This micro-credential course will equip the graduate with the skills necessary to establish an effective calf health and monitoring program within a veterinary practice. Developed by leading dairy researcher Dr. Dave Renaud, with contributions from practicing dairy veterinarians Drs. Kristen Edwards and Lance Males, this program is intended for RVT’s or VT’s who have an interest in dairy calves.

Course Content

The material covers:

• Calving and colostrum management

• Evaluating feeding equipment cleanliness (luminometer) and failure of passive transfer

• Calf housing and environmental assessment

• Pre-weaning nutrition

• Weaning management

• Common neonatal diseases

• Routine castration and disbudding

• Performing on-farm necropsies

• Reinforcement of an organized approach to investigating disease outbreaks in a calf health scenario

The ability to regularly chart heifer growth as well as health parameters/disease incidence will prepare the technician to immediately establish these monitoring programs within their practice. Lung ultrasonography is also covered.

This micro-credential is offered online through approximately 60 hours of instruction. It also requires a placement of approximately 40 hours in a dairy practice to perform many of the essential skills necessary, as well as a 2-day “farm school” assessment in Haileybury, Ontario.

Cost TBD, Program enrollment available for fall 2025.

To Register: NCMicro@northern.on.ca