The University of Idaho is constructing a new research center in Rupert, known as the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE). Located in the heart of Idaho's dairy industry, the center aims to address challenges in agriculture and food processing.

Mireille Chahine, the acting head of the University of Idaho Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences Department, explained the strategic location choice:

“If you look at it within 100 miles each way, you have approximately 400,000 dairy cows,” Chahine said. “We are the third state in milk production in the nation.”

Rick Naerebout, president of the Dairymen’s Association, highlighted the facility's focus on water usage and environmental issues:

“On the water side, we’d be looking at both water quality and water volumes,” Naerebout said. “And when I say water volumes, I’d be looking at, are there different forages we could consider feeding here in the state of Idaho.”

The research center will also provide opportunities for University of Idaho students to engage in relevant research:

“We give the opportunity to both graduate students as well as undergraduate students to be involved in doing research that is relevant to the dairy industry. But we also have the opportunity to work with veterinary students, for example. Our vision is to have them come for rotations and work with large animals.”

Chahine emphasized the center's broader impact:

“This is not only a dairy facility,” Chahine said. “This is going to allow us to answer questions related to forages, to feed, to food processing, to impact on the environment, on the economy, on our communities.”

According to project manager Pete Jones, phase one is nearing completion, with cows expected to start arriving and being milked by spring 2026.

The Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment is set to become a leading facility in addressing water usage and environmental quality challenges while supporting Idaho's agricultural sectors.

The center's research priorities include efficient water use, water, soil, and air quality, nutrient management, and manure management, including recycling and reuse, bio-refining, anaerobic digestion, and energy production.

The construction of the research dairy is occurring in two phases. Phase 1 includes a 60-cow rotary milking parlor and earthwork activities. Phase 2 will include the calving barn, manure management facilities, feed center, corrals, and the office building. The facility is scheduled to be commissioned by early 2026.

The center's mission aligns with the dairy industry's nationwide net-zero initiative, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment is poised to make significant contributions to the agricultural community, addressing critical issues and fostering innovation in the dairy industry.