By Blake Jackson
The Dairy Innovation Hub has published its sixth annual report, showcasing the progress and initiatives at UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, and UW-River Falls between July 2024 and June 2025. The report highlights the Hub’s significant accomplishments since its establishment, as well as its continued impact throughout the past fiscal year.
According to the Hub, more than 260 projects have been funded across its three campuses, covering four priority areas. The report also notes 23 faculty searches, with additional positions anticipated in the future.
A total of $4.2 million has been invested in developing dairy talent through new hires, trainees, and staff, while $7.8 million has been allocated to launch new dairy initiatives during fiscal year 2025.
Other achievements include strong academic and research outcomes, such as student engagement, scholarly publications, presentations, and collaborative efforts that span the three universities.
The Hub continues to benefit from its engaged advisory council and three active steering committees, ensuring that projects align with Wisconsin’s dairy industry needs.
“As we enter fiscal year 2026, we remain committed to strengthening Wisconsin's dairy community through science, talent development, and collaboration,” said Matt Ruark, professor and extension specialist in the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences at UW-Madison and faculty director of the Dairy Innovation Hub.
“With support from the State of Wisconsin, the Dairy Innovation Hub will continue driving solutions to today’s challenges and building a more sustainable, innovative future.”
In conjunction with the report, the Hub will host its sixth annual Dairy Summit on November 18 at UW-River Falls.
The free event, open to farmers, processors, dairy professionals, legislators, and the public, will feature presentations on the latest Hub projects. A virtual attendance option will also be available, and recorded sessions will be posted on YouTube.
The Hub operates with $7.8 million in annual state funding to advance Wisconsin’s $52.8 billion dairy industry through innovative, sustainable research and collaboration.
Download the report, here https://dairyinnovationhub.wisc.edu/news/annual-report/
Photo Credit: gettyimages-vwalakte
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock, Dairy Cattle