Instructor-led

Dairy Cattle Nutrition, Feeds and Feeding

This course provides you with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills essential for optimizing dairy cattle nutrition throughout their entire life cycle. This comprehensive course equips students with the essential understanding of ruminant digestive physiology, nutrient requirements, feed analysis, and ration formulation needed to maximize milk production, animal health, and farm profitability through scientifically-based feeding strategies that support both conventional and organic dairy operations.

  • Instructor-Led

    Course Type

  • Once a Week

    Live sessions/Q&A

  • 9/22/25 - 12/10/25

    Course duration

  • Wednesday at
    1 pm CT / 2 pm ET

    Date & Time
    What you are going to learn

    A few more words about this course

    Dairy cattle nutrition represents the cornerstone of successful dairy operations, directly influencing milk production, animal health, reproductive performance, and overall farm profitability. This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the scientific principles and practical applications that drive optimal feeding strategies for grazing dairy cattle, from understanding the complex ruminant digestive system to developing cost-effective ration formulations that meet the specific needs of each animal group.

    Students will gain expertise in analyzing nutrient requirements across all life stages, evaluating feed quality and composition, and creating feeding programs that maximize both production efficiency and animal welfare. The course emphasizes the integration of grazing systems with supplemental feeding strategies, demonstrating how proper nutrition management creates sustainable competitive advantages while supporting both conventional and organic dairy production systems.

    You will learn:

    • Ruminant digestive anatomy and physiology to understand how cattle process and utilize nutrients
    • Nutrient requirements for water, energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins across all life stages
    • Feed quality, composition, and dry matter content to make informed feeding decisions
    • Feeding plans for milking cows, dry cows, calves, and replacement heifers
    • Cost-effective ration formulations using least-cost formulation principles and techniques
    • The unique challenges and opportunities of pasture-based dairy cattle nutrition

    What's included?

    Enrolling in this course gives you access to a rich and supportive learning experience designed for all levels. Here’s what you can look forward to:

    Ongoing Support

    Receive feedback and support throughout the course to help you succeed.

    Self-Paced Learning Modules

    Access engaging video lectures, readings, and activities anytime, anywhere.

    Weekly Live Sessions with the Instructor

    Connect in real time for Q&A, interactive lessons, and expert guidance.

    Assignments and Quizzes

    Apply what you learn through hands-on assignments and quizzes that reinforce key concepts.

    Discuss with others

    Participate in our online forum, share thoughts and ideas, increase connection, get help with your studies

    Student Forum & Community

    Join a vibrant online forum to discuss ideas, ask questions, and connect with classmates and instructors.

    Ben Gotschall

    Expertise:
    Managed Grazing Systems
    Former DGA Mentor 
    NATC Board Member

    About

    I was born and raised on a ranch in the Sandhills of southwest Holt County, Nebraska, where we raised beef cattle, dairy cattle and bison. I obtained an MFA in poetry, which enabled me to publish a full-length collection of poems and work as a college professor for several years teaching writing and literature before returning to agriculture full-time.
    In addition to owning and managing several organic dairy, micro-dairy and creamery businesses, I have previously worked in ag policy, grassroots environmental organizing, and local food cooperative distribution. Along with my wife Tammy and our daughter Charlotte, we also operate Holt Creek Jerseys, a grass-fed dairy cattle and genetics business that I began when I was 10 years old.
    Life-long learning is important to me and I look forward to helping others make the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program at Clover Cove the best it can be. I believe that by working with nature, utilizing research, and enabling innovation, members of the dairy team here can become leaders in the exciting future of regenerative food production.