The dairy herd is maintained at Michigan State University for teaching, extension, and research purposes. Learning experiences are provided for classes in both Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, extension programs are frequently held at the facilities, and research projects are conducted in the areas of nutrition, mammary and reproductive physiology, animal breeding and selection, and management. Most of the milking herd is housed in tie stalls. This different than most commercial herds of this sized, which commonly have loose-type housing in free stalls. Unless needed for research, all male calves are sold soon after birth.
Selection is to improve yield of milk, fat and protein and to sustain physical conformation.
Cows are inseminated after 50 days postpartum. Calves are born at all times of the year. Average age at first parturition is 24 months. Cottonseeds, fat-tallow, energy sources, protein supplements of animal origin, vitamins, minerals. All milk is sold through Michigan Milk Producers Association, a milk handling cooperative.