South Dakota State University announces the Dairy Research and Training Facility will close in June 2024.
Dr. Joseph Cassady, the dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science, informed the CAFES facility, staff, and students about the closure of the dairy operation via email on Tuesday, Jan. 16. The facility tried fundraising opportunities and funding attempts to continue operations, but it was not enough, Cassady said in his email.
SDSU plans on working with dairy industry partners to develop educational opportunities for students and hopes these partners will provide students with hands-on learning and internships for large-scale dairy production.
CAFES will still offer degree programs in dairy production, dairy manufacturing, and food science at SDSU. Cassady thinks the closure will not affect other productions.
“The discontinuation of operations at the SDSU Dairy Research and Training Facility will not impact production at the Davis Dairy Plant nor interrupt research taking place in that facility,” Cassady said in his email.
The university will support the Dairy Club, judging team, and other activities to help and prepare students for future career opportunities.
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