About Us

For more than 100 years, the words, "America’s Dairyland" have been Wisconsin’s claim to fame.  It is a title that Wisconsin takes seriously, and perhaps more importantly, does not take for granted.  In the past five years, the Dairy Business Innovation Center (DBIC), along with its partners through the Value Added Dairy Initiative, has worked hard to assist dairy producers and processors to innovate and grow the state’s $26.5 billion yearly dairy industry.

Since its start in 2004, the DBIC has assisted more than 170 clients – groups and individuals who have requested technical services – resulting in 65 new specialty dairy products launched to market.  In addition, during that same period, 43 new processing plants have opened and 70 more have expanded operations.  Specialty cheese production has increased 20 percent in Wisconsin since 2004 and today, 88 of the state’s 127 cheese plants craft at least one type of specialty cheese, up from 77 plants just three years ago.

These remarkable changes in America’s Dairyland reflect the fortitude of the state’s dairy industry.  During the past five years, dairy processors and dairy producers in Wisconsin have reinvested nearly $1 billion to modernize their processing operations and dairy farms.  Projections for the next five years – through continued assistance from the State of Wisconsin investment tax credits, organizations such as the DBIC, and through private equity – forecast an additional $1 billion in planned reinvestments.

Despite a lagging economy, dairy producers continue to hold their own, producing more milk for the state’s dairy plants, promoting increased production, modernization and efficiency.  Milk production has been on a steady increase since 2004, cresting to 24.5 billion pounds in 2008.

In short, Wisconsin’s heritage and future are directly linked to dairy.  With 13,000 family-owned dairy farms, 1.24 million dairy cows, 1,214 cheesemakers and 211 dairy plants, the state’s dairy industry continues to serve as the state’s economic backbone.  State and national leaders cannot afford to NOT invest in the state’s dairy industry.

The Dairy Business Innovation Center has proven itself to be a successful catalyst in helping Wisconsin’s dairy industry grow and prosper.  Past accomplishments do not guarantee future success, however, and the DBIC now requests continued industry support in ensuring the next five years are as successful as the last five years.  Dairy producers and processors will continue to be in need of technical services, and the DBIC is well positioned to deliver.

VISIONING THE FUTURE

Wisconsin’s rising milk production and new plant capacities continue a four-year growth trend for the state’s dairy industry.  In 2007, Wisconsin surveyed its dairy producers and learned that while 27 percent anticipate retirement or departure from dairying in the next five years, 24 percent intend to increase their herd sizes by 2012. Wisconsin dairy farmers indicate they plan on increasing investments for new facilities and upgrades over the next five years by spending $1.07 billion.

While these plans may change with the current economic climate, the DBIC must be prepared to assist the dairy processing industry to grow and succeed, because more milk production will mean more capacity for increased cheese and specialty dairy production.  With partnerships between state and federal government, the private sector, as well as 20 world class consultants each specializing in at least one form of professional assistance – whether that be business planning, product development, facility assessment, packaging and marketing development, or publicity and outreach - the DBIC is well positioned to continue its assistance in growing the Wisconsin dairy industry.

The DBIC continually reconfigures its services to best serve Wisconsin’s dairy producers and processors.  In the next five years, the DBIC plans to:

• Incorporate a diversified range of organizations and private sector companies to better assist with the needs and complex issues facing Wisconsin dairy processors.  As the economy evolves, the DBIC is preparing to assist with fewer start-up companies and more incremental expansions of successful dairy companies. The team will also work with additional dairy marketers to reach new consumers in new markets, partner with more retailers to establish core relationships with dairy processors,  and work with Wisconsin financial institutions to insure capital is available when innovation calls.

• Support the expansion of the Wisconsin dairy processing infrastructure to create high value, specialty products. Within the context of good business planning, the DBIC will encourage dairy sector entrepreneurs to expand successful current operations, and develop innovative technologies to create new products. The DBIC will also work to assist the next generation of business owners and cheesemakers to ensure mature dairy businesses continue to operate smoothly and successfully.

• Encourage new business relationships and collaborations that maximize profitability within the Wisconsin dairy industry. In an era of scarce resources, the DBIC will work with individual and multiple clients to cultivate collaboration, joint ventures, succession plans, partnerships and relocations for dairy processors that create win/win situations for all involved and advance the success of the state’s dairy industry.

• Develop multi-year business development initiatives that help innovate the Wisconsin dairy industry. The DBIC will help coordinate and be a catalyst for cutting edge, multi-partner projects for the dairy industry that will drive the profitability of small and large dairy processors alike.  Initiative topics could include energy issues, assessment of new markets for Wisconsin products, business operations, and others to be explored as technology progresses.

In summary, a core group, including: Wisconsin’s dairy producers, dairy processors, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, the federal government through the leadership of Senator Herb Kohl and Congressman Dave Obey, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research, the University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Babcock Institute for International Dairy Research and Development, and the UW System, are partnering to make America’s Dairyland stronger.  The DBIC believes in its future and is building it with one new dairy plant, one new specialty cheese and one new national market at a time.