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National Dairy FARM Program
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The National Dairy FARM Program is a nation-wide, verifiable program that addresses animal well-being. Third-party verification ensures the validity and the integrity of the program to our customers and consumers. |
Dairy Animal Care
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - On-Farm Evaluations
Chapter 3 - Management
Chapter 4 - Newborn Calves
Chapter 5 - Nutrition
Chapter 6 - Animal Health
Chapter 7 - Environment and Facilities
Chapter 8 - Handling, Movement and Transportation
Chapter 9 - Special-Needs Animals
Chapter 10 - Dairy Beef
Chapter 11 - Third-Party Verification
Chapter 1 - Introduction
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The National Dairy FARM Program was created to demonstrate and verify that U.S. milk producers are committed to providing the highest levels of animal care and quality assurance. |
Chapter 2 - On-Farm Evaluations
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The on-farm evaluation provides an external review of animal care practices based on National Dairy FARM Program guidelines. Trained evaluators will use the management checklists provided in the National Dairy FARM Program to conduct the evaluation. |
Chapter 3 - Management
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When addressing management, it is important to describe the procedure, train to the procedure, document the completion of the training, and monitor it over time. |
Chapter 4 - Newborn Calves
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All calves should receive colostrum or colostrum replacer and be fed in a way that promotes health and reduces the risk of disease. Health should be maintained through preventative care programs augmented by rapid diagnosis and treatment when necessary. Caretakers should be trained, follow protocols, and have access to record systems to promote animal well-being. |
Chapter 5 - Nutrition
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Animal should have access to feed and water on a daily basis, in a consistent manner, on a regular schedule, and according to their specific requirements. Nutritional management is greatly improved when producers take the time to observe their animals to maintain uniform groupings, and give attention to animals lagging behind. Body condition scoring should be used to monitor the energy balance and nutritional condition of the herd. |
Chapter 6 - Animal Health
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The health of cattle on a dairy is an essential part of good husbandry and a well-being program. One of these foundations for animal-well being is the freedom from pain, injury, and disease. A dairy maintains the health of the cattle by providing appropriate nutrition, housing, disease prevention, and detection along with well-designed treatment programs. |
Chapter 7 - Environment and Facilities
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Proper management of the environment enhances animal production performance and minimizes animal disease, death loss, and behavioral problems. Dairy cattle are bred for growth, production, and reproduction in a variety of environments to which they can readily adapt. Facilities include all housing structures, handling structures, lots, pens, stalls, alleys, and pastures that are inhabited by cattle of any age and health status. |
Chapter 8 - Handling, Movement and Transportation
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Cattle are to be handled in a calm, controlled, and gentle manner. Employees should be properly trained in animal handling and the consequences of inhumane handling should be known and enforced. Handlers should be assessed and retrained on a regular basis. Prods, canes, and other extreme cattle handling aids should only be used in situations that may potentially cause harm to the handler or the animals. |
Chapter 9 - Special-Needs Animals
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Even with the best care and adherence to the Herd Health Plan, animals can become ill, require medical treatment or euthanasia, or die. If an animal becomes sick, non-ambulatory, or dies, it is critical to protect the other animals from potential diseases and to provide special care for the sick or recovering animal. Management on dairy farms should be prepared to handle these conditions through proper employee training, segregation and prompt decision making to treat, cull, or euthanize an animal. |
Chapter 10 - Dairy Beef
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Dairy animals are an important source of beef in the United States. Approximately 20 percent of the nation's total beef production on an annual basis comes form the dairy sector, including fed dairy cattle, and marketed cows and bulls. For information on animal care for beef animals (including dairy steers) please follow guidelines of the Beef Quality Assurance Program. |
Chapter 11 - Third-Party Verification
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Confirmation by third-party verifiers of the practices used by the National Dairy FARM Program participants will demonstrate the integrity of the program's animal care guidelines and provide evidence to our stakeholders documenting the dairy industries commitment to ethical care and well-being of dairy animals. |