Checklist-based approach to measure milker behavior before and after training.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Agricultural Extension
• Animal Husbandry

Background:

• Dairy farm employee training evaluation has historically focused on reaction and learning levels.
• The impact of training on dairy farm employees' practical behavior remains understudied.
• Best-practice routines are crucial for maintaining udder health and milk quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the effectiveness of online training in modifying dairy farm employee behavior.
• To assess the adoption of best-practice routines related to udder health post-training.
• To bridge the gap in evaluating training effectiveness beyond learning outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Developed an interactive, 5-module online training course on udder health in English and Spanish.
• Modules covered aseptic milk sampling, intramammary treatment, salable milk decisions, dry-off treatment, and teat sealant administration.
• Assessed employee performance of dry cow treatment procedures using objective structured clinical examinations before and after training.

Main Results:

• Online training demonstrated a positive impact on employee behavior regarding specific udder health practices.
• Objective structured clinical examinations revealed improvements in the application of dry cow treatment protocols.
• The study successfully measured behavioral changes, offering a new dimension to training evaluation.

Conclusions:

• Online training is an effective tool for improving dairy farm employee behavior in udder health management.
• Behavioral assessment provides a more comprehensive evaluation of training efficacy than traditional methods.
• Implementing targeted online training can enhance the adoption of critical dairy farm best practices.