COURSE CURRICULUM

he Dairy Management option within the Animal Science program at University of New Hampshire is designed to provide students with both scientific knowledge and practical farm management skills required for success in the dairy industry, while maintaining strong academic standards such as earning at least a C- grade in all required courses. Students first complete core animal science foundation courses, including biology, chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, and statistics, along with essential major requirements such as animal anatomy and physiology, nutrition, genetics, diseases, and animal welfare, building a solid understanding of animal health and production systems. After this foundation, students move into specialized dairy management courses totaling around 38 credits, which focus specifically on dairy farm operations and industry practices. These include introductory dairy herd management, dairy selection, forage and grassland management, and agricultural business management, ensuring students understand both animal care and farm economics. The program also includes unique experiential learning opportunities such as the Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM), a two-semester hands-on course where students actively manage a working dairy farm, gaining real-world experience in decision-making, herd management, and business operations. Additional advanced courses like dairy nutrition, physiology of lactation or reproductive management, and advanced dairy management I and II further develop expertise in milk production and herd efficiency. The final advanced dairy management course also serves as the program’s capstone, allowing students to apply their knowledge in a practical, real-world context. A travel course in the dairy industry adds exposure to broader industry practices and networking opportunities. Overall, this option combines science, management, and hands-on training to prepare students for careers in dairy farm management, agribusiness, or related agricultural sectors.