25th IFCN Dairy Conference
West meets East
Asian dairies: Standing locally, thinking globally
June 29th – July 2nd, 2024 | Obihiro, Japan
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About the conference
Why should you join the 2024 IFCN Dairy Conference?
The first time in IFCN history the network is going to Asia to meet and discuss, next to the global trends, challenges and opportunities, the Asian market which shall be covering more than 50% of the global dairy consumption till 2050 due to IFCN Outlook.
It is important to explore the Asian consumer patterns, dairy industry structure but also the regional milk production systems and get a real overview of the regional challenges and opportunities for the dairy sector in Asia in connection with the global dairy situation.
Be part of this LIVE ONLY IFCN Dairy Conference 2024 and join us in Obihiro.
Don’t miss out on this important event! Fill out the form below and secure your spot at the IFCN Supporter Conference 2024. Together, we can drive the dairy industry forward, ensuring sustainability, innovation, and growth for years to come
Registrations of the IFCN Dairy Conference 2024
EU - 48 participants
Africa - 20 participants
Asia - 16 participants
Oceania - 4 participants
North America - 6 participants
South America - 12 participants
IFCN Dairy Conference 2024 – Preliminary Program – status 01.2024
Saturday 29th June | Pre-Conference
- Methods & Data Quality
- Surf & Turf Garden Party at Hotel Hokkaido
We invite you to a relaxed networking garden party with drinks during lovely Obihiro summer evening. We will have a typical Japanese gourmet menu to enjoy Hokkaido “Surf and Turf” with a nice garden view.
Sunday 30th June | Field Trip Day
- Yotsuba Processing Plant
This main factory is located in Tokachi region, the center of Hokkaido Dairyland, where Yotsuba Milk Products Co. Ltd. first began its operation in 1967. With a wide variety of facilities, this factory produces drinking milk, cream, butter, yogurt, milk powder and natural cheese for both retail and commercial markets. After watching a video about the factory’s history and current activities as well as corporate philosophy, the factory manager and company executives will guide you through the production lines. - M-Queen’s Dairy Farm
YR 2019, four local dairy farmers got together to establish modern enterprise to enhance milk volume/quality and their QOL. Approx. 500 heads in free-stall barn with rotary parlor. Their top managements take you to the farm tour and of course Q/A time will be available. - Obihiro University
Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine was founded in 1949 and has been growing with Hokkaido agriculture. They proud themselves on one single specialized national university for education/study agriculture, livestock science and veterinary in Japan, contributing those fields and industries for nation/world-wide. Exploring spacious campus after entering into the facility and sharing information of Asian milk cultures and history of Hokkaido dairy at their auditorium. - Asian Texmex at Rancho el Paso
Hokkaido is regarded as Japanese frontier area. Most of imported Western dishes were modified by Asian habits and local products. As well as Obihiro “TEXMEX” dishes, Hokkaido potato and home-made German style sausage are signature dishes.
Monday 1ST July | IFCN Dairy Outlook Day
- Introduction to Japanese dairy
- Status of the Dairy World & key regional differences of the dairy markets
- East vs. West dairy farming systems comparison: What are the major differences and what can we learn from each other?
- IFCN Short Term Outlook: How will the uncertainties affect 2024/2025 developments?
- IFCN Long Term Outlook: What are the future dairy markets &what is needed to develop them?
- Japanese style Pub Evening at Wara Wara
The name of Japanese style “Pub” means “Smile! Smile!” Casual and friendly “Izakaya” is giving you a déjà vu to your school age, serving plenty of Japanese / Asian / Western foods. Providing opportunities to chat with Sapporo Beer/Sakefor networking.
Tuesday 2nd July | IFCN Special Topic Day
- Dairy in Japan
- Key challenges & opportunities for Japan – what do we need to know to understand the japanese dairy market?
- Status and Future of Asia: How is the East dairy market influencing the global market?
- Farewell Party at Hokkaido Hotel:
Several choices of Eastern and Western cuisines are served by buffet as farewell party at hotel ball-room. Many local folks, such as dairy producers, processors, professors, students, co-op and other related people will join our party. Fantastic opportunity of your networking with Japanese dairies.
The conference venue
25th IFCN Dairy Conference – Hokkaido Hotel, Obihiro
This year, dairy researchers are meeting in Obihiro, Japan.
