Funding Year: 2027
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The college milk study: economic implications and longitudinal effects of whole milk consumption on human performance, cognition, and mental health
The College Milk Study is a multi-site, longitudinal research initiative designed to evaluate the effects of whole milk consumption on physical performance, musculoskeletal health, cognitive function, mental health, and systemic…
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Federal milk policy and supply chain resilience
Wisconsin dairy farms have faced a number of significant challenges in recent years, including labor shortages, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), and trade disruptions. This project examines how federal milk…
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Identifying effective weed control programs and enhancing grower education for managing troublesome weeds in high oleic soybean systems in Wisconsin
Wisconsin dairy farms are increasingly interested in growing high oleic soybeans as a homegrown feed source that can increase milk fat yield and strengthen farm profitability. However, integrating soybean into…
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Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in dairy rotations: alfalfa termination, manure management, and corn silage N credits
Dairy farms depend on alfalfa for high-quality forage and on manure recycling to maintain soil fertility, yet the interactions between these two foundational components of dairy nutrient management are not…
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Advancing nutrient recovery research to protect Wisconsin’s water resources
Phosphorus runoff from manure, fertilizers, and agricultural fields is a major contributor to water quality challenges across Wisconsin, leading to harmful algal blooms and degradation of lakes and streams. Researchers…
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Building food quality testing capacity to support Wisconsin dairy innovation
Wisconsin dairy processors, food manufacturers, and startups increasingly rely on analytical testing to evaluate product quality, safety, shelf-life, and consistency. However, many small and mid-sized businesses lack access to specialized…
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Monitoring nitrate movement to protect Wisconsin groundwater
Nitrate contamination of groundwater remains a significant challenge in many agricultural regions of Wisconsin. Because nitrate is highly mobile in soil, it can move below crop root zones and into…
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Advancing sustainable manure composting for Wisconsin dairy farms
Manure management is a critical component of dairy farming, with direct impacts on soil health, water quality, nutrient stewardship, and farm profitability. While composting can reduce odors, stabilize nutrients, decrease…
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Improving alfalfa drought resilience and feed quality for Wisconsin dairy farms
Drought stress can reduce alfalfa establishment, growth, and productivity, creating challenges for dairy producers who rely on high-quality forage to support animal health and milk production. While previous research demonstrated…
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Expanding water quality and soil health monitoring for sustainable dairy grazing systems
Healthy soils and clean water are essential to the long-term success of Wisconsin’s dairy industry, yet more data are needed to understand how different farming practices affect nutrient losses, soil…
