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?

2019 Hokie Cow Classic - May 20th

Details and Registration Info

Four 2019 Outstanding DASC Alumni Honored by CALS!

Outstanding Recent Alumni in Academia: Ranga Appuhamy

2006, M.S. Dairy Science; 2010, Ph.D. Animal Sciences
Dairy Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Outstanding Recent Alumni in Government or Industry: Rachel Smith Fink

2011, B.S. Dairy Science
Herd Manager, Stoney Run Farms, Inc.
McGaheysville, Virginia

Distinguished Alumni in Academia: Geoffrey E. Dahl

1987, M.S. Dairy Science
Professor and Harriet B. Weeks Professorship Endowed Chair, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida Gainesville, Florida

Distinguished Alumni in Government or Industry: David Whitlock

1989, B.S. Dairy Science
Regional Sales Manager, Select Sire Power
Floyd, Virginia

2018-2019 North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge and Academy

2018 Virginia Tech Dairy Challenge Team: (L to R) Dr. Alex White, Andrew Laffey, Sarah Baynard, Mark Phillips, Lydia Harrison, Nicki Hardy, Erin Saacke, Matthew Smith , Zack Seekford.

The Dairy Challenge Team (on left side- L-R) Kate Ciaston, Katelyn Allen, Sandra Krone, Sarah Baynard; middle - Coach Dr. Alex White; Dairy Challenge Academy students (on right side L-R) Sarah Thomas, Kennedy Crothers, Becky Wilkins, Ellie Grossnickle

Eight Dairy Science students from Virginia Tech traveled to Tifton, GA, March 28-30 for the 2019 North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge. Four of these students participated in the Dairy Challenge Academy. The Dairy Challenge Academy is an educational opportunity that helps students synthesize all of their science, production, and business management knowledge. These students worked with students from other universities from across the US and Canada to identify potential issues on an actual dairy farm and develop recommendations for improving the profitability of the farm. Industry personnel from around the US mentored the Academy students to help them apply their education to real world applications. The VT students who participated in the Dairy Challenge Academy were Kennedy Crothers, Ellie Grossnickle, Sarah Thomas, and Becky Wilkins. Article...

Learn more about the VT Dairy Challenge Teams...

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 members in at the ADSA-SAD Southern Regional Conference in Hickory, NC.

Dairy Club visits the Netherlands!

Group photo of the Dairy Club with windmills in the background. Netherlands, 2019.

R. Michael Akers honored with emeritus status

R. Michael Akers, professor and former head of the Department of Dairy Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of Horace E. and Elizabeth F. Alphin Professor Emeritus of Dairy Science by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The emeritus title may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Read the full VTNews article...

Dr. Mike Akers with the Hokie Bird. — Dr. Mike Akers retires after 36 years with the university. Read more...

2018 Dairy Judging Team at World Dairy Expo...

2018-judging-wde-awards — The Judging Team with their awards, ribbons, and plaques from the 2018 World Dairy Expo. L-to-R: Shelby Iager, Sarah Thomas, Leah Hall, and Katelyn Allen.

Judging Team member, Shelby Iager, won High Individual Overall at the 2018 World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI.

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.

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

2018-judging-ydcjc — (L-R) Dr. Katharine Knowlton (Coach), Katelyn Allen, Leah Hall, Sarah Thomas, Shelby Iager, Kayla Umbel (Assistant Coach)

2018-judging-iydcjc-a-b — A & B teams L-R- Dr. Katharine Knowlton, Will Boyd, Katelyn Allen, Shelby Iager, Kavita Bushong, Sarah Thomas, Catherine Savage, Leah Hall, Rachel Kanefsky, Kayla Umbel (Assistant Coach)

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...