News from JAM 2012



While scientific presentations are the primary focus of the JAM, many other activities take place at the JAM. Here is a sampling of Monday's activities:

ADSA Dairy Specialist Breakfasts: The breakfast provides an opportunity for Dairy Extension specialists and other interested individuals to network, sharing ideas, concerns and activity updates. Guests at this year's breakfast came from as far away as China and South Korea. A primary concern was the drought and its impact on producers on states across the nation. Poor yields and increased feed costs are anticipated in most areas. Animal care faculty are being added at several universities including a Center at Purdue. Funding is a concern as state and federal resources have dwindled. Many extension programs now require grants to provide the resources needed to operate. DAIReXNET is growing and a Facebook page has been added.

JAM Interest Group: A small, but interested group gathered to discuss current Johne's program and research efforts. Federal program funding is likely to be eliminated and current research support is close to the end. Canadian participants reported on some of their current work on genetic resistance to MAP, however their funding is a concern also. Brief reports in JDIP Vaccine development, diagnostic evaluation and educational modules as well as the new mycobacterial multi-state initiative were discussed. If you are at the JAM and interested in the materials shared at the meeting, stop by the "ADSA Media Room" for copies.

Winners of the Dairy Research Institute New Product Competition
The Dairy Research Institute, through the support of the dairy checkoff, announced the winners of the inaugural Dairy Research Institute New Product Competition during a special July 16 ceremony at the 2012 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Meeting in Phoenix. The competition is designed to help inspire dairy innovation by challenging college students to develop dairy-based products that meet consumer needs. This year, participants were tasked with creating a dairy beverage that included more than 51 percent of fresh milk, dry milk or other dairy ingredients. The competition was open to undergraduate and graduate students who submitted entries as individuals or teams. Three winners were selected from 18 entries.

"Spurring product innovation, while at the same time identifying future leaders in the U.S. dairy industry is a win-win for dairy farmers," said Bill Siebenborn, a Missouri dairy farmer and chairman of United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA). UDIA represents 18 state and regional dairy promotion organizations across the country, helping fund the dairy checkoff program, a primary funding source for the Dairy Research Institute. "By identifying innovative products that meet today's consumer needs, we are helping contribute to the long-term viability of the U.S. dairy industry."

The first-place team, receiving $8,000: Oat-infused vanilla milk (Clemson University, SC) -Created with health-conscious adults in mind, the winning product, dubbed "tOATal Milk," is an oat-infused vanilla milk enhanced with protein, probiotics, conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and fiber. The entry caters to the growing sports performance beverage market and leverages the benefits of protein shakes and grain/nut milks while delivering the nutrition dairy provides. With 14g of protein and 4g of fiber per serving, this beverage has a light, sweet flavor profile. By combining the techniques used in the production of fluid milk and beer, the team was able to develop this product with only slight modifications to traditional dairy processing equipment.

The second-place team, receiving $5,000: On-the-go mango drinkable Greek yogurt (Mount Saint Vincent University, Nova Scotia, Canada) - Greek yogurt sales have increased significantly in recent years. Building on that product's popularity, "Mighty Mango" is an on-the-go drinkable yogurt that the students marketed for consumption post exercise. Targeted to health-conscious women, Mighty Mango contains nearly 10g of protein and fewer than 200 calories per serving. The students packaged the product in a biodegradable bottle to appeal to consumers' desire for environmentally-friendly products and speculated that future flavors beyond mango could include "Powerful Pineapple," "Brawny Berry," "Toned Tangelo" or "Fierce Fig."

The third-place team, receiving $3,000: Caffeine-enhanced drinkable yogurt with antioxidants (University of Tennessee, Tenn.) - In the United States, energy drinks make up 62.6 percent of the functional beverage market.[1] With the average amount of caffeine found in one cup of coffee (100 mg) in a drinkable yogurt consistency, "Wired Berry," taps into this growing market. Developed with teenagers and young adults in mind, the product is a healthy alternative that provides antioxidants, vitamin C, calcium and protein in addition to caffeine. Made with low-fat yogurt, the product is flavored with blueberry and strawberry purees and contains 190 calories per serving.

Three additional teams were selected as finalists, including:
• A premium, lactose free, ready-to-drink smoothie - Cornell University, "Dairy Dream Mango-Orange Smoothie".
• A carbonated yogurt smoothie developed as a healthy alternative to soda - Kansas State University, "Yo-Fizz".
• A fortified pomegranate chai milk beverage targeted to health-conscious consumers - University of Delaware, "PomMOOgranate".

The judging panel, composed of experts from the dairy industry, media, suppliers and members of the Dairy Research Institute, selected the winners. In addition to the final product, the six finalists also were evaluated on the merits of a cover letter and preliminary report, a final report and webinar presentation.

To find out more about the products and teams, visit USDairy.com/DairyResearchInstitute.

07.17.2012