Dairy HerdsmanCertificate

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Core ModulesDIY AI and Fertility ............................................................................ 2Calving and Calf Rearing .................................................................. 3Heifer Rearing .................................................................................. 4Foot Trimming .................................................................................. 5Nutrition .......................................................................................... 6Milking Routines, Milk Quality and Mastitis ......................................... 7First Aid on Farm .............................................................................. 8Safe use of Vet Meds ........................................................................ 9

Welcome to......the FarmSkills Dairy Herdsman Certificate

Our programme of practical and hands-on workshops are led by our experienced vets and industry experts and will allow you to build your portfolio of skills across the course of your academic studies and beyond.

Working collaboratively with agricultural colleges and universities across the UK, FarmSkills have developed a programme of 8 workshops which can be studied individually and built into a recognised certificate of practical dairy herdsman skills.

The LANTRA and Ofqual approved modules will be delivered by our experienced farm vets, using college farm facilities. Starting from around £60+ vat for a one day workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to learn everything from successful calf and heifer rearing to foot trimming, DIY AI and everything in between, meaning that you’ll complete your academic studies along with a recognised set of practical skills and well equipped for your future career in agriculture.

Interested?Speak to your tutor today about how you can get involved or contact the FarmSkills team on 01765 608489/farmskils@xlvets.co.uk.

1

Trainees will be able to discuss the regulations governing AI in the UK and describe the theory of safe semen handling. They will be able to carry out correct AI technique using abattoir specimens or models before progressing onto safely performing DIY AI on live cows to DEFRA approved standards

Describe the normal oestrus cycle of the cow, relate cow behaviour to this cycle and how to detect cows in heat

Understand how DIY AI fits in with natural reproductive physiology

Know the legislation governing AI in the UK

Describe the structure and function of a semen storage flask

Carry out safe handling and maintenance of a semen storage flask

Practice safe and correct semen handling technique

Learn the two stage theory of AI technique

Identify key anatomical features relating to bovine reproduction on an abattoir specimen or model

Prepare and load a 25cc AI gun

Using correct technique, pass the AI gun through the cervix of the specimen or model and relate this to the AI theory

Accurately identify anatomical landmarks relevant to AI by manual palpation

Gain practical experience on farm of the techniques covered in AI theory

Achieve a level of competence with AI technique DEFRA certified by the instructor

DIY AI and Fertility(DEFRA approved)

4 days

2

Calving and Calf Rearing 1 day

3

Our Calf Rearing workshop will enable you to understand the basic physiological development in calves and outline the key management steps required to produce a healthy, well-grown calf which in optimum condition to be weaned.

Understand how planning for a successful calving is a key part of calf health

Know how to care for the new born calf including first aid at calving

Understand the role and importance of colostrum

Understand good colostrum management and how to administer supplementary colostrum safely

Describe the importance of the abomasum relative to the rest of the GI tract in the neo-natal calf

Describe the oesophageal groove reflex and the factors which influence it

Describe milk clot formation and its importance for normal digestion

Understand the role of starch, fibre and water on rumen development and calf health

Explains the relevance of the milk solid content of raw or powdered milk on expected calf growth in the context of feed conversion efficiency of the young calf

Describe the pros and cons of raw milk versus milk powder

Appreciate the necessary features of a pre-weaning calf concentrate

Know the required feed intake of calves before weaning

Discuss the best way to manage milk intake in the run-up to weaning

Identify pneumonia and diarrhoea as the major health problems of animals of this age

Understand the principle of prevention of these diseases

Post weaning can be a stressful time for heifers, but good management at this stage can ensure that heifers reach the optimum size and condition to allow them to calve without difficulty at the youngest possible age.

Trainees will be able to set targets and manage heifers to minimise problems for calving, maximise calf survival and heifer lifetime productivity.

Describe the optimum age and condition of heifers at calving

Explain the problems of over or under condition in these animals

Discuss the advantages of an integrated approach to heifer pre-calving management

Understand the pros and cons of AI, Synchronisation and Natural Service

Set targets for heifer calving: age, weight, height

Heifer Rearing (weaning to first calfing)

1 day

4

Cattle Foot Trimming and Mobility

3 days

5

Trainees will be able to describe normal bovine locomotion, identify the important anatomical features of the bovine foot and their relation to basic physiological function. Using this knowledge they will be able to describe the 4 stage dutch foot trimming method and relate each step to key physiological principles.

