Checklist-based approach to measure milker behavior before and after training

Wolfgang Heuwieser; Rachel Moody; Michael Zurakowski; Paul D Virkler

doi:10.3168/jdsc.2023-0454

Checklist-based approach to measure milker behavior before and after training

JDS Commun. 2023 Nov 17;5(3):190-194. doi: 10.3168/jdsc.2023-0454. eCollection 2024 May.

Authors

Wolfgang Heuwieser^{1

2}, Rachel Moody¹, Michael Zurakowski¹, Paul D Virkler¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
² Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany.

Abstract

So far, evaluation of training initiatives for dairy farm employees has been limited to the reaction and learning level. The effect of training on dairy farm employees' behavior has not been studied yet. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of online training to change employee behavior toward best-practice routines. An interactive training course related to udder health was developed in 5 modules in Spanish and English: (1) collecting an aseptic milk sample, (2) administering intramammary treatment, (3) deciding on salable milk, (4) treating a cow at dry-off with antibiotics, and (5) administering teat sealants. Participants navigated the modules at their own pace or watched a narrated video. Employees were assessed performing 2 procedures related to dry cow treatment (i.e., treating a cow at dry-off with antibiotics, administering internal teat sealant) by using an objective structured clinical examination. If possible, all employees were scored performing the procedure on 2 cows before and within 2 to 3 wk after the training was applied.