Michigan State University welcomed more than 200 friends and stakeholders from the state’s dairy industry to officially dedicate the new MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center on Thursday, Oct. 8.
This state-of-the-art 165,000-square-foot facility opened last summer and serves as a central research hub for Michigan’s $15-billion dairy industry. MSU’s 640 dairy cattle moved into their new home more than a year ago when new operations commenced, but the ribbon-cutting marked an opportunity for the community to see the farm fully operational.
“We’re here to celebrate what can happen when a land-grant university, our state, our agricultural community, industry partners and generous donors come together around a shared vision,” said MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “Agriculture has been a part of Michigan State’s story from the very beginning. This new facility is a great expression of what a land-grant university is supposed to do. It will advance practical knowledge, educate our next generation of dairy professionals, and it will work alongside the communities and industries it serves.”
MSU Board of Trustees Chairperson Brianna T. Scott recognized the growing demand for milk in Michigan and the importance of supporting Michigan’s numerous farming communities in meeting those demands.
“With this facility and our programs, Michigan State once again is rising to the occasion to support our rural communities and a vital segment of Michigan’s agricultural industry,” Scott said. “It was four years ago that the Board of Trustees initially authorized planning for this project. We understood that expansion and modernization in our facilities was an investment in the future – to answer the evolving needs of our students, faculty and industry partners.”
Source : msu.edu