Knowledge Nook

Located in Mendota 1 of the Exhibition Hall, the Knowledge Nook is a space designed for companies to showcase an innovative product, service or research introduced to the market since the last World Dairy Expo. There will be up to 19, 45-minute sessions over the course of World Dairy Expo, 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday and 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Friday.

The list of 2026 Knowledge Nook Sessions and their sponsors are below.

Interested in hosting a Knowledge Nook Session in 2026? Complete the application HERE.

Tuesday, September 29 at 11:30 a.m.
Proactive Strategies: Leveraging Weather Knowledge and Insurance Planning for Profit
Speaker: Gary Lexak, Weather 20/20 Founder and CEO, and Jordan Wollenberg, Agri-Services Agency Insurance Agent
Presenting Company: Agri-Services Agency and Weather 20/20

In an industry defined by tight margins and volatile weather, the difference between profit and loss often comes down to haphazard, last-minute decisions. This panel discussion will challenge this reactive approach to weather management by demonstrating how long-range predictive intelligence, when paired with strategic insurance planning, allows producers to become truly proactive.

Wednesday, September 30 at 11:30 a.m.
The Future Dairy Herd: Fewer Cows, Higher Responsibility
Speaker: Dr. Gavin Staley, BVSc MMedVet (Therio) DipIACT
Presenting Company: Diamond V

Over the next several years, the dairy industry will face a tightening supply of replacement heifers. As fewer animals enter the system, the success of a dairy will increasingly depend on how well it can protect the health and productivity of the cows already in the herd. In this session, Dr. Gavin Staley will examine what this shift means for today's dairy herds and the professionals who support them. The discussion will explore how keeping cows longer changes health risk, performance expectations, and management priorities—and why extending lifespan only works when cows remain healthy and productive. Attendees will gain insight into why a stronger focus on prevention, resilience, and whole-cow health is becoming essential, and how proactive strategies can help dairies be better stewards of their animals while sustaining performance in a herd with fewer replacements.

Dr. Gavin Staley is a recognized thought leader in the U.S. dairy industry with more than 20 years of experience in veterinary practice and technical services. His expertise spans dairy record evaluation, heifer maturity, and productive life, with a strong focus on preventative strategies that support long-term cow health and performance.

Wednesday, September 30 at 12:30 p.m.
It's Not What You Feed During Transition, It's What She Absorbs
Speaker: Hannah Tucker, Ph.D., PAS, Ruminant Technical Services Manager, North America, Novus International, Inc.
Presenting Company: Novus International, Inc.

This presentation highlights the critical role of trace mineral nutrition during the most challenging stage of a dairy cow's lifecycle, the transition period. By incorporating advanced stable isotope research, we demonstrate how mineral bioavailability, rather than simple inclusion rates, directly impacts health and overall performance. Attendees will gain practical, actionable strategies to enhance transition cow outcomes while improving herd durability and profitability.

Dr. Tucker was raised in the dairy industry and now works with the NOVUS Sales Team in North America to determine the best way to support customer goals and address production challenges. She also collaborates with the NOVUS R&D Team to design university and field trials and translate the results to further the understanding of the intelligent nutrition company’s solutions. She earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science at Michigan State University (U.S.), and her master’s degree in dairy science and doctorate in animal science at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech; U.S.).  

Wednesday, September 30 at 1:30 p.m.
Finding the Cows That Are Eating Your Profits
Speaker: Dr. Shari van de Pol, CEO and Founder, CATTLEytics
Presenting Company: CATTLEytics

Not every cow is paying her way, and some are quietly draining your profits. This session challenges how you look at performance, showing how better data can expose what's really happening in your herd. We'll share practical ways progressive dairies are making faster, smarter decisions without adding complexity, and why that changes the conversation with your nutritionist, vet, and herd manager too. If you're serious about tightening margins, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.

