By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University continues to strengthen its role in agricultural innovation through impactful research that benefits farmers and the broader industry. A faculty member from the Department of Animal Science has been recognized for outstanding contributions that link scientific discovery with real world application in dairy production.
The CANR Excellence in Research Impact Award honors research that makes a measurable difference for producers and stakeholders. The award emphasizes work that moves beyond the laboratory and directly supports agriculture through adoption, outreach and economic benefit. This recognition highlights the importance of applied research that solves practical challenges faced by farmers.
The award recipient joined the university in 2009 and has since developed a respected applied research and Extension program in dairy nutrition. His work focuses on how dairy cows digest and uses fats, helping refine feeding strategies that improve milk quality, increase production efficiency, and support environmental sustainability. These efforts have provided dairy producers with science-based solutions that are easy to use on working farms.
A major focus of this research has been on the use of high oleic soybeans in dairy diets. Through detailed research studies and farm trials, researchers demonstrated that soybeans grown locally can successfully replace imported fat and protein supplements. Farms using these feeding strategies maintained or improved milk performance while also improving feed efficiency.
Producers who adopted these approaches reported lower feed costs and higher income over feed costs. This success shows how research can support both farm profitability and local crop markets. By increasing demand for locally grown soybeans, the work also strengthens regional agriculture and reduces reliance on imported feed ingredients.
Collaboration played a key role in the success of this research. Students, industry partners and producers worked together to ensure results met real farm needs and could be quickly applied. Findings were shared through Extension programs, farm demonstrations and producer meetings, expanding their reach.
Overall, this recognition highlights how science, education and agriculture partnerships can drive meaningful progress and build a more sustainable and productive dairy industry.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Education