Wisconsin dairy future enhanced with new research facility

By Blake Jackson

The future of dairy farming got a boost with the groundbreaking ceremony for a new research facility in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin.

This collaborative effort between the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) will tackle pressing issues faced by dairy farms nationwide.

Scheduled for completion in 2027, the state-of-the-art facility will boast features like robotic milking systems, chambers to measure greenhouse gas emissions, advanced animal nutrition units, and cutting-edge laboratories.

This collaborative effort builds on a long history of successful research between ARS and UW-Madison CALS.

"This facility ensures our research continues to meet the evolving needs of dairy producers," said ARS Administrator Dr. Simon Liu.

UW-Madison CALS Dean, Dr. Glenda Gillaspy, emphasized the importance of relevant research for Wisconsin's dairy industry. "We are excited to continue amplifying collaborations with the state's dairy farmers through this new facility," she said.

Located near Madison, the 42-acre facility will expand research capabilities in areas like soil health, forage production and quality, dairy nutrition, nutrient use efficiency, and climate change resilience.

Dr. Nora Lapitan, ARS Acting Associate Administrator, highlighted the facility's ability to mimic modern dairy farm conditions. "This allows us to study free-stall pens and automated milking systems, reflecting real-world practices," she explained.

The research will also encompass manure management and its environmental impact, aiming to prevent potential issues like manure-borne pathogens.

The groundbreaking ceremony featured prominent speakers, including Dr. Dennis Hancock (Director, ARS U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center), Dr. Rosalind James (Director, ARS Midwest), Dr. Troy Runge (Associate Dean for Research, UW-Madison CALS), Dr. Cynthia Czajkowski (Interim Vice Chancellor for Research, UW-Madison), Dr. Nora Lapitan (ARS Acting Associate Administrator), and Senator Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin).

Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave