UC Cooperative Extension Dairy
By UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
Last reviewed: December 2025
Complete guide to UC Cooperative Extension dairy programs in California. Learn about dairy advisors, research translation, and education for the nation's...
UC Cooperative Extension serves California's dairy industry—the nation's largest with approximately 1,200 dairies producing over 40 billion pounds of milk annually. County-based dairy advisors and campus specialists support this critical agricultural sector.
California's dairy industry is characterized by large-scale commercial operations, often with 1,000-10,000+ cows. UC Extension expertise reflects this scale with programming on large-herd management, employee relations, environmental compliance, and regulatory navigation.
Dairy advisors are located in California's dairy regions, primarily the Central Valley but also throughout the state. These advisors conduct applied research on commercial dairies, develop educational programming, and provide individual consultation. They bridge UC Davis research and on-farm application.
Environmental compliance is a major focus given California's stringent regulations. Extension helps producers navigate air quality, water quality, and waste management requirements. Applied research develops practical solutions for environmental challenges.
Workforce development is another priority. Large California dairies employ significant workforces, often primarily Spanish-speaking. Extension develops training resources in Spanish and supports dairy labor management and safety programming.
Key Features
- County Dairy Advisors: Regional advisors in California dairy areas. Applied research. Education. Individual support.
- Large-Scale Expertise: Programming for 1,000+ cow operations. Commercial dairy management. Industry-relevant.
- Environmental Compliance: Air quality, water quality, waste management support. Regulatory navigation. Best practices.
- Applied Research: Research on commercial California dairies. Practical outcomes. Industry partnerships.
- Workforce Development: Employee training resources. Spanish-language materials. Labor management.
- Producer Education: Workshops, field days, and webinars on management topics. Industry updates.
Advanced Features
- Dairy Quality Assurance: Milk quality, food safety, and quality assurance programming.
- Heat Stress Management: California-specific heat abatement research and recommendations.
- Sustainability Research: Methane reduction, carbon footprint, environmental stewardship.
- Regulatory Support: Navigating CDFA, CARB, Regional Water Boards, and local regulations.
- Animal Welfare Resources: Welfare assessment, housing, and management practices.
- Dairy Digester Support: Methane digester implementation and management guidance.
Ideal For
Farm Types: California commercial dairies, Large-scale operations, 1,000+ cow dairies
Competitive Advantages
What sets UC Cooperative Extension Dairy apart from alternatives:
- Serves nation's largest dairy state
- Large-scale commercial dairy expertise
- Environmental compliance specialization
- UC Davis research backing
- Spanish-language workforce resources
- Dairy advisors in dairy regions
- Applied research on commercial operations
- Sustainability focus
- Regulatory navigation support
- Heat stress management expertise
Pricing Information
Here is the pricing information for UC Cooperative Extension Dairy:
Most extension services free. Lab testing $15-50 per sample. Supported by UC and state funding.
Pricing Model: Free extension services (state-funded)
Prices verified Q1 2024. Services available to all California producers.
Pros & Considerations
- California dairy expertise
- Research-based extension
- Regional relevance
- Practical recommendations
- Access to UC research
- California focus
- Program availability varies
- Academic timing constraints
- Regional management specifics
Implementation & Setup
How to implement UC Cooperative Extension Dairy on your dairy operation:
Implementation Timeline: Workshops: 1 day. Farm visits: As scheduled. Resources: Immediate access.
Training & Support
Training and support options available for UC Cooperative Extension Dairy:
Evaluation Questions
Key questions to consider when evaluating UC Cooperative Extension Dairy:
- Who is my county dairy advisor?
- What environmental compliance support do I need?
- Are there Spanish-language resources for my employees?
- What workshops are coming to my region?
- How can Extension help with sustainability goals?