Program

Preconference symposia and workshops are scheduled for Sunday, June 21; scientific sessions will begin Monday morning (June 22), and run through 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24. 

Coffee and pastries will be served in the hall from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. during the morning sessions. Ice cream and a cash bar will be available for the afternoon poster sessions.

All times below are subject to change!

Networking Events for 2026

• First-Time Attendees’ Reception: Sunday, June 21 | 5:00 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
• Opening Session and Reception: Sunday, June 21 | 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
• ADSA Awards Program: Tuesday, June 23| 7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
• Ice Cream Social: Tuesday, June 23 | 8:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
• Closing Party: Wednesday, June 24 | 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Requires additional ticket fee

Scientific Program Format for 2026

• Poster sessions
  • Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
• Morning scientific sessions: 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• Lunch breaks: 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
• Afternoon scientific sessions
  • Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: 1:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Afternoon ice cream breaks in the exhibit hall
  • Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Animal Science Modelers Group (full day; ADDITIONAL FEE REQUIRED)

Join the annual Animal Science Modelers Group for a one-day event showcasing the latest research and developments in animal science modeling. This gathering is a platform for researchers and industry professionals to share and discuss cutting-edge computational approaches, from mechanistic models of animal nutrition and metabolism to applications of machine learning for animal management and welfare.

Dairy Records Management (half day; ADDITIONAL FEE REQUIRED)

Dairy Records Management Systems (DRMS) has developed reports to aid in the analysis of dairy information for daily decision-making by herdspersons and consultants. Through expert instruction, engaging discussion, and hands-on simulation, this half-day workshop will give you experience with their cloud-based suite of products.

Distinguished Professor Donald McMahon Recognition Symposium

Distinguished Professor Donald McMahon is an internationally recognized dairy chemist with more than 37 years of research experience. His outstanding contributions to understanding casein micelles, protein chemistry, cheese structure and functionality, and ultra-high-temperature milk gelation have inspired his peers and young researchers worldwide. He has been a great supporter of student training and capacity building, as demonstrated by his role in cofounding BUILD (Building University-Industry Linkages through Learning and Discovery) Dairy, an industry-led initiative to connect dairy companies to universities and researchers in the western region. He retired from Utah State University in 2021. The ADSA Dairy Foods Division organized the Donald McMahon Recognition Symposium to highlight his remarkable research, mentorship, and industry contributions, all of which have significantly influenced the dairy industry and beyond.

Joint Animal Health and Physiology and Endocrinology Symposium: Immunometabolism and Pathogenesis in Dairy Cattle Health and Disease

Over the past decade, we have learned that the immune system and metabolism are intricately connected, leading to the field of immunometabolism. An important part of immunometabolic research is understanding the role that nutrition plays in modulating metabolism and immune responses. Much of our understanding of immunometabolism in dairy cattle comes from studying periods of stress, particularly the transition period. However, there is still much to learn, and we continue to uncover how important the immune system is during periods of stress in animal management.

This symposium aims to address emerging findings that represent the next generation of research in molecular, cellular, and animal data to improve our understanding of the interactions between cellular metabolism and immune responses.

Joint Animal Behavior and Well-Being and Breeding and Genetics Symposium: Genomics of Dairy Cattle Behavior and Well-Being

This symposium will explore how genetic selection and modern genomics are reshaping our understanding of dairy cattle behavior, and how this knowledge can be used to improve dry matter intake, health, and overall productivity, with an emphasis on milk components (fat and protein). Behavioral traits such as temperament, feeding, resting, walking, estrus expression, cow-robot interaction, cow-human interaction, and adaptability play a critical role in cow well-being, labor efficiency, and sustainability. Historically, these traits were difficult to measure and, therefore, challenging to incorporate into breeding programs. Today, advances in genomic prediction, multi-omics data, sensor-based phenotyping, and machine learning allow researchers and producers to link DNA to behavior and select cows that are both high performing and easy to manage. This symposium will feature leading experts covering

• the evolution of genetic evaluations and national selection indices,
• behavioral trait mapping for genomic prediction,
• the genetic architecture of complex behaviors using multi-omics, and
• the integration of genomic data with real-time behavioral phenotypes.

A producer and artificial insemination–industry panel will conclude the program, offering practical insights into how behavioral genomics guides bull selection, mating programs, herd-level management, and preventive health strategies. This discussion will highlight how proactive selection for behavioral traits can reduce stress, improve intake, and support healthier, more productive cows. This symposium is designed for academics, students, government professionals, consultants, and nutritionists seeking to understand how genetics can simultaneously advance cow well-being, disease prevention, productivity, and sustainability, while aligning with the evolving needs of modern dairy systems.

