Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference To Feature Michigan State University Speakers In February 2026

By Barry Bradford

Michigan State University (MSU) experts will speak at the 24^th annual Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC) held Feb. 5-6, 2026, at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Over two days, GLRDC offers producers direct access to experts in nutrition, forages, cow health and welfare, farm infrastructure, technology and automation, milk marketing and processing and more. Attendees can also meet with industry partners and build valuable connections with other producers.

“GLRDC plays a vital role in equipping dairy producers with the latest research and practical innovations, and MSU is proud to contribute to that mission,” Barry Bradford, MSU’s Clint Meadows Chair in Dairy Management said. “Producers who attend walk away with knowledge that supports better decisions, stronger management and, ultimately, improved profitability.”

As part of its involvement in these key topic areas, MSU will offer focused sessions that provide producers with added depth and practical insight. MSU featured speakers include:

• Adam Lock, a professor and Associate Chair for Farm Operations in the MSU Department of Animal Science, will co-host a session on high oleic soybeans and how they enhance efficiency and sustainability. He is joined by Alycia Bales from Caledonia Farmers Elevator to share how land-grant research drives real change for farmers.
• MSU graduate student Lynn Olthof will also share research on planning dairy expansions, Extension Educator Martin Mangual will cover impacts of Extension training on worker development, and Dr. Bradford will discuss how MSU can utilize the new dairy facility to align with the needs of today’s dairy industry.
• Bradford will also host a session on fresh cows, exploring the evidence around fresh cow housing and the optimal timing for “graduation” from the fresh pen, particularly with increased rumination monitoring.
• Angel Abuelo, a veterinarian and associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, will join other experts to host a free Spanish-only program for herdspersons and dairy managers on Friday, February 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Abuelo will partner with MSU Extension Educator Paola Bacigalupo Sanguesa to lead a session on managing cows and calves. Additional topics include farm leadership and cattle reproduction training, and opportunities to share challenges and solutions with each other. All presentations and discussions during this special program will be delivered exclusively in Spanish.