The International Dairy Federation (IDF) has announced speakers for the 8th IDF International Symposium on sheep, goat and other non-cow milk, which takes place 4 and 5 May 2020 in Brussels, Belgium.

Presentations will describe the latest scientific advances about milk originating from other animals than cows in the fields of human nutrition, science and technology, milk production and quality, as well as advances in animal health.

“While cows produce much of the world’s milk supply, goat, sheep and other non-cow milks are also widely distributed throughout the world,” said IDF Director General, Caroline Emond. “They contribute to sustainable livelihoods through support of the economy, rural and peri-urban livelihoods, the empowerment of women and food security. This Symposium will give a renewed vision of knowledge, in line with current market trends and policies.”

Invited speakers include Dr Nicoline de Haan, International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya; Anna-Maria Baka, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE); Dr Haim Leibovich, consultant on sheep and goat dairy systems, Israel; Dr Sophie Gallier, Dairy Goat Co-operative, New Zealand; Assoc. Prof. Mutamed Ayyash, UAE University, United Arab Emirates; Prof. Thom Huppertz. Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands; and Assist. Prof. Nurit Argov, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.

More details on the symposium and the titles of the speakers· presentations can be found on the IDF website www.filidf.org/sheepandgoat2020.

Conference topics include: Sustainability (socio-economic and environmental aspects); animal health, udder health and milking efficiency; milk production strategies; novel milk products and health impact; processing technologies and quality and safety from farm to table.

The IDF scientific committee is also inviting authors to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations, with a deadline of 20 December 2019. The event will be of interest to scientists and other professionals involved in the sheep’s, goat’s and other non-cow dairy sectors including milk producers, the dairy processing industry, trade associations, academia and governments.

For more information or to reserve your place, visit www.fil-idf.org/sheepandgoat2020.