Some exercises used successfully at Virginia Tech, Iowa State University and other institutions follow. Student Herds Several colleges and universities in the United States maintain student-rum herds. These provide the ideal environment for learning. Students are able to see how DHI records are supplemented by other non-DHI information in making management decisions. Unfortunately, this is not possible at most high schools or colleges.
Various alternatives are possible that cam be nearly as effective.
At Virginia Tech, part of the college or university dairy herd has been established as a class herd for one academic quarter. After each test, reports are discussed in class. At the end of the quarter, questions are included in the final examination to test the student's knowledge of the herd. Discussion of reports is more meaningful because animals in this herd and herd management can be associated with the DHI records. These exercises can be tailored to the nature of the course and can incorporate weak-link analysis of management, culling decisions, sire selection and selection of replacement heifers.