About Us

CDR is dedicated to supporting the US dairy industry through innovative research, technical support, training and education.

A full service dairy research center, CDR offers solution-based research backed by experience, passion and tradition. Located within a licensed dairy plant on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, CDR provides product development to continuing education and technical support to safety/quality support.

Primarily supported by dairy farmer checkoff dollars, the CDR was established to support the Wisconsin and U.S. dairy industry. CDR offers expertise in six main areas: cheese, dairy ingredients, cultured products, dairy beverages, quality/safety and dairy processing. Each of these areas are supported by expertise in dairy product research, analytical testing, sensory analysis and functionality, education and training, and business development. The staff of 40 plus bring over 400 years of industry experience to the academic setting, providing the unique ability to always conduct research with an eye to how it will help the dairy industry be successful and grow. After all, the CDR's success is the dairy industry's success.