Invest in a new era of dairy excellence at Michigan State University.

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LEAVE A LEGACY. BUILD THE FUTURE.

Building on over a century of excellence, the new Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center marks a bold step forward in education, innovation and industry collaboration at Michigan State University. Fueled by a $30 million investment from the State of Michigan, this transformative project has already drawn the attention of the national dairy industry. Ongoing support from stakeholders and industry partners will be key to realizing our long-term vision for research and programming. 

Michigan dairy producers and farm families have the opportunity to make their mark on the future of the industry. With over 400,000 dairy cattle in Michigan, if each producer donates just $2.50 per cow, we can collectively raise $1 million to support this important cause. For those wanting to have greater impact, a prominant Donor Wall at the facility will recognize gifts of $10,000 or more. Whether you’re honoring the generations that came before you, supporting tomorrow’s producers or investing in the future of dairy innovation, your contribution will make a mark.

SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF DAIRY AT MSU

Image of a student at the MSU Dairy facility working with cows. Beneath the image is a progress to goal graphic that indicates that CANR is 0 perect of the way towards reaching its goal of raising $1,000,000 for the new Dairy facility.

POWERED BY PARTNERSHIPS

To learn how you can help advance this transformational facility and explore additional naming opportunities at the MSU Dairy, contact:

Kyle Cutler

Director of Corporate Relations & Development
cutlerky@msu.edu

ALIGNING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE WITH OUR ASPIRATIONS

Contributing over $15 billion annually to the state’s economy, dairy is Michigan’s largest agricultural sector. In partnership with producers from across the state, MSU is committed to advancing the research and talent development required to keep Michigan’s dairy industry on the cutting edge.

The new 165,000-square-foot cattle barn houses a herd of 688 cows, more than tripling the previous herd size. This positions MSU alongside national dairy leaders like Cornell University and the University of Florida, while offering the unique advantage of the farm’s close proximity to campus. The result? A dynamic teaching and research space where we examine critical questions at a scale aligned with the needs of producers.

The center replaces MSU’s outdated 1960s-era dairy farm and is designed to meet the evolving needs of Michigan’s dairy producers and stakeholders. Through its modern technology and expanded capacity, this facility is shaping the future of the dairy industry in Michigan and positioning MSU at the forefront research and discovery.

A MODERNIZED FACILITY FOR A MODERN INDUSTRY

Key features include:
  • Robotic milking systems and precision herd management tools
  • Advanced barn automation, a modern milking parlor and multiple animal research systems
  • Collaborative labs and classrooms designed for hands-on learning and research
  • Integration with MSU’s Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center to advance circular agriculture practices and sustainability research Image of the milking parlor at the MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Facility

TRAINING THE DAIRY LEADERS OF TOMORROW

At the heart of this initiative is workforce development. The new facility empowers cross-sector collaboration between students, faculty and industry partners, fueling synergies that address the complex dairy challenges of the future.

Students from a wide range of academic backgrounds will gain hands-on experience working in a modernized facility built to answer the questions that matter most to dairy producers, preparing them to lead the industry forward.

The Future of Dairy at MSU

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