Third annual Dairy Summit set Nov. 16 at UWRF

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is hosting the third annual Dairy Summit for the first time in person on Nov. 16.

The goal of the Dairy Summit is to highlight the newest research by the Dairy Innovation Hub. UW campuses in Madison, Platteville and River Falls support the event.

A total of $7.8 million in state funding is designated each year for new dairy initiatives through the Dairy Innovation Hub.

The Dairy Summit rotates every year across the three different campuses and it is River Falls’ turn to host this year. The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences has a steering committee that makes decisions on involvement in the Dairy Innovation Hub. The steering committee also helps plan for the Dairy Summit and helps research.

“It is very broad dairy research, so it’s not just about cows, although we do plenty of that,” said the Dairy Summit Manager Maria Woldt. “It is also much about sustainability, land and water stewardship, community development, human and animal health, and nutrition.”

Any area that could be considered dairy is studied by the Dairy Innovation Hub and will be discussed by participants during the Dairy Summit.

“I can tell you that people across the country and even internationally have registered for the event and are planning on taking in the live feed,” Woldt said. “The majority of people who will come in person are regionally located, such as students, staff, faculty, and members of the community.”

The event will be held in the University Center’s Riverview Ballroom and also will be recorded and found online for those who cannot attend. It is expected that more than 100 people will attend in person and well over 300 online. The summit is free to any person who signs up.

For more information contact Maria Woldt via email at maria.woldt@wisc.edu or visit the summit’s website at dairyinnovationhub.wisc.edu/dairy-summit/.