Dairy science degree overview

Despite the differences described above, undergraduate dairy science programs are built around the following courses in the major:

• Agricultural Studies Orientation – introduction to basic dairy farming practices
• Introduction to Animal Science – the fundamentals of dairy herd management and care: nutrition, feed classifications, reproduction, genetics, animal behavior, animal health, sustainable agriculture practices
• Calf Care – hands-on lab in pre-birth through newborn calf care, covering calf feeds, nutrition, vaccinations, veterinary needs, and housing options
• Fundamentals of Animal Biology – cell biology, fundamental processes of life, basic genetics, biodiversity, use of the scientific method to conduct basic research
• Agricultural Computer Applications – hands-on lab in the use and application of dairy management software; topics include animals, tools, design, data entry, reports, inventory, and veterinary herd check
• Milk Quality and Production – herd health management and quality milk production, milking systems and procedures, sanitation, diseases, udder anatomy, milk secretion; hands-on collection of milk samples and analysis of milk culture reports
• Heifer Care Management – hands-on lab focusing on the dairy operation roles, responsibilities, and management opportunities; heifer care, six months through calving age; heifer feeds, nutrition, vaccinations, veterinary needs, and housing options
• Livestock Diseases – infectious and non-infectious livestock diseases, with a focus on bovine diseases; introduction to certain diseases of sheep, goats, camelids, cervids, and swine; disease etiology (causes), symptoms, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control; reporting requirements of federally regulated diseases; zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans)
• Agriculture Commodities and Marketing – introduction to the commodity futures markets; the phases of grain marketing: market information, elevator storage policies, shrinkage, blending, moisture discounts, price spreads, opportunity cost, and developing a marketing plan
• Transition Cow Management – hands-on lab relating to transition cows (a cow’s transition is generally three to six weeks pre- until three to six weeks post-calving; the transition period is extremely important in determining future health, milk production, and reproductive success of the dairy cow); focus is on transition cow feeds, nutrition, vaccinations, veterinary needs, and housing options
• Principles of Crop Production – the principles of farm crop production: classification, growth, and management of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, barley, and other crops; soil preparation, plant physiology, planting dates, planting depths, and seeding rates for various types of crops; planting and harvesting equipment
• Nutrient Management – grid sampling sizes, plant nutrient analysis, base saturation, and nutrient management planning; soil conservation practices, soil nutrition, and pesticide application
• Dairy Nutrition – analysis of the nutritional needs of dairy cattle through each stage of their life; topics include roles of digestive nutrients, relationship between forage quality and nutrition, ration balancing, methods of feeding dairy animals, grazing system principles, and dairy nutrition feed technologies
• Lactating Cow Management – hands-on lab in the management of lactating cow feeds, nutrition, vaccinations, veterinary needs, and housing options
• Agricultural Accounting – study of the balance sheet, the income statement, and the cash flow statement; cash and accrual methods, recording business transactions, making a trial balance, creating financial statements, and keeping records
• Economics – snapshot of how a market-oriented economy works; concepts discussed include scarcity, resources, alternative economic systems, growth, supply and demand, monetary and fiscal policy, inflation,, unemployment, and global economic issues
• Bovine Reproduction – managing a dairy herd with focus on breed identification, reproduction, genetics, calve management, and applicable record keeping; hands-on lab in artificial insemination
• Farm Business Management – developing a business plan, managing risk, budgeting, acquiring financial resources
• Milking Technologies – hands-on lab: milking parlor systems and robotic milking facilities
• Building Design for the Cow – barn design and layout for milk production and animal health and welfare
• Interpersonal Communication – development of verbal and nonverbal communication skills

Master’s Degree in Dairy Science – Two to Three Year Duration
Master’s degree programs in dairy science typically allow students to focus on a research area of their choice. Many also provide opportunities to gain teaching experience in the field. Depending on the school, students may have options to complete a thesis or non-thesis curriculum.

Possible research concentrations and applicable courses include:

• Genetics – Genomics in Animal Breeding
• Physiology – Advanced Physiology and Anatomy of Domestic Animals
• Reproduction – Bovine Reproduction Practices
• Nutrition – Molecular Aspects of Nutrition and Disease
• Infectious Disease – Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Immunology – Pathogenic Bacteriology
• Management – International Agricultural Development and Trade