Recognition

Recognising excellence and rewarding achievements in the dairy sector

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IDF awards

Every year, dairy champions are honoured for their leadership, dedication, and commitment to the sector. Whether it’s being creative, offering high-level strategic and technical advice, or helping the IDF to communicate more effectively with the wider dairy sector, each of these winners has played a key role in ensuring the interests of the industry remain centre stage. Their commitment to the global sector is resolute and is deeply appreciated.

IDF Dairy Innovation Awards

The IDF Dairy Innovation Awards is designed to encourage and celebrate innovative practices across the dairy sector 

 

About the award

Dairy actors around the world have been actively engaged over the years in improving the farming and processing of milk and dairy foods. The IDF Dairy Innovation Awards are designed to encourage and celebrate innovative practices across the dairy sector and their contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Winners are announced at an awards ceremony at the IDF World Dairy Summit. Entry is open to IDF members as well as non-member individuals, including dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives, dairy processors and dairy research operators, as well service and equipment companies for the dairy sector.

All the finalists of the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards 2024

Innovation in Sustainable Farming Practices – Environment

  • Danone – Les 2 Pieds sur Terre – France. Helping French Dairy Farmers Reduce their Greenhouse Gas Emissions and regenerate their soil. The program is accessible to all French dairy farmers partnering with Danone by providing them with technical and financial support to adopt regenerative agriculture helping to reduce their carbon footprint and regenerate their soil.
  • Société des Produits, Nestlé S.A. – NINHO celebration packaging – Switzerland. Nature por Ninho, led by Nestlé in partnership with Embrapa, incentivizes and supports dairy farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture practices and are rewarded based on the number of practices they adopt. The focus is on improving milk quality, animal welfare and water management, along with greenhouse gas emissions reduction in farms.
  • TeagascBord Bia and ICBF -AgNav – Ireland. AgNav is the new innovative sustainability platform providing Irish dairy farmers with accurate and verifiable data and supporting decision making on farms to help reduce emissions and enhance water quality. Its overarching objective is to help farmers improve productivity and ensure economic viability, while setting new environmental sustainability standards.

 

Innovation in Sustainable Farming Practices – Animal Care

  • Amul Dairy – Amul Dairy – India. Amul Dairy has pioneered the use of homeopathic medicine for dairy animals, aiming to combat antimicrobial resistance. Through innovative treatments for 26 common ailments, over 68,000 animals were successfully treated, reducing antibiotic usage and promoting sustainable dairy farming. Till May 2024 Amul has manufactured 3.30 lac homeopathic medicine bottles of 30 ml and distributed 1.80 Lac till May 2024.This holistic approach enhances animal and public health.
  • DeLaval – Disease Risk – Sweden. Disease Risk is a digital application that helps farmers to quickly identify sick cows. DeLaval artificial intelligence model DeepBlue combines all data from all DeLaval sensors into one prediction, giving valuable insights into the health condition of the cows such as mastitis or ketosis.
  • Yili Group – Yiniu Youzhi APP – China. “Yiniu Youzhi APP” is an APP for dairy farmers in China to help them improving cow welfare and managing their farm in a digital way. By integrating the different intelligent device and data onto this platform, a harmonious way to governance data and manage farm is created. The data insight function will turn data into insights and tasks for farmers, we deem that as our core competitiveness in the future.

 

Innovation in Sustainable Farming Practices – Socio Economic

  • Danone – H’Lib Bladi – Morocco. In 2023, Danone Ecosytem, Danone, and GIZ launched Phase 2 of the H’Lib Bladi project (started 2016) in Morocco. H’Lib Bladi promotes sustainable milk production models amongst smallholder dairy farmers, to improve their livelihoods, increase their resilience to climate change, reduce their GHG footprint and overall, strengthen the value chain.
  • Meiji – Meiji Dairy Advisory (MDA) – Japan. MDA is an activity that supports “sustainable dairy farm management” by focusing on human resource management on dairy farms. In order to realize sustainable dairy management, this program aims to establish a “KAIZEN culture” in which farmers habitually review their current situation and make improvements, and to enable dairy farmers to be more efficient.
  • National Dairy Development Board – Sundarban Cooperative Milk & Livestock Producers’ Union Limited – India. Sundarban Cooperative Milk & Livestock Producers’ Union Limited, the first all-women organic dairy cooperative in the Sundarbans, empowers over 4,500 marginalized women farmers. By integrating organic dairy production with multi-commodity agriculture, it provides sustainable livelihoods, elevates women’s social status, and fosters socio-economic transformation, ensuring prosperity and sustainable development in the region.

 

Innovation in Sustainable Processing

  • Asha Mahila Milk Producer Company Limited – Asha Mahila Milk Producer Company Limited – India. Solar based Instant Milk Chillers – A pathbreaking off grid sustainable initiative for geographies characterised by small holder dairy farmers in the countryside.
  • Idaho Milk Products Inc – Idaho Milk Products Inc. – USA. Idaho Milk Products, a global leader in milk proteins, is renowned for its fresh, local, high-quality dairy ingredients. Committed to sustainability, their visionary, vertical integration spans from farm to facility, sourcing milk within an 80km radius of its processing facility. They efficiently create innovative products while minimizing emissions and waste.
  • Mengniu x Tetra Pak – Mengniu Ningxia Factory – China. As world’s first fully integrated dairy factory, Mengniu Ningxia Digital Factory breaks the information silos between systems by extensively utilizing digital technologies, big data analysis, and AI scenarios in physical operations. The project provides a vision on leveraging digital transformation to achieve optimized operations, enhanced efficiency and reduce environment impact.

 

Innovation in Sustainable Packaging

  • CowPots – CowPots – USA. CowPots Packaging, made from 100% renewable and recycled, composted cow manure, offers 100% bio-degradable packaging as an alternative to fiberboard. This packaging is designed to be composted and/or planted directly into the end user’s garden where it adds valuable nutrients and organic matter, breaking down in a single growing season.
  • Danone – Actimel removes the plastic sleeve – France. Danone has taken strong commitments towards circular and low-carbon packaging. The Actimel brand embodies this packaging transformation and in 2023, removed the plastic sleeve on its iconic bottle, allowing it to reach 99% recyclability and reduce plastic consumption across EU!
  • Nestle China – Plastic-free tin packaging – China. Our sustainable packaging aligns with industry practices, giving us a competitive edge. It meets consumer expectations, attracts new customers, and drives growth. By leading in sustainability, we contribute to a healthier planet and ensure long-term success.

 

The jury is granting a special mention to Yili Group for three impactful innovative packaging entries. 1- Phase Separation Technology High Barrier PET Dairy Packaging, 2- Satine Organic Pure Milk- sustainable packaging – plant-based integrated box, 3- Yili Eco-Friendly Asian Games Pure Milk.

 

Innovation in New Product Development – Human Nutrition

  • Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. – Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. – India. Amul, has launched world’s highest protein milk having 35g protein in a 250ml pack and a wide range of high protein products to meet the protein needs of Indians. Over 73% urban rich Indians are protein deficient, and 90% Indians are unaware of their protein requirements so Amul’s affordable high protein products will help Indians to meet their protein requirements.
  • GoodSport® – GoodSport® – USA. GoodSport® is a natural sports drink that’s been scientifically shown to provide rapid and long-lasting hydration by harnessing the electrolytes and carbohydrates found in milk. With 3x the electrolytes and 33% less sugar than traditional sports drinks, GoodSport® delivers milk’s superior hydration benefits in a clear, refreshing beverage. 
  • Inner Mongolia Dairy Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd – Satine Active Lactoferrin Organic Pure Milk – China. Satine Active Lactoferrin Organic Pure Milk, through technology innovation, has achieved a high retention rate of 90% active lactoferrin in ambient temperature milk, with 8 times the active lactoferrin nutrition, safeguard consumers’ immunity.
  • mandu-care GmbH – Germany. This is a fermented and prebiotic whey drink, especially designed to prevent constipation and support gut-health in general. Based on a patented production process, moltea offers a convenient, sustainable and tasty solution. The science backed efficiency of moltea supports affected people and leads the dairy industry towards a more circular approach.

 

Innovation in New Product Development – Equipment

  • Everest Instruments Ltd. – FatScan – India. The FatScan milk analyser is a powerful tool that can be used to accurately measure the key parameters of milk samples, including fat, non-fat, and added water. The FatScan milk analyser is also a powerful tool that can be used to improve the quality, safety, and affordability of milk.
  • THRASOS – THRASOS – France. Thrasos is a SaaSlike platform that optimize food safety and cleaning operations within food industries thanks to 2 major innovations: 1/unique algorithm that generate automatic optimized cleaning program for each process line 2/fouling-cleaning modelization module that enables to define the optimal cleaning time based on scientific approach.
  • Unisensor – Aurox System – Belgium. Imagine the ease of a coffee maker, translated to milk antibiotic screening. The aurox combines robotics and lateral flow test tech in an unprecedented simplicity, aiding dairies and truck drivers’ workload every day. Its failproof design delivers industry-leading reliability, ready for seamless integration into milk transportation and storage systems.

 

Innovation in Climate Action

  • dsm-firmenich – Bovaer® – Switzerland. Bovaer® is a revolutionary feed additive innovation that reduces methane emissions from dairy cattle by 30% lowering carbon footprint of dairy products by 10-15%. Available in 59 countries, it supports global climate targets, the Global Methane Pledge, SBTi FLAG commitments and the Sustainable Dairy’s path to net zero.
  • STgenetics – Ecofeed® – USA. Ecofeed® – Genetics for permanent and cumulative reduction of methane emissions based on more than 25,000 progeny records for feed efficiency. By identifying animals with superior feed efficiency and reduced methane, producers can enhance profitability while promoting a sustainable dairy industry and world for the next generations of farmers and consumers.
  • Yili Group – Green and low-carbon energy management – China. Throughout the project, we reviewed traditional energy supply processes and identified points where alternatives, iterations, upgrades, and innovations were possible. We then combined these with the latest green, low-carbon, and sustainable development technologies, processes, and methods to break through the barriers of traditional thinking and uncover new directions for green, low-carbon, and sustainable development.

 

Innovation in Women Empowerment

  • International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) – Women in Dairy network – USA. IDFA’s Women in Dairy network works to improve recruiting, retention, and gender equality within the U.S. dairy sector through data-based reporting and tools, C-suite engagement, and by fostering networking and professional and leadership development. IDFA also published the 2024 State of Women in Dairy Report, which summarized survey findings and industry-wide recommendations regarding the treatment of women in dairy
  • Mengniu Group – Empowering Women with Functional Nutrition Stimulating Dairy Products with ‘Her Power’ – China. Mengniu is committed to comprehensively upholding women’s rights and supporting the healthy development of the Chinese women’s football team, ensuring the well-being and career growth of 17,000 female employees, continuously inspiring more women to advance courageously, and paying tribute to their strength.
  • Vansh Dairy Farm – Ajarpura Dairy Cooperative Society – India. At Ajarpura Dairy Cooperative Society the community connect and trust upon the Dairy Cooperative Society has been leveraged to empower women dairy farmers by providing diversified livelihood opportunities and skill enhancement. Through trainings in dairy practices, animal productivity, and value-added product creation incomes have been boosted. Additionally, beekeeping and retail outlets have been established, showcasing and selling handmade products.

 

Innovation in Marketing & Communication

  • Dairy Farmers of Canada – Biodiversity Is In Our Nature – Canada. Dairy Farmers of Canada developed its “Biodiversity Is In Our Nature” marketing campaign to give consumers an inside look into actual sustainability practices dairy farmers are implementing as part of their environmental stewardship efforts towards the sector’s goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
  • J-milk – J-milk – Japan. In order to combat calcium deficiency in approximately 10 million children, we have launched and implemented about 20 projects in cooperation with stakeholders from the dairy industry, schools and nutritionists. Parents of children who learn about the campaign are 45% more willing to give milk to their children on weekends. It was clear that the work on the project had a positive effect.
  • Yili Group – Sports Marketing Initiated by Cute Star Formula – China. Cute Star children formula children formula is driven by ” exclusive accurate marketing strategy for channel segments”, leading the creation of binding sports marketing strategy with public welfare activities to help Chinese children’s overall healthy growth.

IDF Professor Pavel Jelen Early Career Scientist Prize

The award has been named in honor of Professor Pavel (Paul) Jelen 

About the award

IDF is pleased to announce the establishment of a new award and prize for ‘early-career’ scientists and/or technologists to recognize their work in the dairy science and technology field – The IDF Professor Pavel Jelen Early Career Scientist Prize. The award has been named in honor of Professor Pavel (Paul) Jelen, a Czech born scientist who has spent his career based in Canada and the US, developing academic work on Dairy Food Science and Technology, and encouraging, mentoring, and educating students and early-career scientists and technologists, and who recognizes the importance of communication. The award and prize will provide an opportunity for awardees to showcase their work at the annual IDF World Dairy Summit (WDS), and thus provide opportunities for further education and mentoring, and to enhance employment opportunities and options.  It will also allow awardees to observe the business and operational workings of IDF.

Please, find more details on the award here.

All past recipients of the IDF Professor Pavel Jelen Early Career Scientist Prize

2024 – Maria Frizzarin – First prize

2023 – Davor Daniloski – First prize 

2022 – Dr Angela Costa – First prize 

 

IDF Award

The prestigious IDF Award is given in recognition of remarkable contributions to global dairy.

First presented in 1998, the IDF Award recognizes remarkable contributions to progress in dairying worldwide. It is awarded on the basis of submissions by IDF members, the IDF National Committees.

About the award

The IDF Award has the form of a piece of art and a medallion with an inscription.

By granting the Award, the IDF wishes to pay tribute to extensive contribution to dairy science, adding to the scientific knowledge about the benefits of dairy foods.

