Managed Grazing Innovation Center (MGIC)

Dairy Cattle Nutrition, Feeds, and Feeding

Students will gain an understanding ofthe life cycle feeding and nutrition needs for grazing dairy cattle. They will acquire an understanding of nutrition requirements and providing optimal diets at each point in the life cycle of milking cows, replacements and breeding bulls. They will learn to develop a whole herd feed and forage needs and plan.

Milk Quality

This course provides students with an understanding of producing quality milk. Students will be introduced to parts of a milking system and components, milking procedures, udder anatomy, mastitis and somatic cell count.

Farm Business Management

This course introduces students to business planning techniques, record-keeping practices and tools that can help chart progress toward personal and business goals. Students will also develop basic farm business financial statements. DGA is an approved vendor for Farm Services Agency (FSA) Financial Management Training Program.

Holistic Farming and Systems Approach

This course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable and regenerative farming practices. This course emphasizes the interconnectedness of agricultural systems and the importance of integrating ecological principles into farming operations.

Soil and Water Resources Management

Functional soil is the foundation of a grazing dairy system. Students will develop an understanding of soil health and how organic matter, micro-organisms, and nutrient cycling build a healthy soil. They will learn about soil testing, nutrient needs and water resources and management.

Dairy Cattle Health and Wellness

Students will gain an understanding of the life cycle health and wellness needs grazing dairy cattle. They will learn animal health procedures and techniques needed for the dairy farm, create a whole herd health plan, and gain a critical understanding and recognition of disease concerns and prevention at each point in the life cycle of milking cows, replacements and breeding bulls.

Managed Grazing Systems for Dairy Cattle

Students will be introduced to the various aspects of designing and managing a dairy grazing system for optimal animal and pasture performance. They will develop a grazing plan that meets both the summer and winter feeding needs.

About Managed Grazing Innovation Center

Managed Grazing Innovation Center (MGIC) is an online school that is open to everyone and does not require participation in the Apprenticeship. Classes are intended to enhance the knowledge base of students, and are designed for planning purposes as well as for practical application on working farms. Students may take individual classes and/or complete all six within five years to earn a Managed Grazing Dairy Certificate. MGIC classes are one credit (36 hours) and cost $250 each.

MGIC was developed with funding support from a 2017 Educational Enhancement Team grant from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program and a 2021 grant from OPPE-USDA Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (The 2501 Program).

MGIC 2025 Academic Calendar

SPRING Semester 2025
January 6 · Spring registration opens
January 13 · Classes begin
April 4 · End of Spring Term

FALL Semester 2025
September 8 · Fall registration opens
September 22 · Classes begin
December 12 · End of Fall Term

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“I'm really enjoying the assignments. Thanks so much for making them practical to apply to day to day dairy work!”

- Leo Arnold
Dairy Cattle Health and Wellness

“The courses connected directly to what I was doing on the farm and really helped me understand the 'why' for our protocol and procedures.”

- RoseAnn Keesling
Dairy Nutrition, Feeds, and Feeding
Milk Quality

“I've observed how different grazing practices appear to impact soil structure and the regrowth rate of pasture. But drilling down to what soil health really means on a molecular and micro-biological level has added a whole new layer of complexity.”

- Kate Sabino
Soil and Water Resources Management

“I am glad to have taken this course; I look forward to taking other courses in the near future.”

- Michael Monthey
Dairy Cattle Nutrition, Feeds, and Feeding

Natalia Hincapie

My desire to work with animals started when I was a child helping my father to clean and feed animals on our little family farm in Colombia. This experience led me to pursue an undergraduate Veterinarian degree, where I became highly connected with bovine medicine. In 2023, I earned a Master’s degree in Dairy Science from UW-Madison. While at UW-Madison, I served as a teaching assistant for the Introduction to Animal Sciences 101/102 courses, which deepened my commitment to education. My professional background includes working as a veterinarian specializing in reproduction and health consulting for dairy farms, as well as a lab technician focused on sexing bovine semen.

