By Maria Woldt, program manager, Dairy Innovation Hub
Happy June Dairy Month! Across the state, Wisconsinites are celebrating the start of summer by enjoying a little more ice cream, cheese, milk and other delicious dairy foods. It’s been more than two years since I’ve attended a dairy breakfast, and it was great to be back!
Recently, my husband Nick and I packed up the family and made the trip to Schoepp Farms, LLC in Lodi for the Columbia County Moo Day Brunch. Ron Schoepp is known widely for his expertise in rotational grazing with dairy heifers. He’s raised some heifers for us, so it was a nice treat to attend the breakfast and support the event.
As we toured the farm and watched the demonstration of animals being moved from one paddock to another, I recalled a research project funded by the Dairy Innovation Hub at UW-Platteville.
A team of engineers led by Hal Evensen in the engineering physics program, partnered with Chris Wilson, a dairy farmer from Cuba City and his 500-cow organic dairy farm to create two virtual technologies to increase grazing efficiency. One solution is best described as “invisible fence for cows” and cows wear collars that use vibration to keep them contained. The other solution allows the farmer to use wireless technology to move physical fence.
The great thing about dairy in Wisconsin is diversity – every farm size and management philosophy can be successful and INNOVATE based on their unique goals. There are Hub-funded projects at each participating campus asking BOLD questions with hopes of making BIG discoveries that will impact farmers, processors, citizens and communities alike.
June dairy month is also a reminder to those of us in the dairy space that we have a unique opportunity (and responsibility) to engage with the public about dairy farming and processing.
The Hub represents a $7.8 million per year investment by the State of Wisconsin to keep our dairy community at the global forefront in producing nutritious dairy products in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable manner.
With encouragement from our legislative champions, we created some public-facing communications to help explain the Hub concept to the general public. Please use these resources in your travels to promote this unique collaboration.
Speaking of public engagement, the Hub’s faculty director, Dr. Heather White, was a recent guest on the popular Facebook and YouTube series Badger Talks Live to kick off their tribute to June Dairy Month. Check out her presentation to learn more about the Hub and funded research projects.
It doesn’t have to be June to celebrate the good things happening in dairy! The team behind the Dairy Innovation Hub strives to maintain open and transparent communication about our efforts, funded by the State of Wisconsin. For our latest news and to join our mailing list, visit dairyinnovationhub.wisc.edu
Maria Woldt serves as the program manager for the Dairy Innovation Hub. In this role, she assists in the management of the Hub budget, develops and disseminates communications, and organizes events. Maria and her husband Nick own and operate a small dairy farm in Dane County. They have two girls, Lexington (4) and Giovanna (4 months).