This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the fundamental principles of dairy cattle nutrition. It offers a self-paced online learning environment where students can delve into the latest research, on-farm applications, and emerging trends in dairy nutrition. The course objectives include identifying and understanding the role of common feedstuffs in a typical dairy diet, understanding the basics of forage growth and its connection to dairy nutrition, comparing cereal grains and oilseed meals used in dairy diets, and understanding the nutritional value of byproducts from common feed processing techniques. Expert instructors and guest nutritionists will guide students through these topics, presenting and critically evaluating nutritional concepts and their practical applications.
Fundamentals of Dairy Nutrition: Forages and Feed
Instructors: Phil Cardoso, DVM, MS, PhD
Included with 
What you'll learn
Identify the most common feedstuffs based on physical appearance and chemical analysis and understand their role in a typical dairy ration.
Describe the basics of forage growth, harvest, insulation, and storage connecting these principles to dairy nutrition.
Compare common cereal grains and oilseed meals used in dairy rations and understand key factors driving the economic value of feedstuffs.
Describe common feed processing techniques and the nutritional value of resulting byproducts incorporated in dairy rations.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
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October 2024
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There are 4 modules in this course
In the course orientation, you will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course. Then dive into the second part of this module to gain a comprehensive understanding of the most prevalent feedstuffs, their physical characteristics, and chemical composition. This knowledge will empower you to optimize dairy rations effectively.
What's included
19 videos4 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt
In this module, you will explore the basics of forage growth, harvest, insulation, and storage connecting these principles to dairy nutrition.
What's included
10 videos1 reading1 assignment
In this module, you will evaluate common cereal grains and oilseed meals used in dairy rations and dive into the key factors driving the economic value of feedstuffs.
What's included
9 videos1 reading1 assignment
In this module, you will consider common feed processing techniques and the nutritional value of resulting byproducts incorporated in dairy rations. At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!
What's included
8 videos5 readings2 assignments
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Animal Health
National Academy of Sports Medicine
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
University of Michigan
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Frequently asked questions
Yes! Although completion of the Coursera course alone is not credit-bearing, it is a required component of a graduate-level Canvas course that can be "stacked" toward advanced credentials such as an academic (transcriptable) graduate certificate or a degree. If you decide to pursue further education, the credits you earn from this course can be applied toward a formal academic program, provided that you meet all the requirements of admission to the certificate or degree.
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.