Kansas dairy industry and K‑State press lawmakers to fund new dairy research and teaching facility

Kansas State University officials and dairy industry representatives asked the Legislature’s budget committee to support rebuilding the university’s aging dairy teaching and research facility, arguing that deferred maintenance and outdated equipment threaten teaching, research and food‑safety inspections while the state’s dairy industry rapidly expands.

“This facility cannot go on as is,” said David Lane, president of the Kansas Dairy Association, saying the unit has outlived its useful life and that “even if it was green‑lighted today, it would be a good three years before it would be operational.” Industry and university witnesses said the unit is central to workforce development and applied research for the High Plains region.

Why it matters: Kansas producers and K‑State faculty testified the facility supports hands‑on training for nearly 600 animal science students and provides a pipeline of trained workers for a growing dairy sector. Dan Mosier, interim dean of the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University, said the dairy unit supplies more student contact than any other teaching farm in the college and supports veterinary education and on‑campus employment.

What proponents told lawmakers: Maggie Gillis, Kansas Dairy Commission board secretary and a dairy farmer, outlined the Commission’s long‑running support and said the commission’s voluntary checkoff ("three quarters of 1¢ per 100 pounds") yields about $280,000 in gross receipts and roughly $180,000 of usable funds annually; the commission has set aside $500,000 toward the project. Industry representatives also said the dairy sector contributes billions to the state economy and that modern facilities help attract research grants and private partnerships.

Technical case: Dr. Michael Brook, dairy extension specialist, summarized a multi‑year planning process that included a 2021 needs assessment and a 2023 architectural study. Brook said most university dairy facilities received 'D' or 'F' condition scores, detailed crumbling concrete, temporary electrical services after tornado damage, and aging milking equipment that is no longer supported by manufacturers. The proposed single‑barn design would consolidate milking, housing, calving, lab and classroom space and include both a rotary parlor and robotic milking boxes along with hospital/surgery space for research and teaching.

Cost, prior action and funding questions: Presenters reminded the committee that the Legislature approved a bonded funding request in 2024 that was later removed from the governor’s budget via a line‑item veto. Industry representatives and members called the original ask about $40 million; speakers said inflation could push the total to roughly $48 million. Tom Bruno, speaking for the Kansas Dairy Association, said bonding had been the vehicle considered previously and that the industry would work on private and federal matches if state backing is secured. Gillis and other witnesses said federal grant opportunities are being explored but would require a state approval milestone to unlock matching funds.

Lawmakers pressed presenters on specifics: Representative Fairchild asked whether the project had already been approved; presenters said the 2024 approval reached the governor’s budget but was line‑item struck. Representative Riley and others sought clarity on ongoing maintenance funding, why university administration has not prioritized the project, and how the university plans to raise private or federal matching dollars if bonding is approved.

Next steps: Committee leaders thanked witnesses and asked members to follow up with agency staff and perform additional homework on funding options. No formal vote was recorded in the hearing; presenters urged the Legislature to consider bonding, industry match and federal grant strategies to move the project forward.

The university and industry representatives said they would continue outreach to the federal delegation, pursue philanthropy and industry partnerships, and provide more detailed cost and timeline information to the committee if the Legislature signals support.