The initiative responds to market demand for a flexible and cost-effective solution to enhance milk quality skills and productivity on farm.

Industry expert Shayla McGrory says the key to optimal milk quality hinges on a team understanding the dairy plant processes and understanding their cows.

A skill that can now be learned online and put to use on farm via a new blended learning model.

Agricademy, in partnership with McGrory, a milk quality expert, has launched an online milk quality training course, offering optional on-farm training and assessment.

The blended learning model of online and in-shed training enhances productivity for farmers and improves learning outcomes for staff in weeks, not months.

“Effectively, once milk is in a shared vat there is no way to improve the quality. What you do  on the farm and in the milk shed is critical,” McGrory said.

For the introduction to Milk Quality course, McGrory explains components of the milk quality  process online, with students who then receive in-shed training to gain practical experience once they complete the online process.

McGrory has extensive experience in advising farms with milk quality challenges, helping them understand root causes and implement changes. Her expertise has shaped the concept of this hybrid milk quality course.

“What I found as a tutor is that students get more value from practical experience in a shed  than from a powerpoint presentation.”

One of McGrory’s key roles over the years has been advising farms who have challenges with milk quality, helping them understand the root causes and then implementing changes to regain control of their processes.

Founder of Agricademy Alister Shennan said “poor milk quality grades and associated  penalties from milk supply companies can cost farmers significant amounts of money,  especially during the hotter months”.

Farmers have highlighted the cost disadvantage of training non-resident dairy farm workers, currently $375 for NZ staff and $2000 for overseas workers, he said.

“Our goal is to support farmers in improving milk quality and reducing costs, while also  providing a more efficient and effective training model,” Shennan said.

The Milk Quality course launched this month, and Shennan said with Agricademy now in its fifth year, it has now completed a comprehensive learning programme of certificates for dairy assistants in their first year in the industry.

For more information, visit  www.agricademy.co.nz/mq.

Disclaimer: Dean Williamson, CEO of AgriHQ, is an Agricademy shareholder.

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