South Dakota State University
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Brookings, South Dakota
Key Dairy Activities:
1. Dairy Camp for K-12 students
2. Dairy cattle sale
3. Cheese box sale
Student Statistics:
Dairy Science major: Yes
Dairy Option: No
# Dairy Science Students: 85
# Animal Science/Dairy: 5
# Students intending to pursue a dairy career: 90
Percent going to vet school: <5%
Percent in ag research: 4%
Percent of dairy grads entering the industry: 100%
Percent going back to home farm: 25%
Average salary: $40,000 to 50,000
Dairy Herd Information:
# cows: 130
Breed(s): Holstein and Brown Swiss
Student labor: Yes
Used for research: Yes
Course Work:
Internship required for graduation: No
Assistance finding jobs or agriculture internships: Yes
Opportunities to work on dairy farms while attending school: Yes
Courses: Introduction to Dairy Science, Opportunities in Dairy Science, Dairy Breeds, Dairy Cattle Nutrition, Physiology of Lactation, Dairy Farm Management, Dairy Cattle Evaluation, Dairy Cattle Evaluation, Dairy Products Judging, Dairy Products Processing, Dairy Plant Management, Dairy Microbiology, Technical Control of Dairy Products
Travel Opportunities:
Class field trips, presentation of research papers at professional conferences, and participation by invitation at professional dairy events such as the World Cheese Judging Contest for students that are placed as top judges in the collegiate products judging contest.The Central Plains Dairy Expo is held annually in March in Sioux Falls, SD. Similarly, the Dairy Club routinely arranges tours to the World Dairy Expo, Canadian Royal and commercial farms and dairy plants. SD State also has an international program but participation is limited due to logistics and cost. Two of their Dairy Manufacturing students participated this year in a short term exchange in Egypt.
Additional Information:
The department also manages a dairy farm and a processing plant. Both facilities are used in dairy classes for instruction purposes. The South Dakota State University Dairy Science department is unique in that it offers degree in both, Dairy Manufacturing as well as Dairy Production. Some of our students are double majors in these programs and thus have a complete understanding of the dairy industry. Placement is 100%. Our department is also a member of the Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center, through which faculty members conduct dairy foods related research. Undergraduate and graduate students have the opportunity to participate in research activities through this program. The dairy industry from around the U.S. is supporting the construction of a new dairy processing plant to enhance our teaching and research programs. The dairy products judging team routinely places in the top three in national contests.
