Dairy Forage Research Center

12/17/2025

The Dairy Forage Research Center is a working dairy farm that assists UW and USDA researchers with research that will help present and future farmers around the globe. We are currently hiring on both our AM and our PM dairy shifts. AM shift is 3:30 am-2:00pm and our PM shift is 1:30pm-Midnight. Duties will be milking cows, calf feeding, and moving cattle to parlor. Other duties may include feeding, cleaning, handling, and general care of the dairy cattle in an efficient and accurate manner. This position uses the employee’s experience and training to complete tasks and to care for livestock with limited supervision. This is a University of Wisconsin Position that offers State of Wi Benefits including health care and retirement. For more information and to apply please click on the links below. You may apply for both positions. You must upload a resume to complete the application process.

A.M.--https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/animal-care-technician-ii-prairie-du-sac-wisconsin-united-states

P.M.--https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/animal-care-technician-ii-pm-prairie-du-sac-wisconsin-united-states-b6e8eef5-f79b-4cb0-b2ca-3e16a89ed3e8

Both Positions close Midnight March 8th 2026

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Job Category:University StaffEmployment Type:RegularJob Profile:Animal Care Technician IIJob Summary:Duties will be milking cows, calf feeding...

10/21/2025

We will be at SouthWest Technical College at their Job Fair on Wednesday October 29th from 10am-1pm. Please stop in and visit with us. We have open positions on our Dairy Crew. These are full-time positions in Prairie du Sac Wi. We are part of the University of Wisconsin so all full time positions come with GREAT benefits and State of Wisconsin Retirement.

06/21/2024

For more information on USDA Ag. Research Service please follow their page at this link: https://www.facebook.com/AgriculturalResearchService

ARS is USDA’s principal in-house research agency committed to leading America toward a better future.

06/20/2024

Congratulations Mary Beth

Dual Awards! 👏 Bravo to Dr. Mary Beth Hall, ARS dairy scientist, received TWO awards at this year’s American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) meeting in recognition of her work in the field of dairy cattle nutrition!

Dr. Hall received the American Feed Industry Association Award, which recognizes a scientist who has made a worthy contribution to research of dairy cattle nutrition. The second honor names her as an ADSA Fellow for her distinguished service to the dairy industry. Dr. Hall received both awards at the meeting.

05/11/2024

Northern Lights at the Dairy Forage. Thank you Deidre for the awesome picture.

05/03/2024

Garrett has been a student employee of the Dairy Forage for a few years now. He is an amazing young man with a huge future ahead of him. Congratulations Garrett!!

Garrett Kannenberg is the Sauk Prairie Optimist May Student of the Month

Garrett Kannenberg, son of Deidre and John Kannenberg is the Sauk Prairie Optimist May SPHS Optimist Student of the Month.

When asked about Garrett, his teachers universally praise his work ethic and kindness. Sean McGann, health teacher, remarked, “Garrett is the perfect definition of a student who gives his very best in everything he does. He is not only an extremely hard worker, but he is the most kind and genuine student I have ever been around. He encourages others, doesn't judge, and is true to himself. Garrett should be very proud of the person he has become. He will do great things in the world.”

According to his teachers, “From the day that he entered high school, he has been laser-focused on achieving the goals that he has in front of him. In the classroom, he is a model student who answers questions and constantly challenges himself. In one technical education class, he painstakingly crafted a beautiful, functioning longbow to learn new techniques in wood making.”

Outside of school, Garrett works both on the family farm and for the USDA farm in Merrimac.

Garrett will attend UW- Madison next year to study biomechanical engineering. He hopes to enter a field like designing prosthetic limbs. His inspiration is to help wounded veterans be able to fully function after traumatic injuries.

The Sauk Prairie Optimists meet the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 7-8 am at the 6:8 dining room, 821 Industry Rd. in Sauk City. If there is a fifth Wednesday, the club meets from noon- 1pm at the Sauk Prairie School District Board meeting room. Recently, some additional noon meetings have been scheduled for June 26, August 28 and September 28. All are welcome to attend!

Pictured: From left; Shari Diehl, Sauk Prairie Optimist member; Deidre Kannenberg, mother of Garrett; Garrett Kannenberg, Sauk Prairie Optimist May SPHS Student of the Month; and Sauk Prairie High School Assistant Principal Shane Been.

05/03/2024

03/02/2024

Happy Employee Appreciation Day! We are so grateful to all our employees for taking such great care of our girls and assisting with research for the dairy industry. Thank you!!

02/02/2024

UW Researchers created a video game for Android and Apple to teach proper cow handling skills. The app is free and available to download on either system and No Ad's! The link below will give you more information on the game and includes the links to download the game.

Welcome to Mooving Cows (TM), where you can practice mooving cows around a dairy farm. It’s time for milking, so the cows need to be moved from the pasture and barn and loaded into the milking parlor. Learn about cow behavior and practice basic cow handling skills to stay safe and keep cows calm. ...

01/16/2024

Happy 40th work anniversary to Kurt Pickar. Kurt is an awesome person and a fantastic employee. His commitment to the Dairy Forage is inspiring. Thank you! Dare I say "Here's to another 40 years"