A hotel set in small 100-year-old forest with soothing natural hot spring baths and a tranquil atmosphere. Surrounded by a verdant forest alive with sunlight and birdsong.
Hokkaido Hotel provides a relaxing oasis amid an urban cityscape. A stay at the hotel provides a doorway to popular Tokachi secrets, including plant-derived moor hot spring baths and delicious local food. Staff are committed to providing all guests with true comfort and warm hospitality.
Hotel recommendations:
Hokkaido Hotel
Hotel Nikko Northland Obihiro (Nikko Hotel)
Flight information
Reaching to heart of dairy land, Tokachi aera in Hokkaido, recommend to take domestic flight from Haneda (Tokyo Int’l airport=HND) to Obihiro airport (OBO) with approx. 1.5 hours flight after immigration/customs at Haneda airport.
Obihiro is central city of Tokachi dairy land area.
From airport to city of Obihiro
Shuttle bus to city center (next to Hotel Nikko Northland Obihiro) and Hokkaido Hotel are available. Approx. 40 minutes ride at around Euro7.00 per person.
From Hotel Nikko Northland Obihiro to Hokkaido Hotel
900metres from Hotel Nikko Northland Obihiro to Hokkaido Hotel. By taxi, approx. Euro 6.00-7.00. Hotel Nikko is located in the city center and Obihiro railroad station. Walking distance to many shops, restaurants, bars and other hotels.
Speakers & Panellists
Masatoshi Uchihashi
COO, J-milk (Japan Dairy Association)
Dr. Takahisa Hinata
José Nobre
Chief Executive Officer, AB Agri
Dr. Hauke Tergast
Thuenen-Institute: Dairy Economics, Policy Advise
Nobuyuki Suzuki
Director, Yotsuba Milk Products Co. Ltd.
Matthew Newman
Agricultural Economists and Farm Systems Consultant
Stefan Scherer
Smaxtec CEO
Dr. Yoshiharu Shimizuike
Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University
Mitsumasa Yamamoto
CEO, M-Queen's (Dairy Farm)
Mark Buda
Senior Lecturer at the Department of Agribusiness and Bioresource Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Kusmartono
Kittisak Ajariyakhajorn, DVM, PhD
Associate Professor Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Paidamoyo Patience Chadoka
CEO of Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers
Dr. Toshiyuki Nakata
CEO, Tomoe Dairy Processing Co. Ltd
Tieu Duc Viet
Founder and CEO of SFarming Vietnam Co., LTD, a trusted partner for sustainable farming in Vietnam that established in 2018.
Hugo Quattrochi
Dairy Consultant
Bart De Saegher
CEO at De Saegher Dairy Inc
Olusegun Oloruntobi
MD/CEO of Stagic Solutions Limited
Enock Ndaki
Veterinary Doctor and Food Safety expert
Dr. Olli Niskanen
Senior Researcher and Head of Business Economics research group at Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
Zenichi Tokuda
Vice President “HOKUREN”, Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives
Erik Elgersma
Founder and director of Strategic Analysis Services BV
IFCN Team
Łukasz Wyrzykowski
Managing Director
Dorothee Bölling
Senior Dairy Economist
Philipp Goetz
Head Sales & Business Development
Amelie Kölbl
Lead Events & Marketing
Andrea Lendewig
Head Research & Development
Sofia Iordanidou
Junior Dairy Economist
These partners were sponsors of IFCN events since 2022
Be part of the IFCN Dairy Conference 2024
The top 3 IFCN Conferences
More than 2500 people related with the dairy sector joined IFCN events in 2023!
Be part of the dynamic IFCN network, connect with outstanding researchers from all over the world and share latest insights the Dairy World to create future together. High impact, major topics – highly respected speakers & panelists and a unique networking opportunity.
- IFCN Dairy Conference in May 2023
100 researchers from more than 80 countries - IFCN Supporter Conference in September 2023:
500 participants from more than 70 companies - IFCN Emerging Dairy Regions Forum in November 2023:
860 registrations
Breakdown by countries
People registered for the IFCN Dairy Conference in 2023 came from the orange marked countries
Breakdown by segments
These research partners provided information about their countries in 2023 and use the IFCN knowledge and data for their research, teaching and farm advisory work:
