Mark your calendar

High Plains Dairy Conference
Tuesday & Wednesday
March 3-4, 2026
Embassy Sites - Amarillo, TX

Countdown to the 2026 High Plains Dairy Conference

Showtime!

Since 2006, 20 years of bridging Dairy Management and the latest in Science and Technology. To serve the Dairy Industry with Innovation, Adaptation, and Continued Improvement!

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1 in 5 attending the HPDC is a dairy owner, dairy manager, or dairy employee.

#dairyinnovation

New For 2026 High Plains Dairy Conference

Reproduction
Pre-Conference Workshop

Nutrition
Pre-Conference Workshop

Calf & Heifer
Pre-Conference Workshop

For 2026 the High Plains Dairy Conference has partnered again with the Texas Animal Nutrition Council (TANC) and the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC), and in addition, for 2026 we are bringing you a preconference Workshop in partnership with the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA), to bring you the best of their respective programs, and host three concurrent pre-conference workshops on Tuesday morning (March 3), part of your general registration, concentrated on Nutrition, Reproduction or Calf Management.

The main HPDC conference commences on Tuesday afternoon, examining the global dairy industry and the future market outlook, current industry challenges, and opportunities. A combination of producer panels and individual talks will showcase the current state of the science, industry insight, and producer perspectives.

Returning in 2026 is a student poster presentation on Tuesday afternoon, highlighting ongoing research at regional universities: the future of your industry.

Additional Middle Managers Training Workshop in Spanish

Middle Managers Workshop: on Thursday, March 5, the HPDC will again offer a Middle Managers Training Workshop in Spanish (and English, depending on demand). This year’s 5-hour middle managers workshop will focus specifically on Communication Skills and Conflict Resolution, topics that many middle managers have specifically requested. As you return home on Wednesday, send your middle managers on Thursday for a continued educational event.

2026 Speakers

The speaker lineup and conference topics will be announced shortly.

Learn More

2026 Sponsors

Click the link below to become a 2026 Sponsor!
We thank you for your consideration!

Sponsorship Questions?
Contact Robert at dairydoc@highplainsdairy.org or 806-786-3421.

Become a sponsor today!

2026 Registration

Click the link below to Register for the 2026 High Plains Dairy Conference!
We look forward to seeing you!

Registration Questions?
Contact Charlotte at charlotte@highplainsdairy.org or 785-713-0982 (M-F 8-5 CST).

Click here for the 2026 Registration

Hotel Accommodations

Embassy Suites by Hilton Amarillo Downtown

Rooms under the block rate have sold out. Cancellations do occur. You can try the following link, which takes you directly to the Embassy Suites site:

Click Here for Reservations

Embassy Suites by Hilton Amarillo Downtown
550 S Buchanan Street, Amarillo, Texas
Phone Number: 806-803-5500

Courtyard by Marriott Amarillo Downtown

Another block of rooms has been reserved at the Courtyard by Marriott. The following link takes you directly to the block rate available rooms:

Click Here for Reservations

Courtyard by Marriott Amarillo Downtown
724 South Polk Street, Amarillo, Texas
Phone Number: 806-553-4500

Planning Committee

Robert Hagevoort, Co-Chair
New Mexico State University
Jennifer Spencer, Co-Chair
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Juan Piñeiro, Co-Chair
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Jourdan Bell
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Dwain Bunting
Dwain Bunting LLC
Stan Erwine
Dairy Management Inc.
Victor Gomez Leon
Kansas State University
Josh Hoffman
Dairy Owner
Cody Kirby
Caprock Dairy
Marty McKinzie
Dairy Management Inc.
Rodrigo Pedraza
Zoetis
Dana Porter
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Matt Sattler
Diamond V
Darren Turley
Texas Association of Dairymen
Sybrand van der Dussen
Rajen & Legend Dairies
K.R. Averhoff
Blue Sky Farms
Greg Bethard
High Plains Ponderosa Dairy
Jeff Elliott
Balchem
Joe Gillespie
Merck Animal Health
Joe Harner
Kansas State University
Beverly Idsinga
Dairy Producers of New Mexico
Diego Manriquez-Alvarez
Colorado State University
Nathan Moroney
Del Rio Dairy
Jack Pirtle
P7 Dairy
Lindsay Reyes
Faria Brothers Dairies LLC
Michael Tomaszewski
US Dairy Ed. & Training Consortium
John Van de Pol
Red Rock Dairy
David Volleman
Wildcat Dairy

