Exciting Progress: Michigan State University’s Dairy Project Nears Completion!

Cows are set to move into new homes at the Michigan State University (MSU) Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center by August 1. When finished in late 2025, the herd will grow from 220 cows to 550. This expansion is an important step for MSU’s dairy programs.

Barry Bradford, the Clinton E. Meadows Chair in Dairy Management at MSU, says the move involves more than just relocating cows. Even after the move, they will spend five months demolishing older barns. The new facility, designed to be more efficient, will include a tunnel-ventilated barn that can house up to 680 cows. It replaces old structures, except for one barn used for dry cows, which will be revived into a concrete silage pad. The existing feed and digester systems will remain.

Bradford highlights the challenges that come with large projects like this one. “Building anything is difficult,” he states. “At a university, balancing different stakeholder interests can complicate things.” Initial designs included various smaller barns for research. However, consolidating into one larger barn will save costs and enable more efficient use of resources. This change may limit some environmental controls for specific studies, but Bradford believes it’s worth it for their broader goals.

Funding for this project comes from multiple sources, with 40% from the state of Michigan and the rest from the university itself. They are actively seeking partnerships to fulfill their vision for the center.

### Boosting Research and Education

The expansion will greatly enhance MSU’s ability to conduct research and educate students. “Having more cows will help meet our teaching needs,” Bradford explains. For the first time, the facility will introduce two milking robots. They will also be able to conduct nutrition research in free-housing conditions that mirror real dairy operations, reducing labor while improving animal welfare. This upgrade includes enhancing the digester system, which will showcase innovative uses of sand bedding for anaerobic digestion.

The center aims to attract more students interested in dairy. By offering hands-on experiences in modern dairy production, they hope to inspire future careers within the industry.

### Engaging the Community

MSU also plans to open the dairy to the public, aiming to educate people about modern farming practices. Bradford notes, “We’re discussing how to structure these tours, from a visitor center to full guided walks through the facility.” This initiative requires careful planning for funding personnel to manage these outreach efforts.

### Local Dairy Community’s Enthusiasm

During the planning and building stages, feedback from the Michigan dairy community has been overwhelmingly positive. Bradford shares, “When we explain what our research will focus on, people get excited. Even those less interested in research are keen about the potential to educate students and future generations.”

Such initiatives are crucial, especially as a 2022 survey found that nearly 60% of dairy farmers are facing challenges attracting young talent into the industry, emphasizing the need for more educational opportunities. For many in the field, the new facility represents a bright future. One of Bradford’s colleagues even expressed a wish to extend his career by 20 years just to be part of it!

The developments at the MSU Dairy Center promise to elevate education, research, and community engagement, reinforcing the critical role of dairy farming in our economy and society.



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