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Dairy farmers seek state support for Dairy Innovation Hub

Wisconsin farmers are asking the state to invest in a Dairy Innovation Hub.  John Holevoet with the Dairy Business Association tells Brownfield the seven-million-dollar annual cost isn’t much when you look at the industry’s impact. “You’re getting a lot for that money first of all. It’s point-zero-two percent of our overall annual impact on the state as a dairy industry.”

Holevoet says research is important to find the next-level idea that can use the large milk supply we have right now. “What’s our ethanol in the dairy industry? What non-food products can we be thinking of? Is it printing with milk? Is it producing a cloth with milk which is what some folks are already involved with? There’s a whole host of ideas out there that are sort of percolating to the top.”

And, he says that research needs to go beyond genetics and feed efficiency. “We’re looking at water quality, animal health and welfare, soil science, product innovation. What’s the next product for dairy? What’s the next packaging opportunity for dairy to make both more sustainable and maybe more appealing to the consumer.”

The Dairy Innovation Hub funding is not in Governor Tony Evers’ budget.  If approved, it would fund dairy research at University of Wisconsin campuses in Madison, River Falls, and Platteville.

Farmers talked to state lawmakers about the proposal during Ag Day at the Capitol Wednesday.

Listen to Brownfield’s interview with John Holevoet here.