MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center

MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center Michigan State University's south campus dairy is maintained for teaching, extension, and research.

We’re right in the middle of corn silage season here at the MSU Dairy! There are plenty of moving parts that go into har...
09/18/2026

We’re right in the middle of corn silage season here at the MSU Dairy! There are plenty of moving parts that go into harvest, from chopping and hauling to packing and covering the pile. It takes a lot of teamwork, long hours, and plenty of equipment to get the job done, but we’re making progress!

The weather hasn’t exactly been cooperating with us, but that’s farming! 🌦️ We’re working around the conditions and getting it done one way or another. One pile is nearly complete and ready to be covered to help preserve the feed.

Once the weather breaks, we’ll get the choppers and wagons moving again and keep at it until the job is done! 🚜🌽

~ Go GREEN! 💚

09/16/2026

We hope to see you on October 17th for the dairy industry tailgate! We'll meet at the new dairy facility four hours before kickoff for food and friendship! https://events.anr.msu.edu/dairytailgate/

09/16/2026

We have heard this question quite a bit, so we thought we would give you a little more insight into our herd and why we operate the way that we do.

For our herd, we have found that keeping the cows inside year-round provides a consistent, comfortable environment while protecting them from extreme weather conditions. It also allows us to better support our teaching and research missions and provide the care and management our herd needs every day.

If you see cows chewing their cud, interacting with other cows, getting up to eat and drink regularly, resting comfortably, and also maintaining good milk production, those are all good signs that they are happy, healthy and thriving.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dairy farming. Different farms may manage their herds differently based on their facilities, climate, herd needs, and goals. For us, this is what works best for our cows and our program. 💚🐄

🐄 How do we keep track of the cows? 🐮Every cow has at least one ear tag with her identification number, and most have tw...
09/14/2026

🐄 How do we keep track of the cows? 🐮

Every cow has at least one ear tag with her identification number, and most have two—one with her number and one with her number and personalized name. They also wear a collar with that same number, just in case a tag is lost!

Our GPS collars are basically like a Fitbit or Apple Watch for cows. They monitor activity, eating habits, and other behaviors that help us keep an eye on their health.

Some cows and heifers also wear special eartags that can help us detect when they are coming into heat or when something might not be quite right. This allows us to identify cows that may need to be bred or checked by the herdsmen.️

All of this technology helps us keep track of every cow and make sure they get the care they need to stay happy, healthy, and productive! 💚

Liberty Update!!! 🗽Today, we’re remembering September 11th and thought it was a fitting day to give you a little Liberty...
09/11/2026

Liberty Update!!! 🗽

Today, we’re remembering September 11th and thought it was a fitting day to give you a little Liberty update, too! ❤️🤍💙

Liberty is doing great! She continues to be super healthy and is looking more grown up every day. She’s now right around 4 months old and has successfully moved into the transition barn, where she’s enjoying a full grain and hay diet. 🐄💚

We’re so excited to watch her continue to grow! Have you been following Liberty since she was born?

On this day, exactly 25 years ago, our country changed forever.As we reflect on that day, we pause to remember the lives...
09/11/2026

On this day, exactly 25 years ago, our country changed forever.

As we reflect on that day, we pause to remember the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the heroes who stepped forward to help on September 11, 2001.

We remember. We honor. We will never forget. ❤️🤍💙

~Go GREEN 💚

09/10/2026

Rounding out our summer student series is Avery Lisk!

Avery was a new student employee this summer and really jumped right in alongside some of our upperclassmen. She wasn’t afraid to take charge of whatever job was put in front of her, and we truly appreciated how flexible she was throughout the summer.

Whether it was stepping in to fill a shift we needed covered or taking on a new task, Avery was always willing to help wherever she was needed. We are so grateful for her hard work, willingness to learn, and dedication to being part of the team!

We’re excited to have Avery continue working with us this fall and know she will continue to be a valuable asset to our team. We can’t wait to see how she continues to learn and grow! 💚🐮

09/08/2026

Join the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Center to celebrate the dedication of the new MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center — a world-class facility built to advance the future of dairy teaching, research and outreach at MSU.

Rooted in MSU’s longstanding commitment to Michigan agriculture, the new facility provides expanded opportunities for hands-on student learning and cutting-edge research while strengthening the university’s ability to serve Michigan’s dairy industry. Together, we’ll celebrate this investment in the people, partnerships and innovation that will help move agriculture forward for generations to come.

The event takes place on Thursday, October 8 from 1:30–3:30 p.m. Learn more and register here: events.givingto.msu.edu/26-dairy-dedication/

09/08/2026

Abigail Sowell was another new student employee who joined us this summer, but you would never have known she was new! She jumped right in, got along with everyone, and quickly became a great addition to our team.

She always seems to have a smile on her face and brings such a positive attitude to the farm. We’re so glad Abigail chose to spend her summer working with us, and we truly appreciate all of her hard work and the positivity she brought with her each day!

We’re excited to keep Abigail on the team this fall and look forward to seeing her continue to learn, grow, and be a part of the team! 💚🐮

🐄 Can you spot the irony in these photos? 👀We never pass up an opportunity to post a newborn calf! And we can definitely...
09/05/2026

🐄 Can you spot the irony in these photos? 👀

We never pass up an opportunity to post a newborn calf! And we can definitely see the resemblance between mama and baby.

This little one made her arrival nearly two weeks before her due date—but apparently mama had other plans for the calendar…

P.S. If you can’t tell from the photo, mama’s name is August because she was born on August 19, 2024. I guess she didn’t want to share her birthday month with her baby! 😂

Address

3965 N College Road
Lansing, MI
48910

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 5pm

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