University of Wisconsin Offers New Milk Quality Website
Source: University of Wisconsin
A new website to help Wisconsin dairy producers improve milk quality has been launched by two professors in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Pamela Ruegg, dairy science professor and Extension milk quality specialist, and Doug Reinemann, professor and director of the UW Milking Research and Instruction Lab have teamed up to offer updated information and decision-making tools for farmers to manage herd health and milking systems.
“Udder health and milking management have always been regarded as important factors in achieving high milk production, efficient milking and excellent milk quality,” said Reinemann. “When you have milk price premiums reported to be the largest financial opportunity related to milk quality, there are certainly incentives to manage for it every day in the parlor.”
The Milk Quality website http://milkquality.wisc.edu is not just for farmers. Resources are also available for veterinarians, extension agents, researchers and industry representatives.
“Producing high-quality milk is not a one-person job. It takes a team-based approach to be able to evaluate, manage and meet milk quality goals. Including extension and agricultural professionals helps farmers achieve goals more rapidly and increase farm income,” said Ruegg.
This is not the first time Ruegg and Reinemann collaborated on a project focused on improving milk quality. The two have developed extension programs and published academic papers on the significance of herd health and milking management. Though their latest venture, the UW Milk Quality Website, is the first time these resources will be available in one place.
“This is an opportunity to share our research, as well as the latest science-based, peer-reviewed information on dairy production from around the world,” said Ruegg. “Because of our relationship with the University and UW-Extension, the website has now become a comprehensive resource for dairy producers to achieve milk quality success. It’s a one-stop-shop.”
The website will be updated weekly with featured articles and news releases covering various topics on milk quality. Spanish-translated educational materials will also be available.