Previous HPDC Proceedings

World Dairy Outlook, Markets & Trade – Ben Laine
Results from Robotic Survey for Large Dairy Producers – Camila Lage
Federal Dairy Support Programs & Western Dairies – Ryan Miltner
Corn Silage: Seed to Feed – Bill Mahanna
Uncovering Hidden or Under Recognized Feed Cost & Marginal Opportunities on Your Dairy Farm – John Goeser
Nutrigenomics – Impacts on Immunity, Health and Well Being – Mario Vailati-Riboni
Improving Efficiency Through Monitoring Technology & Data Insights – Luis Mendonca
Beef on Dairy: “Uteri for Rent” – Semen or ET in Hot Climates? – Paul Fricke
Opportunities & Challenges with ET and IVF vs AI – Jeremy Howard
In a Tier Pricing System: Feeding & Managing Milk Components – Kevin Harvatine
Tools & Metrics for Carbon Neutrality on Western Dairies – Rick Naerebout
Monetizing Manure Projects: Where to Begin? – Mark Stoermann
Digester Due Diligence for Dairy Producers – David Claiborne
Carbon Credits in Ag: Can Carbon be an Actual Source of Income in Ag? – Joe Outlaw and Justin Benavidez
Efficient Parlor Throughput with Milk Quality in Mind – Juan Rodrigo Pedraza
Impact of Positive Reinforcement Practices on Calves & Heifers on Future Behavior – Joao Costa
Fit to Transport? A New Decision-Making Tool for Producers & Employees – Michelle Calvo-Lorenzo
2022 Complete Proceedings

Tuberculosis among dairy workers in Texas – Anabel Rodriguez
Agricultural water use in Texas – Dana Porter and Jourdan Bell
Farm Animal Care 4.0
Why heifer maturity matters? – Gavin Staley
Understanding stress and its effect on dairy cattle – Jeff Carroll
Feeding dairy cows the best we know: It starts with the rumen – Jeff Firkins
Manipulating the duration of the VWP to optimize herd performance and profitability – Julio Giodano
Dairy replacement heifer economics – Kevin Dhuyvetter
Practical pain management on dairies – Michael Kleinhenz
A state veterinarian’s experience with, and perspective on recent TB cases – Ralph Zimmerman
No cows are sacred, but all cows have a sacred time – Steve Bodart
CoBank Dairy Outlook – Will Sawyer
Transition cow management and nutrition: the latest producers need to know – Jose Santos

Are Robotics Ready for Large Dairy Herds – Mike Brouk
Top Ten Considerations for Dry Cow Cooling – Geoffrey E. Dahl
Surviving or Thriving Key Profitability Drivers in the Dairy Industry – Kevin C. Dhuyvetter
Leadership’s Impact on Organizational Climate – Jorge M. Estrada
New Trends in Cow Management Separating Facts from Fiction – Ric R. Grummer
Drinking Water Considerations on Dry Lot Dairies – Joe Harner
Evaluation of Heat Stress Abatement on Texas Dairy Farms – B.W. Jones
Managing Reproduction of Lactating Dairy Cows with Limited Use of Timed AI Programs – Luís G. D. Mendonça
Optimizing Personnel Management with Emphasis on Dairy Cattle Welfare – Gustavo M. Schuenemann
Technologies for Rating and Ranking Feedstuffs by Economic Value – Normand St‐Pierre

What’s all the fuss about technology in the dairy world? – Nancy Charlton
Making genetic progress on low heritability traits – David Erf
Bridging the gap between the beef & dairy industries – a packer perspective – Lily Edwards-Callaway
Worker safety management on dairy farms: Current issues, challenges, & solutions – Dave Douphrate
After El Niño, now what? – John Nielsen-Gammon
How to avoid & survive undercover video investigations – Tiffany Dowell Lashmet
Strategies to reduce heat stress in lactating dairy cows – Bob Collier
Impact & economic evaluation of negative energy balance in transition dairy cattle – Jessica McArt
Tips for optimizing fertility in dairy cattle – Todd Bilby
Consequences & costs associated with metritis & mastitis – Mike Overton
Complete Proceedings
Table of Contents

