Mike Van Amburgh

“As the world changes, we need to harness the power of cattle by continuing to enhance their ability to use the resources available in each industry to provide milk and nutrients in the most efficient and economical manner possible.  To do that, we need to empower and educate people and provide the tools necessary for the task in an efficient and effective manner, while recognizing the opportunities and limitations present in each system. Education, empowerment and improved resource allocation are necessary to help advance dairy and food production for those engaged in the process.”

Mike is a Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow and Professor at Cornell University. He grew up on a small diversified dairy farm in Ohio and continued to work on local farms through college with the intent of returning to the dairy farm. Mike graduated from The Ohio State University in 1984 with a degree in Dairy Science and worked for 5 years as a district sales manager for Sire Power/Select Sires. He returned to school and earned a Ph.D. in Animal Science in 1995 from Cornell University and was hired back into the department to work with the Dairy Fellows Program  and conduct research. Mike currently leads the Dairy Fellows Program, an undergraduate experiential learning program focused on the integration of dairy cattle management, nutrition, reproduction and growth with economic decision making.  Over time, he assumed responsibility for further development of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS), a nutrition model currently used in over 30 countries. His current research  efforts are multifaceted and focused on several aspects of productive efficiency of dairy cattle. With increasing pressure on the dairy industry to reduce the environmental impact of cattle and milk production his research group is currently working on  

improving the ability to describe nitrogen metabolism and efficiency of use of absorbed amino acids in new and more integrated ways.

This work is leading to new dietary strategies that allow us to formulate diets for high producing lactating cattle at 14% CP while maintaining milk yield in excess of 45 kg/d.     Data from studies like these are being used further develop the CNCPS. Mike has experience in many countries troubleshooting and problem solving a variety of nutrition and management related problems and looks forward to new opportunities.   

Looking forward to assist with

  • Nutrition problem solving
  • Calf and heifer management
  • Dairy management and decision making
  • Nutrient management
  • Feed and forage solutions
  • Educational program development and training
Contact us

For any inquiries please email

info@venturedairy.org