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Moving Beyond Basics: Dairy Nutrition and Diet Formulation

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Moving Beyond Basics: Dairy Nutrition and Diet Formulation

This course is part of Dairy Nutrition for Udder Success Specialization

Instructors: Phil Cardoso, DVM, MS, PhD

1,715 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

17 reviews

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

17 reviews

1 week to complete

at 10 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.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

91%

of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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This course is part of the Dairy Nutrition for Udder Success Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

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.

Module details

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 127 minutes

Course Overview2 minutes
Instructor Introduction - Phil Cardoso1 minute
Instructor Introduction - James K Drackley1 minute
Module 1 | Overview1 minute
Energy16 minutes
Carbohydrates8 minutes
Lipids4 minutes
Protein & Amino Acids3 minutes
Macrominerals9 minutes
Macrominerals | Strong Ions8 minutes
Microminerals11 minutes
Vitamins6 minutes
Water6 minutes
Requirements11 minutes
Additives6 minutes
Dry Matter5 minutes
Dry Matter Intake 9 minutes
Physical Appearance 4 minutes
Key Changes from NRC 2001 to NASEM 202114 minutes
Module 1 | Conclusion2 minutes

5 readingsTotal 26 minutes

Syllabus5 minutes
Learn More About Flexible Pathways3 minutes
Updating Your Profile3 minutes
Are your cows drinking enough water?10 minutes
Defining physically effective fiber (peNDF) in your cow’s diet5 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Orientation Quiz15 minutes
Module 1 | Knowledge Check30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 5 minutes

Getting to Know Your Classmates5 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 minutes
Why Colostrum is Critical | Refractometer6 minutes
Quickly, Quantity, Quality, and Cleanliness5 minutes
Whole Milk | Calf Drinking from Bottle6 minutes
Milk Replacers | Mixing Milk Replacer6 minutes
Calf starter and Rumen Development6 minutes
Limited use of Forage3 minutes
Heifer Growth Principles6 minutes
Heifer Grouping and Rations 6 minutes
Calf Nutrition: Past and Future13 minutes
Module 2 | Conclusion3 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 | Overview3 minutes
DMI | Maximize while Controlling Nutrients and Energy Intake7 minutes
Energy Requirements3 minutes
Protein and Amino Acids 9 minutes
Starch7 minutes
Fiber7 minutes
Minerals8 minutes
Sorting 4 minutes
Total Mix Rations1 minute
Fresh Pens and Body Condition Scores3 minutes
Additives4 minutes
Impact of the Transition Period on Cow Health9 minutes
Impact of the Transition Period on Reproduction6 minutes
Protein Mobilization7 minutes
Metabolic Disorders and Fertility12 minutes
Nutrition strategies During the Transition Period6 minutes
Global Solutions for the Transition Period12 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!