Golden State Dairy Management Conference

Our 2026 scientific session speaker line-up includes University of California Farm Advisors, Specialists, and Dairy Faculty on topics relevant to California dairying.

https://ucanr.edu/site/golden-state-dairy-management/2026-conference-information 

Agenda

Welcome & Opening Remarks, 11:00 am
Keynote Address: Dairy Trends in 2027 & Beyond
Abbigail Groves, CoBank 
Agricultural Commodities Economist

Lunch & Discussions: 12:00 – 12:50pm

Breakout Session A
Hot Topics, 1:00 – 1:50 pm
Heat stress & adaptation of Holstein and beef-on Holstein crossbred cattle in the feedlot
Brooke Latack, UCCE Livestock Advisor
Spinose ear tick control in lactating dairy cows
Betsy Karle, UCCE Dairy Advisor
Nutritionist & producer perspectives on enteric methane reduction strategies
Jennifer Heguy, UCCE Dairy Advisor
Herd Health, 2:00 – 2:50 pm
Annual & seasonal trends in mastitis pathogens in the San Joaquin Valley (2009 – 2023)
Daniela Bruno, UCCE Dairy Advisor
Impact on milk feeding methods on paired dairy calf behavior, growth & health
Randi Black, UCCE Dairy Advisor
Train your team to spot illness early – Free bilingual program for dairy farms
Richard Pereira, UC Davis

Breakout Session B
California Water, 1:00 – 1:50 pm
Winter cereal crops can help to make the most of limited water in the San Joaquin Valley
Mark Lundy, UC Davis & UC ANR
Groundwater recharge & deficit irrigation on alfalfa
Moneim Mohamed, UCCE Irrigation Advisor
Groundwater markets in California under SGMA: Challenges & opportunities
Ellen Bruno, UC Berkeley & UC ANR
Environmental Management, 2:00 – 2:50 pm
Dietary strategies to support protein efficiency & reduce nitrogen excretion
Kelly Nichols, UC Davis
Considerations for choosing a manure treatment technology
Deanne Meyer, UC Davis & UC ANR
On-farm evaluation of tools to predict N content of blended lagoon irrigation water
Rubia Branco-Lopes, UCCE Dairy Advisor

Ice Cream Break! 2:50 – 3:00 pm
Sponsored by the California Milk Advisory Board

Closing Session, 3:00 – 3:30p