Milk Quality from the Udder World Trainer Certification Program Strengthens On-Farm Training Across Wisconsin

Maintaining excellent milk quality and preventing mastitis require more than effective protocols. Success depends on farm teams consistently applying best practices every day. To help strengthen on-farm training and support dairy workforce development, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension offered the Milk Quality from the Udder World (MQUW) Trainer Certification Program throughout Spring 2026. 

The program was designed for farm owners, parlor managers, supervisors, trainers, and other dairy industry professionals who play a key role in supporting and educating dairy farm teams. Through a combination of self-paced online learning and hands-on workshops, participants gained the knowledge, skills, and practical tools needed to improve milk quality, promote udder health, prevent mastitis, and strengthen employee training efforts on dairy farms. 

A total of 102 participants attended one of ten in-person workshops hosted across Wisconsin in the Luxemburg, Madison, Abbotsford, Fond du Lac, and De Soto areas. Workshops featured presentations and facilitated activities led by bilingual dairy outreach specialists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension’s Dairy and Farm Management Programs. 

The MQUW Trainer Certification Program had a strong impact on participants. Evaluation results showed overwhelmingly positive feedback, with more than 95% of participants agreeing that the training was relevant and provided valuable resources they could immediately apply on their farms. Participants also reported high levels of confidence in using training tools and supporting parlor teams through effective coaching and communication. Most participants rated the program 5 out of 5 stars and indicated they would recommend the training to others. 

The Milk Quality from the Udder World Trainer Certification Program will be offered again in Spring 2027 at locations throughout Wisconsin. We encourage farm owners, managers, and trainers from the same operation to participate together. A shared understanding of milk quality principles and employee training strategies helps reinforce consistent practices and management support across the entire farm team. Individuals interested in future offerings are encouraged to join the program interest list to receive program updates and registration information.

Partial support for this project was provided by the Dairy Innovation Hub.