IFCN DAIRY CONFERENCE 2025
Future Dairy Farming Systems
Resilience as a Path to Sustainability
20 – 23 May 2025 / Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Event hosts
Platinum sponsor
Opportunities available
Gold & Silver sponsors
Opportunities available
IFCN DAIRY CONFERENCE | FUTURE DAIRY FARMING
Be part of this live only event and join us in Leeuwarden
Leeuwarden, the European Capital of Culture 2018, offers the perfect backdrop for our conference on the future of dairy farming. As home to the renowned Dairy Campus, a hub of innovation from Wageningen University & Research, Leeuwarden stands at the forefront of advancements in dairy farming. Situated in the Netherlands—a pivotal player in Europe’s agricultural sector—this vibrant city embodies progress and sustainability, making it an ideal destination for exploring cutting-edge solutions and shaping the future of the dairy industry.
IFCN DAIRY CONFERENCE | FUTURE DAIRY FARMING
Why this topic is important?
Climate Change & Environmental Impact
Resilient dairy systems help mitigate the effects of climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and soil degradation.
Global Food Security
Resilient systems ensure a consistent, high-quality dairy supply, supporting food security as the global population grows.
Economic Stability for Farmers
By promoting efficiency and diversification, resilient systems help farmers maintain stable incomes despite market volatility.
Sustainability of Natural Resources
Resilience involves using water, energy, and land more efficiently, ensuring these resources remain available for future generations.
Animal Welfare & Ethical Practices
Focus on resilience promotes better animal care, improving livestock health, productivity, and overall well-being.
Adaptation to Policy & Consumer Demand
Resilient systems are better equipped to adapt to changing regulations and consumer preferences, ensuring competitiveness and compliance.
IFCN DAIRY CONFERENCE | FUTURE DAIRY FARMING
Preliminary program – status 02.2025
Program
Tuesday 20th May / Field Trip
A family-owned dairy farm run by Anton, Tiny, and Arjan Stokman, dedicated to sustainable and animal-friendly farming since 1964. Located in Koudum near the IJsselmeer, the farm features a modern facility for 300 cows, a sustainable barn, and a biogas installation. Their innovative "free-choice barn" harmonizes animal welfare, the environment, and technology. Cows enjoy lasagna silage, while 360,000 cubic meters of biogas are fed into the grid annually. Through partnerships with tech innovators, the Stokmans showcase how sustainability can be both practical and inspiring.
Galema-Kleasterlân – Hartwerd
This family-run farm milks 155 cows on 160 hectares of land, combining traditional dairy farming with innovative and sustainable practices. They grow 25 hectares of corn and maintain 45 hectares of nature grasslands, providing a habitat for meadow birds. The cows are milked using robotic systems and spend as much time as possible grazing in the pasture. Sustainability is a priority, with permanent grasslands capturing CO2 to sell CO2 certificates, alongside generating wind and solar energy and investing in energy storage solutions. The farm proudly balances innovation, sustainability, and nature conservation.
IFCN Welcome BBQ at Dairy Campus Leeuwarden
Wednesday 21st May / Dairy Data & Knowledge Day
08:00 Meeting Point Post Plaza Hotel Leeuwarden for Departure to Dairy Campus by Bus
09:00 – 12:00 Pre Conference - IFCN Researcher Workshop: Shaping the future together
Agenda:
- IFCN Development: Progress in R&D in the last year
- Presentation of the new IT tool: Data Hub/IFCN Dairy Platform
- Sharing results from the Farm Economics Outlook report
- Introduction of the Emissions Tool: A tailor-made solution for carbon footprint measurement
- Researcher’s activity: Improving indicators, methods, and knowledge flow
- Review of farm and sector-level indicators introduced in recent years
- Discussion on the content of the Dairy Report and Country Pages
- IFCN and me: Feedback and action points (Workshop)
- New indicators, expanding research, and exploring new methods
- Monthly/quarterly contributions to knowledge exchange
- Discussion on the value of the partnership, including webinars, newsletters, data sharing, and networking opportunities
13:00 – 14:30 Welcome to Dutch Dairy & IFCN network
- Welcome at Dairy Campus / Aebe Alberts – Dairy Campus
- Status of the IFCN network / Sofia Iordanidou & Ernesto Reyes – IFCN
- Update on IFCN Strategy Development 2025 – 2030 / Lukasz Wyrzykowski, Ernesto Reyes - IFCN & John Allen – Ab Agri
14:45 – 18:00 Status of the Dairy World
- Introduction into Dutch Dairy / Jan van Beekhuizen – Aeres
- Global Dairy in 2024: Data & trends that shape resilience in Dairy / Andrea Lendewig – IFCN
- Are dairy farms geared up for the future? Farms today and their ability to master the future / Dorothee Boelling – IFCN
- Panel: Dairy under pressure – What is driving market trends & farm economics
- Panelists: Christian Gazzarin, Steve Couture, TBA, TBA
19:30 – 22:00 Networking Evening at Hotel Post Plaza in Leeuwarden
Thursday 22nd May / Special Topic Day
08:00 Meeting Point Post Plaza Hotel Leeuwarden for Departure to Dairy Campus by Bus
09:00 – 10:30 Past, Present & Future of Dutch Dairy
- Future Farming Systems: Resilience as a Path to Sustainability / Łukasz Wyrzykowski – IFCN
- Key Note: Overall Dutch Dairy towards 2035 / tba
11:00 – 13:00 Resilience as a Path to Sustainability
- Resilience Project: Protein in feed and milk yield / Michel de Haan – WUR
- IDF and the global dairy sector’s contribution to sustainability / Maria Sanchez - IDF
- Reconciling animal welfare & farm productivity / tba
- How innovation can drive sustainability on farms / Ernesto Reyes - IFCN
- Panel: Balancing Resilience & Sustainability. The key to building future-proof dairy?
