National Dairy FARM Program Continuing Education

The FARM Animal Care Program helps to demonstrate dairy farmers’ commitment to providing excellent care of their dairy cattle and producing safe, wholesome milk. Supported by Dairy Management, Inc. and managed by the National Milk Producers Federation, FARM details animal care guidelines using the latest research and best management practices. On-farm evaluations conducted by trained evaluators help identify strengths and outline improvements for dairy farms while third party verification ensures integrity of the program.

FARM Animal Care standards outline the need for annual continuing education for family and non-family employees with responsibilities in the following areas:

• Stockmanship/Handling

• Calf Care

• Fitness to Transport

• Non-Ambulatory Animals

• Euthanasia

When and how should they go?

Sept. 11 2023

Our emergency calls rarely come midmorning. Even more rare, my scheduled work was cancelled so I could attend this difficult calving. I arrived at Dan’s calving pen to see Cow 569 in trouble

Consider other methods of euthanasia

Sept. 11 2023

We have a separate barn for our show animals. Our show cattle are our pets, and when needed, we euthanize them with our veterinarian using an injection rather than another method.However, the company

Always use enough gun

Sept. 11 2023

While most euthanasia protocols prefer the use of captive bolt pistols to kill cows, bulls, and calves, these specialized instruments can be expensive and require particular ammunition and training in...