The Kansas dairy industry is in need of innovation to remain competitive, and a new facility at Kansas State University (KSU) could be the key to achieving this. Senator J.R. Claeys of Salina has announced that $36 million in funding and bonding authority has been allocated in the state budget to support the replacement of the aging Dairy Science Unit at KSU, which was built in 1977. This funding will help KSU replace its outdated facility, which is no longer able to effectively teach students or conduct research using modern methods.
Despite the importance of replacing the facility, KSU did not prioritize it for the current legislative session. However, Senator Claeys, Representative Ken Rahjes, and the Dairy Farmers of America have been advocating for it without official university support. The new facility at KSU is expected to drive innovation within the state’s dairy industry and support various programs within the university, including large-animal veterinary programs.
Senator Claeys emphasized the significance of continually innovating within Kansas’ agriculture industry, which remains the top industry in the state. With a new cheese factory set to open in western Kansas and locally grown feed, 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.
In order to reach their goal of a $40 million dairy on campus, matching funds from the industry will be required. Research conducted at