Dairy farming is one of Australia’s most important industries. In fact, it’s the fourth largest rural industry, generating billions of dollars every year. If you want to learn about farming dairy cattle, this professional development course is for you.
Certificate of Dairy Cattle and Farming is an online professional development course that offers practical foundation knowledge about dairy cattle management.
In this online agriculture course, you will learn how to select breeds for specific farming situations, the nature and scope of the dairy industry and products, management of a lactation cycle and general husbandry of dairy farming.
You will also learn to manage animal wellbeing, breeding programs, facilities and machinery maintenance and understand the factors that contribute to the quality and quantity of milk production.
On completion of this course, you will have developed an understanding of how to create a business plan for the successful management of a dairy property.
Course Structure
Unit - Dairy Cattle
Unit 1 – Dairy Breeds
- Choosing a Dairy Breed
- Comparison of dairy breeds
- The Ayrshire
- The Guernsey
- The Jersey
- Holstein – Friesian
- Brown Swiss
- Milking or Dairy Shorthorn
Unit 2 – Dairy Products
- The composition of milk
- The percentage breakdown of the composition of milk
- Protein, lactose, ash
- Factors affecting the composition of milk
- The lactation cycle
- Feed
- Weather
- Stages of milking
- Incomplete milking
- Frequency of milking
- Disturbance and dipping
- Individuality of the cow
- Breed
- Course of lactation
- Gestation
- Age of the cow
- Oestrus and gestation
- Disease
- Milk -what it should contain
- Oxidation
- Lipolysis
Unit 3 – The Lactation Cycle
- Milk producing days of the cow
- The influence of the farmer on lactation
- Is every cow in my dairy herd producing to its genetic potential?
- Infertile cows
- Feeding
- The milking shed
- Planning for feed – flow
- Collecting and analysing data
- Climate
- Soil type
- Irrigation
- Aspect
- Slope and natural pastures
- Manage the feed-flow
- Planning the new feed – flow program
Unit 4 – Pests and Diseases of Dairy Cattle
- Mastitis
- Types of mastitis
- Mastitis-causing organisms
- Contagious bacteria
- Environmental mastitis organisms
- Mastitis detection – cell counts
- Mastitis control
- Effective shed or parlour routine
- Milking equipment
- Treating mastitis
- Correct treatment techniques
- Dry cow therapy
- Difficulties of treating lactating cows
- Drying off – the danger period
- The five-point control plan against mastitis
- Viral & bacterial diseases in cattle
- Signs of health in cattle
- Other signs which should be noted
- Disease types in cattle
- Viral diseases
- Bacterial diseases
- Parasitic diseases
- Protozoal diseases
- Other diseases
Unit 5 – Feeding Dairy Cattle
- Feeding the dairy cow
- Working out dairy rations
- Maintenance requirements for a dairy cow
- Production requirements
- Working out the total needs of a dairy cow
- Feeding a ration to meet the nutrient needs
- The dairy ration
- Working out the cost of dairy rations
Unit 6 – Managing Dairy Cattle
- The dairy heifer
- Managing the heifer
- Growth
- Measuring growth
- Feeding the heifer
- Factors affecting growth
- Age of breeding
- The dairy cow
- Management of the dairy cow
- Factors affecting the general health of a cow
- Records
- Factors affecting milk yield
- Breed
- Lactation curve
- Breed
- Milking frequency (age, milking’s, season)
- Heat stress
- Feeding
Unit 7 – Breeding Dairy Cattle
- Animal breeding programs
- Clear ultimate aim in any breeding program.
- Decide on your priorities
- Dual purpose animals
- Artificial selection
- When selecting by phenotype for a breeding program, the breeder must understand the following:
- Selection intensity
- The generation interval
- The heritability
- Selection for milk yield
- Gene groups
- Regression
- Selection using family groups
- Estimating the transmitting value of a bull from a family group
- Disadvantages of inbreeding
- Performance testing
- Sib testing
- Progeny testing
- Contemporary comparisons and relative breeding values (R.B.V.)
- Relative breeding value (R.B.V.)
- Artificial insemination
- The technique of artificial insemination
- Synchronised heats
- Ova transplants
Unit 8 – Managing Dairy Facilities
- Basic requirements of all dairies
- Siting of dairy premises
- The milking shed
- The dairy room and wash-up room
- Milkers’ wash room and lavatory
- Water supply
- Drainage
- Equipment
- Cooling of milk
- Machine milking
- Planning a milking machine system
- Reasons for using milking machines
- Operating convenience
- Constant milking action
- Milk quality
- Neatness
- Capital recovery for the installation
- Components of a milking machine
- The vacuum pump
- Teat cups and liners (inside the clusters)
- Claw-piece or beaker-cup
- Cluster
- Pulsator
- Vacuum controller
- Sanitary trap
- Releaser
- Pipelines
- Choosing a system
- Different types of system
- Normal cowshed
- Abreast milking shed
- Herringbone shed
- Turntable milking
- Open sided shed
- Other considerations
- Handling facilities
- Computers
- Four essential points when choosing a milking system
- Vacuum stability
- Udder stimulation
- Milk quality
- Emergency facilities
Unit 9 – Dairy Business Planning
- Economics of dairying
- Business plan example
- Variable costs per litre
- Break-even production
- When fodder is bought in
- What is a heifer calf worth at birth?
- How long a cow (that is not in calf) should be kept
- Potential returns when she calves are:
- Months to wait (after insemination)
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Great source of resources available for learning, well explained content.
Emilie | Amamoor, QLD | Certificate of Dairy Cattle and Farming
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Dairy farm hand
- Dairy Farmer
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