Early in 1990, a critical need for a mechanism to perform rapid response, applied research on herd health and on-farm food safety problems was recognized and discussed. It became clear that a laboratory with a primary focus on the dairy producer was necessary for both undergraduate and graduate training, and to serve as a focal point for collaborative research and disseminating information important to the dairy producer. Consequently, the Dairy Food Safety Laboratory in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine was created.

Since its creation in 1992 the Dairy Food Safety Laboratory (UC Davis and VMTRC) has received funding in grants from the California Dairy Research Foundation and has attracted additional funding from outside sources. These funds have been instrumental in providing teaching, laboratory, and field experience for a total of 149 students. The DFSL educational program includes undergraduate research laboratory rotations, graduate thesis work, post-doctoral fellowships, workshops, individual student projects, high school work study, affirmative action special programs, laboratory and field components of undergraduate courses, continuing education and support for visiting scientists. This educational effort is summarized by the following catagories: 45 veterinary medical officers, 39 undergraduate students, 28 graduate students, veterinarians or veterinary medical students, 8 industry or veterinary practice personnel, 6 affirmative action students, 12 high school students, 5 physicians and/or visiting scientists, 3 high school educators, and 3 medical students. In addition to this teaching effort, the DFSL program has produced 39 scientific publications in refereed journals, at least 46 papers in scientific proceedings or industry journals, and has provided over 95 talks to students, producers, veterinarians, regulatory personnel and consumers. Over this short period of time, the DFSL has made significant contributions to the California dairy industry and looks forward to building upon this foundation of excellence.