Lactation Biology Symposium: The New Era of High Components—How Can We Increase Milk Protein in Accordance with Milk Fat?

Coming soon!

Joint ARPAS and Ruminant Nutrition Symposium: New Insights in Calcium Utilization, Metabolism, and Dietary Management

Coming soon!

Forages and Pastures Symposium: Sustainable Forage Production—A Management Perspective on Climate Resilience

Coming soon!

Dairy Foods Symposium: The Milk Fat Globule Membrane—Recent Technological Advances in the Milk Fat Globule Membrane–and Dairy Phospholipid–Rich Ingredients

Ingredients such as whey protein phospholipid concentrate, buttermilk, and beta serum are some of the key coproduct streams during the production of various mainstream dairy products and ingredients. These ingredients contain valuable bioactives in the form of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) material and dairy phospholipids (PL). The milk fat globule membrane and PL continue to demonstrate various health benefits, such as improved cognition, gut health, and immunity, as well as unique functional properties when used in food applications. This symposium will showcase recent advances in MFGM- and PL-rich dairy ingredients by highlighting ongoing research on their role in human health, developments in processing technologies, and insights into functionality and flavor when used in food applications, offering a comprehensive view of how these ingredients can drive innovation in dairy and functional foods.

Joint ARPAS and Ruminant Nutrition Symposium: Basic Physiology to Field Translation and Nutritional Management of Transition Dairy Cows

The transition period is the most critical stage of the dairy cow’s production cycle and, despite decades of research, nutrition during this period remains an active frontier, with new insights into nutrient metabolism and immune regulation. Transition cow management is consistently cited by dairy producers, nutritionists, and veterinarians as a top priority because it directly drives herd profitability and long-term sustainability. Nutritional strategies that improve metabolism reduce metabolic disease, support fertility, and increase efficiency. This symposium will address both foundational mechanisms and field-level applications, featuring well-recognized researchers in the fields of calcium metabolism, nutritional modulation of inflammation and immunity, and energy and protein metabolism. Special focus will be placed on recent insights into calcium absorption and transport, its interaction with inflammation, and potential outcomes of both established and novel hypocalcemia-management strategies. Attendees will be provided with timely, actionable knowledge regarding this key period in the dairy cow’s production cycle.

Physiology and Endocrinology Symposium: Concepts and Strategies to Improve Physiological Resilience to Heat Stress in Dairy Cows

Coming soon!

Ruminant Nutrition Symposium: From Data to the Barn—The Application of Nutritional Models

Coming soon!

Milk Protein and Enzymes Symposium: Clean-Label Dairy Foods—The Functionality of Milk Proteins

In recent years, the term “clean label” has become associated with health and safety by consumers, making it a major area of interest in the food and dairy industries. Although it is not a well-defined claim in food regulations, a key aspect of clean-label formulation is the use of a few, simple, recognizable, and minimally processed ingredients. Dairy proteins, with their strong nutritional quality and versatile functionality, can play an important role in developing such products. This symposium aims to provide a technical overview of clean-label dairy innovations made possible by maximizing the functionality of dairy proteins.

Dairy Foods Symposium: Advances in Cheese Science—Bridging Microbial Insights and Technological Innovation

This interdisciplinary symposium will highlight recent scientific and technological advancements in cheese research, with a focus on microbial ecosystems, cheese quality evaluation, and innovative processing methods. A wide range of topics, from microbial ecosystems to novel processing techniques, will be covered, offering insights into both traditional and modern cheesemaking practices. The session will explore how emerging tools and techniques are reshaping the future of cheesemaking.

Key themes will include

• Microbial dynamics in cheese ecosystems: A deep dive into the role of fungi, bacteria, and microbiota in the ripening of specialty cheeses, with perspectives on how microbial communities influence flavor, texture, and safety.
• Science of calcium lactate formation: Understanding the science behind calcium lactate formation and its implications for cheese quality and consumer perception.
• Phage management in cheese production: Exploring the dual role of bacteriophages as both risks and tools in dairy fermentation, with a focus on strategies for phage control in cheese plants.
• Advanced microbial techniques for cheese defect evaluation: Leveraging genomic and metagenomic tools to identify and mitigate defects in cheese, enhancing product consistency and quality.
• Innovations in mozzarella processing: Presentation on waterless cooker technology and its impact on the yield as well as stretching and textural properties of Mozzarella cheese.

This session is intended to promote interdisciplinary engagement and collaboration between microbiologists, technologists, and dairy industry professionals, while showcasing the recent scientific developments and their practical applications in cheese production.

Teaching Undergraduate and Graduate Education Symposium: Investing in Education—Securing Funds for Teaching Innovation

Coming soon!

