Ghent, Belgium served as the host site for over 650 milk quality professionals from 51 countries attending the National Mastitis Council (NMC) Regional Meeting. The meeting, held August 4-6, is the first of its kind held outside of North America and was jointly organized with the M-team at Ghent University.

Attendees were able to participate in a variety of specialized short courses and practical scientific sessions, participate in an on-farm workshop and visit Milcobel cheese factory. Social activities included an opening reception in the “Aula” of Ghent University and a conference dinner at the historic “Castle of the Count” (Gravensteen) in the city center.

The main conference program covered a wide variety of topics ranging from the role of antimicrobials in the prevention and cure of mastitis, to updates on emerging pathogens and contagious mastitis, and an overview of milk quality control in the Flemish dairy sector.

“This year’s meeting was a tremendous success because of hard work, the good name of the National Mastitis Council and great support from the industry,” says Sarne De Vliegher, the 2014 NMC regional meeting program chair and associate professor, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University. “Attendees were able to take in some interesting seminars and short courses, while also being entertained by all that the international venue had to offer.”

A diverse group of veterinarians, dairy farm managers and employees, industry and milk plant field staff were in attendance at one of, if not, the largest meetings in NMC history according to NMC president, John Middleton.

“It was truly a great venue with excellent scientific and technical sessions, and social activities for all,” said Middleton. “As the first meeting outside of North America, the meeting attracted new participants interested in mastitis and milk quality from around the world, particularly Europe, introducing them to NMC.”