COURSE CURRICULUM

The two-year dairy production program provides students with a solid foundation in both the science and business of dairy farming, blending academic learning with hands-on experience. In Year I, students complete ten required courses totaling 30 credits. These include AE 114 Microeconomics and AE 202 Business Records & Reporting, which introduce economic principles and recordkeeping practices essential to farm management. Courses such as AN 102 Introduction to Diseases & Treatments, AN 124 Animal Anatomy and Physiology, and AN 133 Animal Handling, Welfare and Ethics offer a strong understanding of animal health, care, and ethical practices. AN 110 combines animal science with business communication skills, while AN 212 focuses on basic livestock nutrition. Students are introduced to the Student-Managed Farm in AN 265, preparing them for real-world responsibilities. AN 330 Dairy Cattle Production and CR 188 Range and Forage Management round out the year with essential knowledge of dairy operations and feed management. In Year II, students build on this foundation with eight core courses totaling 24 credits. AE 230 Financial Management and AN 334 Dairy Business Management focus on the financial and operational aspects of running a dairy business. Technical skills are further developed through AN 106 Dairy Genetics, AN 238 Dairy Reproductive Technologies, and AN 336 Advanced Dairy Nutrition. AN 331 and AN 332, Dairy Herd Management I and II, emphasize herd health, milk production, and daily management strategies. AN 260 Livestock Marketing and Sales prepares students to promote and sell their products effectively. To complete the program, students choose two additional courses—either the Student Managed Farm Livestock options (AN 365 and AN 366) or a practicum route (AG 250 and AN 368)—for a total of 6 credits. This capstone experience allows students to apply their learning in a practical setting and tailor their education to their career goals.