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Dairy Economics: Maximizing Profits through Milk Quality

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Dairy Economics: Maximizing Profits through Milk Quality

This course is part of Dairy Nutrition for Udder Success Specialization

Instructor: Derek Nolan

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

8 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

8 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Describe the immune mechanisms involved in intramammary infections.
Analyze the economic impact of mastitis and evaluate treatment decisions using decision trees and cost models.
Apply diagnostic tools such as somatic cell counts and on-farm culturing.
Identify common mastitis-causing pathogens and their characteristics.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Dairy Nutrition for Udder Success Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

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.

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.

What's included

10 videos4 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

10 videos Total 33 minutes

Course Overview 1 minute
Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Derek Nolan 1 minute
Module 1 | Overview 1 minute
Immune Response 4 minutes
Non-Specific Immunity 4 minutes
Specific Immunity 4 minutes
Coliforms 5 minutes
Staph Infections 5 minutes
Strep Infections 6 minutes
Module 1 | Wrap-Up 1 minute

4 readings Total 40 minutes

Syllabus 10 minutes
Learn More About Flexible Pathways 10 minutes
Updating Your Profile 10 minutes
Mastitis-Causing Pathogens and How They Get on Your Farm 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 60 minutes

Orientation Quiz 30 minutes
Module 1 | Knowledge Check 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Getting to Know Your Classmates 10 minutes

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.

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 assignment

8 videos Total 35 minutes

Module 2 | Overview 1 minute
Mastitis Relationships 4 minutes
Somatic Cell Counts 4 minutes
Milk Cultures 6 minutes
DRMS 240 Report 5 minutes
421 and 340 Reports 7 minutes
DHI-533 – Herd Event Calendar 8 minutes
Module 2 | Wrap-Up 1 minute

1 reading Total 10 minutes

How to Simplify Your Farm Data Analysis for Data-Driven Decisions 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 2 | Knowledge Check 30 minutes

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.

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 assignment

8 videos Total 27 minutes

Module 3 | Overview 1 minute
Direct Costs 4 minutes
Hidden Costs 4 minutes
Ranges in Estimated Mastitis Costs 4 minutes
Simple Decisions 5 minutes
Decisions Around Mastitis 3 minutes
Right or Wrong? Economics of Decisions 5 minutes
Module 3 | Wrap-Up 1 minute

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Weighing the Costs of Mastitis Treatment: Ask These Five Questions 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 3 | Knowledge Check 30 minutes

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!

What's included

9 videos4 readings2 assignments

9 videos Total 26 minutes

Module 4 | Overview 1 minute
Breakeven Costs 4 minutes
Productive Life 4 minutes
Retention Payoff 5 minutes
Cost = Loss + Expenses 2 minutes
Economic Optimum 5 minutes
Bebunking Cost Estimates 2 minutes
Module 4 | Wrap-Up 1 minute
Course Summary 1 minute

4 readings Total 40 minutes

Have Your Cows Repaid Their Debts? 10 minutes
Congratulations! 10 minutes
Stack Your Course Certificate toward Graduate Coursework 10 minutes
Getting Your Course Certificate 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 150 minutes

Module 4 | Knowledge Check 30 minutes
Final Assessment 120 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Derek Nolan

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

2 Courses 369 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Frequently asked questions

Yes! Although completion of the Coursera course alone is not credit-bearing, it is a required component of a graduate-level Canvas course that can be "stacked" toward advanced credentials such as an academic (transcriptable) graduate certificate or a degree. If you decide to pursue further education, the credits you earn from this course can be applied toward a formal academic program, provided that you meet all the requirements of admission to the certificate or degree.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.