Domain - Dairy Farming

Prepare for milking, and milk cows, under close supervision

Demonstrate knowledge of safe handling and health problems of dairy cattle, associated with milking

Demonstrate knowledge of how cows produce milk

Demonstrate knowledge of farm dairy design, and the effluent system

Process milk samples from herd testing, and prepare trays for storing milk samples

Demonstrate knowledge of milking machine components and cleaning procedures

Demonstrate knowledge of somatic cell count (SCC), and mastitis in dairy cows

Assist with milking

Demonstrate knowledge of nozzles used in herd testing equipment

Demonstrate knowledge of rubberware, and milk meters used in herd testing equipment

Identify and treat milking problems in dairy cattle

Rear calves, and wean onto pasture

Demonstrate knowledge of calf rearing from birth to weaning

Assess restraining area, move, and restrain cows for artificial insemination

Plan and prepare for herd testing, and collect equipment and milk samples following herd testing

Set up equipment and carry out herd testing, and carry out procedures following herd testing

Demonstrate knowledge of herd testing and its benefits to the agriculture industry

Carry out inspection and periodic calibration of milk meters

Milk dairy cows and isolate milk unsuitable for collection

Describe milk cooling, milk cooling equipment, and milk cooler hygiene checking

Describe milking machine maintenance, faults, and water quality, and develop cleaning procedures

Demonstrate knowledge of, evaluate, and monitor, on-farm milking plant cleaning procedures

Demonstrate knowledge of mastitis management in dairy cows using the SAMM plan

Identify and record cows on heat

Prepare equipment and treatments, restrain and treat dairy cattle, and perform drench calculations

Isolate milk unsuitable for collection, and clean the milking plant, vats or silos, dairy and yards

Describe the operation of farm dairy equipment and perform calculations relevant to the farm dairy

Handle heifers and cows in the farm dairy following calving

Demonstrate knowledge of cow reproduction and perform calculations for artificial insemination

Describe, operate and maintain a spray application system for land application of dairy effluent

Describe, operate and maintain a borderdyke system for land application of dairy effluent

Describe, operate and maintain a vehicle spreading system for land application of dairy effluent

Describe and maintain an oxidation pond system for dairy effluent treatment

Describe and maintain an advanced pond system for dairy effluent treatment

Describe dairy effluent and its collection and management, and check and maintain a dairy effluent collection system

Describe methods to reduce dairy effluent and to handle and dispose of contaminated milk, and clean the farm dairy

Artificially inseminate cows as a site technician

Demonstrate knowledge of how to produce premium quality cow's milk

Clean and maintain the milking plant

Manage a dairy herd during milking and drying off

Develop, implement and monitor a seasonal plan for herd testing

Develop a mating plan for a dairy herd

Develop a calving plan for a dairy herd

Implement and monitor a planned mating programme for a dairy herd

Implement and monitor a planned calving programme for a dairy herd

Evaluate an on-farm dairy effluent management system, and develop an on-farm dairy effluent management plan

Artificially inseminate cows as an industry technician

Evaluate, and recommend changes to, current milking routine and dairy design to improve efficiency of cow flow