At the Foremost Dairy, Mizzou is cultivating more than milk—it’s nurturing the next generation of veterinary and agricultural leaders through a collaborative partnership between the College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR).
Located just west of Columbia, Foremost Dairy is part of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, a statewide network of farms and facilities that supports research, education and extension. What sets this facility apart is its role as a collaborative classroom for students across disciplines and a model of top-tier animal care.
Vet Med students visit the dairy herd weekly—twice as often as most commercial operations—providing world-class, hands-on care to the cows. This frequent interaction allows students to spot and respond to health issues early, gaining critical skills in preventive care and herd management.
“The Foremost Dairy Facility stands as a remarkable resource for both faculty and students at the University of Missouri,” said Dr. Celeste Morris, assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine. “It allows for studies and education in dairy science, animal health and management practices.”
For some veterinary students, Foremost offers their first direct experience with livestock. The opportunity to work closely with dairy cows—animals known for their calm temperament—makes it an ideal learning environment.
“While beef cows spend most of their time with other cattle out on pasture, dairy cows are handled by people daily from birth,” said Dusty Walter, director of the Central Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center, which includes Foremost. “That makes them temperamentally much gentler and is a real benefit for a student who maybe grew up in the city and hasn’t spent a lot of time with cattle before.”
Morris echoed the importance of this exposure.
“This is crucial for veterinary students, especially those pursuing livestock careers,” she said. “It gives them the skills and confidence needed for success in the field.”
The benefits of the partnership are mutual. As students learn, the animals thrive.
“The relationship that Vet Med and CAFNR have cultivated at the dairy is truly symbiotic,” Walter said. “While their students gain access to experiences with our animals, our animals are getting the best care available.”
Foremost also serves as a launchpad for cross-disciplinary research and education, where veterinary and agricultural sciences converge.
“What truly sets the Foremost Dairy Facility apart is the unique and collaborative partnership between Vet Med and CAFNR,” Morris said. “By working together, the two colleges create an environment where innovation and hands-on education go hand in hand.”
As a model of cooperation and care, Foremost Dairy continues to shape the future of animal science and veterinary medicine—one gentle cow and one future veterinarian at a time.