From 12pm

The day begins with an immersive experience of the Italian dairy sector on two beautiful local farms (traditional 430 cow farm, modern 1900 cow farm), where participants are invited to connect farm-level realities with the broader global context. Through curated visits and on-site insights, you will discover how regional strengths, quality focus, and efficiency come together to shape competitiveness in today’s market. A memorable opening that blends authenticity, insight, and inspiration.

Opening Networking at Corale Verdi, Parma

19:30 - 22:30
Set in a historic venue rooted in Parma’s choral tradition, the evening marks the first gathering point of the conference - bringing the crowd together in a setting where informal exchange begins and connections across disciplines naturally take shape.

8:00-12:00
The Field trip part 2 offers an exclusive visit to a Parmigiano Reggiano production site and storage facility, providing a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of Italy’s most iconic cheeses. We will follow the journey from production to maturation, gaining firsthand insight into the craftsmanship, precision, and tradition that define this world-renowned product.
This immersive experience brings to life the connection between quality, heritage, and innovation offering a unique opportunity to witness excellence in action and deepen your understanding of a true symbol of Italian dairy expertise.
OR
IFCN Think Tank

Welcome to Italian Agriculture

14:00 - 15:30
The opening session sets the frame for the conference topic and the sessions in the upcoming days. It brings together different perspectives from industry, research, and processing to outline where the sector stands today and which questions will shape the discussions ahead. With welcoming remarks from Kemin as host, the session marks the formal beginning of the conference dialogue.

Global Dairy Overview - Market Level

16:00 - 18:45
This session sets the global context for the dairy industry, starting with macroeconomic and agricultural developments and their impact on current market dynamics. It then looks at consumption trends, category shifts, and purchasing power shaping today’s dairy markets.
A concluding panel discussion focuses on navigating volatility and identifying current challenges and opportunities across the global landscape.
.

Networking Dinner at Starhotels du Parc, Parma

19:30 - 23:00
An evening at Starhotels Du Parc in Parma, offering a relaxed close to the conference day.
In an informal setting with good food and wine, the focus shifts from the program to open conversations, continued discussions, and the chance to connect more personally. A space to revisit ideas from the day and let new exchanges develop naturally.

.

Global Dairy Overview - Farm Level

09:00- 10:00
Presented by IFCN, this session focuses on farm-level realities, highlighting key challenges and opportunities across regions. It explores how local conditions and varying trends shape dairy production systems worldwide.
Understanding farm-level diversity as the foundation for future dairy development.

IFCN Researcher Session - global overview trough different regions

10:00-11:00
This session features a series of presentations by IFCN researchers, providing a global overview of the dairy sector across key regions. It covers Latin America, focusing on market dynamics, farm economics, and implications for feeding systems; the EU, with a particular look at Spain as a net deficit market; as well as insights from Africa and Asia, offering a broad perspective on regional dairy developments worldwide.

Global Initiatives & Farmer Perspective

11:45-13:15
This session brings together a series of presentations offering an institutional perspective on global dairy initiatives, focusing on efficiency, innovation, and collaboration. It is followed by a farmer’s view on positioning Italian dairy farming within a volatile global market.

The session concludes with an expert panel that connects the perspectives of farmers and institutions to discuss the future direction of the global dairy sector.

Company Case Studies on Efficiency, Cooperation & Innovation

14:45-17:45
This session features presentations exploring how efficiency and innovation can be assessed on dairy farms worldwide, followed by a closer look at approaches supporting sustainability across the broader farm ecosystem.

It concludes with an expert panel discussing whether cooperation or competition is the stronger driver of innovation and efficiency in the dairy industry.

Gala Evening at Palazzo della Pilotta

19:00-23:00
An evening at Palazzo della Pilotta in Parma, one of the city’s most iconic Renaissance landmarks, home to treasures such as the Teatro Farnese and the National Gallery.

Within this extraordinary setting, the evening concludes in a celebration of Italian culture, hospitality, and shared experience. Guests will enjoy regional cuisine and selected wines, accompanied by live opera singing and classical music that fill the historic halls with atmosphere and emotion.

The evening invites guests to unwind, engage, and connect surrounded by music, history, and conversation in a setting that brings people together in a truly memorable way.

KEMIN x IFCN Feed Efficiency Session

8:00-11:30
The session invites you to explore the powerful connection between feed efficiency and sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Inspiring presentations will showcase how feed efficiency can drive progress toward a more sustainable future, alongside cutting-edge research contributions shaping the field.

This interactive workshop will span the entire dairy value chain, focusing on prioritized steps to achieve a sustainable and efficient dairy sector by 2035.

Join dynamic round table discussions with a diverse mix of participants, where fresh perspectives and open dialogue will spark innovative, out-of-the-box thinking. Together, you will help shape a forward-looking roadmap to 2035—generating ideas that go beyond individual industry boundaries. The session will conclude with a debrief, bringing together key insights and shared ambitions for the future.

IFCN Outlook Session                                                          

12:45-15:00
The session will feature a series of insightful presentations, including the IFCN Dairy Market Outlook for 2027 and beyond, US dairy market update, and an exploration of future dairy demand from a consumer perspective. Together, these perspectives will shed light on the key forces shaping the global dairy landscape.

Following the presentations, a dynamic panel discussion will explore the broader market outlook, bringing together diverse perspectives on emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges ahead.

Shuttle busses to Bologna and Milano airports

15:30 
Approx. 18:30 at MXP + 16:30 at Bologna airport