Agriculture Technology

Milker Technician associate certificate

Dairy farming is an important part of B.C. agriculture. The average dairy farmer milks 100–130 cows, although some farms have milking herds of over 300 head. Competent milkers are in demand in the dairy farming areas of both B.C. and other provinces.

Milking high-producing dairy cows is a responsible job. The good milker handles cows quietly and efficiently, following sanitary procedures and correct milking techniques. The milker ensures sanitation of all milking equipment and cleanliness in the milking parlour. A milker's duties also often include feeding, care of young stock, barn cleaning and maintenance, record keeping, and machine operation. Work is often divided into a morning and evening shift; sometimes a milker lives on the employer's farm. The full-time Milker Technician program prepares students for this type of employment.

The Milker Technician associate can be combined with the Livestock Production certificate and Agriculture Technology diploma (Livestock Production).

Entrance requirements

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.
2. One of the following Mathematics classes:
   • Foundations of Mathematics 11
   • Pre-calculus 11
   • Workplace Math 11 or Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 11
   • The formerly offered Principles of Mathematics 11, Applications of Mathematics 11, or Essentials of Mathematics 11
   • MATH 085 or equivalent
3. One of the following Grade 11 sciences:
   • Life Sciences 11, Biology 11, or BIO 083 (strongly recommended)
   • Chemistry 11 or CHEM 083
   • Earth Science 11
   • Physics 11 or PHYS 083
4. Applicants must meet the Entry-level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.
5. The Agriculture Technology department will also consider applicants if they can demonstrate that they have a reasonable chance for success. Applicants will be required to submit a portfolio and/or be interviewed.

Recommendations

Applicants should be in good physical health and have reliable transportation and a valid driver's licence. Students must provide their own transportation to and from the training farm and be willing to work flexible hours. Persons most likely to succeed will enjoy working with animals. Class attendance at all sessions is mandatory.

When to apply

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year for entrance to the Winter semester only. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space. See Continuous application process for more information.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

   Additional documents required for a complete application:

   • Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, and official transcripts (or interim transcripts) showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements; or
   • Letter of permission from the Agriculture department.
2. Upon admission to the program applicants will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section) and will be applied toward tuition fees.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. In addition to tuition fees, students should budget approximately $800 for textbooks, field trips, rubber boots, coveralls, and supplies.

Program duration

The Milker Technician associate certificate is one semester in duration, offered in both full- and part-time capacity.

Location

The program is located at the Chilliwack campus at Canada Education Park.

Program outline

Practicum regulations

All students will be required to work without remuneration in the UFV barn and/or on host-farm sites during the program. During practicum, students can expect a combination of early morning milkings (around 4 am start) and afternoon milkings (around 4 pm start). Practicum may be worked during regular term time, before and after classes, if suitable arrangements can be made. All students must have reliable transportation to and from their host farms and the campus and be able to complete the on-farm work as assigned by the instructor.

Program requirements

To fulfill the requirements for the Milker Technician associate certificate, students must complete all course work, including a dairy farm practicum (AGRI 192).

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or above) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV’s Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

Graduation requirements

To be eligible to graduate, students must have completed the Milker Technician associate certificate program with a minimum GPA of 2.00 (C average).

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.