LEXINGTON, Ky. – The 2026 Kentucky Dairy Conference is scheduled for Feb. 24-25 at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green, Ky., according to the Kentucky Dairy Development Council.

Officials said this annual event brings together dairy professionals, industry partners and educational organizations for two days of learning, collaboration and new ideas – and continues to be an important gathering for people involved in dairy production, research and support services.

The conference is organized by the Kentucky Dairy Development Council, the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and The Dairy Alliance, with the groups working together to create a program that strengthens the dairy sector, while offering helpful tools and information for attendees, officials added.

Throughout the two-day event, participants will have access to educational sessions, industry updates and networking opportunities. Officials said attendees can expect discussions on herd management, dairy markets, sustainability practices, nutrition, technology and new resources available to the dairy community. Exhibitors and industry partners will also be present to showcase products, services and innovations that support dairy operations.

Melissa Huggett, Kentucky Dairy Development Council program coordinator, said in a Jan. 7 statement to Farm World, the headline attraction at the conference is hands on and built for real results, with Roger Thomson, DVM, of MQ-IQ Consulting of Battle Creek, Mich., featuring The Teaching Parlor.

“Instead of theory from a slide show, this portable, simulated milking parlor lets you see how NMC (National Mastitis Council) milking system airflow and CIP (Clean In Place) routines actually behave, then fix the issues that affect cow health, teat condition, and the milk that reaches your bulk tank,” she said. “It’s milk quality you can measure, understand, and improve right away.”

She said attendees will experience live, practical diagnostics with Thomson, such as airflow, vacuum stability, liner condition, and wash performance “translated into straightforward, on farm steps. Actionable takeaways: repeatable CIP, smarter trim and equipment settings, fewer surprises in peak flow, and a clearer path to lower SCC (Somatic Cell Count), and better milk.”

SCC is a key measure of milk quality and mammary gland health, representing the number of cells per milliliter of milk, primarily white blood cells that fight infection like mastitis.

Huggett said the educational sessions will include topics such as dairy economics, treatment decisions, and energy costs with Derek Nolan, University of Illinois teaching assistant professor of animal science, which she added will connect technical choices to profitability.

Other sessions will highlight funding and record-keeping support with Cara Stewart, Kentucky Center for Agricultural and Rural Development business development assistant; and market perspective and inventories with John Chism, Kentucky Department of Agriculture livestock division director. Huggett added the final session order will be posted ahead of the event.

Producer registration covers one farm family for both conference days and includes the Kentucky Dairy Awards Banquet Dinner on Feb. 24, which will celebrate leadership and innovation. Industry, government and university representatives also receive access to both days of the conference and the awards banquet. Students may register at a reduced rate, with meals included throughout the event.

In addition, Huggett said, across the two day program, attendees will find a trade show showcasing tools and technologies, and a student poster and youth showcase highlighting the next generation of ideas: “The content is producer ready and industry relevant, whether you manage a small parlor, a large rotary, or advise dairies around the world.”

Discounted hotel accommodations are available for producers through Huggett, with rates of $50 per night. Qualifying young producers, Kentucky Dairy Development Council board members, and award winners may be eligible for no-cost lodging, subject to guidelines, she said.

Registration can be completed online at www.kydairy.org, by mail (address on the website), or at the conference. For those unable to attend in person, a virtual option is available for $22, providing full access to live sessions, Feb. 24-25, via VidMonster.

For registration, hotel bookings or general inquiries, contact Huggett at mhuggett@kydairy.org, or (859) 516 2458.