CALL FOR SCIENTIFIC POSTERS

Dates: 19–21 October 2026
Location: ESNEKI Dairy Centre Markina-Xemein, Euskadi-Basque Country
Topic of the 2026 Edition: Cheese and Dairy Technology
Applying dairy science and technology at farm and cheesemakers scale across Europe.

1) Scope & Topics

FACENETWORK 2026 invites contributions from across Europe, in line with the network’s mission to strengthen artisan dairy knowledge internationally. Poster submissions should relate to the practical application of dairy science and technology at the level of farms, small dairies and artisan cheesemakers.

Poster themes include:

Milk composition & quality

• Microbiology of raw milk,
• microbial communities,
• phage interactions,
• physicochemical properties,
• somatic cells,
• mineral balance,
• others

Artisan dairy technology & innovation

• Coagulation,
• curd cutting and handling,
• salting,
• drying,
• aging/ripening,
• defect prevention,
• shelf-life,
• novel processes,
• equipment adaptations,
• decision-support tools,
• knowledge transfer cases,
• others

Quality & safety in small-scale dairies

• Hygiene,
• pathogen control,
• sanitation strategies,
• environmental monitoring,
• others

Analytical methods

• Novel methods and optimisation of analytical techniques for quality and safety control in dairy products.

Animal management, Sustainability & terroir-driven variability

• Influence of husbandry practices,
• health and welfare,
• breeds,
• feeding systems,
• seasonality,
• environmental conditions on milk performance and product quality.

Miscellaneous

• Any other research relevant to artisan dairy science and technology.

2) Key Dates

• Abstract submission deadline: 30 June 2026
• Notification to authors: 30 July 2026
• Final poster PDF upload: 25 September 2026

> On-site poster schedule

• Poster mounting:
  Tuesday, 20 October — 08:00–09:00
• Jury visit (poster evaluation):
  Wednesday, 21 October — during the coffee break
• Poster dismantling:
  Wednesday, 21 October — 16:30–17:30
• Awards ceremony:
  Wednesday, 21 October — during the closing session

3) Submission Instructions

> Step 1 — Abstract Submission

• Language: English
• Length: up to 250 words (no figures/tables)
• Structure: Background – Methods – Results – Conclusions
• Keywords: 3–5
• Format: Word (1 page), template is mandatory
  Template for Download
• Upload here (Participation Code: 638131)

> Step 2 — Final Poster Submission

• Print format: A0 portrait (841 × 1189 mm)
• Language: English
• Recommended design:
• Structure: Background – Methods – Results – Conclusions
• Title ≥ 85 pt
• High contrast colours
• Clear figures and legends
• Optional: QR linking to supplementary data/video
• Format: PDF (1 page)
• Upload here (Participation Code: 638131)

> On-site requirements

• Posters must be mounted only during the official time slot
  (20 Oct, 08:00–09:00)

• At least one author must be present during the jury visit for the poster to be eligible for awards.