From 1971 to 1979, Dr. Hutjens was extension dairy specialist at the University of Minnesota where he coached the national champion team in 1978 at the World Dairy Expo. Since 1979, he has been a member of the University of Illinois Animal Sciences Departments as extension dairy specialist. Mike retired from the University of Illinois in 2010.

He speaks at 60 to 70 meetings at conferences in 46 states, 17 foreign countries, and nine Canadian provinces. Mike writes feed columns for Hoard's Dairyman, Progressive Dairyman, and hosts the Hoard’s Dairy monthly webinars. Mike was president of the American Dairy Science Association.

Award recognitions include the Undergraduate Teaching Purina Award from the American Dairy Science Association, National DeLaval Extension Worker Award, ADSA, Applied Nutrition Award from ADSA, Outstanding Extramural Instructor (University award) in 1993 and 2000, and two citations from the Minnesota Board of Regents. In 2008, he was selected “Service Person of the Year” by World Dairy Expo. In 2009, he received the Award of Honor from ADSA and Fellow, the “Eagle Award” from the IL Farm Bureau Association, the national DHI Service in 2013, and the Dairy Shrine Person of the Year in 2019.

Mike Hutjens was raised on a grade Holstein farm near Green Bay, Wisconsin. His bachelor, masters, and Ph.D. degrees were awarded from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He resides in Savoy, Illinois, with his wife, Carol, and five children and seven grandchildren. Mike served six years in the U.S. Army Reserve.