The 2009 Dairy Product Grading and Evaluation Clinic will be held September 29 at World Dairy Expo, Madison, Wis. This clinic is a comprehensive training program on dairy product grading (cheese, butter, cottage cheese and ice cream) led by graders from the USDA, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection and University of Wisconsin.

The Dairy Product Grading and Evaluation Clinic provides an excellent opportunity for dairy industry personnel to sharpen their present grading skills while learning new product evaluation techniques. This year’s clinic will feature a comprehensive grading session format in which expert graders will discuss common defects in dairy products, what buyers are looking for and how to properly grade dairy foods. Following this presentation, federal, state and selected industry graders will join attendees as they have an opportunity to evaluate more than 40 different samples of cheese, butter, cottage cheese and ice cream.

In the afternoon, participants will hear informative presentations of issues that impact the dairy industry. The session begins with Juan Romero, Center for Dairy Research, speaking on intentional food contaminants.    

Following that discussion, there will be a presentation by Dave Robbins, Dean Foods, on required retailer audits for dairy plants. Finally, Steve Ingham, DATCP, will discuss new dairy regulations coming from FDA and DATCP.

Attendees to the Clinic also will have the opportunity to tour World Dairy Expo during lunch and following the clinic.

The Dairy Product Grading & Evaluation Clinic will be of interest to all segments of the dairy processing industry – graders, quality and assurance personnel, technicians, salespersons, plant managers, retailers, suppliers and farmstead operations.

The registration rates are as follows:
                                        1st Company        Each Add’l
                                     Representative        Company Rep
WDPA Members                     $130              $95
Non-Members                        $180               $145


The registration deadline is Tuesday, September 22.

For more information visit www.wdpa.net or call the Wisconsin Dairy Products Assn at 608/836-3336.