Given the continued global health impact of COVID-19, the National Mastitis Council (NMC) board of directors approved presenting its annual meeting virtually. This virtual event will replace the in-person NMC 60th Annual Meeting, previously scheduled for Jan. 25-28, 2021, in Dallas. The revised agenda of short courses, general sessions, Technology Transfer Session and Research and Development Summaries Session will be announced in November.
“While it’s disappointing to cancel the in-person 2021 NMC Annual Meeting, the safety of NMC members, their families, conference attendees, industry partners and the communities we serve is our top priority,” said NMC President Sarne De Vliegher, Ghent University, Belgium. “We look forward to seeing milk quality enthusiasts – from around the world – on the virtual highway in January.”
The NMC board of directors made another bold move and voted to offer NMC Annual Meeting registration for just $100 to NMC members. This is a significant savings compared with NMC’s previous annual meetings. This will help extend NMC’s global reach to reduce mastitis and enhance milk quality.
Tentatively, NMC’s main presentations will be offered the week of Jan. 25, with short courses potentially being offered the week of Jan. 18. All general sessions will be recorded. Thus, NMC Annual Meeting registrants may access these at their convenience. Small groups will meet at “time zone friendly” times to foster networking opportunities and “catch up” with NMC colleagues.
National Mastitis Council 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.