Nominate outstanding dairies for NMC’s National Dairy Quality Awards program. This program recognizes dairies – from Canada and the United States – that excel in producing high-quality milk. Nominations close August 31.

Coordinated by NMC, the NDQA program recognizes dairy producers who market milk with a low somatic cell count (SCC) and low standard plate count (SPC). Additionally, judges evaluate dairy producers’ systems of monitoring udder health, milking routine, protocols for detection and treatment of clinical and subclinical cases of mastitis, and strategies for overall herd health and animal welfare.

Dairy industry professionals – including veterinarians, extension agents, dairy processor field staff and consultants – may nominate dairy herds that exemplify milk quality excellence. To nominate a dairy, go to: https://www.nmconline.org/ndqa and complete the online nomination form. Dairy producers cannot nominate themselves or their peers.

The nomination form asks for: herd size, rolling herd average (pounds of milk, fat and protein), DHI testing, SCC and SPC averages, SCC and SPC high monthly average, bulk tank SCC and SPC testing frequency, clinical mastitis incidence, culling data and cow deaths. Milk quality numbers are based on the 12-month period – June 1, 2024-May 31, 2025.

Judges will name approximately 50 finalists from the NDQA nominations. Finalists, along with their nominators, will complete a more detailed final application. From the finalists, judges will rank dairy operations as Platinum, Gold or Silver. The Platinum winners receive national recognition, complimentary lodging and registration, and a travel stipend to attend the NMC 65th Annual Meeting, January 26-29, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.