Welcome to the Minor in Dairy Farm Management and Entrepreneurship!

Are you passionate about dairy farming and eager to develop your skills in entrepreneurship and advisory roles? Our minor program offers a comprehensive education in dairy farm management, entrepreneurship and advise designed for students from external applied universities or Aeres Applied University (excluding students from team DVO) who wish to deepen their knowledge in dairy.

Why Choose This Minor?

In-Depth Knowledge: Gain extensive insights into dairy farming, including nutrition, breeding, and housing.

Advisory and Entrepreneurship Skills: Learn how to become a successful entrepreneur or advisor in the primary sector, specializing in dairy.

Practical Experience: Engage in practical assignments and case studies that prepare you for real-world challenges.

In this 30 ECTS, half-year program, you will join two modules: International Entrepreneurship and Advisor Dairy Production. Each module comprises 13 ECTS, including a 3 ECTS farm-based assessment to demonstrate your skills. Additionally, you will complete a minor assignment.

Topics in this minor are:

• Financial and Technical Analysis: Analyse financial and technical data from dairy farms and develop strategic business plans.
• Farm Economics: Understand and analyze financial year reports and advise on farm development using key process indicators (KPIs).
• Strategic Management: Analyse global developments in livestock production and develop sector visions using strategic analysis techniques.
• Marketing and Sales: Write marketing plans and perform effective sales talks.
• EU Agricultural Policy: Apply knowledge of EU agricultural policy in planning mid and long-term farm development.
• Human Resource Management: Plan and manage human resources on animal production farms and develop advisory skills for agricultural entrepreneurs.
• Farm advise: Develop quick-scan and advisory reports, and provide written and oral advice on tactical management.
• Dairy Genetics: Predict the effects of breeding decisions, explain genomic selection, calculate heritability of traits, and understand inbreeding and crossbreeding.
• Dairy Nutrition: Explain the relationship between feedstuffs and digestibility, evaluate nutritional value, and understand nutrition-related problems.
• Dairy Health: Analyse factors responsible for farm-related diseases, advise on preventive measures, and understand antibiotic resistance.
• Advisory Skills: Provide oral advice to dairy farmers and manage practical skills on a dairy farm.
• Roughage production: The student will gain comprehensive knowledge in grassland and fodder crop management, including grass growth, species identification, grazing practices, and roughage production. They will learn the principles of fertilization, calculate fertilization advice, and understand the effects of nitrogen fertilization on yield and forage quality. Additionally, they will recognize mineral deficiencies in plants and their impacts.

Join us in this exciting minor and take the first step towards a rewarding career in the dairy industry.

‘International Entrepreneurship’:

In this module the student performs the role of advisor/entrepreneur/account manager.

The student:

• is able to act as an adviser or entrepreneur in an international environment.
• is able to develop and write a marketing plan and execute a sales talk.
• is able to write a strategic advisory report (business plan) and present this in an advisory meeting to the farmer.

‘Advisor Dairy Production’

After this module the student is able to act as a consultant or adviser. This includes communication with farmers, gathering data, analyzing data and formulation of advice which is consistent with the objectives of the farmer. The student will write an advisory report (tactical management) and present this in an advisory meeting to the farmer.

Minor assignment

The student is able to reflect on the knowledge and skills acquired from the modules 'International Entrepreneurship' and 'Advisor Dairy Production' and apply these to their own practical needs and aspirations, with the aim of improving farm management and advisory services in the dairy sector.

The student is currently studying animal husbandry either within or outside the Netherlands. They grew up on a farm, are working on a farm, or have a strong interest in animal husbandry.

Students of the Aeres Applied University Dronten following: ‘Dier- en veehouderij’, ‘Agrarisch ondernemerschap Dier- en veehouderij’ or ‘Varkens- en pluimveehouderij’ are not admitted to this minor. Other Dutch (external/Aeres) or international students are welcome to join!

The student is expected to be available and present at school during the week. The schedule will consist of lessons, guest lectures, training sessions, and assignments in the field.

Monday and Tuesday in week: 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 2

Assessment is based on exams, reports, and presentations.

Aanvullende informatie

More details about the minor can be found in the study guide, which can be requested.

Capacity/Waiting List: This minor will proceed regardless of the number of enrolments. The maximum number of students is 15.