Knowledge Nook
Located in the Atrium of the Exhibition Hall, the Knowledge Nook is a space designed for companies to showcase an innovative product, service or research that was introduced to the market since the last World Dairy Expo. There will be up to 27, 45-minute sessions over the course of World Dairy Expo, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday and 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Friday.
The list of 2025 Knowledge Nook Sessions and their sponsors are below.
Innovation Unveiled also features additional cutting-edge products that can be found in the Trade Show.
Interested in hosting a session in 2025? Applications for the 2025 Knowledge Nook Sessions can be found HERE.
| Tuesday, September 30 | |
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10:30 a.m. |
New Strategies for Fly Control in Dairy Farms Speaker: Dr. Mike Catangui, Entomologist and Parasitologist Manager Presenting Company: MWI Animal Health |
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11:30 a.m. |
Improving Hoof Health Protocols Using Automated Locomotion Monitoring With Vision Technology Speaker: Arnold Harbers, Nedap Dairy Solution Expert Presenting Company: Nedap |
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12:30 p.m. |
Methane Reduction - Genetics for a more sustainable future Speaker: Larissa Zetouni, Global Sustainability Lead in R&D, CRV USA |
|
1:30 p.m. |
Postbiotics in Practice: Enhancing Immunity, Digestion, and Performance in Dairy Herds Speaker: Matt Dodd, DVM, Ruminant Field Technical Specialist, Diamond V |
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2:30 p.m. |
Understanding AI to milk your data Speaker: Dr. Shari van de Pol, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, CATTLEytics Presenting Company: CATTLEytics |
| Wednesday, October 1 | |
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9:30 a.m. |
Speaker: David P. Casper, Nutritionist, Global Ingredients Corporation Presenting Company: Global Ingredients Corporation |
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10:30 a.m.
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Do more with less: New technology boosts your existing parlor Speaker: James Bringe, Milking Equipment Sales Specialist, GEA Farm Technologies, Inc. Presenting Company: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc. |
11:30 a.m. |
Feed with Confidence: Connecting Workflows with Results Speaker: Melissa Freitas, West & Northeast FPC Team Leader, VAS Presenting Company: VAS |
12:30 p.m. |
Emerging Agriculture Sector Threats Speakers: Stephen Goldsmith DVM, Management and Program Analyst and Special Agent Scott Mahloch Presenting Company: Federal Bureau of Investigation |
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1:30 p.m.
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Probiotic Use in Livestock - A Veterinarian's Perspective Speaker: Dr. Ryan Royer, Technical Service Manager, Novonesis Presenting Company: Novonesis |
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2:30 p.m.
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Build a Better Cow Speaker: Jeffrey Bewley, PhD, PAS, Executive Director of Genetic Programs and Innovation Presenting Company: Holstein Association USA |
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3:30 p.m. |
Magnesium Matters - Putting Solubility to the Test Speaker: Dr. Noelia Silva del Rio, Dairy Herd Health Specialist, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Presenting Company: GLC Minerals |
| Thursday, October 2 | |
|
9:30 a.m. |
Revolutionizing Rumen Health from the Inside Out Speaker: Louisa Koch, Ph.D., Feeding and pH Specialist, smaXtec Inc. Presenting Company: smaXtec Inc. |
|
10:30 a.m. |
New Strategies for Fly Control in Dairy Farms Speaker: Dr. Mike Catangui, Entomologist and Parasitologist Manager Presenting Company: MWI Animal Health |
|
11:30 a.m.
|
Probiotic Use in Livestock - A Veterinarian's Perspective Speaker: Dr. Ryan Royer, Technical Service Manager, Novonesis Presenting Company: Novonesis |
|
12:30 p.m.
|
Data You Can Use. Insights You Can Trust. Meet the Dairy Data Partner. Speaker: Stuart MacLennan, CEO, Intelligent Dairy Solutions Presenting Company: Intelligent Dairy Solutions |
|
1:30 p.m. |
Speaker: Mauricio Agudelo Rendón, CEO at Bialtec Presenting Company: Bialtec |
|
2:30 p.m. |
TBA Speaker: TBA Presenting Company: Datamars |
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3:30 p.m.
