This January marked the 9th anniversary of Dairy Science 375: Dairy Nutrition Experience, sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition LLC, a Land O’Lakes company. Seventeen students from UW–Madison, UW–Platteville, and UW–River Falls participated in the six-day interactive course designed to deepen understanding of animal nutrition, enhance analytical skills in dairy management, and provide networking opportunities with industry professionals. Open to students interested in dairy or agriculture, the program offered a valuable perspective on the dairy industry and career paths within it.
Dairy Science 375 brings together college students, faculty, dairy consultants, and Wisconsin dairy producers, creating a collaborative environment that bridges academic learning with industry expertise.
The 2025 program began on January 6 at White Gold Dairy in Waunakee, where students toured the farm to observe and analyze key management practices, including transition cow management, lactating facilities, calf barn protocols, and feed management/storage. Industry experts from companies such as Purina, Land O’Lakes, Zinpro, and Diamond V guided students through the evaluation process.
After assessing the farm, students identified strengths and areas for improvement and, with mentored support from field specialists, developed proposals for operational enhancements. Their presentations included recommendations for additional feed storage, increased milk production strategies, calf facility assessments, and potential expansion plans, which students presented directly to the farm’s owners and managers.
While preparing their presentations, students also attended the Leading Dairy Producer Conference (January 7-8) in the Wisconsin Dells, hosted by Purina. This event provided an opportunity to engage with dairy producers from across the Midwest, attend industry presentations and breakout sessions, and explore topics such as heat stress, bunk safety, birthing assistance, calcium administration, and many more. The conference also served as a valuable networking opportunity, helping students connect with future employers, mentors, and industry professionals.
The group then traveled to Grey Summit, Missouri (January 9-10) to visit the Purina Animal Nutrition Center, where they explored various animal research units, including lactating dairy, heifers, dairy steers, beef cattle, equine, sheep, poultry, and deer. Students learned about ongoing research supporting Purina’s nutrition lines and discussed key topics such as rumen development, the climate footprint of dairy farming, the dairy/beef industry, and innovative feed delivery methods. The interactive format of these sessions encouraged students to actively participate in discussions.
The course concluded on January 11, equipping students with an expanded professional network, a deeper understanding of dairy nutrition and management, and valuable insights into careers in dairy consulting. While the program is specifically designed to spark interest in agricultural consulting and animal nutrition careers, it also benefits students pursuing various other roles within the dairy and agriculture industry. Many careers in these fields require a multifaceted perspective of the industry, and this course provides students with just that—preparing them for success in a wide range of agriculture-related professions.
Regardless of career aspirations, the Dairy Nutrition Experience provides students with a week of professional development, relationship-building, and personal growth opportunities. Purina and Land O’Lakes are excited to continue partnering with UW–Madison, UW–Platteville, and UW–River Falls to offer this one-of-a-kind educational experience to future undergraduates.