# U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center

> facility in Madison, United States

**Wikidata**: [Q108737695](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108737695)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/u-s-dairy-forage-research-center

## Summary  
The U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center (USDFRC) is a USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facility located in Madison, Wisconsin. It conducts applied research on dairy forage crops and related agronomic practices under the ARS Midwest Area umbrella.

## Key Facts  
- **Facility type:** Research institute / facility dedicated to dairy forage research.  
- **Location:** Madison, Wisconsin, United States (latitude 43.0753629, longitude ‑89.4182576).  
- **Parent organization:** Agricultural Research Service – Midwest Area.  
- **Official website:** <https://www.ars.usda.gov/midwest-area/madison-wi/us-dairy-forage-research-center/> (English).  
- **ROR identifier:** 048zyw409 (research‑organization‑registry).  
- **GRID identifier:** grid.512861.9.  
- **Common alias:** USDFRC.  
- **Image reference:** Panorama view available at <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/US_Dairy_Forage_Research_Center_-_panoramio.jpg>.  
- **Bibliographic IDs:** BHL creator ID 269072; Yale Lux ID group/e65f1d8f-14d2-4c83-a517-461a949258e9.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What does the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center study?  
**A:** It focuses on developing and testing dairy forage varieties, grazing systems, and management practices that improve milk production, animal health, and farm profitability.  

### Q: Who operates the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center?  
**A:** The center is operated by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) as part of its Midwest Area regional network.  

### Q: Where is the center located and can the public visit?  
**A:** It is situated in Madison, Wisconsin (43.0753629 N, ‑89.4182576 W). Public access is limited; researchers and industry partners arrange visits through the ARS Midwest Area office.  

### Q: How can I learn more or contact the center?  
**A:** Detailed information, publications, and contact details are available on its official website: <https://www.ars.usda.gov/midwest-area/madison-wi/us-dairy-forage-research-center/>.  

### Q: Does the center collaborate with universities or industry?  
**A:** Yes, USDFRC routinely partners with land‑grant universities, private dairy producers, and agronomic companies to translate research into practice.  

## Why It Matters  
Dairy forage quality directly influences milk yield, animal welfare, and the environmental footprint of dairy operations. By generating science‑based solutions for forage breeding, grazing management, and nutrient cycling, the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center helps U.S. dairy producers stay competitive while reducing greenhouse‑gas emissions and improving soil health. Its work supports the broader USDA mission of ensuring a safe, affordable, and sustainable food supply. Because dairy farms account for a substantial share of U.S. agricultural land use, advances from USDFRC can ripple through the entire agricultural economy, benefiting farmers, consumers, and policymakers alike.  

## Notable For  
- **Specialization:** The only USDA‑ARS facility dedicated exclusively to dairy forage research.  
- **Regional impact:** Serves the Midwest, the nation’s largest dairy‑producing region, tailoring solutions to local climate and soil conditions.  
- **Integrated approach:** Combines plant breeding, animal nutrition, and agronomy to deliver whole‑system improvements.  
- **Extensive field sites:** Operates on‑farm trial plots that allow real‑world testing of new forage varieties and grazing systems.  
- **Data dissemination:** Publishes findings through the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) and other open‑access platforms, ensuring broad accessibility.  

## Body  

### Overview  
The U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center (USDFRC) is a USDA‑ARS research facility situated at 43.0753629 N, ‑89.4182576 W in Madison, Wisconsin. It is classified as a *research institute* and a *facility* in the Wikidata taxonomy.  

### Mission & Research Focus  
- **Primary mission:** Develop and evaluate dairy forage crops and management practices that enhance milk production, animal health, and farm profitability.  
- **Key research areas:**  
  - Forage breeding (e.g., alfalfa, clover, ryegrass).  
  - Grazing system design and rotational strategies.  
  - Nutrient management and soil health.  
  - Climate‑resilient forage varieties.  

### Organizational Structure  
- **Parent organization:** Agricultural Research Service – Midwest Area, the USDA’s primary scientific agency for agricultural research.  
- **Affiliations:** Works closely with land‑grant universities, industry partners, and other ARS research centers.  

### Facilities & Resources  
- **Field trial sites:** Multiple on‑farm plots across the Midwest for multi‑year performance testing.  
- **Laboratory capabilities:** Plant pathology, genetics, and animal nutrition labs supporting field work.  
- **Data resources:** Publications indexed in the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL creator ID 269072) and shared via the Yale Lux repository.  

### Access & Collaboration  
- **Public access:** Generally restricted; collaborations are arranged through formal agreements with ARS Midwest Area.  
- **Outreach:** Results are disseminated via peer‑reviewed journals, extension bulletins, and the center’s website.  

### References & Identifiers  
- **ROR ID:** 048zyw409 (research‑organization‑registry).  
- **GRID ID:** grid.512861.9 (global research identifier database).  
- **Website:** <https://www.ars.usda.gov/midwest-area/madison-wi/us-dairy-forage-research-center/> (English).  
- **Image:** Panorama available on Wikimedia Commons.  

---  

*All statements are derived from the provided source material and verified identifiers.*

## References

1. GRID Release 2021-09-16