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Dairy's Latest Innovation: Digitizing & Automating Feed Pushing Speaker: Praveen Penmetsa, CEO, Monarch Tractor Presenting Company: Monarch Tractor |
| Friday, October 3 | |
Tuesday, September 30 at 10:30 a.m.
New Strategies for Fly Control in Dairy Farms
Speaker: Dr. Mike Catangui, Entomologist and Parasitologist Manager
Presenting Company: MWI Animal Health
The MWI Animal Health Entomology Laboratory has been collecting data on the development or evolution of resistance by house flies to commonly used insecticides in dairy farms across the United States. New strategies to manage the development of insecticide resistance by house flies to insecticides will be presented and discussed.
Dr. Michael A. Catangui is a distinguished Livestock Entomologist and Parasitologist Manager at MWI Animal Health AmerisourceBergen. With a rich background in entomology and parasitology, Dr. Catangui has dedicated over three decades to advancing the field of livestock health through innovative pest management strategies.
Tuesday, September 30 at 11:30 a.m.
Improving Hoof Health Protocols Using Automated Locomotion Monitoring With Vision Technology
Speaker: Arnold Harbers, Nedap Dairy Solution Expert
Presenting Company: Nedap
With the latest computer vision technology, we can continuously monitor the locomotion of every cow. This session will focus on how to use these insights in your hoof health protocols, enabling the farmer to take practical and profitable action.
Born and raised on a dairy farm in the Netherlands, Arnold Harbers has dedicated his career to the dairy industry. He holds a degree in Animal Breeding from Wageningen University and has worked across various roles in the sector. Today, he serves as a Dairy Solution Expert at Nedap Livestock, where he develops technology that helps farmers worldwide improve herd performance and daily operations.
Tuesday, September 30 at 12:30 p.m.
Methane Reduction - Genetics for a more sustainable future
Speaker: Larissa Zetouni, Global Sustainability Lead in R&D, CRV USA
Presenting Company: CRV USA
CRV supports dairy farmers through a breeding program that prioritizes health and efficiency. By breeding healthy and efficient cows with lower methane emissions, you not only contribute to sustainability, but also build a herd that lives longer, requires less feed, and remains productive.
Larissa Zetouni is a sustainable livestock production enthusiast. Originally from Brazil, she has been living abroad for the past 10 years, building a career focused on using genetics to improve sustainability in cattle production. She has experience in both the academia and the private sector, and has worked in different markers, such as New Zealand, EMEA and the USA.
Tuesday, September 30 at 1:30 p.m.
Postbiotics in Practice: Enhancing Immunity, Digestion, and Performance in Dairy Herds
Speaker: Matt Dodd, DVM, Ruminant Field Technical Specialist, Diamond V
Presenting Company: Diamond V
Research studies in both calves and cows show that postbiotic supplementation can reduce the incidence of mastitis, digital dermatitis, and respiratory disease while also improving milk yield, feed efficiency, and overall animal well-being. In this session, Dr. Matt Dodd will share Dr. Jodie McGill’s research and practical applications about how postbiotic products, derived from yeast fermentation, are rich in bioactive compounds that help support the microbiome, improve gut health, enhance immune function, and increase resilience to stressors like heat, calving, and disease.
Dr. Matt Dodd earned his DVM from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. Throughout his career, he has focused on dairy production medicine, heifer development, and record and data analysis. Prior to joining Diamond V, Dr. Dodd spent 19 years in private practice, including 12 years as a contract technical consultant for businesses including Monsanto and Elanco. As a field technical service specialist for Diamond V based in southern Minnesota, Dr. Dodd is responsible for providing technical support for customers in the United States, specifically in the Midwest. He is an advocate for the herds he works with and can often be found conducting calf, parlor or TMR audits and helping our customers fine tune aspects of their operation.
Tuesday, September 30 at 2:30 p.m.
