By Heather Darrow
Today’s dairy cow is changing faster than ever, and with that change comes both opportunity and responsibility. Genetic progress, nutritional innovation, and evolving management systems are reshaping the way high‑performing herds must be understood and supported. This year’s Herd Health & Nutrition Conference captures that shift — offering attendees insights into tools and strategies needed to keep up with the modern cow. Leading researchers, industry professionals and dairy producers will present new research and practical strategies that reveal how the modern dairy cow is advancing and how management must adapt alongside her.
The conference will be held March 31, 2025, at the Doubletree by Hilton in East Syracuse, New York. Presented by Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY and the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA), the conference delivers valuable insights and research updates related to dairy herd health and nutrition management.
This annual event is ideal for dairy professionals, feed industry representatives, veterinarians and dairy producers. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for the NEAFA Annual Meeting and a networking breakfast with speakers and sponsors, followed by a full day of educational sessions.
A key theme running through the program is the importance of understanding the cow as an individual, not just a member of the herd. Trevor DeVries opens the conference by showing how cow behavior and variability affect success in automated milking systems—and how tailoring management to those behavioral differences can lead to better outcomes.
From there, the agenda moves “down the cow’s feed path,” exploring how nutrition and forage quality shape performance. Michelle Chang‑Der Bedrosian brings cutting‑edge silage science to the table, translating new research on fermentation, stability, and preservation into actionable steps advisors and producers can apply before the chopper even enters the field.
Building on the biological and nutritional foundation, economist Chuck Nicholson will examine the shifting marketplace for milk components. His session offers a clear look at current and emerging trends in demand, pricing, and component value—helping producers and industry professionals understand how their nutrition and management decisions connect directly to farm profitability.
On the nutrient side, Kevin Harvatine and Mike Van Amburgh continue the precision theme with deep dives into fatty acid balancing, amino acid requirements, and the rapidly evolving genetic capacity for milk fat and protein synthesis. Their sessions highlight how the cow of today—and certainly the cow of tomorrow—requires more exact nutrient strategies to fully express her potential.
The day culminates with a panel discussion where science meets real‑world execution. A progressive dairy producer and their nutritionist will sit alongside Drs. Harvatine and Van Amburgh to connect research insights with on‑farm application. Together, they will show what it takes to consistently hit high component levels in a commercial setting, from feed bunk decisions to ration design to cow‑side management.
Throughout the conference, the narrative remains clear:
· Understand the cow.
· Optimize the diet.
· Elevate the herd.
Backed by research and grounded in practical experience, the Herd Health & Nutrition Conference equips dairy professionals with insights they can put to work immediately — strengthening herd health, improving efficiency, and building long‑term sustainability for the future of dairy.
Full event information is available at cals.cornell.edu/pro-dairy. Registration is open with early bird rates available until March 15, 2026. Sponsorship opportunities with limited exhibit spaces are also available.
For more information, contact Heather Darrow, PRO-DAIRY Conference Coordinator at hh96@cornell.edu.