Building for the Cow and CowSignals®, Wednesday 25th November 2026

The essentials

10:00 to 17:00, online training.

7 hours CPD; limited to 8 delegates.

£300 + VAT.

Trainer: Owen Atkinson BVSc DCHP FRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Cattle Health and Production, CowSignals® Master Trainer

“I would recommend every vet who visits dairy farms to do this online CowSignals and building course with Owen” DB

“Excellent! 5 stars” AW

“I got what I was hoping for and more. There was much better detail and relevance than other housing CPD I have done” JM

What is covered?

This workshop includes the essential elements of building design, useful for practicing vets. It is rooted in CowSignals® principles, and this is where the course begins. CowSignals® training challenges the way we typically approach dairy herd health. First, you need to know what to check for. Then you’ve got to notice the signals – as the saying says, cows never lie! Next, you need to understand what improvements to make which will make the biggest difference. You will learn how to make the simple, cheap changes, as well as how a new-build shed should be designed.

This workshop includes:

  • A full outline of the main CowSignals® principals.
  • The requirements of the dairy cow will be explored from the perspectives of Air, Light, Feed, Water, Space, Rest and Health.
  • Normal cow behaviour and time budgets; abnormal behaviours
  • Observing new signals
  • Assessing the environment; essential dimensions and housing design features
  • Cubicle design, assessments and improvements
  • Overall facility design, with particular reference to space
  • Floors, ventilation, slurry management and more
  • Concepts of Special Needs Group, Stress-Free Calving Line and Pamper Pen/Cuddle Box
  • How to use the information, including a checklist approach
  • Developing plans for action

At the end of this workshop you will have new skills and confidence to immediately improve how you work with dairy farms. It will probably change the way you observe cows for ever, and how you work as a farm vet. You will gain fresh ideas for improving buildings and develop confidence to assist your clients plan for their next shed.

DVC checklists, notes and score cards are provided for you to use in practice.

How to book

Please complete the registration form or email owen@dairyveterinaryconsultancy.co.uk to reserve your place.

Register for Course

An invoice will be issued ahead of the training.

Cancellation policy

  1. We ask that course fees are paid in advance. If for any reason (such as inadequate numbers of registrants) a course is not run, then the registration fee will be refunded in full. Other expenses incurred (such as any pre-booked travel expenses) are excluded.
  2. Any cancellations by delegates must be made in writing (email). A cancellation fee of 25% of the total registration fee will be made for cancellations up to 14 days before the course. Refunds will not normally be made for cancellations within 14 days of the course.
  3. Delegates may substitute another person in place of themselves for a course but they must notify DVC of the name of the replacement delegate in advance of the training date.
  4. Please ensure that DVC is notified of any changes in contact details. We ask this in case we need to contact you with course changes. Please ensure your email settings allow our emails to you (and then please do read them!).