Program

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

ADSA 2025 Annual Meeting Opening Session and Reception | Designing Dairy 2045: Envisioning the Future of Cows, Dairy Products, and Farms

Join us for the opening session of the ADSA 2025 Annual Meeting as we explore the long-term future of dairy and how our connected global scientific community is powering it. This dynamic panel discussion will delve into key themes shaping the next 20 years, including the evolving role of genomics in selecting more sustainable cows, the growing importance of consumer perceptions, and the impact of artificial intelligence and sensor technologies. 

An expert lineup of speakers representing dairy production and foods will offer insights on topics ranging from the genetics of cow resilience and methane mitigation to artificial intelligence–powered farm operations and consumer-driven product innovation—encompassing management, environmental impact, and farm profitability. This session sets the stage for deeper dives into these critical areas during subsequent hot-topic sessions focused on the future of the cow, dairy products, and farm systems. 

Start your brainstorming and collaboration right afterward by mingling at a reception ahead of the scientific programming! 

Animal Health Symposium: Interspecies Crossover of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza into Dairy Cattle

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was detected in dairy cattle for the first time in the United States in March 2024, and the outbreak has been reported across 16 states. Highly pathogenic avian influenza is associated with a decrease in milk production and causes clinical signs such as yellowing and clumping of the milk. This symposium aims to foster discussion and present our current understanding of virus persistence and transfer.

Breeding and Genetics Symposium: Joint ADSA-Interbull Session—Management of Genetic Diversity for Future-Proofing Dairy Cattle Breeding

Managing genetic diversity in dairy cattle breeding is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability and productivity of dairy herds. With the increasing use of reproductive technologies and genomic selection, there is a growing concern about the loss of genetic diversity and the rise of inbreeding. The mating of related animals is unavoidable in most breeding programs, but the rate of inbreeding in dairy populations has increased sharply since genomic selection and will likely continue to increase. Intense directional selection and novel technologies have allowed the industry to recognize and identify recessive disorders associated with increased homozygosity. However, there is currently no safeguard in place to quickly identify and manage detrimental mutations occurring in young genomic bulls. This symposium will explore strategies to balance genetic gain with the conservation of genetic diversity.

Joint Animal Behavior and Well-Being and Forages and Pastures Symposium: Societal and Production Implications of Pasture Access for Dairy Heifers

Dairy production needs to align with societal values to maintain a social license to operate. There is a growing concern regarding the complete confinement of dairy cows throughout their productive lives. Addressing this while also managing the challenges of outdoor access is a critical step in maintaining public support. This symposium focuses on developing heifers on pasture, the effects of previous exposure to grazing on subsequent pasture use, the duration of pasture access needed for improvement, and managing heat stress.

ADSA Graduate Student Division Symposium: The Future of Milk

The future of dairy is being shaped by the values and preferences of Gen Z, who prioritize health, transparency, and sustainability in their food choices. This forward-looking symposium will explore how these trends affect dairy farming, product development, and processing while addressing key questions such as how to raise and feed cows, which milk attributes to highlight, and how to innovate dairy products to meet evolving consumer demands.

Join us as we hear from Eve Pollet from Dairy Management Inc., who will share valuable consumer insights and help connect these trends with actionable research to shape the future of the dairy industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how dairy can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world!

Breeding and Genetics Symposium: Joint ADSA-Interbull Session—Creating Carbon-Friendly Cows and Leveraging Omics to Improve the Sustainability of Dairy Production

Responding to the urgent need to mitigate the effects of climate change on environmental sustainability, most global dairy industries have committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the year 2050. As the world races to meet this target of reducing carbon emissions, there is a need for scientifically sound, effective, and economically sensible interventions to reduce GHG emissions from dairy production. Recent advances in omics technologies are revolutionizing our understanding of rumen microbial community structure and interaction with the host, metabolic activity, and the efficiency of feed utilization. This knowledge can be leveraged to achieve net-zero emissions. Genetic selection, in particular, represents a sustainable approach to permanently reduce dairy’s environmental impact, as its effects are lasting and cumulative. This symposium will explore the application of omics technologies in advancing genetic selection and other strategies for advancing the goal of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

Forages and Pasture Symposium: Building a Resilient Forage Program for Climate Extremes

This symposium will explore strategies and practices for developing sustainable, climate-resilient forage systems. Experts will discuss innovative approaches to managing forage production and improving adaptability in response to changing weather patterns, drought, and other climate challenges. With a focus on both modern solutions and historical practices, the symposium will highlight lessons learned from past climate variability and their relevance to future forage management. Attendees will gain valuable insights into research, technology, and best practices to ensure forage sustainability and enhance livestock productivity in an unpredictable climate.

