ANS 3250L

Dairy Cattle Practicum, University of Florida

A university student in a white lab coat and protective apron operating an automated milking system at a dairy research facility, with Holstein cows in a milking parlor.This course provides practical application of the principles introduced in Biology and Management of Dairy Cattle. Students gain direct, hands-on experience in evaluating dairy herds and facilities, milking procedures, cattle handling, postpartum health examinations, blood sample collection, body condition and lameness scoring, hygiene assessment, reproductive management, palpation of the reproductive tract, genomic testing, and on-farm evaluations.

Through these activities, students develop a comprehensive, applied understanding of dairy cattle biology and the integration of biological concepts with management practices in commercial dairy production.

Dr. Ribeiro and a student wearing protective gloves perform a clinical examination on a cow during a practical large animal science lab in a farm facility.
University students and Dr. Ribeiro wearing protective gloves perform a hands-on clinical examination of Holstein dairy cows in an open-sided barn during a veterinary science laboratory session.
A group of university students stands in a specialized dairy processing facility, observing an instructor during a practical demonstration of industrial milking equipment and pipes.
A vertical collage showing two scenes of a university field trip: the top image shows students in biosecurity gear listening to an instructor inside a research barn; the bottom image shows the same group outdoors receiving a lecture in front of a Holstein cattle pen.
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