South Campus Animal Farms

Farm Manager

Tristan Foster

Assistant Manager

Wes Mays

Faculty Coordinator

Dr. Daniel Buskirk

Location

About the Center

The MSU Beef Cow-Calf Teaching & Research Center operates on 340 acres of land with the main barn located on the corner of Bennett and Beaumont Roads. Labor to run the Center is provided by a manager and student employees. The Center maintains a separate web site, Spartan Beef, with information about current events; visits; teaching, research, and extension activities; cattle sales; and herd pedigrees.

Visitors are welcome at any time.  If a guided tour is desired, please contact the Farm Manager.

Visit the Spartan Beef site!

Personnel

The Beef Cow/Calf and Beef Cattle Teaching and Research Center has four full time employees.  Mr. Tristan Foster is the farm manager.  A native of Minocqua, Wisconsin; Tristan graduated from MSU in 2010 with a degree in Food Industry Management, specializing in Agricultural Business Management. Before becoming Manager, Tristan was the Assistant Farm Manager while working on his MS degree at Michigan State University. Tristan is also the farm manager for the MSU Beef Cow/Calf Teaching and Research Center, MSU Veterinary Teaching and Research Center, and the MSU Sheep Teaching and Research Center. Tristan oversees the various day to day operations at all four farm units.  While employed at MSU, Tristan obtained his Master of Science degree in beef cattle studying traceability in the beef industry. Aside from his responsibilities at Michigan State University, he also assists in the management of approximately 18,000 acres of grazing land which can sustain up 600 cow/calf pairs, and 2,000 acres of forage/grain production on their family ranch in central Montana.

Mr. Wesley Mays is the assistant manager and works closely with the farm manager, students, researchers and staff to coordinate and facilitate the daily functions and mission objectives.  A native of Dansville, Michigan; Wes graduated from Lansing Community College with a degree in welding and fabrication. 

The MSU Beef Cattle Teaching and Research employs approximately 4 or more students each semester who complete much of the day-to-day animal care across the four farm units. Students interested in working at the MSU Beef Cow/Calf Teaching and Research Center are encouraged to contact Tristan Foster.