Donald C. Beitz Recognition Symposium: Fifty-Plus Years of Dairy Science Research

Dairy Management Inc. Symposium: Advances in Membrane-Filtration Ingredients—Technology and Applications

Recent advancements in membrane-filtration technology are revolutionizing dairy processing, driving innovations in both products and ingredients. These techniques are now pivotal in producing the next generation of high-value dairy offerings, such as protein-enriched milk and yogurt, milk concentrates, whey proteins, and lactose-rich coproducts. Breakthroughs are occurring not only in membrane materials, pore size control, and surface modifications but also in the integration of complementary processing technologies that enhance filtration outcomes. This symposium will delve into the latest developments in membrane filtration within the dairy industry, exploring cutting-edge applications that are shaping the future of dairy ingredients.

Ruminant Nutrition Symposium: NANP—Anomalies in Analyzed Nutrient Composition of Feedstuffs
Joint symposium with the National Animal Nutrition Program (NANP)

Improving nutrient utilization by livestock is important for the economic and environmental sustainability of producing animal-based products. Once the physiological requirements of the animal have been estimated, precise delivery of nutrients requires an understanding of nutrient utilization and an accurate analysis of feed nutrient composition. However, even after 130 years of continual evolution in methodology for the analysis of feed nutrients, nutritionists are still unable to fully account for the entire organic matter composition of feedstuffs when summing the nutrients. The purpose of this symposium is to present our current understanding of nutrient composition in a historical context and discuss current thoughts on the intricacies of nutrient analysis and the nutritive value of feeds. Additionally, we will highlight the work of the NANP Feed Composition Committee in unifying the nutrient composition of feedstuffs for use in nutrient-requirement models and diet formulation. This half-day symposium will be presented in a way that will be of interest to academics and industry professionals alike.

Production, Management, and the Environment Symposium—The Ruminant Farm Systems (RuFaS) Model | A Modular Approach to Research and Decision Support for Sustainable Dairy Farming

The Ruminant Farm Systems (RuFaS) model represents a cutting-edge approach to synthesizing and conducting dairy research, employing modern, modular coding and development practices to build a flexible, adaptable, and interoperable research and decision-support tool for sustainable milk production. This symposium aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the RuFaS model, highlighting its four core modules and integration as a decision-support tool with the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program. By describing each module and emphasizing its interoperability, the symposium will demonstrate how RuFaS supports advanced research and decision-making processes. Attendees will gain practical insights into the implementation of the RuFaS model in research settings, fostering knowledge exchange and discussions among experts and participants. The expected outcomes include an enhanced understanding of the RuFaS model, increased awareness of its integration with the FARM program, and networking opportunities for professionals in the dairy science research community to lay the groundwork for future expansion through the development of new modules.

Joint ADSA-CSAS Breeding and Genetics Session: Dairy Welfare—Breeding and Management Strategies
Joint symposium with the Canadian Society of Animal Science (CSAS)

The welfare of dairy cows is a critical aspect of sustainable and ethical dairy farming, influencing both animal health and productivity. By prioritizing animal welfare, dairy farmers not only improve the lives of their animals but also contribute to the long-term sustainability and profitability of the dairy industry. Moreover, maintaining high welfare standards aligns with ethical considerations and consumer expectations, fostering greater trust and marketability of dairy products. This symposium explores proper welfare practices, including adequate management, nutrition, and breeding strategies.

