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MSU aims for a 2026 opening of a new dairy research facility

Michigan State University officials are focusing on designing a renovated dairy research and teaching facility this year.

Barry Bradford, Clint Meadows Chair in Dairy Management, tells Brownfield $30 million appropriated in state funding will help build out the 500-cow dairy expected to break ground in 2024.

“It’s a lot more than a commercial dairy, so there are costs here and research infrastructure costs that are large,” he says.

He says the space includes modern research facilities and outreach for consumers.

“We’re really designing this from the beginning to make it easy and ideal for bringing in thousands and thousands of school kids every year and helping them understand agriculture, understand animals, and just see how neat it is,” he explains.

Bradford says the long-term vision for the facility would include environmental sustainability research like with bioenergy and other technology, but more funding is needed.  The university is currently working with the private sector on partnerships.

Brownfield interviewed Bradford at the recent Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

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