MSU Hosts Tour of New Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center

By Justin Whitmore and Jack Falinski

Michigan State University opened the doors of its new $75-million Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center on July 17 to more than 250 guests excited to view the modern technology and expanded capacity of the MSU dairy farm.

The tour of the new farm on MSU’s south campus served as a preview of the university’s expanded operations and commitment to the state’s dairy and agricultural industries.

A $30-million investment by the State of Michigan provided the initial funding for the project. Continued support from alumni, donors, the corporate sector and stakeholders in the dairy industry remains essential to fully realize the farm’s long-term vision for programming and research.

Construction of a new dairy farm allows MSU to modernize and greatly increase the size of the existing dairy farm (constructed in the 1960s). Upgrades at the Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center will bring MSU’s facilities into the 21st century – increasing research output and applicability, training the next generation of industry leaders and addressing the dynamic needs of Michigan’s dairy producers.

"The new facility brings MSU in line with industry standards and will allow researchers to utilize the latest technology in dairy science,” said MSU AgBioResearch Director George Smith. “Input from the industry directly guides the focus of our research efforts, ensuring that Michigan producers' most urgent needs are addressed through applied research and outreach."

The two-year construction project is nearing its end. By the end of August, more than 600 cows will populate the farm; soon after, ongoing research will hit full pace, and a new generation of students will enter the MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center this fall, eager to learn all the facility’s bells and whistles.

“It has been amazing to see the anticipation and response from the Michigan dairy
 community,” said MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean Matthew Daum, as he greeted the scores of visitors touring the MSU dairy farm on July 17. “There is nothing
 like this facility, at this scale, anywhere in the world. This farm is indicative of MSU’s position as a global leader in dairy research and education and serves as a showcase facility for MSU’s land-grant mission.”

Visitors toured the 165,000-square-foot cattle barn, which will comfortably house more than 600 cows with the capacity to facilitate cutting-edge research. Expansion and modernization will allow MSU faculty to increase research output while providing students a learning environment comparable to commercial farms across the state.

“As a dairy farmer, I’m unbelievably excited,” said Glenn Preston, owner of Preston Farms and a representative on the MSU Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (CARET). “Our goal is to perpetuate the opportunity for the next generation, and this generation coming into this place has got an unbelievable opportunity to have an experience that previous generations didn’t have at Michigan State.”