Is Shrink Robbing Your Operation of Profits – David Green, Diamond V
Implications of Groundwater Minerals in Dairy Cattle Nutrition – Charlie Elrod, Ph.D.; Vi-COR, Inc.
Micromachines on Dairies – Do They Have a Place? – Dave Hutcheson, Ph.D.; Animal Agricultural Consulting Inc.
Update on HR Training & Safety Programs – Robert Hagevoort, Ph.D.; New Mexico State University
From Wells to Hoses – Ground Water Production & Conservation in the High Plains/Ogallala Aquifer – Jay Lazarus, Ph.D.; Glorieta Geoscience, Inc.
Getting the Most Out of Your Sorghum Silage – Chuck Grimes, Ph.D.; Independent Consultant
Mastitis in the Vital 90 Days…What’s the Real Cost? – Mike Overton, D.V.M.; Elanco Knowledge Solutions-Dairy
Managing Stress, Anger, Anxiety, & Depression on Dairy Farms – Bob Fetsch, Ph.D.; Colorado State University
Diagnostic & Heat Stress “Apps” – Todd Bilby, Ph.D.; Merck
Lameness & Leg Injuries in Open Lot Dairies in Southwestern US – MarinaVon Keyserlingk, Ph.D.; University of British Columbia
TCI-An Objective Way to Benchmark & Monitor the Effectiveness of Your Transition Management Program – Ken Nordlund, Ph.D.; University of Wisconsin
Feeding Calves for Performance – Jon Robinson, Ph.D.; Fresno State University
Using Technology to Improve Calf Raising – Leon “Sam” Barringer, D.V.M.; Merck
Precision Dairy Monitoring Technology Opportunities & Challenges – Jeffrey Bewley, Ph.D.; University of Kentucky
LED Lighting – Joe Harner, Ph.D.; Kansas State University

Effect of Rumensin in Lactating Cow Diets with Differing Starch Levels – Randy Shaver, University of Wisconsin
Management & Development of Nutrition, Lameness & Immune Function in the Large Herd Environment – Dana Tomlinson, Zinpro Corporation
Development of a Comprehensive Dairy Safety Training Program – Robert Hagevoort, New Mexico State University
Diet Consistency: Using TMR Audits to Deliver More from Feed, Equipment, & People to the Bottom Line – Jeff Mikus, Diamond V
Mastitis Management for the Future Milking Herd – Steve Nickerson, University of Georgia
Harnessing the Power of “Smart” Technology – Kevin Murphy, Virtus Nutrition, LLC
Join the Cause: Implementing Effective Residue Avoidance and Risk Management – John Lee, Pfizer Animal Health Develop of a Comprehensive Dairy
Animal Welfare Legislation on the Horizon – Kay Johnson-Smith, Animal Agriculture Alliance
Cattle Issues and Beef Market Update – Ben Weinheimer, Texas Cattle Feeders Association
International Economic Considerations – Michael Stead, Bank of the West
Imagining the World of 2020 – Lowell Catlett, New Mexico State University
Meeting the Regional Water Challenge – Ellen Jordan, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Efficient Irrigation Management for High Plains Dairies – Dana Porter, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Drip Irrigation – Producer Perspective – Dean Horton, Las Uvas Dairy
Corn and Sorghum Silage Production Considerations – Brent Bean, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Drought Update and Future Prospects – John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas A&M University
Enhancing Reproduction through Nutrition – Jose Santos, University of Florida
“Raising the Bar” – Using Technology and Protocols for Profitable Reproduction Results – Kirt Sloan, DeLaval

Achieving Optimal Cow Performance with the Aid of Information Systems – Oded Nir (Markusfeld), Presentation Sponsored by Afimilk
Designing the Management System for Your Dairy – Tom Furhmann, Dairy Works, Management Systems
Needle Free Injection: Pros and Cons – C. Scanlon Daniels, Circle H Headquarters, LLC.
Effects of Heat Stress on Reproduction in Lactating Dairy Cows: Challenges and Opportunities – William W. Thatcher, University of Florida
Pros and Cons of Centralize Calving – John F. Smith, Kansas State University
A Review of Transition Cow Research—What Makes Sense to Implement Today? – Elliot Block, Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition, Presentation Sponsored by Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition
Manufacturing and Feeding of Corn Milling Feed Ingredients – Kyle Grigsby, Sweet Bran
Feeding Lysine: A Nutritionist and Dairy Producer’s Perspective – Ryan Ordway, Balchem Corporation, Presentation Sponsored by Balchem Corporation
Understanding Genomics & It’s Applications on a Commercial Dairy Farm – Kent Wiegel, University of Wisconsin

