FARM Program - National Dairy FARM Program

Animal Care Reference Manual Version 5

An easy-to-use, educational and comprehensive resource detailing animal care and management guidelines of the FARM Animal Care Program including checklists, program standards, best practices, references and more.

FARM Program

English

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Euthanasia

Use this fillable template to help establish and document euthanasia protocol as a part of your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Firearm Euthanasia Best Management Practices Webinar

In this webinar, Valerie Smith, DVM, discussed American Association of Bovine Practitioners guidelines around firearm euthanasia, including effective protocols, and Ronnie Mosby shared firearm basics such as ammunition and weapon types, safety and maintenance. Completing this video counts as a FARM Animal Care Continuing Education credit.

FARM Program

English

Proper Calf Handling Poster

Display this poster to get quick tips for proper calf handling techniques.

FARM Program, Veal Quality Assurance (VQA)

English

English & Spanish

Proper Management of Non-Ambulatory Animals Article

Reference this two-page article to help create your dairy farm's non-ambulatory protocol to ensure you answer the correct questions and establish appropriate protocols.

Cornell University Cooperative Extension, FARM Program

English

End of Life Decision-Making – Fitness to Transport Video

Watch this partner spotlight video developed by Elanco Animal Health to support all dairy animal caretakers and owners in the fitness to transport process for details on end-of-life decision making for cattle on your dairy.

Elanco, FARM Program

English

How to Transition Away from Tail Docking

Switch trimming is the best management practice a farmer can utilize to transition away from tail docking. Use this guide to determine which meets your farm’s individual needs.

FARM Program

English

Calf Care & Quality Assurance (CCQA) Reference Manual Version 1

The Calf Care & Quality Assurance (CCQA) program was developed to elevate U.S. calf raiser standards by uniting around key management practices. This reference manual outlines best management practices for farmers and ranchers of any size raising calves for dairy or beef production, such as calf health, management and care, animal handling and stockmanship and employee training and emergency preparedness.

Beef Checkoff, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA), FARM Program, Veal Quality Assurance (VQA)

English

Foot and Mouth Disase (FMD) Progression of Lesions in Cattle Sign

Use this sign to help identify clinical signs caused by foot and mouth disease, progression of lesions based on the amount of days post-infection and what to if you suspect a foreign animal disease.

American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), Iowa State Center for Food Security and Public Health, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Milk Producers Federation, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

English

Spanish

Dairy Stockmanship Video Series – Using Pressure and Release When Moving Dairy Cattle

Moving closer to the cow’s flight zone can cause cattle to speed up. Moving farther will encourage cattle to relax and slow down. Watch this video to understand how using pressure points can help when moving cattle in stressful situations.

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), FARM Program

English

Spanish

Dairy Stockmanship Video Series – Understanding the Point of Balance in Dairy Cattle

Watch this video to learn about how the handler’s location in relation to the dairy cow's point of balance determines whether the animal moves forward or backwards.

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), FARM Program

English

Spanish

Dairy Stockmanship Video Series – Understanding the Flight Zone

The flight zone is the animal’s safety zone, and its size varies depending on the animal’s degree of tameness. Watch this video to understand the flight zone and how handlers can successfully position their bodies to safely and productively move cattle.

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), FARM Program

English

Spanish

Understanding Dairy Stockmanship

Watch this 30-minute video to learn safe, effective skills for animal handling.

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), FARM Program

English

Spanish

K’iche'

Using Tools To Move Animals

Watch this video to learn how to use tools appropriately when moving cattle.

FARM Program

English

Spanish

Dairy Stockmanship Video Series – Using the Senses in Handling Cattle

It is important to always move softly and calmly around cattle. Watch this video to learn where to position your body around the cattle to keep both animal and handler safe.

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), FARM Program

English

Spanish

Proper Care for Non-Ambulatory Cows Poster

Display this poster to help identify a proper down cow protocol, how to prevent, plan and care for non-ambulatory cows and common causes, including milk fever, toxic mastitis, toxic metritis, musculoskeletal damage and massive infection.

FARM Program, Penn State Extension

English

Spanish

English & Spanish

Considerations when Transporting Dairy Animals

Evaluating the dos and don'ts of transporting dairy animals and making decisions in a timely, efficient manner is important always to consider the animals' well-being first. Display this poster to serve as a reminder of what to check for before transporting.

Beef Checkoff, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), FARM Program, National Milk Producers Federation

English

Spanish

English & Spanish

Dairy Cattle Care Training Agreement

Complete the dairy cattle care training agreement to confirm that you have received training in animal care, stockmanship and all other assigned animal care responsibilities.

FARM Program

English

Spanish

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Supernumerary Teat Removal

Use this fillable template to help establish and document a supernumerary teat removal protocol in your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Dairy Cattle Care Training Log – Individual Employee

Document to record training pertaining to animal care.

FARM Program

English

Dairy Cattle Care Training Activity Attendance

Use this form to accurately document dairy cattle care training activity attendance.

FARM Program

English

Spanish

Dairy Cattle Care Ethics Agreement & Training

Complete the dairy cattle care ethics agreement and training form to confirm that you have received training in animal care, stockmanship and all other assigned animal care responsibilities.

