Priority Area: Growing farm business and community
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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…
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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…
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Development of whey protein-lignin based film/coating materials for dairy food packaging applications
Whey, a primary by-product and environmental pollutant from the dairy industry, stands out as a promising raw material for creating biodegradable films designed for food packaging applications. However, the considerable…
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Using seed priming to improve alfalfa feed quality and value
Alfalfa Is a common source for livestock feed (as hay) owing to its high protein content. According to the USDA, there is a strong correlation between relative forage quality (RFQ),…
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Profitability of automated milking systems and labor implications for Wisconsin dairy farmers
Dairy farmers have experienced substantial market volatility, hiring challenges, and rising labor costs. These factors, and the substantial time that farmers must dedicate to their dairy operations are forcing an…
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Gaining value from post-anaerobic digestion dairy manure fibers
Anaerobic digestion is a well-regarded manure treatment and management practice that adds value through biogas generation and provides a mechanism to control the release of various manure constituents to the…
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Improving anaerobic digester performance through microaeration
Anaerobic digestion is the process of microbial decomposition of organic substances, including dairy manure, in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic digestion is an effective tool but is too costly for…
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Evaluation of dairy fiber as an organic addendum to horticultural media used for growing native plants
This project will evaluate the effectiveness of hot composted dairy fiber as an organic addendum to horticultural growing medium, usually sphagnum moss peat, used in the production of native plant…
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A systematic review of the economics of nutritional interventions to reduce enteric methane production in dairy cows
Enteric methane from dairy cows is an important source of methane emissions and has been increasing more rapidly than emissions from beef production. Methods proposed to decrease enteric methane production…
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Rural economic development in Wisconsin: Analysis of intergenerational mobility and community-centered case studies
This project aims to addresses the question of how to initiate rural economic development projects, from the perspective of rural local officials. Research on rural economic development is limited by…
