Babcock Institute receives export achievement award

The Babcock Institute for International Dairy Research and Development received a 2006 Governor’s Export Achievement Award – Agricultural Support Service Providers at the 42nd annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference May 9 in Milwaukee.

The award is given to organizations or companies that provide services that enhance the ability of Wisconsin firms to export their products.

Gov. Jim Doyle presented the award to Kenneth Shapiro, associate dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

The Babcock Institute strengthens the worldwide dairy industry by sharing Wisconsin’s expertise through multilingual publications, training programs and research. In the process, it reinforces the state’s reputation as the world’s center for dairy expertise and technology and builds international markets for Wisconsin dairy products, supplies and services.

In addition, Babcock Institute researchers regularly analyze international dairy markets to help the Wisconsin dairy industry and policy makers evaluate trends and competitors and develop appropriate strategies.

Emerging dairy industries are the primary target for the institute’s outreach work. To date, it has staged 87 short courses for 3,280 dairy leaders from 59 countries. More than 150 countries have received the institute’s print and Internet publications. This is the institute’s second Governor’s Export Achievement Award. It received the first in 1999.