MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — The SUNY Morrisville dairy facility recently received a 2022 Progressive Genetics Herd Award by Holstein Association USA, Inc. The award recognizes SUNY Morrisville’s accomplishments in breeding a Holstein herd that has achieved high standards of genetic merit, the college said in a news release. It marks the 6th consecutive year the dairy […]
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — The SUNY Morrisville dairy facility recently received a 2022 Progressive Genetics Herd Award by Holstein Association USA, Inc.
The award recognizes SUNY Morrisville’s accomplishments in breeding a Holstein herd that has achieved high standards of genetic merit, the college said in a news release. It marks the 6th consecutive year the dairy program has received the recognition.
The SUNY Morrisville dairy facility celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022. On a typical day, high upon a hill overlooking the college’s campus, students, faculty and staff are working long before the sun rises. Some milk cows in the college’s high-tech milking parlor, while others are recording data on computers, pushing feed, and performing other necessary tasks.
The college says it operates its dairy operation on a business-enterprise model, much like a commercial farm. With the latest technology, equipment, and methodology at their fingertips, students gain experience in real-world situations — learning technical and entrepreneurial aspects of the dairy industry.
The result is well-trained graduates who have experience in freestall-facility management and business management and hands-on experience managing freestall operations, the college contends.
SUNY Morrisville’s Arnold R. Fisher Dairy Complex, located on the west side of Eaton Street, was completion in September 2001. The students and cows arrived in 2002.
Tony Contento, SUNY Morrisville dean of the School of Agriculture, Business & Technology, commented on the award the college’s dairy facility received. “Optimizing herd genetics is essential to maximize operations on any dairy farm. A high standard of genetic merit in a dairy herd is associated with efficiency and profitability,” he said.
Eligibility for the award is determined by calculating the average total performance index (TPI) for all females in the herd. Additional requirements include a minimum of 20 cows in the milking herd with CTPIs and the herd classified during the period of September 2020 through February 2022.
“We are also grateful for the managers, faculty and staff who work diligently and dedicate themselves to maintaining the high standards of excellence across the Arnold R. Fisher Dairy Complex,” Contento said. “We take pride in our dairy herd and share our success with our students through our robust, applied academic programs.”
Students are involved in many aspects of the dairy, including the genetic merit of the herd. During the Autumn Review sale, held every fall, students are responsible for the selection of elite cattle from top herds across the northeast, to advertising and marketing them for a successful sale. Students also can play a role in genetic selection and integrate genetic goals for the dairy to improve the dairy operation’s profitability.