More than 420 milk quality, mastitis and udder health researchers, dairy farmers and dairy industry partners attended the 52ndNational Mastitis Council (NMC) Annual Meeting held Jan. 27-29, in San Diego, Calif.
Discussions at this year’s meeting included dairy stockmanship, antimicrobial use and opportunities to improve residue avoidance efforts. Additional topics of discussion covered milk quality from around the world, whether somatic cell counts can fall too low and understanding the interactions between teats and liners during the milking process. In addition to these sessions, attendees had the opportunity to take nine different short courses with more 230 people enrolled in the additional learning opportunities.
Rounding out this year’s agenda was a technology transfer session where researchers shared cutting edge information and solutions for the future of mastitis control. Sixty-five posters were presented for review and knowledge sharing.
All of the sessions offered attendees an opportunity to network, discuss global milk quality challenges and share valuable experiences with others who are interested in quality milk production. Participants at this year’s meeting also had the opportunity to earn continuing education credits.
To support the NMC Scholars Program and the work of the NMRF, a team trivia fundraising event was hosted at the annual meeting. More than $3,000 was raised for the NMRF and will be used to host future graduate students as the council continues to grow.
NMC thanks its annual meeting sponsors who contributed to the program’s success. Diamond sponsors were Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica and Pfizer Animal Health. Platinum sponsors were DeLaval/West Agro, Ecolab, Elanco Animal Health, GEA Farm Technologies, IBA Inc., Land O’Lakes, Inc., Lauren Agrisystems and Merck Animal Health. Gold sponsors included A & L Laboratories, Advanced Animal Diagnostics, Alltech, Central Life Sciences and Hypred, SA.Silver sponsors were ABS Global, Ambic Equipment Ltd, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, BouMatic, Capitol Plastic Products, Dairy Farmers of America, Fight Bac/Deep Valley Farm, Foremost Farms USA and Grande Cheese. Sponsoring this year’s milk break were Alta Dena and Unilever.
Source: National Mastitis Council