Growth and Development Symposium: The Legacy of Dr. Bob James

This year’s Growth and Development Symposium will be bittersweet, as we honor the incredible legacy of Dr. Bob James. Throughout this symposium, you will hear from world-leading experts on recent advances in calf rearing and nutrition that align with many of the areas Dr. James worked in. Additionally, there will be abstract presentations that will provide cutting-edge, new research in areas that Dr. James investigated during his years of work. Finally, you will hear from many of Dr. James’s graduate students, as they share their favorite stories from their time with Dr. James, the impact he had on them, and how he shaped their careers.

Ruminant Nutrition Platform Session: Rumen Microbial Protein—Supply, Efficiency, and Measurement

Coming soon!

Production, Management, and the Environment Symposium: Precision Dairy—Translating Monitor Outputs into Actionable Decision-Making Tools

Coming soon!

Small Ruminant Symposium: Managing Nutritional Challenges in Sheep and Goats During the Transition Period

For sheep and goats, the transition period (last third of the pregnancy through early lactation) is a critical stage that determines lactation success and the health of dams and offspring.

Compared with cows, small ruminants face proportionally higher nutrient demands during late gestation because of their shorter pregnancies and greater prolificacy. At the same time, rumen volume capacity and feed intake are limited by the expanding uterus, particularly in prolific goats and sheep, challenging their ability to meet these rising requirements for pregnancy. As a consequence, dams commonly experience nutritional deficiencies, impaired productivity, and nutritional or metabolic disorders, and offspring show reduced survival and growth performances.

This leads to marked nutritional deficiencies, limitations in productivity, and frequent nutritional and metabolic disorders in the mothers, as well as decreased survival and growth performances in the litter.

This symposium will explore the metabolic and physiological adaptations of goats and sheep during the transition period, highlight the main nutritional and metabolic disorders and their prevention, and discuss nutritional requirements, feeding strategies, and additives to improve management at this critical stage.

Reproduction Symposium: From Development to Pregnancy in Replacement Heifers

Dairy heifer fertility has received less attention compared with the extensive work that has been conducted in lactating dairy cow reproduction. However, heifer fertility is a key driver of dairy herd performance and profitability, as it determines first-calving age and, subsequently, the start of productive life. At the field level, several strategies previously tested in cows are being suggested for heifers. Moreover, heifer fertility still remains variable and difficult to predict. This symposium will bring together experts to discuss physiology, nutrition, genetics, and management factors that influence fertility in replacement heifers, with an emphasis on practical strategies and new research findings.

ADSA Southern Branch Symposium: Strengthening the Future of Small to Medium Farms

Coming soon!

Dairy Foods Symposium: Dairy Food Safety—New Approaches to an Age-Old Challenge

Over the past century, a focus on dairy food safety has transformed public health outcomes. In 1938, one in four foodborne and waterborne diseases was attributed to the consumption of milk and milk products. Today, dairy products account for less than one percent of these illnesses. Despite these critical improvements, challenges to supplying consumers with safe dairy products persist for a number of reasons, including emerging and evolving pathogens, changes in food processing, formulations, and distribution pathways, and shifting consumer behaviors. Leveraging new approaches to detecting, preventing, and eliminating pathogens in the food chain is essential to reduce negative public health outcomes and ensure continued consumer trust in the dairy industry.

ADSA Dairy Foods Division International Partnership Program (IPP) Symposium: Dairy Research in China—Dairy Chain Innovation

The International Partnership Program (IPP) Symposium is where scientists from research centers and regions outside North America present their unique work to a largely United States–based audience. The intent is to have Production and Dairy Foods cross-disciplinary presentations to help bring the dairy chain closer together. In recent years, China’s dairy industry and scientific community have made remarkable progress. Many Chinese dairy scientists have carried out excellent research in both fundamental science and technological innovation. This year’s symposium, co-organized by ADSA and the China Alliance of Dairy Innovation (CADI), will showcase advances across the dairy value chain in China.

Extension Education Symposium: Dairy Extension and Industry Impacts—From Research to Real Life

Coming soon!

Joint ADSA-CSAS Symposium: Shaping the Next Generation from Calfhood—Integrating Genetics, Nutrition, and Management to Optimize Dairy Herd Sustainability

Coming soon!

Reproduction Symposium: Scaling Reproduction in the Era of Dairy Consolidation

As dairy herds continue to consolidate, reproductive programs face new challenges and opportunities. Large herd size changes how protocols are implemented, labor is managed, and technologies are adopted. This symposium will highlight strategies to maintain efficiency, consistency, and fertility at scale, with perspectives from both research and industry that benefit research implementation and future directions of research.

Ruminant Nutrition Platform Session: Mighty Methyl Donors—Updates on the Roles of 1-C Supplementation and Metabolism in Dairy Production

Coming soon!