Dairy Facility
Training students in dairy herd management with hands-on learning experiences.
The CFAES Wooster dairy operation sits within 4,200 acres of active research and teaching farms and offers students a fully hands-on learning environment.
The facility includes:
- A free-stall barn housing a registered herd of 200 high-producing Holstein cattle. The herd has earned multiple Holstein Association USA Progressive Breeder Awards.
- A fully automated double-eight ParaBone milking parlor with electronic ID tracking and computerized milk weight recording.
- A computerized feeding system that monitors TMR mixing, feeder efficiency, feed inventory and key economic metrics.
- An animal activity monitoring system that helps detect estrus and identify potential health concerns early.
Students play an active role in daily operations, gaining experience in milking, feeding, record keeping and herd health. They also build skills in reproductive, genetic and housing management, preparing them for careers in modern dairy production.