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.