Nominations are now open for NMC’s National Dairy Quality Awards (NDQA) program. This program recognizes U.S. and Canadian dairies that excel in producing high-quality milk. Nominations close Aug. 31.
Coordinated by NMC, the NDQA program honors 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 – are encouraged to nominate dairy herds that exemplify milk quality excellence. To nominate a dairy producer, go to: https://www.nmconline.org/ndqa and complete the online nomination form. Dairy producers cannot nominate themselves or their peers.
The NDQA 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 international recognition, complimentary lodging and registration, and a travel stipend to attend the NMC’s 65th Annual Meeting, Jan. 26-29, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala., USA.
This year's NDQA sponsors include Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, Conewango, GEA, Hoard's Dairyman and NMC: The Global Milk Quality Organization.
NMC: The Global Milk Quality Organization is a non-profit professional organization devoted to reducing mastitis and enhancing milk quality. NMC promotes research and provides science-based information to the dairy industry on udder health, milking management, milk quality, animal welfare and food safety. Founded in 1961, NMC has about 1,000 members in more than 40 countries throughout the world.