Dr. Shari van de Pol brings a rare combination of Computer Engineering (McMaster) and Veterinary Medicine (University of Guelph) to the dairy industry, and it shows in everything CATTLEytics does. As founder and CEO, she's built an award-winning platform that creates a digital twin of your farm, connecting animal health data, team management, and AI-powered analytics into decisions you can actually act on. Her work has earned national recognition through the 2024 Tech for Good Award, WCT Entrepreneur of the Year, and a Dragons' Den Canada feature, but her focus stays squarely on one thing: helping farmers find the margin hiding in their own data.

Wednesday, September 30 at 2:30 p.m.
Redefining Calf Survivability: Salmonella Dublin Challenge
Speaker: Dr. Travis White, Chief Veterinary Officer, Endovac Animal Health
Presenting Company: Endovac Animal Health

Efficacy of a core-antigen and immunostimulant vaccine program to reduce the Salmonella Dublin based health and performance effects in calves.

Dr. White brings over two decades of veterinary leadership across both clinical practice and pharmaceutical services. He has worked in 12 countries, where he has provided on-farm consulting, designed research trials and led veterinary continuing education programs. In his role at Endovac, he supports product development while also helping drive customer success through his technical expertise.

Thursday, October 1 at 11:30 a.m.
Improving Calf Health: What the Data Shows and How New Traits Can Be Used
Speaker: Dr. Robert Fourdraine, Assistant Director of Product Development, and Katie Schmitt, Industry Relations Manager
Presenting Company: Dairy Records Management Systems (DRMS)

Dairy producers and heifer raisers are facing growing pressure to maximize the value of every calf while managing disease risk and tighter replacement supplies. This presentation connects on-farm trends—such as increased beef-on-dairy breeding, age at first calving, and calf losses—with the real financial impact of respiratory disease and diarrhea events. We will introduce new genetic tools that lead to more resilient and healthier calves for the US evaluation system. Attendees will leave with clear guidance on how accurate calf data leads to improved management, how submitting data through herd management software supports healthier calves and stronger future herds, and where to find these new evaluations.

Dr. Robert Fourdraine brings more than 37 years of experience in the dairy industry, blending a Ph.D. in Animal Science with leadership roles that span dairy information management, animal identification, milk recording and producer-focused innovation. He has served on the boards of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) and the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB), chairs an ICAR working group, and contributed to the development of the U.S. National Animal Identification System — all efforts that strengthen the future of the dairy industry. At DRMS, Dr. Fourdraine leads the teams responsible for product development and delivery. He ensures every tool and service is accurate, practical, and built with the producer in mind.

Katie Schmitt joined the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) in March 2023 as the organization’s key communicator, liaison with the industry, and leader of farmer engagement. She works closely with CDCB’s Producer Advisory Committee and in translating technical findings into applied information for dairy producers and industry members. She holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science with minors in communication studies and agricultural food business management from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Schmitt grew up on her family’s dairy farm in central Minnesota, where her love and knowledge of cows were fostered.

Thursday, October 1 at 12:30 p.m.
The Next Leap in Dairy: One Ecosystem, Powered by Sensors, Cameras & AI
Speaker: Owen Bewley, General Manager – North American Dairy Business
Presenting Company: Nedap

Nedap is advancing dairy farming by connecting sensors, cameras, and monitoring into one integrated ecosystem. What we’ve learned across millions of cows on some of the most progressive farms worldwide is that combining these data streams gives a clearer, earlier understanding of cow health and behavior. By linking SmartSight lameness detection with SmartTag monitoring, farmers can turn insights into timely, informed decisions. These insights drive action through tools like SmartSort and the NedapNow platform, helping ensure efficient workflows and that the right cow is in the right place at the right time.

Owen Bewley is the General Manager of North American Dairy Technology at Nedap and a 25-year veteran of the dairy industry. A Pennsylvania native, Bewley built his career across major dairy regions in California, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, holding national leadership roles with the Monsanto Dairy Business, Phibro Animal Health, and most recently as Merck’s Dairy Technology Lead.

A Penn State graduate with a degree in Dairy Science and a minor in International Agriculture, Bewley brings deep expertise in dairy operations, emerging technology, and large-scale herd management. At Nedap, he is driven by the company’s bold, customer-first approach to innovation—most recently highlighted by SmartSight, the AI-powered intelligent camera system transforming hoof-health management on large dairies.