DAIRY CATTLE BAG205

Dairy Cattle Distance Learning Course

COURSE STRUCTURE

There are 9 lessons as follows:

1. Dairy Breeds
Comparison of dairy breeds: the Ayrshire, Guernsey, jersey, Holstein – Friesian, A.F.S. (Australian Friesian Sahiwal), Illawarra, judging cattle: general appearance, dairy character, the udder.

2. Dairy Products
The composition of milk: protein, lactose, ash, factors affecting the composition of milk: environmental and physiological factors.

3. The Lactation Cycle
Explain the management of the lactation cycle in dairy cattle, on a farm property. The influence of the farmer on lactation, infertile cows, feeding, the milking shed, planning for feed- flow

4. Pests & Diseases of Dairy Cattle
Manage the wellbeing of a dairy cow, including consideration of its health and vigour, to optimise quality and quantity of production (Part a – pests & diseases), mastitis, correct treatment techniques, dry cow therapy, viral & bacterial diseases in cattle, disease types in cattle.

5. Feeding Dairy Cattle
Manage the wellbeing of a dairy cow, consideration of its health and vigour, to optimise quality and quantity of production (Part b - nutrition), working out dairy rations, maintenance requirements for a dairy cow, the dairy ration, working out the cost of dairy rations

6. Managing Dairy Cattle
Manage general husbandry operations for the dairy cow, managing the heifer, age of breeding, management of the dairy cow, factors affecting the milk yield.

7. Breeding Dairy Cattle
Explain the significance of animal breeding programs for milk production, selection, artificial selection, regression, disadvantages of inbreeding, performance testing, artificial insemination, ova transplants.

8. Managing Dairy Facilities
Explain the management of the facilities, including buildings and machinery at a farm dairy, basic requirements of all dairies, cooling of milk, machine milking, components of a milking machine, choosing a system, different types of systems.

9. Dairy Business Planning
Develop a business plan for the management of a dairy property, economics of dairying, business plan example.

 What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?

This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.

If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.

If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.

If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.

There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.

Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.

You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.

You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.

AIMS

• Select appropriate dairy breeds for different farming situations.
• Describe the different characteristics, including their nature and scope, of dairy products.
• Explain the management of the lactation cycle in dairy cattle, on a farm property.
• Manage general husbandry operations for the dairy cow.
• Manage the wellbeing of a dairy cow, including consideration of its health and vigour, to optimise quality and quantity of production.
• Explain the significance of animal breeding programs for milk production.
• Explain the management of the facilities, including buildings and machinery, at a farm dairy.
• Develop a business plan for the management of a dairy property.

WHAT THE COURSE COVERS
Here are just some of the things you will be doing:

