USDFRC: U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center

Artist's conceptual drawing of the south IEIDM facility recently opened in Marshfield, WI.

IEIDM south site—lab and office building currently being built.

Artist's concept drawing of the IEIDM north site partially constructed in Stratford, WI.

IEIDM north site—facility for calves, heifers, and first-lactation cows.

Who?

A partnership between . . .

USDA Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS
University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UW-CALS
National Farm Medicine Center/Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation

What?

New collaboration between existing agencies . . .

The newly formed collaborative Institute capitalizes on the combined expertise of the established partners listed above. By working together, each partner gains enhanced research capacity through the sharing of facilities and knowledge—both existing and new.

Image of two scientists measuring ammonia emissions during the winter.

Measuring ammonia emissions on three Wisconsin dairy farms using a dispersion analysis (laser) technique.

Comparing manure, crop, and soil management systems for control of nutrient runoff from corn silage production.

Image of a channel at the edge of a paired-watershed field where runoff samples are collected.

One of four paired-watershed 4-acre field sites with equipment for automated runoff sampling and data collection (sediment, nutrients, pathogens).

When?

A brief timetable . . .

UW-CALS Agricultural Research Station has been at Marshfield (south site) since 1912; heifer facilities were built at a site north of Marshfield in 2003.
Because of the need to develop scientific research that can find environmentally sound answers to nutrient management questions on livestock operations, Congress appropriated funds in 2003 through 2006 for the USDA Agricultural Research Service to build research laboratories and offices at the south location and dairy and field research facilities at the north location (as part of the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center).
Ground breaking at the south site was held in August 2006, followed by demolition of the old buildings and site preparation. Actual construction began in April 2007 and completion is expected in early 2008.

Where?

North Site (site address only):: M605 Drake Avenue; Stratford, WI 54484; Map/directions to IEIDM north site (Google Maps)
South Site (site and IEIDM mailing address):: 2615 East 29th Street; Marshfield, WI 54449; Map/directions to IEIDM south site (Google Maps)

Facts

North Site:: 622 acres (500 cropland) where UW-CALS has built new heifer facilities and USDA-Agricultural Research Service will build dairy facilities (milking, housing, manure storage).
South Site:: 312 acres (272 cropland) where USDA has built a new laboratory and offices for scientists and NRCS technical specialists.
Marshfield Airport:: 189 acres (189 cropland) where UW-CALS operates the land on shares with a neighboring producer.

Why?

Objectives . . .

To improve nutrient management systems (crop and cropping patterns; livestock feeding and management systems; manure treatment, handling, storage, and application strategies—including grazing animals as well as mechanical application).
To reduce degradation of air, water, and soil from livestock waste.
To control pathogen transmission between livestock, wildlife, humans, and the environment.
To transfer and apply the knowledge to all segments of the dairy industry.

Breaking new ground—Ground was broken on August 23, 2006 for the Institute for Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management. Turning over the first ground at the ceremony were (from L to R): (1) Mike Meyers, Mayor of Marshfield; (2) Rod Nilsestuen, Secretary of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection; (3) Sen. Herbert Kohl (D-WI); (4) Molly Jahn, Dean of University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences; (5) Neal Martin, Director of the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center; (6) Humberto Vidaillet, Director of the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation; (7) Pat Leavenworth, State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Wisconsin; (8) Ralph Bredl, Wisconsin dairy producer; (9) Lowell Randel, Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs for Research, Education and Economics (USDA); (10) Caird Rexroad, Associate Administrator for the USDA-Agricultural Research Service; and (11) Dick Straub, Director of Agricultural Research Stations for UW-CALS.

Staff

Wayne Coblentz: Research Agronomist/Dairy Scientist (USDFRC); (715) 387-2054; wayne.coblentz@ars.usda.gov
Bill Jokela: Research Soil Scientist (USDFRC); (715) 387-2052; bill.jokela@ars.usda.gov
Robin Ogden: Technician (USDFRC); (715) 387-2053; robin.ogden@ars.usda.gov
Craig Simson: Technician (USDFRC); (715) 387-2053; craig.simson@ars.usda.gov
Jerry Thompson: Special Assistant (USDA); (715) 299-0353; jerry.thompson@wi.usda.gov
Thomas R. Drendel: Superintendent (UW-CALS); (715) 387-2523 ext. 107; tdrendel@wisc.edu
Michael Bertram: Asst. Superintendent/Research Agronomist (UW-CALS); (715) 387-2253 ext. 103; mbertram@wisc.edu
Patrick Hoffman: Dairy Scientist (UW-CALS); (715) 387-2523 ext. 108; pchoffman@wisc.edu
John Peters: Director/Soil Scientist, Soils & Forage Analysis Lab (UW-CALS); (715) 387-2523 ext. 113; jbpeter1@wisc.edu

Institute for Enviromentally Integrated Dairy Management