International Training Programme on Modern Dairy Farm Management

Introduction

The demand for milk and milk products is increasing rapidly, particularly in developing countries. As a result many (developing) countries are stimulating their dairy sector. Dairy development is a complex issue. At farm level, managerial skills are often a bottle neck to operate a dairy enterprise successfully.

For whom it is intended

Each year PTC+ organizes a course for:
• Middle level and managerial staff of dairy farms.
• Staff of training institutes (dairy farm management).
• Staff of advisory services dealing with management aspects of large scale dairy farms.

Your final destination

At the end of the course, the participants are equipped with new attitudes, knowledge and skills which will enable them to enhance their work performance.

Content of training/course

The training programme consists of three modules organised within a period of six weeks. This set-up allows for individual packages tailored to the requirements of the participants. Each module can be attended as ‘stand alone’. The total is designed to provide a basic training in all aspects of modern dairy farm management.

  • Module DFM 01; Fodder production, nutrition and feeding systems
    Production of sufficient roughage of good quality in combination with proper feeding management are the foundation for optimal technical andfinancial results on commercial dairy farms all over the world. The main subjects covered in this module are: roughage production, conservation
    and utilisation systems, feeding plans, quality aspects of feed stuffs, ration calculation, calf and young stock rearing and mechanised feeding systems.

  • Module DFM 02; Breeding, health and fertility management
    Selection of a dairy cow breed suited to the conditions of the dairy farm as well as breeding programmes to improve the genetic potential are important aspects of dairy farm management. This is also true for prevention and control of
    management related and other diseases, like mastitis, hoof problems and parasites. Fertility management is part of this module; it includes practical training in artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis.

  • Module DFM 03; Dairy farm economics, record keeping and analysis
    The objective of all commercial dairy farmers is making a profit. The quantities of inputs required and their related costs, in combination with technical results and output (milk) prices determine whether a dairy farm is commercially viable
    and therefore sustainable. Based on an analysis of the technical and financial results, the dairy farm manager should be able to pinpoint the weak spots of his/ her enterprise and make plans to eliminate these weaknesses. This module focuses on farm economics, dairy farm record keeping
    systems and systems to analyse the technical and financial performance of dairy farms.

    All modules include some general topics and activities:
    milking and milking techniques, housing, mechanisation and automation of various aspects of dairy farm management.

    Duration of study, minimum number of participants and prices

    The total course fee for the International Training Program on Modern Dairy Farm Management depends on the number of modules attended to. The mentioned fees exclude international travel expenses and out of pocket expenses.

    1 module (2 weeks): € 1,205.-
    2 modules (4 weeks): € 2,365.-
    3 modules (6 weeks): € 3,325.-

    Accomodation is available at PTC+. Our on-site hostel offers single rooms with kitchen facilities and a meal allowance of € 11.50/day. Total costs for accomodation are respectively € 721.-, € 1,395.- or € 2,046.- for 1, 2 or 3 modules.

    A limited number of fellowships is available for the complete course on Modern Dairy Farm Management; see www.nuffic.nl for more information.

    Date, location and route description

    Training location for all modules is the PTC+ location in Oenkerk, the Netherlands.

    DFM 01; 13 - 26 September 2010
    Module forage production, feeding and feeding systems
    DFM 02; 28 September - 9 October 2010
    Module herd improvement, health and fertility
    DFM 03; 11 - 22 October 2010
    Module economics, administration, financial and technical analysis

    This course can be combined with the International Training Programme Milking Systems and Milk Quality (25 October - 5 November 2010)

    Download route description:
    Oenkerk

    Would you like to learn more about this training/course?

    Are you interested? Or would you like to have further information. Write to:

    PTC+ International Office
    P.O. Box 64
    3770 AB BARNEVELD
    the Netherlands

    T +31 (0)342 406950
    F +31 (0)342 406969
    E internationaloffice@ptcplus.com