Industry Development and Educational Outreach

Three people at a dairy farm

The success of the industry is largely dependent upon the capability of its human resources. Specific dairy education and skill sets are needed for on-farm employees, support-industry future workforce and scientific research professionals. CDRF sponsors projects that provide important skills to dairy farmers and industry-support representatives that are not otherwise available via free market channels or are key to maintain research expertise within California institutions. Projects such as the California Dairy Feed Fellowship seek to fill the lack of on-farm, in-person application that many well-educated industry employee candidates miss during their years in college. These programs screen for highly-motivated candidates whose primary interest beyond the program is obtaining meaningful industry work in the California dairy community.

Fellows have historically gained important networking contacts including technical consultants, salesmen, nutritionists and dairymen and have a solid understanding of how a feed mill works and what it takes to manufacture and market a feed premix; for dairymen, nutrition consultants will have a better understanding of dairy nutrient systems to improve recommendations to improve crop management, feed management and reduce nutrient impacts to the environment. The Fellowship program is headquartered at the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center in Tulare, CA.

2025 Research and Education Project Portfolio

California Dairy Quality Assurance Program (CDQAP)*

PROJECT LEADS: Dr. Michael Payne and Dr. Deanne Meyer, UC Davis, and Denise Mullinax, CDQAP/CDRF
TIMELINE: 2024

This program is designed to ensure that all California dairy producers—regardless of size or location—have free, universal access to science-based management tools and regulatory support. Through environmental training classes tailored to California’s unique dairy landscape, producers gain practical knowledge to meet state and federal environmental requirements while supporting sustainable practices. Certification services, including voluntary on-farm evaluations, offer direct benefits such as reduced water quality permit fees and decreased regulatory inspection frequency. These services not only help producers stay compliant but also reduce the risk of enforcement actions compared to non-certified operations, providing peace of mind and long-term operational stability.

In addition to environmental compliance, the program delivers timely, producer-focused outreach on a broad range of issues critical to modern dairy operations. From animal care and food safety to farm security and emergency preparedness, materials and events are developed to be accessible and actionable. Producers receive guidance on navigating evolving CDFA regulations—such as changes to livestock medication policies—and on maintaining business continuity in the face of catastrophic animal disease outbreaks. The program also works closely with law enforcement and industry groups to prepare producers for threats like theft or activist activity, all while supporting efforts to promote a positive public image of California dairying. By bridging compliance, risk reduction, and proactive communication, this program is a vital resource for a resilient, sustainable dairy sector.

Visit https://cdqap.org to access outreach materials from CDQAP

*CDQAP is an industry-academia-government partnership that serves to support California dairy producers. CDRF funds CDQAP outreach activities.

Feed Industry Fellowship with a Focus on Dairy Feeding Systems*

RESEARCHER: Dr. Heidi Rossow, UC Davis VMTRC
TIMELINE: 2024 – 2025

The Feed Industry Fellowship aims to cultivate the next generation of dairy nutrition leaders in California by providing hands-on experience, professional mentorship, and exposure to real-world challenges in feed formulation and dairy sustainability. Through collaboration with industry partners, the fellowship supports student development in both technical skills and leadership capacity. By investing in future professionals, the program strengthens the talent pipeline for California’s dairy and feed sectors, promotes innovation in animal nutrition, and supports the long-term sustainability and resilience of the state’s dairy industry.

*This project is additionally supported by the feed industry and/or consulting nutritionists.

Sustainable Dairy Practices: Surveying Nutritionists to Inform Effective Outreach Strategies

RESEARCHER: Jennifer Heguy, UC ANR
TIMELINE: 2025 – 2026

This project addresses urgent sustainability challenges in California’s dairy industry by focusing on feed—the largest cost in milk production and a major driver of environmental impact. A statewide survey of dairy nutritionists will assess their interest, knowledge, and barriers to adopting strategies that reduce nitrogen loss, salt loading, water use for forages, and methane emissions. Deliverables include peer-reviewed publications, presentations at major dairy science conferences, and articles in industry outlets. This project will produce a clear outreach plan to help nutritionists—and the dairies they serve—implement effective, sustainable feeding strategies in response to increasing environmental pressures and regulations.