Unlock the secrets to successful dairy farming with our comprehensive Dairy Cattle Course. Designed for aspiring farmers, agricultural professionals, and animal enthusiasts, this course provides an in-depth understanding of dairy cattle care, management, and production. Whether you’re aiming to establish your own dairy farm, enhance your existing operations, or simply broaden your agricultural knowledge, this course is your gateway to mastering the essentials of dairy farming.

Through flexible distance learning, you’ll gain insights into critical topics such as:

• Cattle Nutrition: Learn the importance of balanced diets and feed management to maintain healthy, productive herds.
• Herd Health and Welfare: Explore best practices for disease prevention, vaccination, and maintaining optimal living conditions.
• Breeding and Genetics: Understand breeding techniques to improve herd productivity and ensure the genetic health of your cattle.
• Milk Production and Quality: Discover methods for efficient milking processes and maintaining the highest quality standards.
• Farm Management: Develop strategies for cost-effective and sustainable dairy farm operations.
• With the support of our expert tutors and a practical, hands-on approach to learning, this course equips you with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the dairy industry. Study at your own pace from anywhere in the world and take the first step towards a rewarding career in dairy farming today.

There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. Dairy Breeds
   • Comparison of dairy breeds
   • Ayrshire
   • Guernsey
   • Jersey
   • Holstein
   • Friesian
   • A.F.S. (Australian Friesian Sahiwal)
   • Illawarra
   • Judging cattle: general appearance, dairy character, udder
2. Dairy Products
   • The composition of milk
   • 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
   • 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
   • Optimising quality and quantity of production
   • Treatment techniques
   • Dry cow therapy
   • bacterial diseases in cattle
   • Disease types in cattle
5. Feeding Dairy Cattle
   • Manage the wellbeing of a dairy cow
   • 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
   • factors affecting milk yield
7. Breeding Dairy Cattle
   • 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

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

What You Will Do

• 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.

A Statement of Attainment in Dairy Cattle is a valuable credential for a variety of individuals involved in or interested in the dairy industry. Here’s a breakdown of who would benefit most:

1. Aspiring Dairy Farmers

• Individuals looking to start a career in dairy farming or establish their own dairy business.
• People with little to no prior experience who want foundational knowledge and skills in dairy cattle care and management.

2. Existing Dairy Farmers

• Farmers seeking to upskill and stay updated with best practices in dairy cattle nutrition, health, breeding, and milk production.
• Those looking to improve farm efficiency, increase herd productivity, or implement sustainable practices.

3. Agricultural Workers

• Farmhands and workers already employed in the dairy industry who want to formalize their skills or advance their careers.
• Individuals seeking to diversify their roles within agricultural businesses by specializing in dairy cattle management.

4. Students and Graduates of Agriculture

• Students in agricultural or veterinary studies who want to gain practical, focused expertise in dairy cattle.
• Recent graduates looking to strengthen their resumes with a specific, industry-recognized qualification.

5. Animal Enthusiasts and Hobby Farmers

• Hobby farmers managing small herds who want to ensure proper care and optimal production.
• Animal lovers interested in learning about the unique needs and welfare of dairy cattle.

6. Agricultural Advisors and Consultants

• Professionals who provide advice and support to dairy farms, aiming to deepen their understanding of the industry to better serve their clients.

7. Entrepreneurs and Investors in the Dairy Industry

• Entrepreneurs exploring dairy farming as a business opportunity who need a solid understanding of its demands and processes.
• Investors in agriculture who want to gain insight into the operational aspects of dairy farming to make informed decisions.

By earning a Statement of Attainment in Dairy Cattle, these individuals can demonstrate their expertise, boost their career prospects, and contribute to the success and sustainability of the dairy industry.