Dairy Foods Symposium: Health Benefits of Cheese

This symposium will explore the health and wellness properties of cheese, including recent clinical and nutritional studies regarding the relationship between cheese consumption and various disease outcomes. Cheese contains high levels of excellent-quality milk proteins, minerals, bioactive peptides—which can have antihypertensive, antimicrobial, and calcium-binding attributes—and, because of the fermentation process, high numbers of potentially beneficial bacteria that could impact our microbiome. Researchers, as well as consumers, are becoming more aware that cheese is a complex mixture of various components, and this food matrix may impact the bioaccessibility and absorption of nutrients and other components. Research is exploring opportunities to enhance the health-promoting properties of cheese, including increasing the concentrations of key bioactive peptides and including probiotic bacteria and omega fatty acids. The challenges and opportunities of including these components in cheese will be covered.

Joint Ruminant Nutrition and Animal Health Platform Session: NC2040—The Gut as a Gateway; What We Know, What We Don’t, and Where We’re Going
Joint session with the NC2040 multistate research project

Coming Soon!

Reproduction Symposium: Economics and Reproductive Efficiency in Dairy Farms—Simulation Models and Breeding Strategies

Production, Management, and the Environment Symposium: The DairyUp Project—Attacking Major Challenges for Dairy in a Multidisciplinary Project

Coming Soon!

Milk Protein and Enzymes Symposium: Value-Added Dairy Powders with Specialized Functionality

Value-added dairy powders refer to dry ingredients that have undergone additional processing beyond basic drying to enhance their functionality, nutritional profile, or market value. These powders often include specialized protein fractions such as milk and whey protein concentrates, caseinates, or specific blends designed to serve specific functions in dairy and other food applications, such as yogurt, cream cheese, bakery goods, sports nutrition products, or infant formula. The aim of this symposium is to provide an update on the processing, rehydration, and functional properties of value-added dairy powders.

Teaching Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Getting Started with the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in an Academic Career

Feed Additives to Mitigate Methane Symposium: Recommendations Published in a Journal of Dairy Science Special Issue (half day)

This year, the Journal of Dairy Science released a special issue synthesizing decades of nutrition innovation on feed additives for methane reduction to help scientists, dairy professionals, product developers, producers, and consumers fill knowledge gaps and build trust around feed additives. This symposium will focus on each of the six articles’ detailed technical recommendations—covering the full spectrum of additive development and implementation—and actionable best practices.

Reproduction Symposium: Carryover Effects of In Vitro Embryo Production in Dairy Cows—From Embryo Implantation to Next-Generation Performance

ADSA Dairy Foods Division International Partnership Program (IPP) Symposium: The Netherlands Food Valley—Protein and Lipid Functionalities for Future Dairy Products

The International Partnership Program Symposium, held each year on the final day of the ADSA annual meeting, is where scientists from research centers and regions outside North America present their unique work to a largely US-based audience. Although the Dairy Foods Division organizes the symposium, the intent is to have Production and Dairy Foods cross-disciplinary presentations to help bring our divisions closer together.

The 2025 symposium will feature a mix of academic and industry speakers from the Netherlands Food Valley, including Danone, Ausnutria BV, Wageningen University & Research, and Utrecht University.

Topics will include
(1) Recombinant milk ingredients to make high-quality dairy products
(2) Functional properties and sensory perception of dairy protein structures
(3) Interfacial properties of recombinant casein
(4) Tailoring digestion of dairy proteins through processing to obtain specific structures
(5) Influence of bovine and goat genetics on milk protein composition and its technofunctional properties
(6) Processing methods to create new dairy products with improved immunomodulation
(7) Animal nutrition and the impact on milk fat structure and functionality

Special Symposium: Increasing Availability of Animal Source Foods—Impact of the USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab

The Livestock Systems Innovation Lab at the University of Florida seeks to improve the livelihoods and nutrition of some of the most vulnerable people on earth by providing greater access to animal-source foods and economically relevant opportunities for women and youth to participate in livestock production. As the 10th anniversary of the lab approaches, a number of innovations from target countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean will be shared to further stimulate work in this field. Projects funded by the lab illustrate the efforts toward enhancing animal-source food productivity.