Uw River Falls

Awards Issued Prior to January 20, 2025, Were Funded Under Previous Administrations and May Not Reflect the Priorities and Policies of the Current Administration. the Dairy Industry Is Undergoing Many Structural Changes Which Has Significant Implications for Its Long-term Profitability. the Combination of the Shift Away From Fluid Milk and Increased Domestic Production Have Led to Oversupply, Low Milk Prices, and a Significant Loss of Farm Income. at the Same Time, the Market for Non-dairy Milk Is Rapidly Increasing. Part of These Changes in Consumption Are Driven by Concerns About the Treatment of Farm Animals. Using a Multi-stakeholder Approach This Study Examines Farmer and Consumer Decision-making Pertaining to the Practice of Early Calf Dam Separation, a Major Public Concern, and Its Implications for the Social Sustainability of the Dairy Industry. We Also Examine the Role of Milk Processors in the Creation of Value Added Supply Chains for These Attributes. Data Are From a Sample of Dairy Farmers and Processors in Major Dairy Producing States in the Us. Data From a National Representative Sample of Us Dairy Consumers Will Also Be Collected.this Is a Multi-disciplinary Project That Brings Together Faculty and Student Researchers From Dairy Science and Agricultural Economics. the Study Integrates Insights From Scientific Research on Alternative Calf-dam Management Methods Into Farmer,processor and Consumer/public Stated Preference Analysis to Identify Potential Points of Convergence. We Provide Undergraduate Research Training Opportunities for Students and Generate Evidence-based Insights for Training Students in the Dairy Science and Agricultural Economics Programs. Insights From This Study Can Inform Industry Strategies and Help the Dairy Industry to Achieve the Triple Goals of Higher Social Sustainability, Improved Long-term Profitability and Enhanced Farm Animal Welfare.