Conference Agenda

As the dairy industry navigates a new era of margin pressure and global opportunity, strategic leadership is more critical than ever. Join Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, for a deep dive into the policy, trade and regulatory shifts defining the future for producers, processors, and the entire dairy value chain. 

Success in today’s dairy industry requires a seamless connection between the parlor and the processing plant. This discussion brings together the strategic architects responsible for the first mile and beyond — focusing on member services, logistics, animal welfare standards and procurement. From the challenges of farm-to-plant transportation and milk marketing to the rigorous demands of value-added brands, our panelists will explore what it takes to align on-farm decisions with the realities of the modern supply chain. Learn how to navigate a rapidly changing marketplace in which producer-owner alignment and supply chain integrity are key to capturing true value.

Location: Breakout A
Producer Perspectives: Real-World Results with Individual Cow Feed Efficiency
Feed is the single largest cost on any dairy operation — but not every cow converts that feed into profit equally. In this focus session, moderated by the Afimilk team, three dairy producers from the East, West, and Midwest share how shifting their focus to tracking individual cow performance and efficiency has transformed how they make culling, breeding, and herd management decisions. These producers will discuss how identifying their most and least profitable cows has helped them move away from guesswork and toward data-driven decisions that directly impact their bottom line. Whether you're managing a multisite operation or a single herd, this session will show you how a two-tenths improvement in feed efficiency could mean millions in added annual profit. 
Sponsored by Afimilk

Location: Breakout B
Sponsored by Merck

Location: Breakout C
Managing BVDV Across Dairy and Calf-Raising Operations
BVDV risk extends beyond a single farm as calves move between dairies and custom-raising facilities. Join Joel Ysselstein of Meadowvale Dairy and Sherry Arnold of Busse’s Barron Acres as they share how they manage BVDV risk. They'll discuss what prompted them to take a closer look at BVDV, lessons learned along the way, how testing fits into their management approach, and the impact these decisions have had on calf health and operational confidence. Attendees will walk away with practical insights for identifying risk, protecting calf health, and building stronger disease-prevention strategies across interconnected dairy and calf-raising operations.
Participants
Moderator: Bonnie Carpio, IDEXX
Panelist: Joel Ysselstein, Meadowvale Dairy
Panelist: Sherry Arnold, Busse’s Barron Acres
Sponsored by IDEXX

Location: General Session
Sponsored by Lely

Break Sponsored by: 

When dairy demand grows, everyone wins — from the farm gate to the retail shelf. But in an era of plant-based competition, GLP-1 drugs reshaping protein consumption, and shifting consumer preferences, growing that pie requires precision, collaboration, and bold strategy. Hear from executives at Dairy Management Inc. and MilkPEP as they outline their coordinated approach to increasing per capita consumption, defending dairy's nutritional superiority and creating new occasions for dairy products. This is the roadmap for how checkoff investments are translating into real market gains — and what it means for your bottom line.

What separates good dairy operations from great ones? It isn’t luck — it is disciplined decision-making and a relentless focus on the bottom line. In this producer-to-producer conversation, top-performing operators share how they are navigating the margin revolution through strategic cost management, labor flexibility and precision technology. Attendees will gain actionable lessons on how to cut through the data noise, protect their margins and build a more resilient, high-performance operation.
 

Lunch Sponsored by:

MILK Business Awards Sponsored by:
            

Join us as we honor these producers during our MILK Business Conference lunch and awards presentation.

Location: Room A
Turnkey Dairy Construction: A Blueprint for Your Next Build or Expansion
What we will cover:
•        Why this decision carries so much weight — and where projects go wrong
•        Two starting points: greenfield new build vs. major expansion
•        The blueprint for building or remodeling a dairy facility
•        The hidden cost of stitching together multiple vendors
•        What a true single-partner, turnkey approach looks like
Participants
Ryan Calistro, President of Bower Ag
Torie Little, Accont Manager at Bower Ag
Sponsored by Bower Ag

Location: Breakout B
Impact of Milk Yield at Dry-Off in the Next Lactation
High milk yield at dry-off creates unique physiological and behavioral challenges, but producing more does not have to mean compromising udder health in the next lactation. As milk production increases, standard dry-off protocols need to evolve alongside modern management techniques. In this session, we will look inside the udder during involution, evaluate how behavioral metrics can give us early indicators of cow comfort, and share practical strategies to transition high-producing cows safely into a healthy, high-performing next lactation.
Participant
Dr. Luciano Caixeta, DVM, PhD, University of Minnesota, Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine (VPM)
Sponsored by Elanco 

Location: Breakout C
Sponsored by Pathway Intermediates (Lipidol Protect)