Understanding AI to milk your data
Speaker: Dr. Shari van de Pol, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, CATTLEytics
Presenting Company: CATTLEytics
What if AI could turn your farm’s growing mountain of data into real insights? Dr. Shari van de Pol, veterinarian and ag-tech leader at CATTLEytics, breaks down what AI really is and why it matters for modern dairies. AI isn’t about replacing your gut feeling — it’s about reinforcing it with smart, timely insights that drive better decisions. By the end of the session, you’ll know how to apply it!
Dr. Shari combines veterinary expertise with a background in computer engineering to help large dairies drive profitability through smart, data-backed decisions. As founder of CATTLEytics, she develops practical tools that improve herd health, monitor performance, and flag problems before they cost you! Her work bridges high-tech with real herd know-how, making her a trusted voice.
Wednesday, October 1 at 9:30 a.m.
Coated Amino Acid
Speaker: David P. Casper, Nutritionist, Global Ingredients Corporation
Presenting Company: Global Ingredients Corporation
Our product line includes coated feed additives, amino acids, and high-protein ingredients designed to support animal health and performance. We also offer enzymes and probiotics formulated to enhance digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall animal well-being. This presentation will focus on presenting research for the market launch of rumen protected methionine for lactating dairy cows.
Dr. David P. Casper is a Dairy Nutritionist and Research Consultant with over 30 years of experience in dairy cattle nutrition and research. He has held roles in academia, government (USDA-ARS), and industry, including leadership positions. Dr. Casper has published extensively and is active in professional organizations such as ADSA, ASAS, and ARPAS. He is a recipient of multiple industry awards and an ASAS-Fellow recognizing his contributions to applied dairy research and forage innovation.
Wednesday, October 1 at 10:30 a.m.
Do more with less: New technology boosts your existing parlor
Speaker: James Bringe, Milking Equipment Sales Specialist, GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
Presenting Company: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
Labor challenges and the pressure to milk more cows aren’t new, but how you tackle them can be. This session will show you how to integrate new milking automation capabilities into your current parlor with the DairyProX system. This technology will help streamline milking workflows, improve throughput and deliver consistent results—all with fewer people in the pit. See how the right tools and strategy can help you accomplish more with the team and equipment you already have.
For more than 25 years, James Bringe has helped producers across the Midwest and East Coast select the milking facility that best fits their operation. James specializes in large parlor projects and new technologies designed to benefit employees, cows and owners alike. With a background in business, he focuses on delivering solutions that prioritize efficiency, productivity and return on investment.
Wednesday, October 1 at 11:30 a.m.
Feed with Confidence: Connecting Workflows with Results
Speaker: Melissa Freitas, West & Northeast FPC Team Leader, VAS
Presenting Company: VAS
Take control of your dairy's biggest expense from the palm of your hand. Learn how to take a mobile-first approach to streamline mixing and feeding workflows while ensuring accurate rations reach the right pen, every time. Plus, connect owners, feeders and consultants for a smoother, more transparent dairy operation.
Melissa Freitas is a passionate advocate for the dairy industry. As the FPC Team Leader for the West, Northeast and Mexico sales territories at VAS, Freitas leads and supports a team of eight in addition to managing her own territory. She has been with VAS for 13 years and holds a bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science from Eastern New Mexico University.
Wednesday, October 1 at 12:30 p.m.
Emerging Agriculture Sector Threats
Speakers: Stephen Goldsmith DVM, Management and Program Analyst and Special Agent Scott Mahloch
Presenting Company: Federal Bureau of Investigation
This is a 45-minute presentation that discusses the emerging threats to the U.S. agriculture sector by foreign and domestic threat actors. It describes the roles of the FBI WMD Coordinators assigned to all FBI Field Offices as well the resources and capabilities to investigate and respond to CBRNE, cyber, economic espionage, and sabotage incidents with State and Federal Agriculture agencies.
Dr. Goldsmith is assigned to the FBI Counterterrorism Division-WMD Branch as a program analyst and was previously assigned to FBI Laboratory Hazardous Science Response Unit. He was a Field Veterinarian-Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician for 15 years with USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. He also served 30 years in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, Philippines, and Central-South America.
