Dairy Production and Husbandry: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Dairy Production and Husbandry is a specialized academic program focused on the scientific and operational management of dairy livestock and their production systems. Students gain comprehensive knowledge and hands-on skills in raising healthy dairy animals, optimizing farm efficiency, and maintaining compliance with industry standards across all stages of production.
- Animal and Dairy Science Fundamentals: Explores the biological principles underlying dairy animal physiology, reproduction, and milk production, forming the scientific basis for informed decision-making in herd management.
- Nutrition and Health Management: Covers the formulation of balanced rations, identification of nutritional deficiencies, and proactive strategies for disease prevention and animal welfare enhancement.
- Facility Design and Equipment Operation: Focuses on the planning, construction, and maintenance of dairy housing, milking systems, feed storage, and processing infrastructure to support optimal animal comfort and operational safety.
- Sanitation and Biosecurity Protocols: Teaches best practices for maintaining clean environments, preventing pathogen spread, and ensuring food safety from farm to processing.
- Regulatory Compliance and Logistics: Addresses federal and state regulations governing animal care, milk quality, transportation, recordkeeping, and the handling of dairy products throughout the supply chain.
Dairy Production and Husbandry Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Dairy Production and Husbandry Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Dairy Production and Husbandry degrees, including Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers and Farm and Home Management Educators. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 45,700 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers 11-9013 | $87,980 | $51,700 - $156,530 | 5,910 | $42.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers 45-1011 | $59,330 | $39,610 - $90,840 | 29,530 | $28.53 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators 25-9021 | $58,120 | $36,780 - $85,230 | 10,260 | $27.94 |
Dairy Production and Husbandry Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,495 in Arkansas to $88,047 in California—a 82% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Idaho, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 45,700 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Dairy Production and Husbandry by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 11 institutions offering Dairy Production and Husbandry programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Dairy Production and Husbandry is found at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) (22 graduates), Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) (10 graduates), Modesto Junior College (MJC) (8 graduates), Kansas State University (K‑State) (6 graduates), and Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) (4 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 60 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
22 | Calmar, Iowa | Public | nicc.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| Modesto Junior College (MJC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Modesto, California | Public | mjc.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Other Award
|
6 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Cleveland, Wisconsin | Public | gotoltc.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Other Award
|
3 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| Ridgewater College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
2 | Willmar, Minnesota | Public | ridgewater.edu |
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (Southwest Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Fennimore, Wisconsin | Public | swtc.edu |
| SUNY Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Morrisville, New York | Public | morrisville.edu |
| Vermont State University (VTSU) |
Associate's
|
1 | Randolph, Vermont | Public | vermontstate.edu |
| Northcentral Technical College (NTC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Wausau, Wisconsin | Public | ntc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Dairy Production and Husbandry programs
How much can I earn with a Dairy Production and Husbandry degree?
Salaries for Dairy Production and Husbandry graduates vary by role and location. Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers earn a median of $87,980 annually, while First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers earn around $59,330. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $88,047 compared to $48,495 in Arkansas. Approximately 45,700 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Dairy Production and Husbandry programs?
Currently 11 accredited institutions offer Dairy Production and Husbandry degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) (22 graduates), Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) (10 graduates), and Modesto Junior College (MJC) (8 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Dairy Production and Husbandry growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 85 in 2010 to a peak of 120 in 2020, before declining slightly to 60 in 2023-24. This represents a 29% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Dairy Production and Husbandry degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers, and Farm and Home Management Educators. Related occupations employ approximately 45,700 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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