Ben Gotschall

I was born and raised on a ranch in the Sandhills of southwest Holt County, Nebraska, where we raised beef cattle, dairy cattle and bison. I obtained an MFA in poetry, which enabled me to publish a full-length collection of poems and work as a college professor for several years teaching writing and literature before returning to agriculture full-time.
In addition to owning and managing several organic dairy, micro-dairy and creamery businesses, I have previously worked in ag policy, grassroots environmental organizing, and local food cooperative distribution. Along with my wife Tammy and our daughter Charlotte, we also operate Holt Creek Jerseys, a grass-fed dairy cattle and genetics business that I began when I was 10 years old.
Life-long learning is important to me and I look forward to helping others make the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program at Clover Cove the best it can be. I believe that by working with nature, utilizing research, and enabling innovation, members of the dairy team here can become leaders in the exciting future of regenerative food production.

Paola Bacigalupo - Milk Quality

Paola Bacigalupo-Sanguesa earned her veterinary medicine degree in Chile and a master's degree from Colorado State University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University, with a focus on milking efficiency. She serves as an Extension Educator at Michigan State University, where she assists dairy producers with issues related to milk quality, parlor and milking efficiency, and employee education. With over 10 years of experience working with dairy cattle, she has worked with farms of all sizes and systems, including grazing farms.

Amanda Shine - Soil & Water Resource Management

I am currently the instructor for the Soil and Water Resources class offered through MGIC. My agricultural journey started in my early 20's when I unexpectedly landed in an apprenticeship on a grass-based dairy in southern Wisconsin. I fell in love with dairying, grazing, and all things farming, and from there pursued additional training through the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy Farmers (at UW-Madison). I hold bachelor's degrees in biology and agriculture, and a master's degree in agronomy from the University of Nebraska, where I studied nutrient cycling in grazed ecosystems using a drone and geospatial analysis. I have also worked as a research associate for Montana State University assisting with field crop and forage research in northwestern Montana. I am passionate about all things soil- and forage-related and continually fascinated by the synergistic relationship between plants, soil and livestock and the potential for ecosystem restoration using well-managed grazing. Currently, my husband and I operate Roving Ram Ranch, LLC, a sheep operation near Kalispell, Montana. We focus on producing grass-finished lamb and high quality fleeces while providing targeted and regenerative grazing services to landowners in our area. We also breed and raise livestock guardian dogs.

Linda Pechin-Long - Holistic Farming and Systems Approach

Hello, my name is Linda, and I am a Holistic Management International Professional Certified Educator. My passion lies in regenerative agriculture and holistic management practices, and I have over 15 years of experience in ranching and agriculture. My extensive experience has taught me valuable knowledge on cultivating land, raising livestock, and understanding the intricate connections within ecosystems. I believe in implementing sustainable and regenerative practices that benefit the environment and our communities. One of my greatest joys is sharing my insights and experiences with others who share my passion for regenerative agriculture. I offer dynamic presentations and engaging training sessions to empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions that benefit their livelihoods and the planet. I am committed to equipping my audience with the tools they need to foster healthier, more resilient landscapes. My philosophy revolves around the Holistic Management Framework, which considers the ecological, economic, and social aspects of land management. Using this holistic framework, I help individuals and organizations make ecologically sustainable, financially viable, and socially responsible decisions. Together, we strive to create a harmonious balance between human activities and the natural world. In addition to presentations and training, I provide personalized coaching to individuals and groups who want to deepen their knowledge of sustainable practices. Whether you're an experienced rancher looking to refine your methods or a beginner who wants to embrace sustainable agriculture, my coaching services are tailored to meet your needs and goals. Together, we will navigate the complex world of holistic land management and work towards creating a brighter, greener future. Join me on an enlightening journey of discovery as we delve into the vast potential of regenerative agriculture, cultivate a profound connection with the land, and chart a course toward a more robust and prosperous future. Together, let us sow the seeds of positive change and marvel as they blossom into a landscape of abundance and harmony.

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