Location: General Session
The Power of Prevention: Turning Earlier Insight Into Profit
How much is delayed herd health management action costing your dairy? Earlier insight is only valuable when it translates into better decisions. With access to continuous internal data, producers are acting sooner to prevent small issues from becoming expensive ones. This panel explores how earlier decisions reduce costs, improve labor efficiency, and strengthen margins across herds.  
Panelists
Derrick Josi, Dairy Producer; Wilsonview Dairy; Founder of TDF Honest Farming
Ben Andersen, Dairy Producer; Andersen Dairy and Seagull Bay Dairy 
Michael Oosten, Owner of Marvo Holsteins
Sponsored by smaXtec

Sponsored by: 

These days, everyone has a piece of advice or a recipe for success and parsing through the options often takes more time and energy than you have. For a unique new view to consider for your business strategy, Farm Journal Intelligence has recently completed a nationwide study of growing dairies to reveal the common characteristics among those leading the industry. We will dive into mindset, practices, scale, and other attributes of dairies projected to grow over the next three years to give you an inside look into the pillars of those maintaining and growing despite difficult market conditions. Are you among them or what could you capitalize on to join them?

The 2026 State of the Dairy Industry report reveals a gray sky sentiment, with producers citing burnout and global uncertainty as major pressures. In this candid session, we move beyond the balance sheet to discuss the most critical asset on the farm: the people. Producers and mental health experts will explore the realities of leading through financial strain and family business dynamics. Learn how to identify burnout, protect your mental health and build a resilient culture that ensures your operation — and your family — is built to last. 

Sponsored by:

Sponsored by: 

Breakfast Sponsored by:

A new generation of dairy industry leaders is shaping the future, bringing fresh perspectives and a long-term vision to their operations. In this candid panel, young producers discuss how they are navigating today’s margin pressures while preparing their businesses for tomorrow. From technology adoption and workforce management to family business dynamics and succession, attendees will gain insight into the priorities and growth strategies driving the next chapter of the dairy industry.

Technology is only an asset if it delivers a measurable return. In an era of data fatigue and tight margins, how do you separate the shiny toys from the essential tools? In this producer-led discussion, dairy leaders share their frameworks for evaluating new tech, calculating true ROI and gaining employee buy-in. From automation to precision health monitoring, learn how to cut through the data noise and turn technology into a sustainable efficiency edge for your operation.

Sponsored by:

Women are architects of resilience across the dairy value chain — from managing high-performance operations to shaping strategy for global companies. In this session, leaders from both the farm and business sectors share how they are navigating financial volatility and the evolving needs of the modern workforce. Attendees will gain actionable insights on workforce development, strategic innovation and the high-level leadership required to drive the dairy industry toward a durable, resilient future. 
 

Beef-on-dairy has evolved from a niche opportunity into a strategic part of many dairy operations. As the market matures, success is no longer just about producing a crossbred calf—it's about producing the right calf for the right market. Join industry leaders from the feedyard and processing sectors as they discuss the next phase of beef on dairy, including genetics, consistency, carcass performance, branded beef programs and emerging market opportunities. Attendees will gain insight into what buyers are looking for, where value is being created across the supply chain, and how dairy producers can position themselves to capture greater returns in the years ahead.

Join us for a taping of U.S. Farm Report with host Tyne Morgan

Sponsored by: 

Sponsored by: 

The dairy industry is being reshaped by forces both inside and outside the farm gate. From the protein revolution and beef-on-dairy revenue to the credit crunch and evolving labor models, the strategic landscape is shifting rapidly. Join a panel of industry leaders as they examine the trends defining the next decade and discuss the critical decisions producers must make today to ensure long-term resilience. Attendees will gain a high-level roadmap to navigate market volatility, access capital and capture growth in an evolving global marketplace.

Dairy producers are finding unexpected ways to create new opportunities, solve problems and rethink what is possible on their operations. In this fast-paced closing session, producers will each share an idea or venture that may surprise you. You’ll leave with a fresh look at what dairies are doing today and what could be possible next.

Close out the conference with an evening under the stars at the Merry, Dairy & Bright Closing Reception! Thanks to Bower Ag, a bagpiper will kick off the evening with a performance during the first 30 minutes, and a specialty drink will be available while supplies last. Enjoy games and one last evening with fellow attendees.

The first 150 producers to arrive will receive a ticket to the Clayton & Crume Leather Branding Station, sponsored by Pathway Intermediates and Energy Feeds International, where they can create a custom keepsake.

Ugly Christmas sweaters are optional, but encouraged!

Thank You to our Closing Reception Sponsors: