To keep science discovery, innovation and education moving forward, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food & Agriculture (NIFA) developed a series of COVID-19 Rapid Response funding opportunities targeted to the most critical issues facing university researchers, small businesses and consumers across America during the coronavirus pandemic. NIFA announced that the agency has awarded nearly $14 million in this nationwide effort so far, with more projects to be funded in the next few months.

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Fluid milk consumption among children is vital, as adequate consumption of dairy products, especially during childhood, has beneficial health outcomes later in life. These benefits include reduced risk of osteoporosis, hypertension, obesity and cancer in adulthood.

We talk with senior author Dr. MaryAnne Drake, department of food, bioprocessing and nutrition sciences, North Carolina State University, and Dr. David Barbano, professor of food science at Cornell University about their ongoing research.     

DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences (DuPont) has launched a new series of dairy cultures and probiotic formulations for China, offering yogurt producers new solutions for differentiation today and positioning them for future growth.

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New legislation introduced in the House aims to increase milk consumption in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC) by giving participants over the age of two the option of having 2% reduced-fat milk and whole milk as part of their diet. The bill reverses an Obama Administration rule limiting WIC participants to low-fat (1%) or nonfat milk.

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ADSA Introduces S-PAC and Large Dairy Herd Management Bundle

The American Dairy Science Association (ADSA®) is pleased to announce a new information resource package for dairy professionals. The Searchable Proceedings of Animal Conferences (S-PAC®) and the Large Dairy Herd Management (3rd ed., e-book) will be provided as a package. Students and professionals with annual subscriptions to S-PAC will receive a personal copy of Large Dairy Herd Management with their paid S-PAC subscription.  “We are thrilled to bring this bundle to the dairy science community. By providing more science-based content in one package, we hope students and professionals alike will take advantage of this opportunity,” said Catharine Perry, ADSA executive director.

S-PAC subscriptions run for 12 months from the date of purchase. ADSA members receive a 50% discount on the price of their S-PAC subscription as one of our many member benefits.  Read more here.

S-PAC Comp for ADSA Annual Meeting Attendees Available until 9/20

One more reminder from the 2020 ADSA Virtual Annual Meeting, as an added benefit from the meeting everyone who registered for the meeting has received 90 days of complementary access to S-PAC. This means that you have access to all the information in S-PAC until September 20, but don’t wait. Check it out now, If you were not a subscriber prior to the meeting simply go to https://spac.adsa.org/., use the same login and password that you did to register for the meeting and you will have access to S-PAC. After trying it out just click on the “Subscribe to S-PAC” link and add it to your information resources. Thank you if you are already a subscriber, your subscription was extended by 90 days.

Please contact Ken Olson keolson@prodigy.net if you have questions.

The 39^th American Dairy Science Association^® (ADSA) Discover Conference: The Transition Period – From Physiology to Management, planned for October 26-29, 2020 and originally scheduled to occur in Itasca, IL will move completely online.

ADSA’s Discover Conferences ^TM have been designed to offer an informal environment and format that encourages candid interactions among scientists to improve learning and understanding of timely topics in the science of food animal agriculture. The interactive spirit of Discover conferences will remain in the virtual format; with structured discussions woven into the program, including focused discussions with the speakers. As is consistent with previous Discover Conferences, registration will be limited in order to maintain the small group, quality discussions that participants have come to appreciate about attending a Discover Conference.

This conference will highlight scientific advancements made in the last 10 years relative to the Transition Period. Conference topics include: Physiology, Inflammation and Immune Function, Management and Feeding, Monitoring and Analysis, and Health.

For more information and to register, visit https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/39th-Discover-Conference.

Start making plans to attend the 41^ST ADSA DISCOVER CONFERENCE^SM ON FOOD ANIMAL AGRICULTURE - Health Management of Calves: From Intrauterine Life to Successful Weaning. This conference will explore the many changes in dairy calf management practices, and research conducted over the last decade. Potential Conference Topics include:

•      Opportunities and Key Knowledge Gaps in Calf Management

•      Bull Calves & Dairy-Beef

•      Calf Housing and Behavior

•      Calf Immunology and Vaccines

•      Calf Nutrition Pre-weaning

•      Calf Welfare

•      Colostrum Management

•      Fetal Programming, Influence of Cow Stressors on Calf Development

•      Neonatal Disease Management

•      Transition to the Ruminant Calf: Weaning Strategies to Optimize Future Health and Productivity 

A poster session will be included to allow participants to share and discuss research findings. Details will be posted on the meeting site as they are finalized.