Wisconsin to build $55M dairy research hub

By Blake Jackson

South central Wisconsin is set to become a hub for dairy industry innovation. A new $55 million research facility, scheduled to open in 2027, will focus on modernizing dairy research practices, with a particular emphasis on robotics.

The facility, a collaboration between the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, aims to address the decline in Wisconsin dairy farms, partly attributed to workforce shortages. Center director Dennis Hancock believes that robotics can be a solution to this challenge.

“One of the ways to save smaller farms, in my opinion and those that have actually made the conversion would agree, is through the use of robotics,” Hancock said, “Robotics are quite expensive, but they do save a lot of labor.”

Automated milking systems are a prime example of labor-saving technology in the dairy industry. These systems use sensors to collect data on cow health, milk production, and readiness for milking. The robots clean teats, attach milking cups, and collect milk data, requiring minimal human intervention.

Abby Bauer, managing editor of Hoard's Dairyman Magazine, shares her experience with robotic milking systems at Hoard's Dairyman Farm. The farm utilizes four robotic systems to milk around 250 cows three times daily. The systems also send alerts to farm managers if a cow misses milking cycles, enabling timely intervention.

While robotics reduce labor needs, human oversight remains crucial for equipment maintenance and data interpretation. The farm continues to use a traditional milking parlor for approximately 50 cows and employs robotic feed pushers to optimize feed distribution.

Hancock highlights the labor-saving benefits of robotic feed pushers, which distribute feed to cows, eliminating the need for manual or skid steer operations.

With over 35,000 robotic units on dairies worldwide, the dairy industry is increasingly turning to technology to enhance efficiency and overcome labor challenges.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave