Mark your calendar for the National Mastitis Council’s 57th annual meeting in Tucson, Ariz., Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at the Hilton El Conquistador. Note that this year’s meeting runs from Wednesday through Friday, rather than the previous schedule of Sunday through Tuesday. The program will feature “Mastitis and Milk Quality — the Five-Point Plan Revisited.”

Prior to the NMC annual meeting, the group will offer a dairy farm tour, which includes visits to T and K Dairy, Shamrock Farms Dairy and Zinke Dairy.

New this year is the Udderly Ridiculous 5K Fun Run/Walk. Proceeds from this event support the NMC Scholars Program and Professional Development Fund.

“This year’s NMC annual meeting features the organization’s core principles of mastitis control and quality milk production,” says David Kelton, NMC first vice president and annual meeting program chairman, and University of Guelph professor of epidemiology and dairy health, Guelph, Ontario. “Speakers from around the world will address mastitis control — past, present and future — quality milk production tenets, producing quality milk in a changing world, and blanket dry cow therapy vs. selective dry cow therapy.”

To enhance NMC professional development opportunities, the organization is repeating the silent auction. This fundraising event coincides with an informal meet-and-greet session the evening of Feb. 1.

“We hope this silent auction gives our members a chance to make new acquaintances, renew old ones and raise a little cash for NMC professional development,” says Mario Lopez, NMC president and DeLaval technology manager, milk quality and animal health.

Call the NMC office at 952-758-2146 if you would like to donate an item.

Watch the NMC website, nmconline.org, for program updates and registration information. For more information about the Hilton El Conquistador, visit hiltonelconquistador.com.

Source: National Mastitis Council