Transforming the Student Experience: MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center

Sep 01, 2026

By Alex Dardas

When Riley Barber came to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resource (CANR) as an undergraduate student, she had no experience in agriculture. Growing up in Rochester Hills, MI, Barber never imagined she would one day pursue a career in the dairy industry.

But Barber quickly found a home in the Department of Animal Science, and through experiential opportunities in the MSU Dairy Program, she developed a passion for dairy nutrition and research.

“The Department of Animal Science creates classes, programs and clubs that are accessible to everyone, whether they have experience in agriculture or not,” said Barber. “The MSU Dairy Program has provided me with countless hands-on experiences that have shaped my career.”

After completing her undergraduate degree, Barber continued her education as a graduate student, earning her master’s degree from MSU this summer. Her research focused on the use of fatty acid supplementation in lactating dairy cows and evaluating its impacts on milk production and greenhouse gas emissions. She is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Dairy Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Source : msu.edu

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