Idaho Research Dairies

Idaho Research Dairies

Rick Worthington
Rick Worthington
Idaho Research Dairies

With the approval of the Idaho State Board of Education the University of Idaho will move forward with plans to construct what are the latest research dairies in the United States. The Board of Education approved the school's proposal to purchase land that will house a 45 million dollar project. University of Idaho College of ag Dean Michael Peralta says the property will include the dairy as well as a thousand acres that can be used for a variety of research projects.

: So there'll be an astronomical aspect of the dairy which will include you know the crops the forage the rotations healthy soil irrigation strategies and a sense these things are critical obviously to feed these animals but also from a nutrient management perspective which is a key part of what the industry faces moving forward and Petrella says they'll study waste management which plays a pivotal role in the dairy industry.

: Dairy probably represents you know at least 35 percent I would say of all of Idaho agriculture. So you know we're focused here on the sustainability of the dairy industry moving forward and all of its components. I think this will provide a tremendous service and excitement I think through for all of all of Idaho.

: And he's right. Agriculture is roughly 20 percent of Idaho's gross domestic product and dairy makes up a big portion of Idaho farm economy.

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