Dairy Production

What the resources cover

This page brings together material on running a dairy herd, written by GoConqr users. The mind maps are the largest group. Dairy Industry moves through cow breeds, herd structure, reproduction management, lameness, rumen health and calving. Housing Requirements looks at ventilation and the temperature needs of calves. A set of maps named CA7 follows beef from the dairy herd, including calving patterns, newborn calf care, the economics of milk substitute, and weaning.

Some resources point to set courses. One map is built around a NZQA unit standard on safe handling and health problems of dairy cattle. Others cover farm dairy design and the effluent system. A further group suits Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science style study, such as the CA10 map on target weights for heifers.

Where to start

1. Begin with the Dairy Industry mind map for a wide view of the topic.
2. Move to What I know now about NZ Dairy Farming for a timeline from the first cows to the early factories.
3. Read the Dairy cattle housing note alongside the housing map.
4. Follow the calf maps in order, from newborn care to weaning.

Using quizzes, maps and cards together

There are only a small number of quizzes, so use them well. Try Cow Management + Production after reading a few maps. Note which questions you miss, then go back to the map that covers that point. Flashcard decks such as Dairy Breeds, Heifers and Milk quality and hygiene suit short sessions, and the hygiene deck asks how the parlour works and where to begin when you enter it. The flowcharts on the yearly production cycle help you see how calving, milking and breeding fit together.

Where this unit sits

Dairy Production belongs to the strand Livestock and Aquaculture Production, within Agriculture and agronomy. It suits learners on vocational and university courses, school students, and teachers who want material ready to share.

Pick one mind map today, then see how much you can recall with a quiz or a deck of cards.