MSU and the State of Michigan have made a substantial investment to upgrade the MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center, expanding research and teaching capacity and modernizing operations. Join us as we build tomorrow's dairy industry.

A NEW ERA: MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Facility

The future of dairy research and innovation at MSU is here. Set in motion by a historic investment from the state of Michigan, the newly completed $75 million Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Facility will serve as a national model for sustainable dairy production, hands-on learning and cutting-edge research.

MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center

Aligning our Infrastructure with our Aspirations
Dairy Facility Parlor.jpg

The new center replaces MSU’s aging 1960s-era dairy and is designed to meet the demands of today’s dairy producers and educators. The previous facility lacked the space, technology and infrastructure needed to adequately support modern research needs. Faculty and staff faced a two-year backlog in funded projects due to equipment limitations and limited herd size.

The new 165,000-square-foot cattle barn houses a herd of 680 cows, more than tripling the previous herd size. This expanded infrastructure and herd size will allow faculty, staff and students to pursue timely research initiatives.

A Modernized Facility for a Modern Industry

Key features include:
  • Robotic milking systems and precision herd management tools
  • Advanced feed centers, calf barns and milking parlors
  • Collaborative labs and classrooms for designed hands-on learning and research
  • Integration with MSU's Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center to advance circular agriculture practices

Dairy Photo Embed 2.jpgLeveraging a Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity

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. 

To learn more about how you move this transformational project forward and position yourself at the forefront of agriculture and sustainability research, contact: 

Kyle Cutler (cutlerky@msu.edu)
Director of Development
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Eric Langdon ()
Senior Director of Development
MSU College of Veterinary Medicine

"The new facility brings MSU in line with industry standards and will allow researchers to utilize the latest technology in dairy science, 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."

- MSU AgBioResearch Director George Smith

Dairy Photo Embed 3.jpgEvery aspect of the new Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center is designed to address the dairy industry’s most pressing concerns, including:

  • Promoting sustainability by reducing emissions
  • Protecting communities and waterways
  • Advancing production efficiency through precision management
  • Developing a highly skilled agricultural workforce
  • Improving animal health, nutrition, reproduction, behavior and wellbeing

Project Timeline:

Groundbreaking: April 11, 2024
Cow move-in: July 29, 2025
Public grand opening ceremony: Spring 2026

Dairy Facility News