• Distinguish between three different breeds of dairy cattle, which are either significant in the learner's locality, or have potential in the learner's locality, including:
  • size
  • appearance
  • preferred conditions
  • milk
  • cost per head.
• Evaluate the suitability of three different dairy cattle breeds to a specified property, in a locality with which the learner is familiar.
• Select three appropriate dairy cattle breeds for each of four specified situations, with regard to:
  • pasture varieties
  • climatic conditions (eg. temperature and weather patterns)
  • locality
  • market requirements for the product
• Judge a dairy cow, using a standard score card, such as the dairy cow unified score card produced (and revised in 1982) by the Purebred Dairy Cattle Association.
• List the different dairy products which are commonly available, in the learner's locality.
• Describe the composition of milk, with reference to different characteristics, including:
  • sediment
  • bacteria count
  • chemical impurities
  • somatic cell count
  • added water
  • flavour
• Explain the different types of flavours in milk, referring to both cause and prevention factors, and using relevant terminology, including:
  • feed
  • rancid
  • flat
  • unclean
  • foreign
  • salt
  • acid
  • oxidised flavours
• Explain how milk composition can affect its use for different purposes.
• Explain how milk is processed, on a property visited by the learner, including the process of pasteurisation (sanitisation).
• Explain how cheese is made, on a specific property.
• Explain how yoghurt is made, on a specific property.
• Explain how milk is processed to obtain cream, at a typical dairy.
• Describe the lactation cycle of a dairy cow.
• List the farm husbandry factors which can influence the lactation cycle.
• Explain how three different variations in a cow's diet may affect lactation.
• Prepare a plan for a feed flow program to support milk production on a specified property.
• Produce a log book record of management tasks carried out, over a period of 1 month, to control the lactation cycle in dairy cattle on a specified property.
• Milk a cow, verifying the proper undertaking of the task.
• List the routine husbandry tasks carried out on different dairy cows, including those in milk and those that are dry.
• Explain the routine husbandry tasks carried out on two different types of dairy cows, including those in milk and those that are dry.
• Compare the management of heifers with that of milking cows on a specified dairy farm.
• Describe the management of dairy cattle for meat production on a specified dairy farm.
• Evaluate a production system on a dairy farm, in a locality familiar to the learner.
• List the pests and diseases that are significant for dairy cattle in the learner's locality.
• Develop a checklist for the signs of ill health, which should be routinely checked, in dairy cattle.
• Describe three significant pests or diseases of dairy cattle, including mastitis.
• Explain treatments for three different pests or diseases in dairy cattle.
• Explain the irregularities which can occur in the functioning of the digestive system of dairy cattle.
• Distinguish between a maintenance ration and production ration for a dairy cow.
• Explain the nutritional requirements of a typical dairy cow on a specific property.
• Calculate the rations for a dairy cow in accordance with specified characteristics, including:
  • weight
  • quantity of milk being produced
  • butterfat concentration
• Prepare a collection of pasture plant species from two different dairy properties, and including:
  • samples of plants (ie. pressings of different plants in the pasture)
  • comments on the suitability of the pasture for dairy cattle.
• Produce a twelve month plan to manage the vigour of dairy cattle, on a specified property, which includes:
  • a list of disease management procedures
  • feed program variations throughout the year
• Explain a breeding program in use for dairy herd improvement on a specified property.
• Explain the artificial insemination methods used with dairy cattle on a specified property.
• List the criteria for selecting cattle for a dairy breeding program, in a locality which is familiar to the learner.
• Plan a hypothetical breeding program, to improve milk quality and production for dairy cattle.
• List the minimum physical facilities required for a viable dairy farm.
• List factors affecting the siting of a dairy on a farm.
• Prepare a plan for the construction of dairy facilities on a specified site, including:
  • sketch or concept plans of buildings, fencing surrounding buildings, and interior layout
  • a list of materials, including types and quantities required for construction
  • a list of equipment to be installed
  • a schedule of construction tasks
• Develop a profile of an ideal dairy farm site.
• Select the machinery needed to operate a specified, hypothetical dairy farm.
• Develop a maintenance program for dairy farm machinery, on a farm investigated by the learner.
• Explain the operation of typical milking machinery.
• Explain the significance of farm water to the operation of a dairy farm.
• Develop procedures for control of goods on a typical dairy farm, including:
  • ordering
  • receipt
  • dispatch
• Explain two different ways to manage waste effluent from a typical dairy.
• Develop guidelines for safe working practices at a typical dairy farm.
• Explain legal requirements which are relevant to a dairy farm in a specified location.
• Report on research, conducted by the learner from an information search, into innovations in the dairy industry.
• Report on the implementation of recent innovations in the dairy industry.
• List factors affecting profitability of a dairy property.
• Explain factors affecting the cost of dairy production on a specified farm.
• Write a job specification for one member of staff on a specific dairy property.
• Develop criteria for assessing the management of a dairy property.
• Prepare or evaluate a dairy farm budget for a specified property.
• Prepare or evaluate a dairy farm financial report for a specified property.
• Analyse marketing systems for marketing dairy products produced by a specified enterprise.
• Explain factors affecting sales of dairy products on a specified farm.
• Describe the selection and preparation of dairy cattle for sale in the learner's locality.
• Develop a marketing plan for a specified dairy product which addresses:
  • product presentation
  • delivery of product
  • promotions
  • customer relations
• Develop a business plan for a specified dairy property.
• Describe how the sale of dairy meat can be managed, in accordance with a business plan, while adhering to relevant regulations.

   

  More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses

   

  Who are our tutors?

   

  Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study.  We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives.  We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.

   

  Sample Course Notes

  Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well.  We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis.  If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.

   

  What learning method should I choose?

  We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”

   

  How Long will it take to complete the course?

  This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing.  We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.

   

  Longer courses will obviously take longer.  You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”

   

  What Do Our Students think of us?

  If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.

   

  I don’t think this is the right course for me.

  If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.

   

  You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.

   

  If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk

   

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  OUR TUTORS

  Dr. Gareth Pearce BSc(Hons), BVSc, MA, MVetS, PhD, GradCertEd(HE), PGCertAqVetS, PGCertWLBio&Cons, DiplECPHM, MRCVS. Gareth has over 25 years of experience in teaching and research in agriculture, veterinary medicine, wildlife ecology and conservation in a variety of colleges and universities in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. He qualified as a veterinary surgeon at the Universities of Melbourne and Bristol, having previously graduated in Agricultural Science and gained a PhD in Livestock Behaviour and Production. He also has post-graduate qualifications in Education, Wildlife Conservation Medicine, Aquatic Veterinary Studies and Wildlife Biology & Conservation.

  Anna Sylvester B.Sc.Hons.(Human Biology), M.Sc.Equine
  Anna graduated with a degree in Human Biology from Loughborough University and then went on to complete an MSc in Equine Science at The University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and has a high level of expertise in equine science. She has since spent time in managerial, research and lecturing positions. She also has practical equine experience, and still competes nationally whenever the opportunity arises.

  Marius Erasmus B.Sc.Agric., B.Sc.(Wildlife), M.Sc.Agric.
  Subsequent to completing a BSc (agric) degree in animal science, he completed an honours degree in wildlife management, and a masters degree in production animal physiology. Following the Masters degree, he has worked for 9 years in the UK, and South Africa; in wildlife management, dairy, beef and poultry farming.

   

Home Study Dairy Cattle Course

Improve your knowledge of dairy cattle management and planning.

• An excellent course for anyone wanting to work with dairy cattle or to improve their existing knowledge.

• Improve your job and career prospects.

• Study in your own time at your own pace.

• Study with industry experts – our tutors!

Student comment: "(This course)... has given me confidence in that I can understand the farmers I will be dealing with as a vet." H. Thorneycroft - Dairy Cattle

 "An insight into the care and management of dairy cattle".