March 18–19, 2026
Madison, Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. – Mastitis is the dairy industry’s most costly disease, directly impacting milk quality, cow health, and farm profits. To address this, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension developed the “Milk Quality from the Udder World” certification program. This initiative empowers on-farm trainers with the practical skills and communication tools
needed to lead teams in consistent, best-practice milking routines.
This certification is designed for farm owners, parlor managers, and supervisors, as well as professionals who support dairy farms, including consultants, field representatives, veterinarians, and educators. All program content, workshops, and training materials are available in English and Spanish.
Participants learn how to:
Explain the “why” behind each step of the milking routine.
Coach teams to work calmly and consistently.
Communicate clearly and provide effective feedback.
Apply research-based strategies to prevent mastitis.
To earn the certification, participants must complete two required components:
- Self-paced online course (approximately 2 hours)
The online course must be completed before attending the workshop. It includes five interactive modules covering milk quality, udder anatomy and function, and best practices for maintaining healthy udder. - One-day, in-person workshop (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
The in-person workshop focuses on hands-on practice and trainer skill development. Participants strengthen their ability to train others, communicate expectations, and support consistent milking routines.
To register, visit: https://go.wisc.edu/mquwevents [Note: it appears that the “join course waitlist” notification that may appear does not apply to this course. Simply choose the English or Spanish option for the Madison course.]
The cost of the certification program is $95.
Questions may also be directed to: Carolina Pinzón | Bilingual Dairy Outreach Specialist
carolina.pinzon@wisc.edu | Phone number: (608) 890-2961.
