Wisconsin Focuses on High-Oleic Soybeans for Dairy Efficiency
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, along with the Four State Dairy Extension Group, is organizing a series of educational field days in August 2026 to promote the use of high-oleic soybeans in dairy cattle rations. These events are aimed at dairy producers, nutrition consultants, and agricultural service providers, focusing on the nutritional, agronomic, and economic advantages of substituting traditional protein and fat supplements with heat-treated high-oleic soybeans.
The field days are scheduled for August 18 in Eau Claire and Elk Mound, August 25 in Brillion, and August 31 in Monroe and Brodhead. Each event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., featuring a combination of morning classroom presentations and afternoon on-farm demonstrations to provide a comprehensive learning experience.
Morning sessions will include technical presentations by UW–Madison Extension specialists and industry experts on the nutritional profiles of high-oleic soybeans, agronomic management, identity preservation, and processing economics. Additionally, a panel of dairy producers and herd advisors currently using high-oleic soybeans will share their observations regarding ration inclusion rates, milk yield, and milk fat composition.
Afternoon sessions will take place on host dairy farms, offering interactive learning activities focused on bean storage, handling, quality control, and roasting. A notable feature at Five-Star Dairy in Elk Mound will be a tour of their on-farm roasting facility, showcasing how controlled heat processing can deactivate anti-nutritional factors and optimize bypass protein and fat availability for high-producing cows.
High-oleic soybeans present a lower risk of diet-induced milk fat depression compared to conventional soybeans, thereby assisting dairy herds in maintaining or increasing butterfat tests. This provides an economical and effective source of homegrown fat and protein. These field days, sponsored by the United Soybean Board and Pioneer, aim to equip Wisconsin dairy operators with practical insights to reduce feed costs, enhance ration efficiency, and improve overall farm profitability.
