2024 was another successful and productive year for the Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center (MDFRC). With the completion and implementation of our 2024 Strategic Plan, we actively engaged stakeholders to align our initiatives with our mission: “develop dairy scientists and innovate dairy technologies, ingredients, and products through industry-driven collaborative research to drive regional and global opportunities for Midwest dairy farmers.” This mission was realized through the collaborative efforts of principal investigators across six member universities, graduate students, industry partners, Midwest Dairy, and Dairy Management Inc. (DMI).
The Dairy and Food Science Department at South Dakota State University (SDSU) welcomed new leadership under Dr. Londa Nwadike, the David A Thompson Endowed Department Head/Professor, with whom we have already established an effective working relationship. At SDSU, Dr. Prafulla Salunke, associate director of MDFRC, has made remarkable progress in expanding his research program and strengthening industry collaborations. He successfully conducted another year of the membrane filtration short course for the dairy industry, attracting 26 industry professionals. Additionally, he partnered with Dr. Maristela Rovai to organize a workshop on Avian influenza, which was attended by 60 dairy farmers, addressing critical concerns for dairy producers.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Maneesha Mohan, five students won awards in the Products Judging Competition across various categories, while two students achieved recognition in the New Product Development Competition. Additionally, a team from the University of Minnesota secured first place in the New Product Development Competition organized by DMI at the national level. Their innovative creation, Yay-tost, is a creamy Norwegian-style, brown, whey-based cheese spread that provides a rich source of protein, 3g of dietary fiber, and an excellent source of calcium. Dr. Jayendra Amamcharla coached the team.
The pilot plant facilities, including the Institute for Dairy Ingredient Processing, Davis Dairy Plant at SDSU, and The Joseph J. Warthesen Food Processing Center at the University of Minnesota, have continued fostering strong partnerships with regional dairy companies. These facilities remain essential in supporting industry-driven research and development. A significant milestone in 2024 was the appointment of a new dairy faculty member at Iowa State University (ISU) following the retirement of Dr. Stephanie Clark. This new hire, Dr. Dylan Liu, ensures the continuity of robust dairy processing education and research efforts at ISU. Dr. Liu has expertise in commercial manufacturing processes, food safety, production management, and education.
The 2024 Spring Research Planning Meeting, hosted by the University of Minnesota at St. Paul, welcomed over 60 representatives from the dairy industry and member universities. Industry partners outlined their research priorities and engaged in meaningful discussions with faculty members, aligning with the newly implemented strategic plan. This engagement led to a record 21 preproposals—three more than the previous year—reflecting a growing interest in research initiatives. Of these, 15 were invited to present at the annual meeting in Minnesota. Following rigorous evaluation, the advisory committee approved six new projects, bringing the total number of ongoing MDFRC-funded research projects to 20.
Six MDFRC students graduated in 2024 and successfully transitioned into the dairy and food industry, underscoring the center’s role in workforce development. Furthermore, our research impact continues to grow, as evidenced by the publication of 40 peer-reviewed articles in international journals.
On behalf of the MDFRC, I sincerely thank the Midwest dairy farms and dairy farmers for their unwavering support and trust. We remain committed to exceeding expectations and driving continuous innovation in the dairy industry.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jayendra Amamcharla
