Learning Objectives

Notes

34.1

To identify farm hazards.

Have a farm safety specialist speak to students about farm safety.  Students should be able to identify a number of hazardous situations which should be monitored on a farm.  Students should also be familiar with various farm safety groups, organizations and regulations such as Workers’ Compensation.

34.2

To describe the use of safety guards, shields, and other safety devices used on farm equipment.

Students should demonstrate a safety walk-around check on all the devices used for safety and make sure everything is in proper order pointing out the use of safety guards, shields and other safety devices used on farm equipment. 

Students should also be knowledgeable about the proper clothing, footwear, gloves, glasses, and breathing and ear devices necessary for personal safety when working around and operating farm machinery, and when applying chemicals and other hazardous materials.

Student Reference Manual:  Have students revise and/or develop and use safety checklists for specific equipment on the farm.

Students should also develop a personal safety audit of a farm.

Learning Objectives

Notes

34.3

To demonstrate safe practices when using lifting equipment.

Students should be able to demonstrate safe practices when using specific manual and power tools as well as lifting equipment such as, jacks and winches.  Have students examine the safety hazards associated with the use of power or manual tools.  Identify the hazards associated with jacks and winches.

Have students describe the kinds and sizes of jacks and winches which should be used for various farm equipment repair and maintenance.

34.4

To identify potential fire hazards and recommend precautions and fire fighting techniques.

Students should be able to identify fire hazards and demonstrate various types of fire fighting techniques.  Examine and list the fire hazards on farms.  Students should know how and when to use various types of fire equipment. 

Student Reference Manual:  Have students prepare a checklist of potential fire hazards, types of fire extinguishers and fire safety precautions.

Learning Objectives

Notes

35.1

To develop skills in handling emergency situations.

A course in First Aid is highly recommended but not always possible.  With the help of an ambulance driver, RCMP or local police officer, St. John’s Ambulance, nurse or doctor, help prepare students to deal with emergency situations by identifying the steps involved in seeking assistance, caring for injured people, and first aid supplies.

Student Reference Manual:  Have students prepare a checklist of the components of a well-equipped First Aid kit.

Also have students make a chart of emergency phone numbers, police and fire departments, and ambulance services.

Learning Objectives

Notes

36.1

To understand the need for reliable information in all production sectors.

Using flow charts or concept webs, identify where producers need reliable information.  Have students consider the kind of information each requires.  For example, producers need information on:

·        commodity prices, markets and growing conditions 

·        transportation and input costs

·        health problems, and weed or insect infestations

·        financial and banking information.

After identifying these information needs, have students consider where to gather information regarding each need and the kind of communication about this information that is the most effective. 

Have students consider the role of reliable information and effective communication on farms.

36.2

To locate and sort useful information required on a farm.

Finding, sorting and using information are important skills needed on a farm.  

Learning Objectives

Notes

In groups or as individuals, have students gather, sort and critique information about dairy production.

Have students prepare a resource listing of information including the source and availability of the information and where and how it might be used.  Encourage students to try to make the listings as comprehensive as possible including transportation, storage, related services and so on.  Reinforce the value of reliable information and effective communication.

Student Reference Manual:  Have students prepare a list of valuable resources.

36.3

To recognize the importance of effective communication.

All sectors in agriculture require effective communication skills in order to understand or be understood by employees, employers, suppliers, or customers.  Some examples follow:

Producers need effective communication skills to:

·        obtain and effectively use related goods and services

·        market their products effectively.

Employees need effective communication skills to:

·        analyze, organize and clarify information

·        establish good will for their organizations

·        communicate their ideas to both technical and non-technical colleagues

·        better workplace and interpersonal relationships

·        create positive first impressions.

Have students describe the communication needs for their particular farming operation.  Have students describe and demonstrate the skills that are required as well as when and how they would be used.  Some examples are:

Writing and publications packages such as:

·        word processing systems

·        desktop publishing packages (e.g., PowerPoint, PageMaker, Claris Works).

Information management systems such as:

·        spreadsheets

·        database management

·        teleconferencing.

Learning Objectives

Notes

Office tools such as:

·        facsimile

·        electronic mail

·        voice mail.

Learning Objectives

Notes

37.1

To identify career clusters and the range of occupational opportunities in dairy production.

List and research careers or occupations relating to dairy production and cluster them according to:

·        primary production - professional science, management, operation

·        marketing, distribution and retail services

·        support services - production and processing inputs, financial, governmental

·        resource management.

Consider job descriptions, employment market, educational requirements, and wage expectations.  If possible, assess current employment opportunities based on employment statistics.  There are a number of web sites on agricultural careers for students to review.

If possible, work with other ATEC students and hold a career fair or make oral presentations on other sectors.

Learning Objectives

Notes

38.1

To prepare a projected budget.

Have students prepare a projected budget of income and expenses for a year in a farming operation.  Reinforce the usefulness of a recordkeeping system to verify and modify the budget.

Student Reference Manual:  Have students develop a budget. 

