WCMA Invests $100K in Dairy Research at UW-Madison

By Blake Jackson

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) has announced a $100,000 direct investment in the Center for Dairy Research (CDR), establishing the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association CDR Fund at the University of Wisconsin Foundation.

This initiative aims to bolster the CDR’s teaching, research, and outreach efforts. The WCMA Board of Directors has allocated funds from their annual Championship Cheese Auction to create this fund and is calling for matching donations from industry partners.

"The work of the exceptional team at CDR is key to U.S. dairy innovation and growth. We’re excited and honored to launch a permanent fund that will allow our Association, and dairy organizations worldwide, to invest in this world-class resource,” said WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer.

The newly established fund will be managed by the CDR Director, allowing for flexible use in supporting research, training, equipment, and educational initiatives.

WCMA is encouraging the broader dairy industry to contribute matching gifts to amplify the impact of this investment. Details on how to donate will soon be provided to WCMA members.

“Investing in students is a priority for CDR, as they become tomorrow’s industry leaders, and their applied research work brings new innovations to our dairy industry," said CDR Director John Lucey, "We are delighted to again partner with WCMA to leverage the world-class facility at Babcock Hall that will enable our industry to remain strong into the future.”

This donation continues WCMA’s tradition of reinvesting Championship Cheese Auction proceeds into the dairy processing sector.

Recently, the association also announced a $90,000 gift, matched by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, to the Wuethrich Family/Grassland Dairy Center for Excellence at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Additionally, WCMA has increased its annual scholarships for dairy processor and supplier members’ families to $5,000 each in 2025.

To date, WCMA has committed over $1.75 million to industry-focused education, research centers, and scholarships. The next Championship Cheese Auction is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, at CheeseCon 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin.

For more information on this investment, check out this article:https://wisconsinagconnection.com/news/bid-on-award-winning-cheeses-at-cheesecon-2025-auction

Photo Credit: wisconsin-cheese-makers-association