Dairy Economics: Maximizing Profits through Milk Quality

Overview

This course provides an in-depth look at mastitis in dairy cows, focusing on the immune response, diagnostic tools, and economic considerations. Learners will explore the cellular and microbial basis of intramammary infections, practical tools for on-farm diagnosis, and the financial impact of mastitis on dairy operations. Through a systems-thinking approach, students will gain the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about mastitis prevention and treatment strategies. This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs. To learn more about online programs from the College of ACES and explore ways to apply your Coursera work toward a degree program at the University of Illinois, visit: https://aces.illinois.edu/online.

Syllabus

Orientation & Module 1 | Intramammary Infections and Immune Defense

In the course orientation, you'll get to know the course, your classmates, and our learning environment, and gain the technical skills needed. Then, take a closer look at the immune system’s role in defending the mammary gland. You'll explore both general and specific immune responses and identify common mastitis-causing pathogens like coliforms, staphylococci, and streptococci. This module equips you with the knowledge to understand and address intramammary infections.

Module 2 | Troubleshooting Mastitis Issues

In this module, you will learn how to diagnose and manage mastitis using practical tools and data. You'll explore cow-side tests like somatic cell counts and the California Mastitis Test, as well as on-farm culturing techniques. You'll also interpret DRMS reports to support decision-making. By the end, you’ll be ready to apply diagnostic strategies effectively.

Module 3 | Mastitis Case Economics

Understand the financial impact of mastitis at the individual case level. You'll explore both visible and hidden costs, and learn how decision trees can guide treatment choices. This module helps you evaluate the economic trade-offs involved in managing mastitis cases.

Module 4 | Mastitis Disease Economics & Conclusion

Zoom out to the herd level to assess the broader economic implications of mastitis. You'll learn about the costs of culling, the concept of the loss expenditure frontier, and how to determine the economic optimum for mastitis control. This final module ties together biology, diagnostics, and economics for a comprehensive view of mastitis management. At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!