38.2

To select and use an accounting system.

Have students select and/or use an accounting system for farm business transactions.  Be sure to reinforce the importance of keeping of records to support the system.

38.3

To prepare a net worth statement.

Describe to students the concept of a net worth statement or have a representative from a financial institution talk to students about a net worth statement. 

Student Reference Manual:  Have students prepare a net worth statement.

38.4

To study the sources of credit and the credit rating system.

Invite a representative from a financial institution or Farm Credit Canada to talk to students about farm credit and the credit rating system. 

Learning Objectives

Notes

Refer to Levels 10 and 20 as well as training plans (see Appendix C).

Learning Objectives

Notes

40.1

To describe the various components of milking equipment.  (COM)

At this level, students should be able to identify the various components of milking equipment.

40.2

To demonstrate the ability to perform maintenance and servicing of milking equipment.

Appropriate maintenance of milking and milk handling equipment not only ensures that there is more efficient use of time and equipment, it assists in herd management in that it reduces stress to the operators and workers as well as to the cows during the milking process.

Student Reference Manual:  Have students develop and use records for maintaining and servicing milking equipment.

40.3

To identify and describe safe practices when using cleaning agents and when cleaning milking equipment.

Students should be able to identify the hazards associated with cleaning agents and demonstrate safe practices. 

Cleaning agents are chemicals.  Because hazards exist if certain chemicals are mixed, it is appropriate for students to be aware of the hazards and to be able to indicate the danger to eyes, skin and lungs.  Safe practices and appropriate protective clothing will reduce the risks associated with chemical use.  As well,

students must be aware of the risk of damage to equipment from inappropriate use of chemicals and the strategies to employ to reduce the hazards.

Learning Objectives

Notes

Knowing cleaning chemicals by name, determining which should be used externally and internally with washing systems, and the sequence of appropriate use reduces the danger of hazardous results. 

Students should be able to select proper cleaning agents for the various steps in the cleaning and sanitizing process.  Demonstrating the knowledge, skills and abilities required to clean and sanitize milking equipment according to the established routines and protocols independently is appropriate at this level.

Students should be able to relate and demonstrate routines and protocols to be followed prior to, during and following the milking process as related to the cleaning and sanitizing of milking equipment, as well as the proper shut own and storage procedures.

40.4

To describe the significance of sanitized equipment.

Appropriate demonstration of cleaning and sanitizing procedures keeps the sanitary conditions at an acceptable level for inspection and meets the supervisor’s quality standards.  This is part of the on-farm maintenance of a safe food supply and optimum herd health.

Student Reference Manual:  Have students prepare a checklist of routine and maintenance procedures.

Students should have on hand diagrams of milking equipment parts and components for quick and easy reference.

In addition, have students develop a list of cleaning agents along with a checklist of cleaning procedures.

Learning Objectives

Notes

41.1

To demonstrate the ability to apply a milking unit and milk out a dairy cow.  (CCT, TL)

At this level, students should have observed the application of a milking unit and milking out a dairy cow.  Have students assist, then demonstrate, the ability to apply the milking unit and milk out the cow.  Students should demonstrate handling aids and appropriate operator behaviour to handle cows in ways which ensure maximum milk production.

Capable performance of the appropriate sanitation procedures prior to milking, application and adjustment of the milking system on the animal, monitoring of the operation of the milking system and the dairy animal during milking, and, timely removal of the milker are expected.

It is important to ensure that the cow is comfortable during the milking process in order to reduce the risks of injury to the cow or to the handler resulting from the behaviour of the animal.

Students need to consistently demonstrate procedures and behaviours during the animal handling process that minimize stress, prevent injury to the animal or operator, are low in noise level, and that provide opportunities to observe animal behaviour, milk production, and health conditions.

Learning Objectives

Notes

41.2

To understand the importance of maintaining accurate milk production records.

Have students discuss the value of maintaining accurate and consistent records of milking and milk production.  Provide students with sample milk recording data and have students critique the information recorded.

Monitoring milk production involves not only the recording of the volume of milk produced, it also ensures that the operator is monitoring for heat/oestrus detection and for health problems that may affect milk yield.

Students need to become familiar with the particular recordkeeping that the operator has selected for maintaining records.

41.3

To develop the ability to use equipment to measure and monitor milk production and keep accurate records.  (COM, NUM)

Milk recording equipment may include weigh jars or volume measures, metering devices (convert weight to volume), or, electronic flow measuring devices.  Demonstrate to students how to operate the milk measuring system during the milking process and set-up.  (TL, NUM)

In addition, demonstrate to students how to set up equipment properly prior to milking and to disassemble and clean after use. 

Have students demonstrate their ability to operate the equipment correctly and accurately record the results.

Have students work with the producer to record milk production for a period of time.  Have students analyze the data recorded and discuss how to increase milk production based on the information provided.

Student Reference Manual:  Have students obtain samples of milk production records.

Learning Objectives

Notes

42.1

To identify each major facility area, the areas requiring periodic inspection, how often the facility is to be inspected and what is to be looked for.

