Lesson 1: The Big Picture

• Describe five key management areas
• Describe key performance indicators and find related data on the herd reports
• Describe production benchmarks and bottlenecks

Lesson 2: Production

• Recognize the key diagnostic indicators related to production
• Locate these indicators on the Herd Summary 202 report
• State the key benchmarks for these diagnostic indicators
• Identify bottlenecks which may limit performance
• Understand the consequences of poor performance
• Develop an action plan to overcome bottlenecks in order to improve performance

Lesson 3: Reproduction

• Locate pertinent reproductive management data.
• Interpret the information correctly in order to evaluate reproductive performance.
• Identify specific management factors that may be adversely affecting performance.

Lesson 4: Udder Health

• Explain the role of somatic cells in monitoring mastitis
• Locate somatic cell count data on DHIA reports
• Use DHIA somatic cell count data to pinpoint the potential source of mastitis
• Increase understanding of terminology and diagnostic methods to better communicate with producers and veterinarians

Lesson 5: Culling and Replacements

• Locate culling and replacement benchmark data
• Explain circumstances as to why cows leave the herd
• Describe process of managing replacements