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The UMADCOWS is a unique program that was
founded in the spring of 1998 by a group of motivated students wanting an
opportunity to work hands on with large animals on campus. It was through
extreme dedication and hard work that the program is where it is today. The
barn functions as a cooperative where everyone is ultimately responsible for
the well-being and daily care of the herd. The UMADCOWS is open to
sophomore, junior and senior students as AVS 346/347 Dairy Cattle
Technology. These are required classes for graduation with a degree in
animal science.
The UMADCOWS provide a unique,
hands on experience for University of Maine students interested in animal
and dairy science. Students work as a tream to manage the milking, feeding,
reproduction, genetics and health of the 80 registered Holstein cows and
replacement calves and heifers housed at the J.F. Witter Teaching and
Research Center.
Success requires students take
an active, dynamic role in the decisions that affect the dairy herd during
the semester by monitoring performance, identifying problems and developing
solutions to problem areas. In addition students develop leadership,
desision-making, time management, communication, and group skills as they
work cooperatively to achieve specific goals. |