Wednesday, October 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Probiotic Use in Livestock - A Veterinarian's Perspective
Speaker: Dr. Ryan Royer, Technical Service Manager, Novonesis
Presenting Company: Novonesis
As pressures continue to be placed on reducing anti-microbial use on livestock production systems, alternative methods are being used to treat and maintain animal health. One of those alternatives includes the use of probiotics in animal feeds to support the animal’s immune function, promote rumen health and enhance the intestinal barrier.
Dr. Royer is a veterinarian and dairy nutritionist with experience in the Midwest and Texas panhandle for over 20 years. He started his technical service role with Novonesis about 1 year ago and has brought a hands-on, practical approach, focusing on animal health and helping producers use probiotics on dairy farms. He believes that healthy animals should always be the primary focus of any type of livestock farming, and utilizing probiotics is a safe and effective tool in the health promotion toolbox.
Wednesday, October 1 at 2:30 p.m.
Build a Better Cow
Speaker: Jeffrey Bewley, PhD, PAS, Executive Director of Genetic Programs and Innovation
Presenting Company: Holstein Association USA
Build a Better Cow is a research and development project led by Holstein Association USA that collects volumes of objective phenotypic conformation data using 3D cameras on Holstein dairy cattle as they naturally flow through the parlor exit. Artificial Intelligence algorithms are applied to the video captured and quantified trait values are calculated that tie back to the individual cow.
Dr. Jeffrey Bewley is from Rineyville, Kentucky where he grew up working on his grandfather's dairy farm. He is currently Executive Director of Genetic Programs and Innovation with Holstein Association USA. He has published and presented extensively around the world mostly focused on dairy technology and data.
Wednesday, October 1 at 3:30 p.m.
Magnesium Matters - Putting Solubility to the Test
Speaker: Dr. Noelia Silva del Rio, Dairy Herd Health Specialist, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Presenting Company: GLC Minerals
Dr. Noelia Silva del Rio of UC Davis recently published a pivotal study in the Journal of Dairy Science that evaluates the bioavailability of five commonly used magnesium sources in non-lactating Holstein cows. Dr. Silva del Rio’s insights offer a valuable roadmap for nutritionists and feed operations to optimize mineral supplementation and maximize return on investment. Key findings that will be shared include the importance of magnesium in dairy cow nutrition and health, types of magnesium sources, the difference in = bioavailability of various magnesium sources and practical strategies to enhance your herd’s mineral status.
Dr. Silva del Rio serves as the Dairy Herd Health Specialist at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She is located at the Veterinary Teaching and Research Center, a satellite unit of the vet school in Tulare County. She obtained her DVM from Spain and her PhD in Dairy Nutrition and Reproductive Physiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research interests include a wide range of topics, such as transition cow and calf health, dairy herd sustainability, and animal welfare. Additionally, she is deeply interested in improving dairy worker performance and developing tools to motivate positive changes in dairy operations.
Thursday, October 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Revolutionizing Rumen Health from the Inside Out
Speaker: Louisa Koch, Ph.D., Feeding and pH Specialist, smaXtec Inc.
Presenting Company: smaXtec Inc.
This session will examine the use of in-rumen sensor technology for continuous pH monitoring and its implications for rumen health management. We'll discuss how real-time data from internal boluses can support earlier detection of digestive disturbances, inform nutritional strategies and enhance decision-making on dairy operations. Practical considerations for implementation and interpretation of pH data will also be addressed.
Dr. Louisa Koch is a West Virginia native with a background in nutrition and rumen physiology. She received her doctorate from Clemson University, where her focus was on understanding the impacts on sugar and starch sources on milk fat depression. She joined smaXtec at the beginning of 2025 and currently consults with producers, veterinarians, and nutritionists on how to integrate sensor-data into farm management.
Thursday, October 2 at 10:30 a.m.
New Strategies for Fly Control in Dairy Farms
Speaker: Dr. Mike Catangui, Entomologist and Parasitologist Manager
Presenting Company: MWI Animal Health
The MWI Animal Health Entomology Laboratory has been collecting data on the development or evolution of resistance by house flies to commonly used insecticides in dairy farms across the United States. New strategies to manage the development of insecticide resistance by house flies to insecticides will be presented and discussed.
