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Fundamentals of Dairy Nutrition: Forages and Feed

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Fundamentals of Dairy Nutrition: Forages and Feed

This course is part of Dairy Nutrition for Udder Success Specialization

Instructors: Phil Cardoso, DVM, MS, PhD

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

11 reviews

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

11 reviews

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Identify the most common feedstuffs based on physical appearance and chemical analysis and understand their role in a typical dairy ration.
Describe the basics of forage growth, harvest, insulation, and storage connecting these principles to dairy nutrition.
Compare common cereal grains and oilseed meals used in dairy rations and understand key factors driving the economic value of feedstuffs.
Describe common feed processing techniques and the nutritional value of resulting byproducts incorporated in dairy rations.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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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.

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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 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.

In the course orientation, you will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course. Then dive into the second part of this module to gain a comprehensive understanding of the most prevalent feedstuffs, their physical characteristics, and chemical composition. This knowledge will empower you to optimize dairy rations effectively.

What's included

19 videos4 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

19 videos Total 57 minutes

Global Perspective on Feedstuffs | Featuring Dr. Jim Drackley 11 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Josh McCann 2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Phil Cardoso 1 minute
Module 1 | Overview 1 minute
Corn 2 minutes
Soybean meal 2 minutes
Canola meal 2 minutes
Distillers grains 3 minutes
Corn gluten feed 2 minutes
Soybean hulls 2 minutes
Wheat Middlings 2 minutes
Corn Silage 3 minutes
Alfalfa Haylage 3 minutes
Wheat Straw 3 minutes
Energy | Fiber 4 minutes
Energy | Starch 4 minutes
Energy | Fat 3 minutes
Protein 5 minutes
Module 1 | Wrap-up 3 minutes

4 readings Total 40 minutes

Syllabus 10 minutes
Learn More About Flexible Pathways 10 minutes
Updating Your Profile 10 minutes
Focus on Forages 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 90 minutes

Orientation Quiz 30 minutes
Module 1 | Knowledge Check 60 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Getting to Know Your Classmates 10 minutes

In this module, you will explore the basics of forage growth, harvest, insulation, and storage connecting these principles to dairy nutrition.

What's included

10 videos1 reading1 assignment

10 videos Total 30 minutes

Module 2 |Overview 1 minute
Warm and Cool Season Grasses 5 minutes
Legumes 4 minutes
Comparing Grasses and Legumes 2 minutes
Forage Growing Season Trends 3 minutes
Grazing Management 3 minutes
Hay Production 3 minutes
Silage Production 3 minutes
Haylage Production 3 minutes
Module 2 | Wrap-up 2 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Starch and Amino Acids: Back to the Basics and Their Connection 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 60 minutes

Module 2 | Knowledge Check 60 minutes

In this module, you will evaluate common cereal grains and oilseed meals used in dairy rations and dive into the key factors driving the economic value of feedstuffs.

What's included

9 videos1 reading1 assignment

9 videos Total 41 minutes

Module 3 | Overview 1 minute
Corn vs Barley 3 minutes
Soybean Meal vs Canola Meal 4 minutes
Soybean Hulls vs Wheat Middlings 3 minutes
Understanding Feed Value 4 minutes
Cost per Unit of Energy 6 minutes
Cost per Unit of Protein 5 minutes
Economic Influences on Feedstuffs | Experts Discussion 13 minutes
Module 3 | Wrap-up 1 minute

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Wheat Straw in Dry Cow Diets: A Dairy Tech Tour Experience 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 60 minutes

Module 3 | Knowledge Check 60 minutes

In this module, you will consider common feed processing techniques and the nutritional value of resulting byproducts incorporated in dairy rations. 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

8 videos5 readings2 assignments

8 videos Total 38 minutes

Module 4 | Overview 1 minute
Processing & Grind Theory 5 minutes
Grain Milling 3 minutes
Forage Processing 5 minutes
Wet Milling Process & Corn Gluten Feed 3 minutes
Byproduct Considerations 4 minutes
Module 4 | Wrap-up 2 minutes
Past and Future of Dairy Feeding and Management | Featuring Dr. Jim Drackley 15 minutes

5 readings Total 50 minutes

By-products are Fed Coast to Coast 10 minutes
High Forage Diets Require Important Considerations 10 minutes
Congratulations! 10 minutes
Stack Your Course Certificate toward Graduate Coursework 10 minutes
Getting Your Course Certificate 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 180 minutes

Module 4 | Knowledge Check 60 minutes
Final Assessment 120 minutes

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Instructors

Phil Cardoso, DVM, MS, PhD

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

2 Courses 2,287 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Reviewed on Mar 2, 2025

I understand why this course is focused on North America, however, I'd appreciate a more worldwide-focused part of the lecture as well. Overall great

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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.