Contact: Thomas Herdt, MSU Large Animal Clinical Sciences, (517) 355-9593; Charlie Green, Green Meadow Farms (989) 862-4291; or Tom Oswald, University Relations, (517) 432-0920, oswald@msu.edu

7/12/2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Through a unique relationship between Michigan State University and Green Meadow Farms, Inc., a large dairy operation in Elsie, MSU veterinary students and others will be able to receive specialized training in caring for dairy practices.

On Tuesday, July 12, the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine officially opened the MSU Training Center for Dairy Professionals. The official opening is at 1 p.m. at the center which is located at Green Meadow Farms.

The center extends the long-standing cooperation between the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and Green Meadow Farms, Inc., and was made possible by major donations from Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC and GreenStone Farm Credit Services.

The center makes use of Green Meadow Farms’ large dairy herd, modern facilities, and highly developed management infrastructure, along with the college’s faculty and facilities, to provide specialized training in dairy practice for veterinary students, preveterinary students, graduate veterinarians and other professionals serving the dairy industry.

As the center evolves, it is anticipated that students from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, as well as students from other universities, will study there.

The center will also provide facilities and demonstration material for the continuing education of veterinarians and other professionals working in the dairy industry and create an infrastructure for clinical research in the health management of dairy cows.

“The changing demographics of the dairy industry are driving a change in the role of dairy veterinarians,” said Thomas Herdt, chairperson of the MSU Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences.

From 1997 to 2001, the number of dairy herds in Michigan with more than 500 cows increased from 35 to 65, while the number with 100 to 199 cows decreased from 850 to 620.

“Managing large farms today requires teamwork, and veterinarians are a critical part of that team,” Herdt said.“But to be successful team members, veterinarians need to know about more than the medical and biological aspects of cow health. They must also have a working knowledge of the management, business and personnel aspects of the farm.”

“The MSU Training Center for Dairy Professionals will enhance the training opportunities for our people and ensure they work effectively in a multidisciplinary, team approach while serving U.S. dairy producers,” said John Mahoney, director of dairy marketing for Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC.

Green Meadow Farms, located 35 miles from the MSU campus, was established in 1922 and has one of the nation’s largest herds of registered Holstein cattle. There are currently 3,500 lactating cows on the farm.

The business uses highly progressive management techniques, including an extensive, farm-wide computer network for tracking individual cow records.Management and health care strategies are constantly re-evaluated based on the extensive database of health, reproductive, and performance records.

The activities and training associated with the MSU Training Center for Dairy Professionals will occur across the entire farm. The focal point of the center will be a 1,300-square-foot building housing a classroom and computer laboratory, as well as offices for faculty. Also included are a break room and kitchen area and housing for students spending the night at the farm.

In addition to this facility, there are currently a clinical laboratory, surgery room and large classroom/meeting room available on the farm that will be accessible for the center’s activities. A necropsy facility also is proposed.

Veterinary specialty services from various MSU-CVM faculty members will be available on a routine basis to provide support for teaching, clinical activities and research.

For information on the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, visit the Web at www.cvm.msu.edu

Information on Green Meadow Farms is available at www.greenmeadowfarms.com