Two online dairy courses available

Advanced Dairy Nutrition (ANSC 423) will be offered by the University of Illinois in the spring of 2010 beginning on January 25. This feeding class (ANSC210) covers nutrient classes, phase feeding, dry cow feeding and health, and forages. The course will be coordinated by Mike Hutjens and taught by a team of four instructors.

Milk Secretion, Mastitis, and Quality (ANSC 435) will begin on January 27 with Dick Wallace coordinating the class, along with two other instructors. All phases of lactation physiology, mastitis, immunity and nutrition, and health will be covered.

Lectures are recorded on CD (class on demand) with an Internet live class held during the 10 weeks of class on Monday or Wednesday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. CST. Enrollees can participate for credit (U of I tuition rate) or for noncredit with reduced tuition. To review the class schedule, topics, and enrollment details, go to: http://online.ansci.uiuc.edu

Online courses aren’t just for college kids — try this free one about Johne’s

For college students these days, it can sound appealing to skip the traditional classroom format of their coursework and head to the internet for online instruction. The new wave of online education has become very popular, and now dairy producers can join in. The University of Wisconsin’s School of Veterinary Medicine has developed a free online course for dairy producers interested in learning and testing their knowledge of Johne’s disease. Plus, it won’t take more than 45 minutes to complete, and you can stay in your barn overalls if you like.

The course was made possible through a grant from the USDA and developed by the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. To access the course, visit this link. You’ll have to create a username and password, and take brief pre and post-tests. Otherwise, all you need to do is sit back and listen as experts Michael Collins and Beth Patton help you learn more about this lurking disease that could be cutting your profits.