Funding Year: 2027
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Advanced soil mapping technology for smarter nutrient management on Wisconsin dairy farms
Wisconsin dairy farmers face growing challenges related to nutrient management, soil compaction, water quality protection, and efficient use of manure and fertilizer. Traditional soil testing methods can be costly, labor-intensive,…
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Advancing dairy nutrition and sustainability with artificial rumen technology
Researchers in UW–Madison’s Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences identified a critical gap in research infrastructure: the lack of an advanced rumen simulation system capable of replicating the digestive environment…
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Bringing UW’s forage and cover crop biomass estimates to the 21st century
UW–Madison researchers rely on accurate forage and cover crop biomass measurements to evaluate crop productivity, nutrient management, soil health, and conservation practices that support Wisconsin’s dairy industry. However, the forage…
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Advanced manure application equipment for sustainable dairy research
The Arlington Agricultural Research Station has historically relied on older manure application equipment that limited researchers’ ability to precisely apply manure, accurately track application rates, and minimize soil disturbance. These…
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advanced feeding technology to improve dairy cow efficiency and sustainability
Researchers at the Marshfield Agricultural Research Station (MARS) need more detailed information about how individual dairy cows eat, not just how much they consume. The current feeding system measures feed…
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Plasma treatment of Condensate of Whey (COW) water for sustainable dairy cleaning applications: a bench-scale study
Dairy processing requires large amounts of water—especially for cleaning and sanitation—which creates both environmental and cost challenges for the industry. This project focuses on finding a more sustainable solution by…
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The future of dairy entrepreneurship through the PYLot project
Wisconsin has lost nearly 70 percent of its dairy farms over the past 25 years, even as milk production has remained strong due to advances in technology and efficiency. While…
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Short-stature corn as a sustainable alternative for silage production: agronomic efficiency and economic feasibility
This research examines whether short-stature corn can serve as a strong replacement for traditional brown midrib (bm3) corn in dairy silage production, especially as bm3 hybrids are expected to be…
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Beyond feed: an alternative safety net for Midwest dairies through non-feed cost reduction
This research explores a key challenge facing Midwest dairy farms: even when milk prices are stable, many farms—especially small and mid-sized operations—still struggle financially because of rising non-feed costs like…
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Improving udder hygiene and reducing mastitis through adoption of an automated teat preparation system at Mann Valley Farm
This project introduces innovative automation to dairy operations at the Mann Valley Farm by implementing an advanced teat preparation system that standardizes udder hygiene before milking. The system automates washing,…
