning practices, diagnostic procedures and bio-security protocols to address calf health as well as economic c
