Beef x Dairy: Opportunity Intersection of Nutrition, Genetics, and Management

October 13-16, 2025

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVE

The recent emergence of beef x dairy calves is a huge opportunity for dairy producers to maximize their revenue by selling calves that are in high demand.In order to maximize the continued demand for beef x dairy calves, producers must know which beef sires will provide the best return on investment, how to best manage calves on the dairy, how to best feed the growing calves, and how to prevent the development of liver abscesses in these calves. This 48th DISCOVER conference offers a unique opportunity for stakeholders to discuss emerging knowledge about beef x dairy production from perspectives of genetics, nutrition, animal health, and animal management, with sessions focused on:

  •   Genetics and breeding 
  •   Early life feeding of beef x dairy calves: Preweaning and postweaning to feedlot 
  •   Feed lot management of beef x dairy calves 
  •   Growth promotion and technologies in beef x dairy calves
  •   Carcass outcomes

Why join us? Discover events offer a relaxed meeting experience that puts networking and discussion center stage. Our exceptional programming lineup is designed to connect you with science leaders, experts, and industry professionals and provide ample time for closed-door discussion and out-of-the-box brainstorming. Register now to secure your spot!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Members of the research and academic community; university extension specialists; leading consultants; breeding, feed & pharmaceutical industry leaders; producers & herd managers; veterinarians; and members of governmental and regulatory agencies are encouraged to participate in this program. Graduate students and early career professionals are especially encouraged to attend.

REGISTRATION

Early Bird Registration: Register by Friday, September 12, 2025, 11:59 p.m. CT

  • $405.00 for ADSA or ARPAS members
  • $550.00 for non-members
  • $285 for post-doc members
  • $195 for graduate student members

Standard Registration: After September 12 (on an availability basis)

  • $550.00 for ADSA or ARPAS members
  • $695.00 for non-members
  • $325 for post-doc members
  • $195 for graduate student members 

Current ADSA members save on registration fees before April 14, 2025—a total savings of more than $100 for professionals—making your membership entirely free! Join or renew today to save.

Join      Renew

 

Register

ACCOMMODATIONS

CONFERENCE ACCOMMODATIONS INFORMATION

All participants are responsible for making their own housing reservations. The Conference will be held at Eaglewood Resort and Spa in Itasca, Illinois.

To make a reservation at Eaglewood Resort and Spa:

  1. By Phone: Call 877-285-6150 or 630-773-1400
    When making your reservation, refer to the "ADSA DISCOVER Conference.”
    This will bring up our block of rooms with our special rate of $171.00 plus tax per night. Reservations cancelled within 48 hours of arrival will be charged the first night’s room and tax.
  2. Online: To book a room online, click here.
  3. Using the Website: Follow these steps to book from the Eaglewood web site:
    1. Go to www.eaglewoodresort.com
    2. At the top of the page click Book Now.
    3. Check in: Monday, October 12, 2025
    4. Check out: Thursday, October 16, 2025
    5. Click Book Now
    6. Under Add Code, use the drop down to select Group Attendee, then enter ADSA0504 in the box below.
    7. Select your Room Preference
    8. Click Add Room & Checkout.
    9. Enter Guest Information and Payment Method to complete the reservation.

Arrival Date: Monday, October 12, 2025
Departure Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025

Special conference rate: $171.00 plus tax
Reservation Deadline: Friday, September 12, 2025
After this date, reservations will be accepted on a rate and availability basis only.

Eaglewood Resort and Spa
Resort Main Tel: 630-773-1400 | reservations@eaglewoodresorts.com | http://www.eaglewoodresort.com/
1401 Nordic Road, Itasca, IL. 60143

TRAVEL

The 106-acre Eaglewood Resort & Spa is strategically located in northwest Chicagoland, just a 35-minute drive from downtown Chicago, and 21 minutes west of O’Hare International Airport. The resort is easily accessible via major airports and roadways, and within reach of the area’s spectacular attractions.

Flight options: We suggest you fly into O'Hare International Airport (ORD).  The airport is serviced by nearly every major airline, and a complete listing can be seen here.

Ground Transportation: Eaglewood Resort and Spa is 21 minutes west of O'Hare. It’s easily accessible by ride share, and several rental car agencies are located in the airport, along with shuttle and limo services.

Eaglewood Resort & Spa
1401 Nordic Road
Itasca, IL 60143
Hotel Phone: 630-773-1400
Reservations: Toll-free 877-285-6150
Hotel Fax: 630-773-1709
https://www.eaglewoodresort.com/

ASSISTANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS

Are you headed to Discover 47 from outside the US? We recommend applying for travel authorizations, and we can help:

Depending on the purpose of your trip to Illinois, you can obtain a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

Need an invitation letter to facilitate your visa application? Contact adsa@adsa.org to request an invitation letter to facilitate your visa application.

Please contact your nearest US embassy or consulate if you have questions or need assistance. 

Once onsite, the city of Chicago is home to more than 80 Consulates/Consuls General offices. Find your closest foreign consulate here for when you’re at the meeting.

ATTENTION GRADUATE STUDENTS

Reduced Registration Rates and Scholarship Travel Awards available for ADSA Discover Conferences

In 2009, the ADSA Foundation Board of Trustees approved a special ADSA Discover Conference graduate student member registration rate of $195, well below the early registration professional member rate of $375. The graduate student member registration rate is available to the first 10 graduate student member (ADSA-ARPAS)* registrants.

In that same year, the Foundation approved travel awards to graduate students. The Discover Conferences Scholarship Travel Award fund makes travel to Discover Conferences for graduate students more affordable by providing up to ten (10) $250 awards for registered graduate student members (ADSA-ARPAS) who attend a Discover Conference.

Ten travel awards are offered at each conference. Following the conference and within 30 days of the conference, students should complete an ADSA expense report (posted on the ADSA Web site at  https://www.adsa.org/About-ADSA/Corporate-Documents   Attach receipts at least equal to the expense claimed, and send to ADSA Headquarters, 1800 South Oak Street, Suite 100, Champaign, IL 61820 Attn: Morgan Montgomery. Eligible expenses include travel, lodging, ground transportation and incidentals, in compliance with the ADSA Expense Reimbursement Policy, which includes receipt requirements. Registration fees are not reimbursable.

*If you are not currently a member of ADSA or ARPAS, graduate students can join for just $10. Click here for membership details and to join: https://www.adsa.org/Membership/Graduate-Student-Division/GSD-Membership

CONFERENCE SPEAKER INFORMATION

Coming soon

CONFERENCE DETAILS

October 13-16, 2025
Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca, IL
Hosted by the American Dairy Science Association

PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Tara Felix, The Pennsylvania State University, Co-Chair
Jerad Jaborek, Michigan State University, Co-Chair
Todd Callaway, University of Georgia
Dale Blasi, Kansas State University
Pedro Carvalho, Colorado State University
Alfredo DiCostanzo, University of Nebraska 
Nicolas Dilorenzo, University of Florida
Zachary Smith, South Dakota State University
Kendall Swanson, North Dakota State University