Ensure that students understand the consequences (liability, production loss, damage to equipment, economic cost, environmental damage) that can result from failure to inspect or detect problems.

When inspection of facilities is considered part of the regular work routine, workers can avoid major breakdown of facilities and equipment, and monitoring of facilities equipment needing regular service and maintenance requires less time than when carried out as a separate duty.  Animal behaviours can be monitored at the same time.

Discuss with students the facilities and equipment used in housing, feeding, and handling cattle and feeding and milking equipment as well as manure removal systems that should be inspected regularly. 

Identify what should be looked for during the inspection including:

·        ventilating systems

·        feeding equipment

·        electrical systems

·        heating systems

·        water supply system including pressure system and water heater

·        pens.

Learning Objectives

Notes

42.2

To develop the ability to repair dairy equipment and facilities.

Farm equipment maintenance and repair are core modules throughout the ATEC program.  Teachers or farmer-trainers may wish to refer to this module to review students’ knowledge and abilities.  Work with students to help develop their ability to repair and maintain dairy facilities and equipment.

Student Reference Manual:  Have students develop a checklist of inspection points.

Learning Objectives

Notes

43.1

To understand the concept of herd health.

Herd health is a collective term used to describe the preventive, rehabilitative or treatment regimes associated with maintaining the health and well-being of dairy cattle.

Elements of herd health include knowledge of:

·        common medications and other treatments used to maintain animal and herd health

·        economic considerations

·        health history records.

Discuss the concept and elements of a herd health program with a veterinarian or dairy producer.

Relate to students the importance of utilizing various medications for the treatment of infection and disease and in maintaining animal and herd health.

43.2

To become knowledgeable about common veterinary drugs and medications used to maintain herd health.

Have a veterinarian or producer describe the most common veterinary drugs and medications used to maintain herd health. Some of these include:

·        antibiotics

·        vaccines

·        disinfectants

·        insecticides

·        feed additives and nutrient supplements.

Learning Objectives

Notes

Student Reference Manual:  Have students develop a listing of the most common types of veterinary drugs or medications with description that include:

·        common names

·        uses

·        calculation of dosage

·        administration.

43.3

To develop the ability to read drug labels and calculate the appropriate dosage.  (COM, NUM)

Have students read and interpret a number of different veterinary drug labels.  Have students look for information on:

·        procedures for safe use and storage

·        dosage and administration

·        appropriate storage techniques

·        contamination hazards

·        practices for monitoring animals following administration of medications.

43.4

To develop the ability to administer common veterinary drugs and medication.

Medication must be placed correctly to work effectively.  Various aids or tools may assist placement.  Needle sizes vary for particular jobs.  Proper preparation of an area (e.g., disinfecting the area with alcohol or clipping the hair) is necessary.  Describe the techniques associated with the administration of veterinary drugs and medications.

Dirty equipment can introduce contamination into sealed drug containers, spread disease between animals, and result in abscesses at injection points.  When drugs are improperly administered, adverse reactions can occur.

Demonstrate the proper way to administer:

·        intramuscular injections

·        intravenous injections

·        subcutaneous injections

·        intradermal and intrammary injections

·        eye treatments

·        treatments for parasites.

Learning Objectives

Notes

Students should be able to describe:

·        proper administration techniques and range of administration period

·        hazards to the animal resulting from improper administration

·        hazards to the operator resulting from improper administration

·        when it is appropriate to seek additional professional assistance.

43.5

To describe the concept of drug withdrawal.  (COM, CCT)

Discuss the concept of drug residue and where such residues may show up in the body of the animal being treated.  Discuss potential hazards of residues in milk for consumers.  Discuss the penalties for dairies found violating drug residues standards.  Identify issues related to drug withdrawl particular to milk production.

43.6

To identify proper handling and storage techniques utilized with medications to ensure optimum effectiveness. (CCT)

Veterinary drugs and medications need to handled and stored correctly to maintain efficacy.  Directions for storage, shelf life and handling are listed on drug labels.

Describe hazards to animals and humans associated with the handling, storage, and administration of medications.  Risks include personal injury from handling animals, hazard of self-injection while handling loaded syringe, and animal injury.

Good practices include maintaining cleanliness; having equipment ready; effective and efficient job performance; and, using protective clothing and equipment for hand and skin protection.

Student Reference Manual:  Have students prepare information on common veterinary drugs and medications including:

·        trade name

·        shelf life

·        contents of the container

·        method of administration

·        dosage

·        storage requirements

·        withdrawal times or limitations.

Students should make a chart to be posted in a conspicuous place for quick reference while treating animals with medications.

Learning Objectives

Notes

44.1

To identify and demonstrate the operation of specialized livestock equipment.

There is a variety of specialized livestock equipment that may be used in the operation of a cow/calf operation.  This includes weigh scales, feed mills, front end loaders, bale shredders, tub grinders, forage harvesters, and feed wagons.

Have students prepare a list