Cornell PRO-DAIRY Extension
By Cornell University PRO-DAIRY
Last reviewed: December 2025
Complete guide to Cornell PRO-DAIRY Extension including online courses, workshops, and consulting. Learn about 7-week courses, continuing education credits,...
Cornell PRO-DAIRY has been the nation's leading dairy Extension program for decades. Part of Cornell Cooperative Extension, PRO-DAIRY translates university research into practical tools for dairy professionals throughout New York and nationwide.
The program's signature offering is 7-week online courses covering topics including Advanced Dairy Cattle Nutrition, Dairy Business Management, Employee Development, and more. Courses combine self-paced modules with interactive sessions, expert instruction, and peer learning. Participants earn Certificates of Completion and continuing education credits.
Beyond online courses, PRO-DAIRY offers in-person workshops, regional dairy conferences, webinars, and on-farm consulting. Topics span herd management, employee relations, business planning, transition cow management, and emerging issues. The annual Dairy Day conferences bring hundreds of producers together for learning and networking.
PRO-DAIRY specialists are recognized experts who combine research credentials with practical dairy experience. They work directly with farms on management challenges, conduct applied research, and develop educational resources. Publications, newsletters, and the Cornell Dairy podcast extend reach further.
The program serves producers of all sizes—from 50-cow grazing dairies to 5,000+ cow operations. Industry professionals including nutritionists, veterinarians, and bankers also benefit from PRO-DAIRY resources.
Key Features
- 7-Week Online Courses: Structured courses on nutrition, management, employees, and business. Certificate of Completion. Continuing education credits. Expert instruction.
- In-Person Workshops: Regional workshops on specific topics. Hands-on learning. Networking with peers. Held throughout New York.
- Dairy Day Conferences: Annual regional conferences bringing producers together. Multiple tracks. Industry updates. Networking.
- On-Farm Consulting: PRO-DAIRY specialists available for individual farm consultations. Management challenges. Planning support.
- Webinars & Podcasts: Regular webinars on timely topics. Cornell Dairy podcast for on-the-go learning. Free or low-cost.
- Publications & Resources: Fact sheets, newsletters, decision tools, and research summaries. Practical application focus.
Advanced Features
- Advanced Dairy Cattle Nutrition Course: 7-week deep dive into dairy nutrition principles. For nutritionists, consultants, and producers. CEU credits.
- Dairy Business Management Course: Financial management, planning, and decision-making. For producers and managers. Certificate program.
- Employee Development Programs: Courses on managing dairy employees, communication, and team building. Critical skill for growing dairies.
- Transition Cow Management: Workshops and resources on critical dry and fresh cow period. Practical protocols.
- Young Dairy Professionals: Programs for next-generation dairy leaders. Network building. Skill development.
- Applied Research Updates: Translating Cornell research into farm application. Latest findings. Practical recommendations.
Ideal For
Farm Types: All dairy operations, Grazing to confinement, Small to large scale
Competitive Advantages
What sets Cornell PRO-DAIRY Extension apart from alternatives:
- Nation's leading dairy Extension program
- 7-week online courses accessible nationally
- Cornell University research backing
- Continuing education credits
- Certificates of Completion
- Expert PRO-DAIRY specialists
- Covers all dairy topics
- Flexible online learning
- Practical, applied focus
- Network of dairy professionals
Pricing Information
Here is the pricing information for Cornell PRO-DAIRY Extension:
Online courses typically $400-800 for 7-week programs. Workshops and conferences $50-200. Many resources free. Value for depth of content.
Pricing Model: Per-course fees and registration
Check employer professional development support. Some programs have scholarship support. CEU credits valuable for certified professionals.
Pros & Considerations
- Premier dairy extension program
- Research-backed education
- Industry partnerships and conferences
- Experienced extension educators
- Practical on-farm applications
- Northeast focus primarily
- Programs require registration/travel
- Academic calendar timing
- May not address all management needs
Implementation & Setup
How to implement Cornell PRO-DAIRY Extension on your dairy operation:
Implementation Timeline: Online courses: 7 weeks. Workshops: 1-2 days. Consulting: Ongoing as needed.
Training & Support
Training and support options available for Cornell PRO-DAIRY Extension:
Evaluation Questions
Key questions to consider when evaluating Cornell PRO-DAIRY Extension:
- What dairy topic do I most need to strengthen?
- Can I commit to 7 weeks for structured course?
- Would online format fit my schedule?
- Do I need continuing education credits?
- Would networking with other producers add value?