All past recipients of the IDF Award

  • Dr Andrew Novakovic (US)
  • Dr Aleksander Surazynski (PL), Professor Judith Ann Narvhus (NO)
  • No recipient
  • No recipient
  • Helen Dornom (AU)
  • Jean-François Boudier (FR)
  • Dr. Robin Condron (AU)
  • Pavel Jelen (CA), Phil Kelly (IE) and Kevin Marshall (NZ)
  • No recipient
  • Mohamed El-Hossieny Abd El-Salam (EG)
  • Roger Abrahamsen (NO)
  • George Davey (AU)
  • Suk-Jin Cho (KR)
  • Manuela Juárez (ES)
  • Walther Heeschen (DE)
  • Ylva Ardö (SE)
  • Peter Parodi (AU)
  • Shuichi Kaminogawa (JP)
  • Donald Muir (GB)
  • Lawrence Kenneth Creamer (NZ) and Pierpaolo Resmini (IT)
  • Pieter Walstra (NL)
  • Patrick F. Fox (IE)
  • Robert R. Sellars (US) and Zdenko Puhan (CH)
  • Douglas B. Emmons (CA)
  • Ernest J. Mann (GB)
  • Jean-Louis Maubois (FR)

IDF Prize of Excellence

The IDF Prize of Excellence is given in recognition of an outstanding recent contribution to the Work Programme of IDF.
The Prize honours an individual or group of individuals, who contribute as volunteers from among the grassroots of IDF, to the IDF Programme of Work in accordance with IDF’s purpose and following the five key concepts constituting SWIFT as a driver for the development of IDF.

These concepts are:

  • Speed
  • Worldwide visibility
  • Impact
  • Focus
  • Transparency

These ensure that the organization continues to deliver timely outcomes that meet expectations and the changing needs of IDF membership.

In 2020, the IDF Prize of Excellence was awarded to IDF SCFA Action Team on Alignment of food additives between Codex dairy standards and the Codex General Standard for Food Additives Keith Johnston, members Michael Hickey, Christian Kastrup, Jackie Crichton, Nick Gardner, Yoshinori Komatsu, Allen Sayler, Aurelie Dubois, Osamu Suganuma, Clement Benoist and Peter Wolfs.

Winners of the IDF Prize of Excellence to date

  • Stephan Peters (NL)
  • Meenesh Shah (India)
  • Nicholas Gardner (USA)
  • Erica Hocking (UK)
  • Keith Johnston (NZ), Michael Hickey (IE) , Christian Kastrup (DK), Jackie Crichton (CA), Nick Gardner (US), Yoshinori Komatsu (JP), Allen Sayler (US), Aurelie Dubois (IDF staff), Osamu Suganuma (JP), Clement Benoist (FR) and Peter Wolfs (NL)
  • Cary Frye (US)
  • Jaap Evers (NZ)
  • Keith Johnston (NZ)
  • Sandra Casani (DK)
  • Jointly Michel Hickey (IE) and Claus Heggum (DK)
  • PG-AMC-C13 – Milk and milk products– Determination of nitrogen content – Part 1: Kjeldahl principle and crude protein calculation. Dr. Dave Barbano (US), Richard Johnson (NZ), Dr. Silvia Orlandini (IT)
  • George Psathas (CY), Juan Romero (US) and Odd Rønningen (NO)

Yves Boutonnat International Milk Promotion Trophy

The annual IMP Trophy competition was initiated in 1989 by the IMP Group.

IMP is a permanent action team of the IDF Standing Committee on Marketing, it is a means of showcasing, to dairy farming and industry delegates attending the annual IDF World Dairy Summit, the best generic advertising campaigns created recently amongst the group in the key areas of innovation, nutri-marketing, and marketing communication. In honour of one of their founding members, Yves Boutonnat, it is now called the Yves Boutonnat International Milk Promotion Trophy.

Entries by marketing experts that are members of the IMP (International Milk Promotion) group are submitted to the IMP Group mid-year meeting where they are subject to peer-review, analysis and judging. The top 3 are selected to present their campaign and the winner is elected by secret ballot. The winner is considered the best in promoting the nutritional benefits and the healthy image and lifestyle of dairy foods.

Previous winners of the IMP Yves Boutonnat Award

  • Dairy Australia: “Our Dairy Promise”
  • United States of America: (USA) “Reset yourself with Dairy”
  • CNIEL France: #Fromagissons initiative
  • UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB): “The department of dairy-related scrumptious affairs”. The award is a means of showcasing the best generic advertising campaigns.
  • The European Milk Forum (EMF): ‘Milk Moments’ campaign.
  • Norwegian Dairy Council: One nutrient, hundred communication possibilities
  • Ireland: Promoting dairy for teenage healthy living
  • South Africa: Consumer Education Program of Milk SA
  • Dairy Australia: Changing our image – it is what we make it”
  • United States of America: Refuel with Chocolate Milk to Win the Race for Milk Sales
  • Norwegian Dairy Council: ‘No mornings without breakfast – no breakfast without milk’
  • Dairy Management Inc.: DMI (US) for the ‘Would You Like Milk With That?’ campaign