Lakeland College is celebrating a major investment in agricultural education after Agrai-Dairy Mart donated ,000 to support the Dairy Learning Centre, helping ensure students continue to train with cutting-edge technology used across the dairy industry.

Supporting the Future of Dairy Education

In recognition of the donation, Lakeland College officially named a classroom inside the Dairy Learning Centre in honour of the donor. The DeLaval Classroom was unveiled during an on-site event held on January 9, 2026.

“Our Dairy Learning Centre gives our students access to the most advanced and emerging technology in the industry,” said Tracy Quinton, dean of agricultural sciences at Lakeland College. “We appreciate Agrai-Dairy Mart’s support as we continue to ensure our Dairy Learning Centre offers students the hands-on experience they need to stay at the forefront of an evolving industry.”

Learning by Doing

Lakeland’s Dairy Learning Centre plays a key role in the college’s experiential learning model. Second-year agricultural science technology students majoring in dairy are responsible for overseeing the college’s dairy herd under faculty supervision.

Students make real-world, data-driven decisions on breeding, herd management, heifer replacement, and overall operations using the same tools used on modern commercial dairy farms.

“This education model, where students learn by doing, has a profound impact on their readiness and confidence,” said Quinton. “Partnerships like this one not only strengthen our programs but also create direct pathways for students to connect with employers.”

A Longstanding Industry Partnership

Agrai-Dairy Mart has been a service provider to the Dairy Learning Centre since its opening in 2017. This marks the company’s first financial donation to the facility.

“The continued support of Agrai-Dairy Mart and DeLaval reflects a shared commitment to developing the next generation of dairy professionals,” said Brent Leyenhorst, owner of Agrai-Dairy Mart. “By investing in hands-on education and modern technology, we help ensure graduates are ready to lead and innovate in the dairy industry.”

Inside the Dairy Learning Centre

The 46,600-square-foot Dairy Learning Centre is a state-of-the-art facility designed to maximize automation while minimizing environmental impact. It houses a 280-head herd, including 120 Holstein milk cows, replacement heifers and young stock.

The facility features:

• Robotic milking systems and a traditional milking parlour

• An automatic feeding system

• Three indoor calf rooms, including two with automated feeding

• Dedicated learning spaces for calf management, nutrition, cow comfort, dairy software and manure management

The investment from Agrai-Dairy Mart helps ensure Lakeland College remains a leader in agricultural education while preparing students for the realities of a rapidly advancing dairy industry.