By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University has opened a new $75‑million Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center, designed to support the next generation of dairy innovation.
The 165,000‑square‑foot facility houses more than 650 cows and features advanced technologies such as automated milking robots and modern feeding systems.
The center works closely with MSU’s Anaerobic Digestion Research and Extension Center, which converts organic waste into valuable public resources.
This facility has attracted global interest, including from Keith Kenny and Mark Brooking of the United Kingdom. Both leaders visited MSU in February to explore how sustainable dairy practices used in U.K. supply chains might be expanded across the United States.
Their interest follows an earlier MSU visit to Scotland, where university leaders met with Tellus Mater and First Milk representatives to understand farmer‑focused sustainability models.
Kenny, co‑founder of Tellus Mater and former McDonald’s sustainability executive, shared his vision, saying, “We set up the Tellus Mater platform because we felt there’s a fundamental failure in the food supply chain where farmers aren’t rewarded for producing food well. That’s something we’ve set out to change. What excites us is that from the very first minute we spoke with MSU leaders, we were all completely aligned on what’s missing: Farmers need to be rewarded for doing things right. We’re working with MSU to help make that a reality in the U.S.”
George Smith, director of MSU AgBioResearch, emphasized the university’s mission and noted, “The mission of AgBioResearch is to advance agriculture, sustain natural resources, boost economic prosperity and enhance the quality of life for those in Michigan and beyond.” He believes partnerships like this strengthen regenerative agriculture and benefit both farmers and the environment.
Michigan’s dairy industry contributes over $15 billion annually, making sustainability essential. Ian Olson noted that solutions must work economically for farmers, adding that healthy land and water systems are vital for long‑term production.
Brooking highlighted the shared challenges across countries, stating, “There is only one planet… Farmers hold enormous power to work with nature to address them. Our responsibility is to ensure farmers are recognized and rewarded for doing so.”
For Kenny and Brooking, MSU offers a unique opportunity to unite scientific research, farmer leadership, and market incentives at a national scale.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-vm
Categories: Michigan, Education, Livestock, Dairy Cattle