US dairy helps fund research centre

In the US, more than 100 companies have donated for the renovation and update of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Dairy Research (CDR). The $16 million (€11.9m) target was met in about a year. The CDR is a research station placed within a licensed dairy plant, studying the function, flavor, and physical properties of cheese and other dairy products. The dairy plant, Babcock, serves as a full production facility containing a store with dairy products, such as Babcock ice cream, cheeses, and milk, for sale to students and campus visitors.

The project will be broken into two parts: the remodel of the existing dairy plant area, and an addition to Babcock Hall for CDR activity. Overall, the project will total 60,000 square feet. Some of the square footage will go towards the remodel of the dairy plant.

The addition to Babcock Hall will be multi-floor, expanding into a parking area west of the building between Babcock Hall and the Stock Pavilion. The building is expected to have three floors and a basement to house all CDR activities.The plant has not been significantly modernized since about 1951, and the CDR was established about 25 years ago.

With over 30 expert staff members, CDR serves as more than just a research facility, offering training and education for industry members and students. More than 20 short courses are available to the industry on a variety of topics, such as how to make cheese, utilization and functionality of different ingredients, and cultured products, are just a few of the topics. The project is estimated to be completed in late 2017 with construction starting in early 2015.