MilkTech International © MilkTech International Web-assisted training in milk harvesting An educational initiative by: University of Wisconsin - Madison

© MilkTech International

MilkTech International

Web-assisted training in milk harvesting

An educational initiative by:University of Wisconsin - Madison (USA)

Milking Research and Instruction lab, and the Babcock Institute for International Research in Dairying

University of Melbourne – (Australia)National Milk Harvesting Center

Milking and Pumping Trade Association (New Zealand) The UK Dairy Group (UK)

© MilkTech International 11-Aug-05 Intro 2

What is MilkTech-International?

MilkTech-International is a not-for-profit organization to provide training resources to people involved in milk harvesting. It arose out of an internationally recognized need for quality training in milk harvesting for participants with a wide range of backgrounds. Its current members are from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.


How will it work?

Development of a common set of ‘core’ educational materials assembled from resources around the world.The core materials will be converted into electronic training modules that are suitable for use in web-assisted training.The core materials will be developed so that they can be customized by an international network of training centers to meet specific local needs

Easily translated into the local language/dialectEasily substituted pictures illustrating common practice in each locality


How will it work?

The materials can be assembled into curricula for different levels of training

Beginners: introductory material and general conceptsIntermediate: farm advisor levelAdvanced technical: installation, maintenance and serviceAdvanced R&D: Updates on research literature


How will it work?

Potential students includeMilking machine dealers and their technical staffOEM office and R&D staffChemical Products sales staffDairy plant field staffVeterinariansUniversity and other tertiary and technical education students


Advantages to this approach

Transferable, internationally recognized content and certification

Content developed and reviewed by internationally recognized experts (OEM staff invited to participate).Uniform access to most recent research-based informationCertifications transferable across countries and occupationsCoherent structure allowing students to proceed in an orderly, efficient manner

Long-term commitment to maintain and improve the program from the UW milking Lab and other participants.



Latest instruction media technologyInstructional media designed to accommodate learning styles of student groups Medium desirable to new (younger) technicians.

Combines web-assisted learning with mandatory face-to-face, hands on learning at a training center

Improves efficiency and effectiveness of face-to-face training by assuring uniform skills in student groups

Students progress at their own paceCan review web materials as often as necessary to pass certification and pre-qualification for classroom sessions



Lower cost to students Web-assisted learning done 'at home' combined with on-the job training with a mentorSubstantially reduced travel cost and out-of-office time

Lower cost to OEM's This program provides a platform for core, generic skills and knowledge that OEMS can use to support their dealer trainingReduces time and cost for materials development and instructor time for generic, core base OEM can makes better use of resources by concentrating on equipment-specific sales, installation and service training


What topics will be covered?

Our intention is to cover topics of generic interest to the industry. These will not replace the need for company training programs.The list to the right is our draft of modules for development

The input of OEMs and other interested parties in module development is invited.

Introduction to milk harvestingRegulations, standards and guidelinesMilking machine testingMilking-time observations and measurementsIntroduction to milk coolingIntroduction to milk quality managementCleaning systemsPrinciples of milking machine installation and serviceIntroduction to farm wiring and stray voltageIntroduction to milking parlor design and managementMilking other mammals


What will it look like?

We have drafted some samples to give you an idea of what the web-assisted training sessions will look like.

You can return to the main page to view:From Module 1: Introduction to Milk Harvesting Designed as an introduction for people with no prior

knowledge of milking machineso Milking machine componentso Vacuum Production and control

From Module 2: Regulations, Standards and Guidelines. To familiarize intermediate and advanced student with the

important aspects of ISO and other standards.o Review of ISO milking machine performance standards

From Module 5: Milking-time Tests For intermediate students advising farmers on milking

performance issueso Assessing Completeness of Milking


Who are the training centers?

At present the training centers includeThe University of Wisconsin, Milking Research and Instruction LabThe National Milk Harvesting Centre at Ellinbank, Victoria, AustraliaThe milking machine technicians training program in New Zealand

Additional training centers could includeEducational organizations in other countriesMilking Machine Manufacturer’s or other dairy industry training centers (e.g. milk cooperatives)


What is the role of the training centers?

Customize materials for their audience and local situation.

Translations if neededVoice recordings (read from a script) in the local accentCustomize pictures (digital photos) to illustrate common practice in each locality

Enroll and track progress of their students. Conduct classroom sessions when students have finished Web modules and qualified for specific lab exercises and certificationProvide independent certification of students if desired (e.g. national certification or company certification)


How can you use MilkTech?

There are several options to incorporate MilkTech into you training programs including:

Accept MilkTech certification as part of your staff training and/or certification program All generic training done by MilkTech

Establish a MilkTech training center in your organization Use MilkTech curricula in these programs

The options – even within a single organization - may be different in different locations or countries

Using MilkTech will allow members to focus their training resources on topics that are of highest priority to their staff

Dealer training on product specific sales, installation and serviceSpecific procedures for milk plant field staff investigation and reporting


What will it cost?

The development of the initial set of core materials needs a moderate budget to support the time of technical advisors and student illustrators.

We have a seed grant of $12,000 from the UW Babcock Institute for International Research in Dairying that has allowed us to produce the sample modules.Industry funds are very helpful in leveraging other public funds that we are actively seeking.


What will it cost?

Web-based Instruction will be covered by tuition from students. Face-to-Face Classroom instruction and certification will be covered by student tuition to training centers.Administrative costs and ongoing costs for review, update, and editing materials will be recovered from student tuition.


What will it cost?

We estimate that the cost to a student/employer for web-assisted MilkTech compared to traditional methods would be reduced by about a factor of 3 in

Days away from workTuitionRoom and board Travel costs

There would be a similar savings in the time invested by training centers in developing training materials


How can you become part of MilkTech International?

Provide financial support to help develop the first draft of the core materials and initiate the programUse all or part of the program in your staff training programsParticipate in ongoing development, use and promotion of the program


MilkTech International Contacts for more details

In the USA or countries not listed Doug Reinemann, UW Milking Research and Instruction Lab [email protected] (608).262.0223

We are launching in English speaking countries but hope to expand translations to foreign languages as need and resources become available.

In Australia Rob Greenall, University of Melbourne, NMHC [email protected] (03).5.624.2333

Paul Hemming [email protected] (03).5.662.5087

Graeme Mein, Scientific Advisor [email protected] (03).9.742.2425

In New ZealandIan Gunn [email protected] (64).7.849.8755

In the UKIan Ohnstad [email protected] (44).18.23.444488

mailto:[email protected]






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MilkTech International © MilkTech International Web-assisted training in milk harvesting An educational initiative by: University of Wisconsin - Madison