FARM Program

English

Spanish

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Parasite Control

Use this fillable template to help establish and document a protocol regarding parasite control in your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Pest Control

Use this fillable template to help establish and document a pest control protocol in your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Pre-Weaned Calves

Use this fillable template to help establish and document a protocol regarding pre-weaned calf management in your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Biosecurity

Use this fillable template to help establish and document a protocol for the biosecurity portion of your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Branding

Use this fillable template to help establish and document a protocol for safe and humane cattle branding in your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Castration

Use this fillable template to help establish and document a castration protocol for your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Fitness to Transport

Use this fillable template to help establish and document a protocol that ensures suitability for an animal to be culled and transported to market in your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Fly Control

Use this fillable template to help establish and document a fly control protocol in your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Lameness Prevention & Treatment

Use this fillable template to help establish and document a lameness prevention & treatment protocol in your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Medical Procedure

Use this fillable template to help establish and document protocols relating to medical procedures in your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Milking Procedure

Use this fillable template to help establish and document a milking procedure protocol in your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Non-Ambulatory Cows

Use this fillable template to help establish and document a protocol regarding non-ambulatory cows in your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Drug Treatment Records Veterinarian Review Form

This form is acceptable to meet the “permanent (written or electronic) drug treatment records reviewed at least annually by the Veterinarian of Record” standard within FARM Animal Care Version 4.

FARM Program

English

Spanish

Herd Health Plan Protocol Template – Disease & Illness Treatment

Use this fillable template to help establish and document a protocol when it comes to identifying and treating diseases and illnesses in your herd health plan.

FARM Program

English

Herd Health Plan Veterinarian Review Form

This form is acceptable to meet the “written herd health plan reviewed at least annually by the Veterinarian of Record” standard within FARM Animal Care Version 4.

FARM Program

English

Spanish

Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) Form

This form is acceptable to meet the “written Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship that is signed by the farm owner and Veterinarian of Record annually within the previous 12 months” standard within FARM Animal Care Version 4.

FARM Program

English

Spanish

Cow Care Agreement – Immediate Family

Dairy farm workers complete this fillable form to meet the “immediate family employees with animal care responsibilities must sign a cow care agreement annually” standard within FARM Animal Care Version 4 to confirm their commitment to the highest standards of animal care.

FARM Program

English

Spanish

Euthanasia Decision Tree Poster – Dairy Cattle

Display this decision tree to identify key indicators that help determine if cows are showing signs to treat and reevaluate or if euthanasia should be considered immediately.

FARM Program

English

Spanish

English & Spanish

Animal Care Reference Manual Version 4

An easy-to-use, educational and comprehensive resource detailing animal care and management guidelines of the FARM Animal Care Program including checklists, program standards, best practices, references and more.

FARM Program

English

Animal Care Reference Manual Version 4 – Print Friendly

A low-color, print-friendly version of the full Animal Care Manual (excluding the appendix). Includes educational and comprehensive animal care and management guidelines of the FARM Animal Care Program such as checklists, program standards, best practices and more in a format more suitable for printing at home.

FARM Program

English

See It? Stop It! Poster

Demonstrate your commitment to animal care. Display this poster for anyone who works around animals to provide guidance on how to report animal abuse, neglect, harm or mishandling. Responsible animal care starts with you!

Dairy Cattle Welfare Council (DCWC), FARM Program

English & Spanish

Attending a FARM Animal Care Program Evaluator/Trainer Training Course Checklist

A guide to help you with the steps before, during and after an Animal Care evaluator or trainer training course.

FARM Program

English

Topic Brief – Disbudding

Use this topic brief to learn more about the removal of horns for the safety of the cattle and your dairy farm staff.

FARM Program

English

Topic Brief – Polled Genetics

This topic brief outlines polled genetics including breeding animals for the polled gene as a long-term strategy to reduce the need for disbudding or dehorning in dairy cattle.

FARM Program

English

Topic Brief – Artificial Insemination

This factsheet provides background and additional information on artificial insemination. Get answers to frequently asked questions in this topic brief.

FARM Program

English

Euthanasia Decision Tree Poster – Dairy Calf

Display this decision tree to identify key indicators that help determine if calves are showing signs to treat and reevaluate or if euthanasia should be considered immediately.

Cornell University Cooperative Extension, FARM Program

English

Spanish

English & Spanish

See it? Stop it! Flyer

Demonstrate your commitment to animal care. Display this sign for anyone who works around animals to provide guidance on how to report animal abuse, neglect, harm or mishandling. Responsible animal care starts with you!

Dairy Cattle Welfare Council (DCWC), FARM Program

English & Spanish

Biosecurity Sign – Wear Personal Protective Equipment

Display this full-page sign on your dairy farm to encourage use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the milk house.

FARM Program, Iowa State Center for Food Security and Public Health, Secure Milk Supply

English

Spanish

Biosecurity Sign – Clean Boots & Clothing Required

Display this full-page sign on your dairy farm to notify staff and visitors of a biosecure entry point.

FARM Program, Iowa State Center for Food Security and Public Health, Secure Milk Supply

English

Spanish

Biosecurity Sign – Milk Collection Occurring

Display this full-page sign on your dairy farm to indicate when milk transfer is occurring.

FARM Program, Iowa State Center for Food Security and Public Health, Secure Milk Supply

English

Spanish

Biosecurity Sign – Milk House Cleaning & Disinfection

Display this full-page sign on your dairy farm to indicate when milk house cleaning and disinfection is complete.

FARM Program, Iowa State Center for Food Security and Public Health, Secure Milk Supply

English

Spanish

Biosecurity Sign – Cross Only at Biosecure Entry Point

Display this full-page bilingual sign to alert visitors and staff to only cross at biosecure entry points on your dairy farm.

FARM Program, Iowa State Center for Food Security and Public Health, Secure Milk Supply

English & Spanish

Individual Cow Care Agreement

Dairy farm workers complete this fillable form to meet the “immediate family employees with animal care responsibilities must sign a cow care agreement annually” standard within FARM Animal Care Version 4 to confirm their commitment to the highest standards of animal care.

FARM Program

English

Spanish

Dairy Cattle Care Ethics Agreement

Review and sign the dairy cattle care ethics agreement to commit to the highest standards of animal care on your dairy.

FARM Program

English

Spanish