Access the latest UW-Madison Division of Extension Dairy Cattle Research during the upcoming Badger Dairy Insight webinar series
Join the University of Wisconsin-Madison – Division of Extension’s Dairy Program on Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 pm CST for the Badger Dairy Insight webinar series. We are featuring your local Extension Dairy Program Educators and UW Specialists as they present on current dairy topics. Take the opportunity to learn from and discuss with experts on the dates below. To learn more about Badger Dairy Insight and the Extension Dairy program please visit https://dairy.extension.wisc.edu. Print a complete list of the the 2023 Badger Dairy Insight – Fall Sessions Offered.
November 21, 2023 — Moving cows without the cows: new options for interactive employee training
Handling cows is necessary to harvest milk and provide animal care, but these interactions also present a risk of injury to personnel. Inappropriate cow handling threatens animal welfare, milk production, and public trust in dairy farming. But how can the industry best teach these skills? Interactive learning experiences can help build confidence by allowing dairy workers to actively participate in their own training.
Interactive training methods, such as group activities, simulations, games or other hands-on methods, keep employees engaged in the learning process and create a safe space for questions. In collaboration with Wisconsin dairy stakeholders, Extension Dairy Welfare Specialist & UW Madison Department of Animal & Dairy Science Assistant Professor, Jennifer Van Os, created an innovative learning tool for people to practice the appropriate handling of dairy cows.
Join Jennifer Van Os and Extension Farm Management Specialist Jim Versweyveld as they discuss interactive learning and the Mooving Cows(TM) digital educational game in which learners practice moving cows in simulated dairy farm environments. The game, like a flight simulator, is a way for participants to “learn by doing.” The learning objectives in the game are to understand how human actions affect cow behavior, stress, productivity, and worker safety.
Learn the most up-to-date information on topics including dairy and livestock production, forages, and farm management resources from Extension’s Agriculture virtual education offerings. Your farm-ready research! There is no charge to participate in the sessions, however pre-registration is required to allow access. Register online at go.wisc.edu/FarmReadyResearch.
