This project outlines a strategic initiative to build capacity at the survey research center (SRC) at the university of wisconsin-river falls

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded University of Wisconsin-River Falls $750,000 on August 1, 2026, under the Capacity Building for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture program (CFDA 10.326) to establish a longitudinal dairy economics database addressing labor shortages, conservation practices, federal policy impacts, and consumer preferences in the U.S. dairy industry.

The Survey Research Center at UW River Falls will develop survey instruments and conduct mail surveys of over 7,000 dairy farmers annually across Wisconsin, California, Minnesota, and Texas—states collectively producing more than half of the nation's milk supply. Survey topics cover adoption of automated milking systems and robotic feeders, conservation strategies including circular agriculture and waste management, federal dairy policy initiatives such as risk management programs and animal welfare requirements, and consumer willingness-to-pay for organic, A2/A2, and plant-based alternatives. The research team will analyze financial feasibility of technology adoption, conservation practice efficacy, federal policy changes, and consumer preferences, then disseminate findings through academic manuscripts, extension reports, workshops, infographics, tutorials, and web resources.

The award runs through July 31, 2029, with place of performance in River Falls, Wisconsin. The project is led by co-PIs and collaborators in major academic institutions representing each of the four surveyed states.

The overarching goal is to establish a robust data-collection infrastructure to address the volatile economic and operational landscape of the U.S. Dairy industry. The project aims to build a longitudinal dairy economics database by surveying four states that produce over half of the nation's milk, wisconsin, california, minnesota, and texas, and is led by CO-PIS and collaborators in major academic institutions representing each state. The proposed topics covered by the longitudinal database include: (a)adoption of automated milking systems (AMS) and robotic feeders to mitigate labor shortages, (b) conservation strategies that include circular agriculture, upcycling byproducts in feed, and waste management strategies, (c) federal dairy policy initiatives such as risk management programs (DMC, DRP), conservation support, and animal welfare, and (d)consumer willingness-to-pay for organic, A2/A2 milk, and perceptions of plant-based alternatives.specific objectives include:survey development: design instruments covering automation, conservation practices, dairy policy, and consumer preferences.data collection: engage over 7,000 dairy farmers annually through mail surveys using random stratified sampling to develop a longitudinal database over 3 project years.research: analyze the financial feasibility of technology adoption, explore the use and efficacy of conservation practices, evaluate federal policy changes directed at the dairy industry, and assess the willingness-to-pay of consumers for dairy products and production practices.dissemination: make research findings available through academic manuscrips, extension reports, workshops, and accessible media (infographics, tutorials, website).