Updated to FARM Version 5.0

The Books Help PA Dairy Farms Comply with National FARM 5.0 Requirements

With a new version (Version 5.0) of the National Dairy FARM Program recently released on July 1, the Center for Dairy Excellence has updated its Animal Care Protocol Record-Keeping Books to meet the new standards. With more than 4,000 books distributed to date, these books are designed to help Pennsylvania dairy farm families comply with National FARM requirements associated with record keeping. The new versions of the record-keeping books have been updated to match FARM Version 5.0’s standards related to animal care and are free to dairy producers and dairy professionals supporting dairy farms. One book should cover three program years for a smaller-sized herd. To request a free copy of the book, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/request-book or call 717-788-0304.

“These record-keeping books continue to be a helpful way to establish a good system for managing animal care efforts and protocols on your dairy operation. With the roll-out of Version 5.0 for the National FARM Program, we have updated the books accordingly,” said Valerie Mason-Faith, Risk Education Manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence. “The updated version of the books includes new information to the colostrum and euthanasia sections, among others, to match the new Animal Care standards outlined in Farm 5.0.”

The Center for Dairy Excellence has updated the record-keeping books with the following changes and additions:

• Each book should hold three years of FARM records.
• A dry cow protocol is added.
• Diarrhea is added to the list of common illnesses.
• Updated 5.0 information is added to the colostrum and euthanasia sections.
• The treatment log is now one running log.
• A blank medication list is now included for farmers to complete with their veterinarians.
• The medication list from the FARM Drug Residue Prevention Manual is now included for reference.

Veterinarians and consultants can order free copies of the books for their dairy clients, and dairy producers can order copies directly for their farm. Blank, fillable protocol sheets and additional record-keeping templates are available on the National FARM website at www.nationaldairyfarm.com/producer-resources/herd-health-and-protocols/. The National FARM Program also requires that any family or non-family employee have a record documenting training in stockmanship, calf care, non-ambulatory, euthanasia or fitness to transport.

“I personally love the books and have told my veterinarian about them when they sign. I keep a separate log for my cow records, but I keep this book in the front. I love that it has all the requirements for the FARM program listed, and it made it easier when our co-op did our FARM inspection,” said Maurica King, a dairy producer.

The record-keeping books were compiled by the Center for Dairy Excellence, using resources from the National FARM Program, AllTech, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Mid-Maryland Dairy Veterinarians, and Valley Mobile Veterinary Services.

The National Dairy FARM Program: Farmers Assuring Responsible Management works to set the highest standards when it comes to animal care, workplace settings, and environmental and antibiotic stewardship. Created by the National Milk Producers Federation in partnership with Dairy Management Inc., FARM helps ensure the success of the entire industry by demonstrating that U.S. dairy farmers are committed to producing the best milk with integrity. FARM is open to all farms, milk processors and cooperatives and program components are guided by their respective advisory groups.

To request a free copy of the Animal Care Protocol Record-Keeping Book, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/request-book or call Allen Hess at 717-788-0304.