Priority Area: Growing farm business and community
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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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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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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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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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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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UW–River Falls dairy mechatronics space: a design thinking hub for Wisconsin dairy innovation
This project will create the UWRF Dairy Mechatronics Space, a hands-on innovation hub focused on helping researchers and students turn ideas into practical solutions for the dairy industry. Located in…
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Export market concentration and dairy price risk: implications for Wisconsin farm businesses
This project examines how Wisconsin’s dairy industry is increasingly reliant on a small number of export markets and how that dependence affects price stability for farmers. Dairy exports—especially products like…
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Understanding and reducing pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cows
Early pregnancy loss is one of the biggest reproductive challenges in dairy farming, with about one‑third of pregnancies failing in the first month. These losses stem from either embryo death…
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Re-establishing dairy youth programming in America’s Dairyland to ensure the sustainability of Wisconsin’s dairy workforce
Wisconsin is a national leader in the dairy industry, thanks in part to strong support for research and a commitment to attracting top talent. That commitment extends beyond today’s workforce…
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Impact Assessment of Dairy Innovation Hub Activities
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) and the Dairy Innovation Hub are interested in better understanding how the Hub’s research and outreach efforts are making a difference. The…
