Operating a profitable dairy farm today involves learning to work smarter, not just harder. Successful dairy operations are built on solid herdsperson skills, effective management skills, and the use of technology.

As a student in the Farm Operations & Management you will learn:

• Dairy cattle nutrition and ration balancing Formulation
• Reproduction and Artificial Insemination
• Dairy Cattle Health with prevention techniques
• Dairy cattle environments
• Financial analysis and record keeping

• Overview

• Is This Program for You?

  If your love of dairy cattle management is combined with good organizational skills, an open-minded willingness to learn, and a dedication to hard work, this may be the ideal program for you.

  Students entering the Farm Operations & Management - Dairy program should:

  • Enjoy working with animals.
  • Enjoy working outside in all types of weather.
  • Manage their time effectively.
  • Be willing to work hard and learn.
  • Have good reading skills.
  • Have good communication skills.

  Program Basics

  • Technical Diploma – requiring a minimum of two years to complete
  • Classes are offered daytime, face to face, and on campus
  • Fall or Spring Start
  • Credit for prior learning may be available
  • High school articulation courses accepted

  Related Degrees

  • Agribusiness Science & Technology – Agribusiness Management
  • Agribusiness Science & Technology - Agronomy
  • Agribusiness Science & Technology - Agronomy Technician
  • Agribusiness Science & Technology – Animal Science
  • Agribusiness Science & Technology - Applicator Technician
  • Farm Operations & Management - Ag Mechanics
  • Farm Operations & Management – Dairy
  • Farm Operations & Management – Dairy Technician
  • Farm Operations & Management - Farm Ag Maintenance
  • Farm Operations & Management - Livestock
  • Farm Operations & Management - Livestock Tech
  • Farm Operations & Management - Reproduction Technician
• Curriculum & Costs
• Requirements

• Admission and Program Requirements

  • Submit Application
  • To make sure your classes are the right fit, we consider any previous college credit you've earned, Accuplacer or ACT scores, high school GPA, or an assessment at your registration session. Submit High School Transcripts, College Transcripts, and Test Scores to: Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809

  Helpful Academic Background

  • High school agriculture
  • Communication skills
  • Science
  • Math courses

  Program Fees

  • This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
  • Estimated cost for each semester can be found under the Curriculum tab. Please note that costs are approximate and are based on the current academic year.
  • Please discuss additional fee questions with the program advisor or instructor.

  Additional requirements

  Students must have eye wear protection (safety glasses with side shields or wrap around safety glasses over prescription glasses) and must meet OSHA Z87.1 or greater while they are conducting operations that are deemed hazardous in nature. These glasses can be purchased at the College Bookstore.

• Outcomes

• Program Outcomes

  At the completion of this program, students are expected to be able to:

  • Analyze opportunities in agriculture
  • Apply relevant technologies
  • Demonstrate professionalism skills within the agricultural career areas
  • Develop a management plan in agriculture
  • Manage dairy cattle
• Career Opportunities

• Graduates obtain positions in a wide variety of specialty areas, and there is a vast amount of potential for those who have mid-management or upper-management career aspirations. The demand in this field is expected to remain high for several years in such jobs as:

  • Dairy Cattle Herdsperson
  • Parlor Manager
  • Calf Manager
  • Reproductive Specialist
  • A.I. Technician

  Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

  Find a Job
• Transfers
• Prior Learning

• Credit for Prior Learning

  Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

  Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

  For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

  At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

  Farm Operations & Management - Dairy Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

  Course #	Course Title	Challenge Exam (Demonstration)	Challenge Exam (Standard)	CLEP	Credential	Portfolio
  10-006-116	Introduction to Soils
  10-006-121	Agribusiness Computer Applications
  10-006-131	Forage Crop Production Management
  10-006-144	Livestock Housing & Equipment
  10-006-146	Milk Production
  	Sanitarian Cerficate or DHI Tester
  10-006-150	Farm Animal Reproduction
  	AI Ceritification
  10-006-153	Dairy Production Management
  10-006-180	Animal Science
  31-804-305	Applied Mathematics
  	College Mathematics CLEP Test would also be accepted.
  32-070-319	Forage Equipment
  	If Challenge Exam is passed, a Skills Test will be administered.