Department of Dairy Science

The Department of Dairy Science offers the chance to study in a small, internationally recognized department that specializes in offering research, travel and competitive opportunities to our students.  We invite you to bring your interest in animals and let us prepare you for an exciting career in a dynamic industry with a major that has a 100% placement of graduating seniors.

What's New?

The Dairy Club at Virginia Tech named Outstanding Chapter!

The club was named the outstanding chapter at the ADSA-SAD Southern Regional Conference in February 2019! Catherine Savage was elected third vice president for the 2019-2020 officer team.
Contest results:
Club scrapbook and reports -1st
Quiz bowl - 3rd
Production division paper presentation- Kate Ciaston
Original research paper presentation- Connor Rudd
Dairy food division paper presentation- Leah Jenkins

Dairy Club visits the Netherlands!

R. Michael Akers honored with emeritus status

2018 Dairy Judging Team at World Dairy Expo...

The 2018 Dairy Judging team placed 2nd Overall and 2nd in Reasons! Senior, Shelby Iager shined as she won high individual overall at World Dairy Expo, which was held October 2-6, 2018 in Madison, WI.

The team had a wonderful day at World Dairy Expo and represented Virgina Tech well!  The team members are Katelyn Allen, Leah Hall, Shelby Iager, and Sarah Thomas. Kayla Umbel is the assistant coach and Dr. Katharine Knowlton is the coach.

Additionally, Shelby won THREE breeds and Katelyn won 11th overall. Katelyn, Shelby and Sarah were all named All- Americans.  (Complete placings coming soon.)

Dr. Mike Akers retires after 36 years with the university

Dr. R. Michael Akers, Horace E. and Elizabeth F. Alphin Professor of Dairy Science, Dairy Science Graduate Studies Chair and former Department Head, retired on September 1, 2018 after almost 37 years of service with Virginia Tech. more...

The 2018 Judging Team off to a great start in New England!

The season started with both teams competing in the Eastern States contest in Massachusetts. Team A won High Team in Jerseys and in Oral Reasons, and was 4th overall. They were led by Katelyn Allen, 1st overall as well as 1st in Ayrshires, Milking Shorthorns, Jerseys, and Guernseys. Sarah was 2nd in reasons, Shelby 3rd, Katelyn 6th, and Kavita 8th. A team won Jerseys and was high team in oral reasons.  more...  

Dairy Judging 101 videos by Dr. Katharine Knowlton and members of the Virginia Tech Judging Team! 

Visit YouTube Channel:  Virginia Tech Dairy Cattle Judging for more judging videos!

Nicki Hardy named 2018 Dairy Science Outstanding Graduating Senior!

Nicole Hardy (Perkasie, Pennsylvania) is obtaining a degree in Dairy Science with a minor in Animal and Poultry Sciences. Nicole, who has been on the dean's list each semester at Virginia Tech, is the recipient of a variety of scholarships, including an RP-Animal and Poultry Science STEM Scholarship and the Paul M. Reaves Outstanding Senior Scholarship. In addition to her impressive academic achievements, Nicole has held leadership roles as Sigma Alpha sorority president, Virginia Tech Dairy Club showcase sale chair, and Southern American Dairy Science Association student affiliate division officer at large. Through her experiences with Virginia Tech's Dairy Club, Nicole became involved in Micah's Backpack, which increased her awareness of food insecurity and reinforced her commitment to agriculture. Nicole's experiences both inside and outside the classroom also strengthened her passion for dairy cows and nutrition, including her time at the John Lee Pratt Summer Research Institute, her assistant herdsman internship at Janney Holsteins, and her work with the American Dairy Science Association. During her internship at Janney Holsteins, Nicole had the opportunity to diagnose and treat sick calves, administer vaccinations to newborn calves, and halter-break cows. After graduation, Nicole will begin interning with Cargill as a calf research intern. (via CALS website)

2018 North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge and Academy

In mid-April, eight students from the Virginia Tech Dairy Science Department (DASC) competed in the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge in Visalia, CA.  A total of 34 universities from across North America were represented at the Dairy Challenge.  The Virginia Tech team consisted of Nicole Hardy (Sr, DASC), Lydia Harrison (Sr, DASC), Mark Phillips (Sr, Agribusiness), and Matthew Smith (Sr, DASC), coached by Dr. Gonzalo Ferreira and Dr. Alex White.  The team did an outstanding job of analyzing the case dairy farm and presenting their recommendations to a panel of industry experts.  They placed third in their division.

Andrew Laffey (Sr, DASC) also competed in the Dairy Challenge, albeit on an aggregate team with students from 3 other universities.

Three students participated in the Dairy Challenge Academy this year.   Sarah Baynard (So, DASC/APSC), Erin Saacke (Sr, DASC), and Zach Seekford (Sr, DASC) participated in the Academy where they analyzed another case dairy farm and presented their recommendations to industry representative and other teams in the Academy.

The Dairy Challenge and Academy are excellent educational opportunities for our students.  These competitions help students pull together their science, production, and financial knowledge.  The department would like to thank the donors who provided generous support for the students: Dr. & Mrs. Ron Pearson, The Virginia State Feed Association, Farm Credit of the Virginias, the Farm Credit of the Virginias Knowledge Center, and the Virginia Dairy Foundation.  We would also like to thank the Virginia dairy farmers who allowed us to use their farms as training sessions for our teams:  Mark & Curtis Sowers (Huckleberry Farm), the Johnson Family (Highland Dairy Farm), and the VanderHyde Dairy.