Wisconsin Dairy Summit Focuses on Research and Workforce

By Blake Jackson

The Dairy Innovation Hub hosted its sixth annual Dairy Summit on November 18 at UW-River Falls, bringing together researchers, students, industry professionals, and farmers. The event featured poster sessions, research updates, and panel discussions focused on advancing Wisconsin’s dairy sector.

About 175 attendees participated in person and another 75 joined online. “DATCP is a big supporter of the Dairy Innovation Hub," said Randy Romanski, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. "It’s a great way to connect all these great resources Wisconsin has to offer… It binds [the universities] all together, and it’s a great concept.”

Backed by $7.8 million in annual state funding, the Hub supports work at UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, and UW-River Falls. Since its start in 2019, it has backed 260 research projects and 23 faculty roles to help strengthen Wisconsin’s $52.8 billion dairy industry.

Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth emphasized that “The Hub is a great example of how the state can invest in the Universities of Wisconsin to educate tomorrow’s talented workforce and support Wisconsin businesses.”

Dean Mike Orth added that current and emerging work offers “big ideas to solve big problems.”

A student panel kicked off the program, where participants shared how Hub projects have shaped their career paths. Food science doctoral student Mitchell Armstrong noted, “I realized that dairy is a big part of our economy, and it energizes me every day to do something I love that also ties back to a Wisconsin industry and offers great prospects for my future.”

Six research introductions highlighted progress in areas such as animal health, nutrition, economics, sustainability, and emerging food technologies. “The favorite part of the day is definitely hearing the range of projects," said Assistant professor Grace Lewis.

"It covers everything from sustainability to animal health to food to economics. It’s just amazing how far the dairy industry spreads and how the Dairy Innovation Hub supports that.”

The day wrapped up with campus tours showcasing dairy processing facilities, research laboratories, and the Humane Handling Institute, demonstrating the Hub’s hands-on workforce and research impact across the state.

Photo Credit: istock-fangxianuo