Dairy Innovation Hub farms get new technologies to improve the industry

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PLATTEVILLE (WKOW) – Lawmakers are moving forward with another year of long-term efforts to help the dairy industry in Wisconsin.

The Dairy Innovation Hub, officially approved by the state legislature in autumn 2019, aims to support farmers through research.

“One of the goals behind the Hub is to understand what the next big bold and bold discoveries will be that will keep us competitive,” said Dr Heather White, professor of dairy cattle research and director of the Hub’s faculty.

The hope is to avoid the loss of the herd. Right now, there are about 6,800 dairy farms in Wisconsin, but over the past 15 years, the state has lost half of its dairy herds.

“To help provide tools, regardless of farm size, structure or management style, to make sure farmers have the tools they need and the resources they need to do their job in the best way. possible, “White said.

UW-Platteville is one of three University of Wisconsin campuses working on new projects as part of the Dairy Innovation Hub, trying to address the biggest challenges for farmers.

“It has been really interesting in the last year and a half, two years, to see how students talk about the dairy industry and really want to solve problems,” said Dr Tera Montgomery, Professor at UW-P and on campus link to the Hub.

The college’s Pioneer Farm has been able to purchase new technologies they previously couldn’t afford to better monitor cow health, how animal welfare affects the quality of milk and, ultimately, the products sent to consumers.

Pioneer Farm launched its new robotic milking system earlier this month, which allows the team to better monitor how and what cows eat affects their milk.

“When we look at what the farmer wants, we can say that it’s okay, here’s what we recommend you do to be able to get what the dairy wants, or so that you can be sure you are saving money from the point of view. nutritionally, making money on the milk side, and then it’s a win for everyone, ”Montgomery told 27 News.

It is also a new opportunity to collaborate with researchers from other campuses, to work together to address the challenges of the sector.

“These three campuses have been in the same state all this time, but now we have such a definite reason to work together to do something bigger and better than any of us could do on our own,” White said.

In the longer term, Hub leaders are planning to engage more faculty researchers to address the recommendations of the recent Dairy Task Force.

Right now, the state is contributing nearly $ 8 million to the Dairy Innovation Hub as it works to support the over $ 45 billion industry. Its four focus areas include land and water resources, human health and nutrition, animal health and welfare, and growing farms.

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