Moving Beyond Basics: Dairy Nutrition and Diet Formulation

Moving Beyond Basics: Dairy Nutrition and Diet Formulation

Instructors: Phil Cardoso, DVM, MS, PhD

Sponsored by Louisiana Workforce Commission

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

14 hours to complete

3 weeks at 4 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

14 hours to complete

3 weeks at 4 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Analyze feeding strategies to optimize dairy cow, calf, and heifer health and productivity.
Evaluate key nutritional markers and formulate balanced diets for dairy cattle.
Apply colostrum management and nutrient interactions to enhance cow and calf health.

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Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of dairy cattle nutrition, focusing on feeding strategies for cows, calves, and heifers. Students will learn to formulate diets, identify key nutritional markers, and understand the impact of dietary choices on health and reproduction. The course covers colostrum management, liquid feeding strategies, and nutrient interactions to optimize dairy cow productivity. Expert instructors guide learners through practical applications, ensuring a thorough understanding of feeding practices during critical periods like the transition phase.

This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the graduate certificate, "Dairy Nutrition for Udder Success" that can be stacked toward an advanced degree in the College of ACES. To learn more about online programs from the College of ACES and explore ways to apply your Coursera work toward a degree program at the University of Illinois, visit ACES Online at acesonline.illinois.edu.

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 explore the essential nutrients required in dairy rations. You will learn how to effectively feed these nutrients to dairy cows, ensuring their health and productivity. By the end of this week, you will be able to understand and apply the concepts of nutrient feeding in dairy cow management.

What's included

20 videos5 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

20 videosTotal 126 minutes

Course Overview1 minutePreview module
Instructor Introduction - Phil Cardoso1 minute
Instructor Introduction - James K Drackley0 minutes
Module 1 | Overview0 minutes
Energy16 minutes
Carbohydrates7 minutes
Lipids4 minutes
Protein & Amino Acids3 minutes
Macrominerals8 minutes
Macrominerals | Strong Ions7 minutes
Microminerals10 minutes
Vitamins6 minutes
Water5 minutes
Requirements10 minutes
Additives6 minutes
Dry Matter4 minutes
Dry Matter Intake 8 minutes
Physical Appearance 3 minutes
Key Changes from NRC 2001 to NASEM 202114 minutes
Module 1 | Conclusion2 minutes

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Syllabus10 minutes
Learn More About Flexible Pathways10 minutes
Updating Your Profile10 minutes
Are your cows drinking enough water?10 minutes
Defining physically effective fiber (peNDF) in your cow’s diet10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Module 1 | Knowledge Check30 minutes
Orientation Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Getting to Know Your Classmates10 minutes

In this module, you will explore the nutritional needs of youngstock, focusing on the essential concepts of feeding calves and heifers. You will learn how to apply these principles to enhance their growth and overall performance.

What's included

11 videos2 readings1 assignment

11 videosTotal 62 minutes

Module 2 | Overview2 minutesPreview module
Why Colostrum is Critical | Refractometer5 minutes
Quickly, Quantity, Quality, and Cleanliness5 minutes
Whole Milk | Calf Drinking from Bottle5 minutes
Milk Replacers | Mixing Milk Replacer5 minutes
Calf starter and Rumen Development6 minutes
Limited use of Forage3 minutes
Heifer Growth Principles5 minutes
Heifer Grouping and Rations 6 minutes
Calf Nutrition: Past and Future12 minutes
Module 2 | Conclusion2 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Feeding for Calf Growth, Even in the Winter10 minutes
Economic Comparison of Conventional vs. Intensive Heifer Rearing10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 2 | Knowledge Check30 minutes

In this module, you will explore the critical phase known as the transition period in dairy farming. You will gain insights into the nutritional needs of cows during this time, understand the challenges they face, and learn effective feeding strategies to ensure their health and productivity.

What's included

18 videos4 readings1 assignment

18 videosTotal 108 minutes

Module 3 | Overview2 minutesPreview module
DMI | Maximize while Controlling Nutrients and Energy Intake6 minutes
Energy Requirements3 minutes
Protein and Amino Acids 8 minutes
Starch7 minutes
Fiber6 minutes
Minerals7 minutes
Sorting 4 minutes
Total Mix Rations1 minute
Fresh Pens and Body Condition Scores2 minutes
Additives3 minutes
Impact of the Transition Period on Cow Health8 minutes
Impact of the Transition Period on Reproduction6 minutes
Protein Mobilization6 minutes
Metabolic Disorders and Fertility11 minutes
Nutrition strategies During the Transition Period5 minutes
Global Solutions for the Transition Period11 minutes
Module 3 | Conclusion2 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Ten steps for a successful transition period: Part 110 minutes
Biology of Dairy Cows During the Transition Period10 minutes
Ten steps for a successful transition period: Part 210 minutes
Learners Guide Case study: Should we blame the nutritionist? 10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 3 | Knowledge Check30 minutes

In this module, you will consolidate all the knowledge gained throughout the course to formulate a comprehensive diet. You will learn to identify key markers essential for creating a balanced and complete diet for dairy cattle. At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!