The dairy industry in Kansas is booming, and the state’s budget has recently been amended to include funding aimed at replacing the aging Dairy Science Unit at Kansas State University. Senator J.R. Claeys of Salina announced that $36 million in funding and bonding authority has been allocated to support the replacement of the 1977 facility. To reach the goal of a $40 million dairy on campus, matching funds from the industry will be required. Research conducted at the new facility is expected to drive innovation within the state’s dairy industry.
Despite its importance, replacing the current dairy facility at Kansas State University was not prioritized for the current legislative session, leaving Senator Claeys, Representative Ken Rahjes, and the Dairy Farmers of America to advocate for it without official university support. However, with a new cheese factory set to open in western Kansas and locally grown feed becoming more popular, adding dairy to the state’s agriculture portfolio is seen as a more sensible option than shipping commodities out of state and then bringing them back in.
The current dairy facility at Kansas State University, although considered modern when it was built 47 years ago, is no longer equipped to effectively teach students or conduct research using outdated methods. The facility also supports various programs within the university, including large-animal veterinary programs. It’s clear that replacing this old facility will bring many benefits not only to students but also to research and other programs connected with it.
In an era where innovation is key for any industry that wants to stay competitive, having a modern and well-equipped facility will be crucial for K-State’s Dairy Science Unit. With this new funding allocated in the budget, we can expect great things from this unit in terms of driving innovation within Kansas’ agriculture industry.