Dairy Forage Research Center
Courtesy of HDR.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture broke ground in June of 2024 on a new facility for the Dairy Forage Research Center in Prairie Du Sac, Wis. Created in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the world-class complex will enable the Agricultural Research Service to work side-by-side with academic investigators to develop sustainable solutions for animal husbandry, food production, and water management. The technology-rich facility will feature robotic milking systems, chambers for measuring greenhouse gas emissions, a state-of-the-art animal nutrition unit, and advanced research labs for agronomy and dairy science. By replicating the conditions of modern dairy farms with free-stall pens and automated milking equipment, the center will enable holistic studies of dairy forage agro-ecosystems spanning soil health, nutrient management, and the mitigation of manure-borne pathogens.
HDR is providing architectural and engineering services for the project, which is sited on 42 acres and represents an investment of up to $55 million. Completion is anticipated in 2027.
| Organization | Project Role |
|---|---|
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HDR, Inc.
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Architect & Engineer
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