The Global Cow, Ltd.

A Normal Year

This is a general outline for what happens in general during a normal year for participants on the program.

Month 1-2
GENERAL ORIENTATION.  Orientation to farm, including safety and tour; mix rations; assist veterinarian when he’s on farm; understand reporting responsibilities; learn farm’s milking protocols and become familiar with milk equipment sanitation; maintain required sanitary controls; detect estrus; learn calf care and feeding routines.  Culturally, become familiar with area by meeting dairy employees and family members, and tour community.  

Months 3-6
GENERAL UNDERSTANDING... START TO ASK "WHY"? Continue to increase skills on mixing rations and its components and nutritional value; recognize mastitis and scours; assist with herd health checks; understand how milking parlor is assembled; recognize problems in the milking equipment; handle dairy chemicals properly; scrape freestalls; thaw semen; begin to work with artificial insemination. Culturally, know how to get around the community; open a bank account; establish friendships.

Months 7-12
START TO TRANSFER THESE SKILLS TO DAIRYING AT HOME.  
Questioning nutritional values in the rations; continue working with milking parlor protocols and routines; follow prescribed treatments for sick animals; assist cows with birthing; recognize problems in milking equipment; become competent in thawing semen; inseminate cows.