Introducing NMC’s Training Certificate Program!

“NMC is committed to furthering milk quality and mastitis prevention, treatment and control through the pursuit of continuous education,” stated NMC President Justine Britten. “We want to make sure NMC members have access to the best animal health resources in the dairy industry – to foster NMC’s mission to reduce mastitis and enhance milk quality.”

The NMC Training Certificate Program Task Force partnered with milc Group, a dairy technology company, to launch NMC’s Training Certificate Program. “This is a dynamic and growing learning platform that serves to advance global milk quality through accessible dairy health education,” explained Brenda Moslock Carter, a member of this task force and owner and veterinarian with Keseca Veterinary Clinic, PLLC, Geneva, N.Y., USA.

“Through milc Group’s Train Trac platform, NMC leveraged access to the dairy industry’s top experts to develop and create a comprehensive set of curricula and training modules,” Carter stated. “The short training modules – available in English and Spanish – provide users with comprehensive online training to help them recognize dairy cattle health issues.” Users also have access to the newest and best dairy practices to enhance udder health and milk quality.

The NMC Training Certificate Task Force started with “Teat Scoring and Proficiency” as the first curriculum. Within that curriculum, NMC developed and introduced its first module, “Teat End Hyperkeratosis,” at the 2025 NMC Annual Meeting, held in Charlotte, N.C., USA.

Module #1 provides a 10-minute primer that enables users to understand the risks of hyperkeratosis, how to identify the condition and assess its severity. A 28-question image evaluation assesses the user’s teat scoring knowledge. The user must achieve a score of 85% or greater to pass. Upon achieving this proficiency level, NMC issues a signed certificate of completion to the user. The certificate is valid for one year. With a paid subscription, training modules can be accessed for reference and/or to retake the quiz.

Register today for access to NMC’s first Curriculum – Teat Scoring Training and Proficiency.

You’ll have immediate access to Module #1, Teat-end Hyperkeratosis. For more details, go to: https://www.nmconline.org/training-certificate-program.

NMC plans to roll-out Module #2: Teat Skin Condition, a lesson in identifying and scoring teat skin dryness and chapping, before June 1. Two more modules on teat discoloration and additional teat observations will be released later this year.

“NMC is just getting started with its Training Certificate Program,” Britten added. “Please share your suggestions for additional training program opportunities. We want to partner with more NMC committees to help us develop courses on a wide array of topics. Reach out to a staff member (andy@nmconline.org) or NMC Training Certificate Program Task Force member (bmoslock@gmail.com)  to learn how to submit your ideas for future training curriculum and modules.