This course covers history and development of world dairy industry; role of milk production in the world economy; major dairy breeds of the world and their distribution, potential Ethiopian dairy cattle breeds; dairy cattle production systems in tropics and sub- tropics; dairy farming in Ethiopia; establishment of dairy herd; physiology of lactation and milk letdown; milk synthesis and secretion; proper milking procedures, milk handling and hygiene; factors influencing milk yield and composition; feeds and feeding of dairy cattle: nutrient requirements, ration formulation; breeding dairy cattle; culling, replacement policy and reproductive management; dairy herd management: cows and calf care at birth, management of stock at different age and different physiological stages; dairy cattle judging and body condition scoring; dairy cattle health care and diseases controls; dairy cattle housing and welfare; and sustainable dairy cattle production.