No matter where we go in our expansive, diverse world, there is one common theme: demand for food. Whether it is for basic essentials or the latest rendering of avocado toast, people need food. Animal byproducts make up much of our everyday diets, and we rely on them for basic and extravagant ingredients.

The animal agriculture industry is long established, but ever-changing. It can seem simple to those unfamiliar with its intricacies. In reality, animal agriculture is a multi-faceted world of its own, which requires maintenance and advancement at every stage—on the farm, in labs, and in the classroom.

Veterinarians play a much larger role in food animal agriculture than much of the general public understands to be true. That understanding starts in school. As the nation’s premiere agricultural college, Michigan State University takes veterinary medicine seriously. Our students have the benefit of learning not only from top veterinarians in the profession, but also learning while in the field. Our partnership with Green Meadow Farms allows us to maintain the Training Center for Dairy Professionals, where students learn the intricacies of cow health and dairy management. Our College offers programs tailored for those interested in food animal medicine and animal agriculture—for future veterinarians, in practice, government, industry, academia, and research. These offerings are supported by our generous donors who understand the importance of food safety and the One Health initiative.

Food safety, One Health issues, and other veterinary arenas can pose serious threats to public health and industry if not properly attended. Our faculty work each day in laboratories and elsewhere in the field to improve upon existing standards and practices while pioneering new and more efficient technologies, therapies, and preventives. These findings impact animal welfare, farm efficiency, and human health across the board—from mastitis prevention and antimicrobial resistance to the impacts of early-life stress and microbial food safety, our scientists are making groundbreaking discoveries that change how human health is improved and preserved, and how animal agriculture is managed.

Part of that farm management is how herd health is maintained and improved upon for the future. Our faculty focus on providing proper, on-site care for food animals—not just at the MSU Veterinary Medical Center, but for every food animal on MSU’s south campus farms. As it is in most fields, part of farm management is constant questioning and innovation—the intentioned thought that pushes farm management practices to new, higher standards. By investigating accepted norms, such as bovine leukosis virus, our scientists identify areas for improvement and work to pioneer solutions that impact herd health.
Of course, animal welfare and farm efficiency are not the only reasons why herd health is important. Animal byproducts end up in the hands of consumers every day, and veterinarians play a pivotal role in preserving public health. Foodborne illness endangers tens of thousands of lives each year in the United States, and the associated economic costs are more than significant—not just for medical treatment, but costs to industry, taxpayers, and others. Veterinarians also protect the public from new and emerging diseases, a majority of which are zoonotic (transmitted from animals to people). Those who work in industry and government are equally involved, which is why part of the College’s academic offerings include a food safety program. This teamwork between DVMs, industry, and government aids in the surveillance, prevention, and treatment that protect humans worldwide.

Michigan State University’s mission is to advance knowledge and transform lives. Our mission at the College echoes that. By continuing to Learn, Discover, Heal, and Protect, we contribute to the University’s assets, as well as animal welfare and human health on local, national, and global scales. In this issue of Perspectives Magazine, you can read stories that focus on how our mission is affecting the food industry. Through our intentional efforts, we are improving the wellbeing of food animals and protecting those who consume them. As a trusted leader in animal health, the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine continues to deliver unparalleled solutions that serve our ever-evolving world.

Also in this Issue:

The Dean’s Perspective Read More
Learn Read More
Greener Pastures

College and farm partner to improve veterinary education and the dairy industry of tomorrow.

Read More
Investing in the Future

MSU Donors’ Impact on the Dairy Industry.

Read More
Food Systems Fellowship Program

12 years of adding value to the student experience.

Read More
Not Just Medicine

Clerkship Series Teaches Professional Skills To Food Animal Veterinary Students.

Read More
Who will keep food safe? Spartans Will.

This Spartan is One of a Kind.

Read More
Experts Revamp Food Protection and Defense Course Read More
Online Continuing Education Emerges from the MSU Online Food Safety Program Read More
Discover Read More
Quality Milk Alliance

Prioritizes Mastitis Preventatives and Training.

Read More
Researching New Therapies and Preventatives

to Mediate GI-Triggered Autoimmune Disease.

Read More
Reducing Early-Life Adversity for Pig, Human Health Read More
Slowing Down Antibiotics and Speeding Up Herd Recovery Read More
Wake Up: Treating Tuberculosis by Stopping Dormancy

Treating Tuberculosis by Stopping Dormancy.

Read More
Heal Read More
Healing the Herd

Hospital Focuses on Prevention for Welfare and Food Safety.

Read More
Scholarships Empower

2017 Alumnus to Succeed in Dairy Herd Health Medicine.

Read More
Protect Read More
Food Safety and Public Health

Veterinarians Are Integral to the Process.

Read More
Defining and Fighting Food Fraud Read More
College Welcomes New PDI Chair, One Health Ambassador Read More
New curriculum offers opportunity for food animal students Read More
Class of 2021 Profile Read More
Alumni News Read More
In Memoriam Read More
Why Scholarships? Why Now?

Students are the lifeblood of the College, which is working to ensure that MSU is the top choice for prospective veterinary students.

Read More
Homecoming 2017 Read More
Celebration of Generosity 2017 Read More