American Dairy Science Association

The American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) is a nonprofit professional organization serving educators, researchers, students, consultants, and industry professionals involved in dairy science. Its work spans the full dairy system, from animal care and nutrition to farm management, economics, marketing, sanitation, processing, and the manufacture of dairy foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. Although established in the United States, the association has developed an international membership and scholarly reach. ADSA was formed in 1906 after discussions among participants in the Graduate School of Agriculture at Ohio State University. Wilber J. Fraser of the University of Illinois advocated creating a permanent body for dairy instructors and investigators. An organizing meeting held on July 17, 1906, produced the National Association of Dairy Instructors and Investigators. The organization soon changed its name to the Official Dairy Instructors Association and later adopted the name American Dairy Science Association. The present name was approved in 1916 and became effective on May 1, 1917. The association's principal platform is the Journal of Dairy Science, a peer-reviewed scientific publication whose first issue appeared on May 1, 1917. It initially appeared every two months, moved to monthly publication in 1934, and has become a highly cited journal in agricultural science. Through the journal, ADSA supports the dissemination of research on dairy production, animal health and nutrition, dairy foods, food safety, genetics, sustainability, farm economics, and related disciplines. ADSA also organizes an annual scientific meeting, maintains relationships with other professional organizations and public agencies, and supports international development and exchange. Its stated emphasis on integrating dairy disciplines from farm to table reflects an effort to connect production-animal science, agricultural economics, food processing, nutrition, and consumer-oriented dairy research rather than treating them as isolated fields. The organization grew from a small group of university-based instructors into a broad professional network. It had 1,407 members by 1945 and approximately 3,000 members in 50 countries by 1985. More recent reference material describes a membership of roughly 4,500. From 1927 through 1997, its annual meetings were generally held on college campuses; beginning in 1998, the meetings moved to convention centers. FASS Inc., established in 1998, provides management services for ADSA and other associations. ADSA is not a dairy-food manufacturer or consumer brand. Its brand value lies in professional credibility, scientific publishing, convening power, education, and liaison work across academia, government, and the dairy industry. Its audience includes university departments, dairy farmers and advisers, animal scientists, food scientists, processors, veterinarians, students, and organizations seeking evidence-based knowledge about dairy production and products.

ADSA originated in discussions at the 1905 Graduate School of Agriculture at Ohio State University. Wilber J. Fraser of the University of Illinois proposed establishing a permanent organization for dairy instructors and investigators. Following further consultations, Fraser called an organizational meeting at the 1906 Graduate School of Agriculture held at the University of Illinois in Urbana. The meeting on July 17, 1906, attracted the initial charter members and created the National Association of Dairy Instructors and Investigators. The young organization met again at the National Dairy Show in Chicago on October 11, 1907. At that meeting it adopted the name Official Dairy Instructors Association. Its third meeting, held at Cornell University on July 22–23, 1908, expanded considerably, attracting participants from Canada, 26 states, and the District of Columbia. Committees began developing standardized dairy scorecards and rules for judging contests, demonstrating the association's early interest in professional standards and practical evaluation. At a joint annual meeting in Amherst and Springfield, Massachusetts, on October 17, 1916, members voted to adopt the name American Dairy Science Association. The change took effect on May 1, 1917. On the same date, the organization issued the first volume and number of the Journal of Dairy Science. The journal initially appeared bimonthly and became a monthly publication in 1934. It remains the association's central scholarly institution and covers dairy production, animal nutrition, genetics, health, farm management, dairy foods, processing, and related scientific disciplines. The association expanded during the twentieth century as dairy education and research became more specialized. Membership reached 1,407 in 1945. By 1985, ADSA reported about 3,000 members distributed across 50 countries. At that time it operated from its own headquarters with a staff of 19, provided management services to six other organizations, and published the Journal of Dairy Science as well as journals for other associations. ADSA's meeting model also evolved. For most of the period from 1927 through 1997, annual meetings were held on university campuses. Beginning in 1998, the association generally used convention centers, reflecting the scale and professional character of its contemporary meetings. In the same period, FASS Inc., founded in 1998, became the association-management provider for ADSA and other clients. In its current role, ADSA serves as a professional and scientific network rather than a commercial dairy producer. It supports research publication, annual convening, scientific liaison with organizations and government agencies, education, and international collaboration. Its subject areas extend from dairy-animal care and nutrition to farm economics, marketing, sanitation, processing, and dairy-food manufacturing. The association's farm-to-table integration approach is intended to link these fields and create value for members working across the dairy system.

1. 1998Annual meetings moved to convention centers

   After decades of campus-based meetings, ADSA began holding annual meetings in convention centers. FASS Inc. was also established that year to provide association management services.

   Source
2. 1934Journal publication became monthly

   The Journal of Dairy Science moved from bimonthly to monthly publication.

   Source
3. 1917Journal of Dairy Science launched

   The current name became effective on May 1, the date associated with the first issue of the Journal of Dairy Science.

   Source
4. 1916Current name approved

   Members voted to change the organization's name to American Dairy Science Association.

   Source
5. 1907First name change

   At a meeting during the National Dairy Show in Chicago, the organization adopted the name Official Dairy Instructors Association.

   Source
6. 1906Organization founded

   An inaugural meeting at the University of Illinois on July 17 created the National Association of Dairy Instructors and Investigators, the predecessor of ADSA.

   Source
7. 1905Proposal for a permanent dairy association

   At the Graduate School of Agriculture at Ohio State University, Wilber J. Fraser proposed creating a permanent organization for dairy instructors and investigators.

   Source

A scientific and professional association connecting dairy research, education, production, processing, and industry practice across the farm-to-table value chain.

• Journal of Dairy ScienceScientific journal1917

  ADSA's principal scholarly publication, the Journal of Dairy Science disseminates peer-reviewed research across dairy production, animal nutrition and health, genetics, farm management, food science, processing, sanitation, economics, and related areas. Its first issue appeared in 1917, it became a monthly journal in 1934, and it is described in the reference material as one of the most-cited journals in agricultural science.

• ADSA Annual MeetingScientific conference

  The annual meeting is a central forum for presenting dairy research, exchanging technical knowledge, supporting professional networking, and connecting academic, government, and industry participants. Meetings were traditionally held on college campuses and have used convention centers since 1998.

• ADSA MembershipProfessional membership1906

  Membership provides a professional network for dairy scientists, educators, students, consultants, producers, processors, and allied specialists. The association uses its publishing, meeting, liaison, and international-development activities to connect disciplines from dairy farming through dairy-food manufacturing.

1. American Dairy Science Association
2. American Dairy Science Association official website