14:00 – 15:30 Dairy Campus Tour
15:45 – 17:45 Weathering the Storm: Global Approaches to Building Dairy Resilience during crisis
- Resilience in Dairy: New Zealand / Matthew Newman – Abacus Bio
- Resilience in Dairy: US / Hernan Tejeda – University of Idaho
- Resilience in Dairy: Brazil / Natalia Grigol - CEPEA
- Panel: Resilience in Dairy Farming: What can regions learn from each other?
19:45 Farewell Party at Harmony Theatre in Leeuwarden
Friday 23rd May / IFCN Dairy Outlook Day
08:00 Meeting Point Post Plaza Hotel Leeuwarden for Departure to Dairy Campus by Bus
09:00 – 10:30 Workshop – Shaping the Future of Dairy
10:45 – 12:30 IFCN Dairy Outlook
- From Volatility to Vision: dairy market outlook for 2025 & beyond / Milica Kocic & Andrea Lendewig – IFCN
- Inflation and Leadership Changes in Argentina & the impact on dairy farms / Hugo Quattrochi – TBA
- Impact of the Merkosur Agreement / Alberto Menghi - TBA
- Panel: Dairy in 2035 – On Track or Off Course?
14:00 Departure Bus to Hotel Post Plaza, Leeuwarden
Conference venue & recommended hotels
CONFERENCE VENUE
Dairy Campus Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
Dairy Campus is an inspiring environment for anyone interested in or involved in the dairy supply chain. Or for anyone simply wanting to have a look round a modern ‘smart’ farm. There’s more going on here than you’d think! You’re more than welcome to visit us to find out for yourself. We guarantee that you’ll leave here brimming with new knowledge and insights.
Getting to Leeuwarden
From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) to Leeuwarden by train:
1. Train from Schiphol to Leeuwarden:
-
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
- Connection: Direct Intercity trains run regularly from Amsterdam Schiphol to Leeuwarden.
- Tickets: You can buy tickets online on the NS website or at the ticket machines at the airport.
- Timetable: Trains depart every 30 minutes. Check the current timetable here: Schiphol to Leeuwarden timetable.
2. To the Schiphol Train Station
-
- The station is located directly in the airport and is well-signposted.
- The station is located directly in the airport and is well-signposted.
From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) to Leeuwarden by rental car:
-
- Car rental: You can also rent a car directly at Schiphol Airport. Major car rental companies have offices at the airport.
- Driving time: The drive to Leeuwarden takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic.
Be part of the IFCN Dairy Conference 2025
Join the IFCN Dairy Conference 2025 – Where the Global Dairy Industry Meets!
In 2024, over 2,500 dairy professionals participated in IFCN events—now it’s your turn! Be part of the upcoming IFCN Dairy Conference 2025 and connect with top researchers, industry leaders, and innovators from around the world. Gain exclusive insights into the latest trends and challenges shaping the Dairy World.
With high-impact discussions on major topics, esteemed speakers, engaging panelists, and unparalleled networking opportunities, this is your chance to shape the future of dairy. Don’t miss out—register now and take your place in the dynamic IFCN network!
IFCN Dairy Conference 2024
Dairy Experts
COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD
IFCN Supporter Conference 2024
Participants
COMPANIES
Breakdown by countries
People registered for the IFCN Dairy Conference in 2024 came from the orange marked countries
Breakdown by segments
See what we can do together
Speakers & Panelists
Speakers & Panelists
Hernan Tejeda
Associate Professor, Dairy & Livestock Economics Specialist
Matthew Newman
Agricultural Economists & Farm Systems Consultant
Natalia Grigol
Researcher
Aebe Alberts
Manager
Michel de Haan
Project Leader
Jan van Beekhuizen
University Lecturer
Hugo Quattrochi
Researcher
IFCN Team
Łukasz Wyrzykowski
Managing Director
Sofia Iordanidou
Research & Network Manager
Andrea Lendewig
Head R&D
Dorothee Bölling
Senior Dairy Economist
Milica Kocić
Senior Dairy Economist
Abdullah Raffie
Dairy Economist
Amelie Kölbl
Lead Events & Marketing
Vanessa Haberer
Head Finance & Controlling
Senior Consultant
Erik Elgersma
IFCN CONFERENCE PARTNERS
These partners were sponsors of IFCN events since 2022:
Get more information about upcoming conference
Are you eager to learn more about our upcoming dairy conference in the Netherlands or interested in presenting as a research partner? We’re here to help!
Our dedicated team is ready to provide all the details you need, including the conference topics, expert speakers, event schedule, and registration information. Have questions or special requests? Don’t hesitate to get in touch.
This is your chance to connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and contribute to advancing dairy research. Reach out today for personalized assistance and make the most of this incredible opportunity!
Contact us now for more information!