Based on her experiences at the show, which ran for four days alongside ProcessExpo, IDFA vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs, Cary Frye, identified sustainability as "playing a big role" in the evolution of the dairy sector.
"I was on the show floor, and I'm getting a feel that sustainability is playing a big role - and I think its globally, not just in the US," she said. "The companies are looking at how to be more economically sustainable, more environmentally sustainable, and even more sociably sustainable."
"We're seeing that in packaging, with lighter packaging and more efficient packaging. I've also seen it in energy use - not just the energy to run the factories, but the energy to clean the factories."
As well as a greater focus on sustainability, the growing international presence of US dairy was evident. According to Frye, around 13% of attendees at this year's show traveled to the show from outside of the US.