South Campus Animal Farms

Farm Manager

Jim Good

Faculty Coordinator

Dr. Adam Lock

Location

The Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center is located on the university farms immediately south of the MSU campus along the west side of College Road between Forest and Jolly Roads.

Downloadable Farm Fact Sheet (updated April 2024)

Visitor Information

Due to an increased risk of Bovine Influenza (formerly referred to as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or HPAI) for our dairy cattle, we are temporarily closing the dairy farm to non-essential visitors. For more information on HPAI, please visit: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock

A virtual tour aimed at elementary aged children can be accessed by clicking this link(~10 min in length): MSU DAIRY FARM VIRTUAL TOUR FOR ELEMENTARY CLASSES

About the Center

Mission

The Michigan State University dairy herd is maintained for teaching, extension, and research purposes. Learning experiences are provided for classes in both Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine. The facility frequently hosts extension programs in dairy management. Research projects are conducted in the areas of nutrition, mammary and reproductive physiology, animal breeding and selection, and dairy management. The Dairy is MAEAP verified in Livestock and Farmstead Systems.

Facility Description

A new era at the Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center will allow MSU’s exceptional researchers, students, and staff to take a farm-first approach to addressing the dairy industry’s most pressing concerns, including:

• Promoting sustainability and renewable energy
• Advancing production efficiency through precision management
• Improving animal health, nutrition, reproduction, behavior, and well-being
• Protecting communities and waterways

In August of 2025, MSU's Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center, a modern facility, is home to 650 happy cows.

Our milking facilities include two different systems: a double 12-sided parallel parlor and two robotic milkers. The MSU Dairy herd is traditionally known for high-quality milk, having won state and national milk quality awards. The herd maintains low somatic cell counts while having above-average butterfat and protein components. 

The barn is equipped with a custom ventilation system that automatically monitors humidity and temperature to maintain optimal cow comfort. Cow comfort is further enhanced with a sprinkler system that operates based on humidity and temperature, only when a cow is present, to reduce water use. To enhance sustainability, manure management uses a sand separator to reclaim sand, reducing costs and promoting sustainability.

Additionally, newborn calves are housed in separate buildings with individual hutches before weaning. Upon weaning, the calves are moved into group housing until six months of age. At six months of age, replacement heifers are moved to a contract grower where they remain until returning to the farm as bred heifers.

Research activity

As with all farms, research is a major driver of our mission and purpose. As a new facility, we look forward to the opportunities to advance scientific knowledge in nutrition, reproductive physiology, metabolic disorders, animal welfare, and dairy management.

To highlight a few areas of research being conducted at the Center, here are a few areas to highlight:

• Impact of feed additives on productivity and methane production by Drs. Bradford and Vandehaar.
• Evaluating calfhood practices' impact on pain, health, and production by Dr. Pedro Henrique Esteves Trindade
• Feeding for success: Aligning dairy nutrition with genetic potential for milk fat by Dr. Adam Lock.
• Evaluate the impact of treatment with meloxicam to reduce inflammation and shedding of bacteria in fresh lactating dairy cows by Dr. Pamela Ruegg.

Student Involvement

The Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center hosts students throughout the academic year through courses managed by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Additionally, the farm employs students each semester who engage in day-to-day animal care and receive hands-on learning. Students are given opportunities in general stockmanship, calf feeding and care, cow care and milking, equipment utilization, and upkeep.

Students interested in working at the dairy farm are encouraged to contact Jim Good.

Banner photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.