ccording to a recent analysis of Essential Science Indicators data, the International Journal of Dairy Technology (IJDT) is making its mark in the field of Agricultural Sciences. Its current record includes 314 papers cited a total of 939 times. The IJDT is the flagship journal of the Society of Dairy Technology (SDT), and is published on behalf of the SDT by Blackwell. In the interview below, IJDT’s Editor, Hugh Pinnock, talks with in-cites about the journal’s history and citation record.

  Did you expect IJDT to become highly cited, or is this surprising to you? 

The journal had had a modest citation record and had developed a backlog of papers, many of which were of moderate quality. The SDT Publications Committee, individual SDT officers, and the editorial team have, over the past three years, made significant efforts to deal with these deficiencies. It is therefore not surprising, but very encouraging, that the citation performance has improved.

  How would you account for the increased citation rate of IJDT?

“IJDT has published on a wide spectrum of subjects within the overall dairying field...but with an emphasis whenever possible on industrial implications of the research published.”

As previously stated, the work has focused on raising quality by attempting to reach a higher standard of published original research. This finds expression in a far wider refereeing base—which seems to have brought a more critical stance from new referees—and a willingness to publish research outside what might have been seen as the “natural” sphere of dairy technology by including more papers on subjects embracing not only biochemical and enzymological topics, but also on dairy economics and food policy aspects.

  Was there a change in policy or editorial direction that might account for this? 

As indicated in the previous answer, it was not a sudden policy decision but rather a gradual change in emphasis.

  What historical factors have contributed to the success of IJDT? 

IJDT has published on a wide spectrum of subjects within the overall dairying field, extended as described above, but with an emphasis whenever possible on industrial implications of the research published.

  Have there been specific developments in the fields served by IJDT that may have contributed?

The emergence of subjects with dietary health implications and corresponding policy and commercial potential: cholesterol-reducing dairy products, prebiotic and probiotic foods, new approaches to packaging technology, and increased concerns about dairy-plant hygiene and pathogens, are examples.

  What, in your view, is this journal’s main significance or contribution in the field of Agricultural Sciences?

To the extent that dairying is a huge industry with obvious links to the farm and to factory-scale production, it would appear significant in offering new industrial and commercial directions for the industry to take, based on good peer-reviewed science.

  How do you see your field(s) evolving in the next few years? 

A greater role for biochemistry and perhaps even gene technology in formulating new dairy foods?

  What role do you see for your journal? 

Increasingly mirroring these changes and thus reaching a wider readership, but still being firmly based in dairy science for good food production.

 International Journal of Dairy Technology

Hugh Pinnock, Editor

Published by Blackwell on behalf of the Society of Dairy Technology