Fueling Dairy Innovation
Midwest Dairy supports processor and partner innovation in the marketplace by funding research and providing timely consumer trends and insights that drive business decisions that benefit the dairy industry. Learn more about our efforts to solve challenges in the dairy industry through research and how we support processors and partners take advantage of opportunities in the marketplace to drive demand in dairy.
Advancing Research Through the Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center
Bringing together dairy researchers and industry partners, the Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center (MDFRC) helps identify and fund research that helps solve current challenges in dairy food processing through process improvement.
Research priorities are established around five key areas that align with faculty expertise and university resources to address the technical challenges and fuel innovation. Those include:
- Analytical tools and testing methods
- Dairy-based ingredients
- Manufacturing quality and functionality
- Safety, flavor and nutritional profiles
- Value-added products
Advised by Farmers and Industry Professionals
A collaborative effort between dairy farmers and land grant universities focusing on dairy products research and innovation, MDFRC makes a difference by focusing on pre-competitive research, educating the next generation of dairy leaders and improving research priorities and return on investment by creating feedback loops among stakeholders. The MDFRC delivers research and education that benefit consumers and fuel a strong market for Midwest Dairy.
Research Shaping the Future of Dairy
Learn More about Research and Innovation Efforts
Checkoff Continues Whole-Milk Research Focus – And it’s Paying Off
Dairy checkoff–funded research led by the National Dairy Council shows that whole milk and whole‑milk dairy foods can fit into a healthy diet, with decades of studies linking them to reduced risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Driving Dairy Innovation from the Inside at Taco Bell
Dairy checkoff–led collaboration with Taco Bell is fueling menu innovation and growth by embedding dairy science expertise directly into product development, helping turn the brand into a top destination for cheese‑forward and dairy‑based menu items.
Whole Milk’s Comeback: What Checkoff-Led Science Reveals
Dairy checkoff–led science highlighted in Episode 41 of the Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast shows that decades of research on whole milk and whole‑milk dairy foods support their role in healthy diets, with evidence linking milk fat to benefits for childhood growth and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Checkoff-Led Innovation Keeps Dairy in Lead Spot
Dairy Management Inc. Chair Marilyn Hershey shares how checkoff-led research focused on whey protein is driving sales and building trust among consumers.
Checkoff Supports General Mills With Yogurt-Based Snack Launch
The dairy checkoff recently partnered with General Mills to create YoBark, a new, refrigerated yogurt-based snack that appeals to parents who are seeking options for their families beyond traditional snack foods.