Priority Area: Growing farm business and community
-
Feasibility assessment for establishing a choice and sensory evaluation lab (CSEL) at UW–River Falls
This project explores the feasibility of establishing a Choice and Sensory Evaluation Lab (CSEL) at UW–River Falls to support research, teaching, and industry collaboration. The lab would help Wisconsin’s dairy…
-
Further development of Dairy Forage Fractionation (DFF) equipment
Wisconsin dairy farms rely on high-quality feed to keep their animals healthy and productive, but current methods for improving forage digestibility are often too expensive or impractical. This project aims…
-
Vertical tillage tool for Mann Valley Farm, research and teaching
Mann Valley Farm (MVF) currently relies on conventional tillage to prepare fields for planting, but this method can lead to soil erosion, higher fuel and labor costs, and long-term damage…
-
Acquisition of a grinder-mixer to process high oleic soybeans
Palm fat, a by-product of palm oil production, is commonly added to dairy cow feed to increase energy levels, including at Mann Valley Farm (MVF). However, concerns about palm oil’s…
-
Development of analytical modeling tools to assess changes to milk pricing under Federal Milk Marketing Orders
The principal justification for this project is that FMMO regulation plays a key role in determining milk prices and profitability for the majority of US dairy farms, and we currently…
-
Gene expression and sequence analysis to mitigate stress responses/outbreaks in dairy cows and increase alfalfa production.
Dairy production is a major economic driver in Wisconsin, generating 43.5% of the state’s total agriculture activity contributing $45.6 billion to industrial revenues and providing157,100 viable employment opportunities. Vital to…
-
Carework as Farm Work? Agricultural Practitioners’ Perspectives of Childcare
Labor shortages, tightening profit margins, and aging farm populations motivate farmers, practitioners, and policymakers to identify new labor streams and increase long-term farm viability.To explore the future of agricultural labor…
-
Bioconversion of whey permeate to 2,3-butanediol at bioreactor scale
Bioconversion of whey permeate (WP) to value-added compounds and materials is a key prerequisite to eliminating the burden of this waste stream on the dairy industry, and in turn, safeguarding…
-
Unlocking the potential of whey: Sustainable production of low-calorie tagatose and prebiotics for value creation and reducing environmental impact
The dairy industry produces approximately 190 million tons of whey per year as a byproduct, often causing environmental concerns due to improper disposal. The lactose in whey is a valuable…
-
Assessing the impact of states and national climate policies and food behavioral changes on the US dairy industry
Wisconsin is the second-largest dairy producer in the US, but the industry is facing challenges, including climate change and changes in dietary patterns. US climate policies, including carbon pricing, are…
