The Wisconsin whey: how the dairy state is becoming the protein state

Lake Effect Spotlight · Apr 3, 2026 · 13m

If you’re buying protein-rich foods or supplements, there’s a good chance that protein came from a Wisconsin cheesemaker.

Whey is a liquid byproduct of the cheesemaking process and is rich in protein. It is usually processed into the form of powder to be added to smoothies, bars, or other food advertising high protein content. Wisconsin farmers produce about one-third of the nation’s whey, and demand has skyrocketed in recent years as people seek more protein in their diet.

Drew Dawson is a freelance writer for Milwaukee Magazine who wrote about Wisconsin’s whey economy for this month’s…