Overview
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This specialization from the University of Illinois offers a comprehensive journey through dairy nutrition, cow health, and milk quality. Across six expert-led courses, learners will explore forage and feed fundamentals, diet formulation, cow wellness, artificial intelligence in dairy management, milk composition, and dairy economics. Designed for nutritionists, veterinarians, producers, and life-long learners, this program delivers practical insights and science-based strategies to optimize dairy herd performance and profitability.
Syllabus
- Course 1: Fundamentals of Dairy Nutrition: Forages and Feed
- Course 2: Moving Beyond Basics: Dairy Nutrition and Diet Formulation
- Course 3: Dairy Nutrition & Health: Analyzing Cow Wellness
- Course 4: Advancing Dairy Management with Artificial Intelligence
- Course 5: Discovering Dairy: What's in Your Milk?
- Course 6: Dairy Economics: Maximizing Profits through Milk Quality
Courses
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This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the fundamental principles of dairy cattle nutrition. It offers a self-paced online learning environment where students can delve into the latest research, on-farm applications, and emerging trends in dairy nutrition. The course objectives include identifying and understanding the role of common feedstuffs in a typical dairy diet, understanding the basics of forage growth and its connection to dairy nutrition, comparing cereal grains and oilseed meals used in dairy diets, and understanding the nutritional value of byproducts from common feed processing techniques. Expert instructors and guest nutritionists will guide students through these topics, presenting and critically evaluating nutritional concepts and their practical applications. This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the graduate certificate, "Dairy Nutrition for Udder Success" that can be stacked toward an advanced degree in the College of ACES. 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 ACES Online at acesonline.illinois.edu.
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This course offers a comprehensive exploration of dairy cattle nutrition, focusing on feeding strategies for cows, calves, and heifers. Students will learn to formulate diets, identify key nutritional markers, and understand the impact of dietary choices on health and reproduction. The course covers colostrum management, liquid feeding strategies, and nutrient interactions to optimize dairy cow productivity. Expert instructors guide learners through practical applications, ensuring a thorough understanding of feeding practices during critical periods like the transition phase. This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the graduate certificate, "Dairy Nutrition for Udder Success" that can be stacked toward an advanced degree in the College of ACES. 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 ACES Online at acesonline.illinois.edu.
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This course offers a comprehensive exploration of dairy cow health and nutrition, focusing on physiological changes around calving and their impact on nutrient needs. Students will learn about production diseases, major metabolic changes, and key biomarkers of health and disease. The course addresses common health problems in dairy cows and the role of biomarkers in diagnosis and management. A systems approach to nutritional management is emphasized, exploring how genetics, cellular networks, and dietary components influence cow health and productivity. Expert instructors will guide learners through practical applications to optimize dairy cow health and production This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the graduate certificate, "Dairy Nutrition for Udder Success" that can be stacked toward an advanced degree in the College of ACES. 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 ACES Online @ aces.illinois.edu/online.
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By completing this course, you will gain a solid understanding of the basics of AI and its role in dairy systems. You will learn to identify key data types used in dairy analytics, such as production, health, and nutrition data. Additionally, you will explore AI applications in various aspects of dairy systems and discuss current AI applications in the dairy industry. This course, led by Dr. Isabella Condotta, offers a unique opportunity to understand how AI can revolutionize dairy data analysis. You will explore AI models for health monitoring, sensor technologies, and predictive models. The course also covers biomarker profiling to assess cow health and nutrition, and a systems approach to nutritional management for optimal production. Join us to gain cutting-edge insights into AI applications in dairy systems and enhance your ability to make data-driven decisions for improved dairy management. This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the graduate certificate, "Dairy Nutrition for Udder Success" that can be stacked toward an advanced degree in the College of ACES. 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 ACES Online @ aces.illinois.edu/online.
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This course offers a foundational introduction to lactation biology, focusing on the anatomy, development, and function of the mammary gland. Students will explore the processes of milk production, secretion, and removal, and examine the nutritional composition of milk—including fats, proteins, lactose, vitamins, and minerals. The course also covers milk’s role in human health, including infant development and lactose intolerance, as well as the significance of bioactive milk components. In the final module, learners will gain insight into mammary health, identifying common conditions like mastitis and edema, and exploring prevention strategies. Designed for learners from diverse backgrounds, this course provides a comprehensive overview of milk science and its biological and nutritional importance. This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the graduate certificate, "Dairy Nutrition for Udder Success" that can be stacked toward an advanced degree in the College of ACES. 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 ACES Online at acesonline.illinois.edu.
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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. Â
Taught by
Derek Nolan, Isabella C.F.S Condotta, James K. Drackley, Ph.D., Josh McCann, PhD, Juan Loor and Phil Cardoso, DVM, MS, PhD