Describe normal bovine locomotion and relate this to Dairy Co mobility score

Recognise lameness and grade severity

List the key features of bovine foot anatomy Relate these anatomical features to key aspects of physiology - blood supply, normal claw horn growth and overgrowth

Understand the theory of the ‘Dutch method’

Safely restrain a cow and pick up feet using a foot crush

Apply the theoretical knowledge of preventative trimming practically

Practically re-enforce the key anatomical and physiological principles and relate this back to the practical application of the ‘Dutch method’

Recognise the causes of foot lameness in cattle (sole ulcer, white line separation and abscess, Digital dermatitis, Inter-digital necro-bacillosis, Heel erosion, Inter-digital hyperplasia)

Describe the basic aetiology of sole ulcer and white line disease and relate this to anatomy and physiology learned in and the specific risk factors for claw horn disease

Describe Dutch curative foot trimming theory and relate this to lameness aetiology and the anatomy and physiology learned

Know when and how to apply blocks

Know when and how to apply medical treatments or seek specialist/ veterinary attention

Apply the curative step of Dutch foot trimming practically

Apply block practically

Introduction to Bovine Nutrition: anatomy, physiology, metabolism. Trainees will be able to describe the basic anatomy and physiology of bovine nutrition and use this knowledge as a platform for developing understanding of practical feed management on farm.

Trainees will be able to describe the principles behind designing and delivering a good diet to high yielding cows.

List the key features of bovine digestive anatomy (rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum, small intestine, large intestine)

List the main factors affecting VFI

Describe the basic physiological processes of ruminant digestion and metabolism

Describe the nutritional and husbandry requirements of the high yielding cow

Calculate the nutritional requirements of the high yielding cow.

Design basic diets to:

Maximise DMI

Promote rumen health

Optimise energy intake

Maximise production

Manipulate milk composition

Nutrition and Feeding the High Yielding Dairy Cow

1 day

6

Milking Routines, Milk Quality and Mastitis

1 day

7

Trainees will develop their understanding of how the milking routine has its effects on milking performance and udder health.

Recognise the importance of milking on dairy enterprise economics

Understand the principles of milking machine mechanics and milking cow physiology

Adopt best practice for milking routine and milking machine maintenance and know what to do in case of machine dysfunction

Adopt best practice for controlling mastitis and somatic cell counts

Implement suitable recording systems

Appreciate the principle mastitis pathogens and their sources: where does environmental mastitis come from?

Understand cow defences and immunity: why do some cows get mastitis and some don’t?

Differentiate dry period vs lactation: which is the priority for your herd?

Understand how to reduce mastitis challenge: building design

Understand how to maximise cow immunity: the importance of nutrition

Appreciate the economic costs of mastitis

Safety is paramount when working on farm but accidents do happen and how you deal with them can impact on the long term outcomes for those involved.

Our Emergency First Aid on Farm covers a range of scenarios including treating trauma injuries from livestock and machinery, managing severe hot and cold conditions and treating burns and asphyxia from chemicals and will prepare you to deal with a range of incidents on farm.

Assessing vital signs, brain activity, breathing and circulation

Approaching and assessing a casualty

The A. B. C of first aid

Taking action to prevent further deterioration

Ensuring a safe airway and stabilising a casualty

Treating immediately life threatening conditions

Choking, stroke, heart attack and anaphylaxis

Basic Life Support

Performing CPR and use of face masks

Managing severe bleeding and burns

Bandaging, stabilising and treating for shock

Workplace-specific injuries

Injuries and disorders relevant to individual work environments

Current regulations and record keeping

Practical scenarios tailored to the environment

This course is certificated and meets current HSE standards of first aid in the work place

Emergency First Aid on Farm (QCF) Ofqual Approved

1 day

8

The workshop aims to increase trainees’ knowledge of safety and good practice as well as outlining the legislative requirements for on farm medicines use.

The course also aims to increase trainees’ understanding about the different types of medicines used and how these relate to the common diseases relevant to their farms. This workshop supports farm assurance needs.

Understand the responsibility of those administrating medicines to farm animals

Safely administer veterinary medicines to animals under their care

Store and maintain medicines on farm in accordance with legislation and farm assurance requirements

Record on farm medicine usage in accordance with legislation and farm assurance requirements

Describe the difference between vaccines and treatments and the different legislative classes

Describe basic differences that exist between different classes of antibiotic and the need for veterinary guidance for their use

Describe the basic classes of anthelmintics and the need for veterinary or SQP guidance on their use

Understand the actions of an NSAID and when they should be used

Safe and Effective Useof Vet Med

1 day

9

www.farmskills.co.uk

FarmSkills workshops offer practical, hands-on training delivered on farm by our experienced vets across a variety of dairy, beef,

sheep, pig and poultry topics.

Our extensive range of courses are held across the UK and we work hard to continually create new, innovative and bespoke

courses for the farmers.

For further information visit our websiteor contact the team today

01765 608489 training@xlvets.co.uk