Idaho Dairy Demo Center Planned
The University of Idaho is building a massive dairy research center focused on the industry’s sustainability.
The Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (“CAFÉ”) will feature a modern dairy facility, with the size and scale of a commercial dairy, plus adequate farming acres to grow and study crops used for dairy nutrition.
With dairy sustainability as a priority, researchers at the facility also will focus the biodiversity of crops grown in the region, optimization of natural resources, and value-added revenue streams in dairy production like bio-based products and carbon credits.
Food science research and agricultural workforce development are additional priorities of CAFÉ, which also will feature a state-of-the-art, interactive outreach and research center. Design and funding are a collaborative effort between the University of Idaho, the Idaho Dairymen’s Association, the state of Idaho, and industry partners.
Education partnerships also are in place with the College of Southern Idaho, Brigham Young University, and Boise State University.
Three Idaho communities within and approximate 60-mile radius will host the project. The dairy facility will be based near Rupert; the outreach and education center near Jerome; and the food processing education center on the College of Southern Idaho campus at Twin Falls.
The $45-million, multiphase project is slated to start milking cows by the end of 2024. Once fully operational, it will simulate a 2,000-cow dairy. Cargill and Redox Bio-Nutrients both have pledged $500,000 to the capital campaign.
Its developers say the project eventually will be “the most significant research hub in the U.S. for dairy sustainability and innovation.” Idaho ranks third in the nation in both dairy cow numbers and milk production.
