More than 130 projects have been funded so far across the participating Wisconsin college campuses of the Dairy Innovation Hub. That's according to the group's latest annual report, which was released this week by Faculty Director Dr. Heather White.
"Having positive impact on the dairy community is what the Hub set out to do three years ago," Dr. White said, who is an assistant professor of nutritional physiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "Through faculty hires, training and educating students, funding innovative research, and prioritizing collaboration and communication, we are ensuring that Wisconsin remains strong and at the forefront of the dairy community."
The Dairy Innovation Hub harnesses research and development at the University of Wisconsin campuses in Madison, River Falls and Platteville to keep Wisconsin's dairy community at the global forefront in producing nutritious dairy products in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable manner.
Dr. White says by recruiting faculty to build their research and teaching programs in Wisconsin, the initiative creates the critical mass that can be responsive to challenges that the dairy community faces.
"We also position ourselves to be competitive for student recruitment and external research funding, providing what our students and stakeholders need," she noted. "To date, the Hub has hired 15 new research and teaching faculty with focus across the priority areas."
Other highlights of the report include the securing of $7.8 million in funding for new dairy initiatives during the 2022 fiscal year; academic research achievements including engaged students, scholarly publications, patents, leveraged funding and more; and collaborative and synergistic initiatives across three campuses.
The Dairy Innovation Hub focuses on four key areas: Land & Water; Farm Business & Community; Animal Health & Welfare; and Human Health & Nutrition. It is supported by a $7.8 million annual investment by the State of Wisconsin.
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock, Dairy Cattle