From improving human nutrition to assuring clean water to growing the farm economy while caring for animals, the Dairy Innovation Hub will harness the intellectual and creative power of three University of Wisconsin institutions to address the most complex challenges facing the state’s dairy industry.
The Legislature allocated $8.8 million for the Dairy Hub in the 2019-21 budget to UW-Madison, UWPlatteville, and UW-River Falls. Last week, the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee released the funding, $1 million this fiscal year and $7.8 million allocated for 2020-21.
The vision for the Dairy Innovation Hub was originally crafted by industry partners following the 2017 UW System Dairy Summit and was supported as a top priority by members of the state’s Dairy Task Force 2.0.
The Hub will enable the expansion of research efforts in four focus areas:
• Stewarding land and water resources
• Enriching human health and nutrition
• Ensuring animal health and welfare
• Growing farm businesses and communities