Recently, the state budget has been revised with the aim of funding a new Dairy Science Unit at Kansas State University. Senator J.R. Claeys from Salina announced that $36 million in funding and bonding authority has been allocated for this purpose. The goal is to replace the 1977 facility and help the dairy industry in Kansas to double in size. However, to reach this objective, matching funds from the industry will be required, bringing the total cost to $40 million.
The current dairy facility at Kansas State University may have been modern when it was built 47 years ago, but it is no longer able to effectively teach students and conduct research using outdated methods. Additionally, it supports various programs within the university, including large-animal veterinary programs. Despite its importance, replacing the facility was not a priority for Kansas State University during the current legislative session. Senator Claeys, Representative Ken Rahjes, and Dairy Farmers of America had to advocate for it without official university support.
Senator Claeys highlighted the significance of innovation 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 becoming increasingly popular, adding dairy to