Designing Vaccination Programs – Victor Cortese, Pfizer Animal Health
Behavior of Freestall Housed Cows – M. A. G. von Keyserlingk and D.M. Weary Animal Welfare Program University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Dietary Essential Fatty Acids and Reproduction in Dairy Cows
Impact of Nutrition on Dairy Cattle Reproduction – José Eduardo P. Santos, University of Florida
Current Knowledge in Converting Starch and Fiber in Corn Silage into Milk – Donald A. Sapienza, SapienzaAnalytica, LLC
Congress Fails to Reform Immigration: How that Changes the Law for Dairy Farmers – Ben Yale, Yale Law Office, LP
The New Era of Herd Management with Today’s Lower Cost Identification Systems – Robert H. West, WestfaliaSurge, Inc.
Low-Profile Cross-Ventilated Freestall Facilities – A 2 Year Summary – J. P. Harner and J. F. Smith, Kansas StateUniversity
Project Planning 101 – A Time and Place for Everything – Mark Futcher, DeLaval, Inc.
Turnover: Symptom or Disease – Sarah L. Fogleman, Kansas State Research and Extension
Accelerated Growth Programs for Milk-Fed Calves – James K. Drackley, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Practical Tools to Measure and Monitor Variation – W.K. Sanchez, J. Mikus, and W. C. Stone, Diamond V Technical Services and Field Research
Corn Processing Co-Products – Practical Utilization in Lactating Dairy Cow Diets – Micheal Brouk, Kansas StateUniversity
The Effects of Heat Stress on Metabolism and Nutrition Decisions – L.H. Baumgard and R.P. Rhoads, The University of Arizona
Transition Period Management and Nutrition Problems – A Few Solutions – Jesse P. Goff, West Central Cooperative
Economics of Making Nutritional Decisions with Volatile Feed Prices – Normand R. St-Pierre and Joanne R. Knapp, The Ohio State University & Fox Hollow Consulting, Columbus, OH

Issues with Dairy Facilities Located in the High Plains – John Smith, Kansas State University
Evaluate the Efficacy of Your Cooling System with “Heat Stress Audits” of Core Body Temperature – Matt VanBaale, University of Arizona
Procedures and Products Required for Milking Center Efficiency, Mastitis Control, and Production of High Quality Milk – Winston Ingalls, DeLaval Inc.
Rumen Microbial Protein Production: Are We Missing an Opportunity to Improve Dietary and Economic Efficiencies in Protein Nutrition of the High Producing Dairy Cow? – Elliott Block, Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition
Silage Density – Survey Shows More Packing of Bunkers and Piles is Needed – Jeff Hinen, Monsanto Dairy Business
Dairy Opportunities: A Feedlot Consultant´s Perspective on Feeding and Milling – Abe Turgeon, Koers-Turgeon Consulting Service, Inc.
Feed Efficiency Is an Important Management Tool for Dairy Producers – John E. Shirley, Kansas State University, Elanco
Maximizing Your Bull Calf Value – Mark Quinn, Stoney Point AgriCorp., Inc.
Industry Presentation – Ten Lessons That We Have Learned about Systematic Breeding Programs for Dairy Cattle – Jerry Olson, Pfizer Animal Health
Management Strategies to Improve Fertility in Lactating Dairy Cows – Paul Fricke, University of Wisconsin
Cow Behavior and Implications for Housing and Management – Ken Nordlund, University of Wisconsin
Salmonella and Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome in Cows and Calves – Chris Ashworth, Monsanto Dairy Business
Water Resources, Availabilities and Issues Affecting the Great Plains Dairy Industry – Chris Ashworth, Monsanto Dairy Business
Industry Perspective – The Role of Nutrition in Udder Health – Ruth Zadoks, Cornell University, Alltech
Evaluation of Water Quality and Nutrition for Dairy Cattle – Dave Beede, Michigan State University

CEUs

The 2026 High Plains Dairy Conference is approved for the following CEUs:

DVM CE Credits: The 2026 HPDC has been approved by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for CE credits by attending: 3 hours in the Repro Pre-Conference or 3 hours in the Calf & Heifer Pre-Conference, or a combination of both.

Note: Total DVM CE hours available are 6 hours. Participants may claim as it applies, 0.0-hour(s) practice management / 3 hour(s) clinical. Combined maximum number of CE hours that can be obtained by any one veterinarian: 3 hour(s).
ARPAS CE credits: The 2026 HPDC has been approved for 13 ARPAS CEUs. Please check the ARPAS website.

High Plains Dairy Conference
Tuesday & Wednesday
March 3-4, 2026
Embassy Sites - Amarillo, TX

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Countdown to the 2026 High Plains Dairy Conference