Dairy Herdsman Certificate Kindly supported by:
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. Core Modules DIY AI and Fertility... 2 Calving and Calf Rearing... 3 Heifer Rearing... 4 Foot Trimming... 5 Nutrition... 6 Milking Routines, Milk Quality and Mastitis... 7 First Aid on Farm... 8 Safe use of Vet Meds... 9 i
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DIY AI and Fertility (DEFRA approved) 4 days 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 2
Calving and Calf Rearing 1 day 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 3
Heifer Rearing (weaning to first calfing) 1 day 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 4
Cattle Foot Trimming and Mobility 3 days 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 5
Nutrition and Feeding the High Yielding Dairy Cow 1 day 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 6
Milking Routines, Milk Quality and Mastitis 1 day 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 7
Emergency First Aid on Farm (QCF) Ofqual Approved 1 day 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 8
Safe and Effective Use of Vet Med 1 day 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 9
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 website or contact the team today 01765 608489 training@xlvets.co.uk www.farmskills.co.uk