Dec. 10 2020 08:14 AM

Virtual program features worldwide milk quality experts


The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.




National Mastitis Council (NMC) will be “moovin’ and groovin’” on the virtual highway in January for the organization’s 60th annual meeting. The event kicks off with an optional two-part short course on Jan. 7, at 4 p.m. Central time, followed by 15 more optional short courses scheduled for Jan. 19-21. From Jan. 26-28, join NMC for the general sessions, awards program, business meeting and time zone-friendly social gatherings.


To register for the meeting, go to: https://bit.ly/NMCRegistration. For NMC members, conference registration is just $100. The fee for NMC student members is only $25. Most short courses cost $75 each. The two-part short course costs $150.

“This is a rare opportunity to take in all the NMC educational offerings at an exceptional value,” said Program Chair Patrick Christian, Christian Hill Dairy, Lomira, Wis. “Participants from around the globe can learn from the dynamic group of speakers. This year’s NMC Annual Meeting showcases up-to-date research and practical applications of the latest findings in mastitis control and milk quality for anyone interested, including scientists, processors, suppliers, milking equipment dealers, veterinarians and dairy producers.”


Short course topics include:

  • Team Troubleshooting REAL WORLD Milk Quality Problems
  • Motivational Interviewing and Mastitis Management: How Evidenced-based Communication can Support Your Advisory Role
  • Fear of Failure: What to Expect and How to Know When Treatment Doesn’t Work
  • Dynamic Testing of Automated Milking Systems
  • Mastitis: It Hurts
  • The Bugs that Bug Us
  • Why, When and How to Perform an NMC Milking System Air Flow Analysis
  • Using Rapid Culture Systems to Guide Selective Treatment of Clinical Mastitis and at Dry-off
  • Sensor-based Mastitis Management
  • Managing Compost-bedded Pack Barns for Optimal Milk Quality
  • An Organized Approach to Developing a Long-term Action Plan for Herds with Poor Teat Ends
  • The Human Side of Milk Quality: Taking Your Parlor Team to the Next Level (taught in Spanish)
  • Uncovering the Mysteries of SCC and Mastitis Data
  • Testing and Interpretation for Milking Machines with Dynamic Control of Vacuum and/or Pulsation
  • How to Successfully Evaluate Milking Center Data to Stimulate Improvement on Dairies
  • Daily to Enhanced Biosecurity: Preparing for the Unexpected to Maintain Cattle Health


Some NMC short courses have limited enrollment, so register early to get your top choices.


Other highlights of the upcoming meeting include a virtual 5K Fun Run/Walk and recognition of the National Dairy Quality Award winners, NMC Award of Excellence for Mastitis Prevention and Control recipient, and NMC Scholars.

NMC will apply for Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) credits for the short courses and general session presentations. This allows veterinarians to earn CEs in a convenient format and at an affordable price.

NMC is a professional organization devoted to reducing mastitis and enhancing milk quality. NMC promotes research and provides information to the dairy industry on udder health, milking management, milk quality and milk safety. Founded in 1961, NMC has about 1,000 members in more than 40 countries throughout the world.