Is your Worker Training Effective?

Ask the Cows and Reduce Protocol Drift

Abstract

Significant increases in herd size in the dairy industry have resulted in hired labor providing primary care and management of the cows guided by protocols. Worker training programs have been instituted to provide workers with an understanding of the hows and whys of the protocols they are asked to follow. The ultimate goal of training is to have competent workers carrying out best management practices on the dairy in a manner that promotes the health, well-being and productivity of cows in the herd. This paper describes evaluation of worker training effectiveness that includes assessment of knowledge and skill acquisition, reduction of protocol drift and monitoring of worker behavior and animal health and productivity. Veterinary practitioners have a great opportunity to facilitate worker training sessions and monitoring to provide a complete, effective worker training program to the dairies they serve.