Ohio State University advancing animal agriculture with new Waterman Dairy

The Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory in Columbus will soon be home to The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) new state-of-the-art dairy facility, replacing the outdated 1972 structure demolished in March.

"We're making exciting progress," Graham Cochran, CFAES associate dean for operations, said. "Construction will start soon with an anticipated completion in spring 2025. The project will bring a modern small-scale, fully autonomous dairy to the CFAES Columbus campus, supporting our work for years to come."

The new dairy, located on the site of the previous dairy at Waterman as part of the 261-acre lab, will be equipped with leading-edge technology from Lely North America.

"The three components that will showcase modern animal agricultural technology include a robotic milking system, feeding robot and automated feed kitchen, and manure management robots," said John Lemmermen, long-time manager of the dairy herd.

This technology will greatly enhance cow comfort, as well as the learning, research, and outreach impact of the dairy and will support the Jersey herd, which was temporarily relocated to the CFAES Wooster campus in preparation for the new dairy. The new dairy can house 60 Jersey milking cows, all with access to the milking robot.

"The newly constructed Waterman Dairy will provide state-of-the-art technology and accommodations to enhance the college's academic and research programs," said Maurice Eastridge, professor and senior associate chair, Department of Animal Sciences. "It will be a tremendous asset to our outreach programs to the community and agricultural industry to focus on food production systems. It is also geographically positioned to highlight the importance of agriculture and innovation just off Lane Avenue, at the primary entrance to the Columbus campus."

According to Scott Higgins, chief executive officer of both the American Dairy Association Mideast and the Ohio Dairy Producers Association, the dairy project is important to the dairy industry in Ohio.

"On behalf of the dairy farmers I represent, it is exciting to see this investment in a modern dairy that will impact the student experience and tell the story of dairy farming and milk products through public engagement," he said. "The new Waterman Dairy, along with the Multispecies Animal Learning Center now under construction, will raise the bar for CFAES teaching, research, and public engagement with animal agriculture."

Initially, CFAES is planning to install one new robotic milker with the ability to add a second milking robot in the future. Space will be designated for future installation of an onsite milk processing facility.

"The robotic milker will allow cows to be milked on their own schedule, on average three times per day, depending on their milk production and stage of lactation. While being milked, the cows will be fed grain in the robotic milker to encourage them to visit the robot more often," Lemmermen said.

One interesting feature of robotic milking is the ability to more precisely feed the cows based on their stage of lactation, milk production, and body condition. The robot will measure each cow's milk production, milk components, body temperature, body weight, and activity. This information will provide data to improve performance and enhance the cow's health.

A feeding robot and automated feed kitchen will autonomously feed the animals. The barn is also designed with curtains, fans, and a misting system controlled by thermostats to keep fresh air moving through the barn and maintaining a more constant cool temperature. Two robotic manure vacuums will move throughout the barn, keeping alleys clean and reducing water usage.

"I am very excited about how the robotics will improve herd health and management, freeing up our time to better take care of the cows. The new facility will enhance our student learning and bring more people in to educate about the dairy industry and agriculture in general," said Lemmermen.

With the latest technologies being installed on Ohio dairy farms, this new dairy will provide more opportunities for hands-on experiences that prepare students for careers in the dairy industry. Their duties will include calf care and feeding, monitoring the milking information for health and breeding decisions, cleaning and bedding stalls and pens, monitoring cows in the calving pen, supplying the feed kitchen, assisting with classes and tours, as well as general labor.

"The new facility will allow students to be ready for a career in the dairy industry in all sectors, from farm management to sales and service," said Jason Hartschuh, field specialist, dairy management and precision livestock for Ohio State University Extension. "It will assist with workforce development, as we'll also be able to use the technologies in this facility as training tools for dairy producers and their employees."

Also at Waterman, construction of the new Multispecies Animal Learning Center (MALC) is underway, with a projected opening in fall 2025. The MALC will be a world-class facility where people and animals can interact, fostering education not only for Ohio State students but also for K-12 students and individuals of all ages, expanding the visibility of advances in animal agriculture to the next generation of students. With the addition of both the MALC and Dairy, new, modern animal facilities serving all major animal agriculture species will now be accessible at Waterman.

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