Use of Videotape and Phone Teleconference in Statewide Extension Program on Milk Quality and Mastitis Control

Abstract Extension specialists used a 3-h videotape and phone teleconferences to teach dairy farmers how to produce quality milk and control mastitis. This 5-d effort reached approximately 20% of the state's commercial dairy farms in 22 meetings at 22 locations. A survey of approximately 170 dairy producers indicated those attending the program had less education, were younger, and more were enrolled in Dairy Herd Improvement program as compared with the average Maryland dairy farmer. Eighty percent reported they would like to see additional videotaped programs; 5% indicated no interest in viewing other topics on videotape. Scores on knowledge pretests and posttests were 66 and 76%, respectively. Only 1.7% were using all 13 mastitis management practices recommended in the educational program, and 11.2% said they would use all 13 practices after participating in the program. The percentage of cows in 36 herds with less than 284,000 cells/ml on the Dairy Herd Improvement milk somatic cell program at the time of the educational program and 1 yr later averaged 63 and 66%, respectively. A videotape and phone teleconference delivery system is a viable alternate to traditional extension teaching methods.