MSU Dairy Farm Recognized as One of Nation’s Best in 2024

By Justin Whitmore

For the second consecutive year, the MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center has been recognized as one of the best dairy farms in the nation.

The National Dairy Quality Awards have honored leaders in quality milk production for the past 30 years. The goal of the NDQA program, presented by the National Mastitis Council, is to honor dairy producers from across the United States and Canada who have successfully placed high priority on producing milk of the highest quality.

The MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center was one of six dairies given the NDQA top honor of a Platinum Award for 2024. MSU’s dairy operation is unique among its 72 peers in the competition, depending heavily on student employees on a daily basis.

“Even as its staff turns over through the year and between years due to college graduation, the Dairy Teaching and Research Center at Michigan State University maintains a high level of milk quality with their dedication to prevention and effective training, as evident by the farm’s back-to-back Platinum recognitions,” said the NDQA committee about this year’s award.

NDQA program winners will also be honored at the National Mastitis Council 64th Annual Meeting, January 27-30, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Representatives from MSU, including Farm Manager Jim Good, will accept the award on behalf of MSU.

The Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center is a fully operational dairy farm that also hosts grant-funded research conducted by MSU faculty in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and College of Veterinary Medicine. The MSU Dairy Farm employs and trains MSU students, providing hands-on experience to prepare future graduates for careers working and caring for large animals.

“For decades the MSU Dairy Farm has been the site of cutting-edge research that has helped Michigan dairy producers become some of the most efficient and sustainable producers of milk in the world,” said Dr. Pamela Ruegg, David J. Ellis Chair in Antimicrobial Resistance and professor in Large Animal Clinical Sciences. “Michigan dairy producers are known to produce some of the highest quality milk in the world. The team at the MSU Dairy Farm continues to be leaders in the state at minimizing mastitis and producing high quality milk from healthy cows, even under unique circumstances, in older facilities and with a continuing rotation of temporary student workers. This team truly is deserving of this award.