The future of dairy processing

Dairy processing is a competitive industry and Wisconsin is home to a world-class facility – the Center for Dairy Research – driving the development of new products to meet consumer demands, both domestically and abroad. Ken Heiman, owner of Nasonville Dairy, and John Jaeggi, coordinator of the Cheese Industry and Applications Program and coordinator of the Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker Program at the Center for Dairy Research (CDR), share processor challenges, how CDR can help and the future of dairy processing. Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza dives into the topics below with Ken and John:

• 1:55: Past challenges at Nasonville Dairy
• 4:15: How CDR supported Nasonville Dairy
• 5:53: Number of projects that CDR works on
• 6:45: What has been the most common challenge
• 7:47: CDR support during the pandemic
• 10:15: CDR support in a timely manner
• 11:24: Does the manufactures and supplier provide adequate support
• 13:46: Challenges with exports and regulation
• 17:26: Importance of dairy competitions
• 22:28: How to ask CDR for help
• 23:25: Wisconsin processors get priority, international support
• 25:26: How dairy farmers ask CDR for support
• 26:56: Do dairy processors pay for CDR support
• 27:33: CDR confidential assistance
• 29:45: Future challenges in dairy processing
• 33:08: Ken perspective on future challenges

Special thanks to Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin for sponsoring this episode.

About the guests

• Ken Heiman is a Master Cheesemaker who owns Nasonville Dairy in Marshfield, Wisconsin, is an encyclopedia of all things dairy – from cheese’s ancient roots in Egyptian tombs and Greek mythology to the exact time it takes his plant to turn a tanker load of milk into feta. Also, a true Wisconsinite who got his cheesemaker’s license before his driver’s license.

• John Jaeggi is the coordinator of the Cheese Industry and Applications Program at John is responsible for the coordination and execution of trials and application extensions. In addition, John lectures and conducts lab sessions for numerous CDR and company contracted short courses. John has a B.S. in Business and Economics. He is a third generation licensed Wisconsin Cheesemaker with over 45 years of experience in the industry. He has also been a technical judge in many contests including the United States and World Championship Cheese Contest.

This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.