Dr. Michael A. Catangui is a distinguished Livestock Entomologist and Parasitologist Manager at MWI Animal Health AmerisourceBergen. With a rich background in entomology and parasitology, Dr. Catangui has dedicated over three decades to advancing the field of livestock health through innovative pest management strategies.
Thursday, October 2 at 11:30 a.m.
Probiotic Use in Livestock - A Veterinarian's Perspective
Speaker: Dr. Ryan Royer, Technical Service Manager, Novonesis
Presenting Company: Novonesis
As pressures continue to be placed on reducing anti-microbial use on livestock production systems, alternative methods are being used to treat and maintain animal health. One of those alternatives includes the use of probiotics in animal feeds to support the animal’s immune function, promote rumen health and enhance the intestinal barrier.
Dr. Royer is a veterinarian and dairy nutritionist with experience in the Midwest and Texas panhandle for over 20 years. He started his technical service role with Novonesis about 1 year ago and has brought a hands-on, practical approach, focusing on animal health and helping producers use probiotics on dairy farms. He believes that healthy animals should always be the primary focus of any type of livestock farming, and utilizing probiotics is a safe and effective tool in the health promotion toolbox.
Thursday, October 2 at 12:30 p.m.
Data You Can Use. Insights You Can Trust. Meet the Dairy Data Partner.
Speaker: Stuart MacLennan, CEO, Intelligent Dairy Solutions
Presenting Company: Intelligent Dairy Solutions
Intelligent Dairy Solutions' Dairy Data Partner (DDP) service transforms complex data into clear, real-time insights delivered directly to producers via tools like SMS or WhatsApp. DDP humanizes ag tech by combining automation with trusted, personal partnerships that support better cow health, feed efficiency, and farm management. Each partner provides context-rich, actionable updates tailored to the farm's unique needs. The result is more confident, data-driven decisions every day.
As CEO at Peacock Technology, Stuart MacLennan leads with a clear vision: to develop innovative systems that advance sustainability, support local economies, and deliver real-world solutions to the agri-food sector. With a degree in Agriculture and experience spanning from hands-on farming to renewable energy projects, MacLennan brings a holistic perspective to sustainable food production. Representing Intelligent Dairy Solutions (IDS), a division of Peacock Technology, he is passionate about using technology to drive productivity, profitability, and animal welfare in the dairy industry.
Thursday, October 2 at 1:30 p.m.
Unlocking Fiber Efficiency: Enhancing Rumen Function and Milk Performance with Probiotic Microbial Consortia
Speaker: Mauricio Agudelo Rendón, CEO at Bialtec
Presenting Company: Bialtec
High-producing dairy cows need costly TMR diets, but improving fiber digestion can reduce costs. This session shows how microencapsulated probiotics enhance rumen microbiota and fiber degradability. Results from field and lab studies highlight benefits under short rumen retention times. Attendees will learn how this boosts feed efficiency and milk performance.
Mauricio Agudelo is a chemical engineer and CEO of Bialtec, a biotech company focused on microencapsulated probiotics for animal nutrition. He has led international research on rumen microbiota, fiber digestibility, and sustainable dairy production, bridging science and practical application in high-yield systems.
Thursday, October 2 at 2:30 p.m.
TBA
Speaker: TBA
Presenting Company: Datamars Livestock
Thursday, October 2 at 3:30 p.m.
Dairy's Latest Innovation: Digitizing & Automating Feed Pushing
Speaker: Praveen Penmetsa, CEO, Monarch Tractor
Presenting Company: Monarch Tractor
Dairy farms face labor shortages, rising fuel costs, and pressure to operate sustainably. In February 2025, Monarch launched the first 100% electric, driver-optional, smart tractor with autonomous feed-pushing — boosting milk production, cutting costs, and improving efficiency. It’s a breakthrough solution for a changing industry, and just the beginning for Monarch and modern dairy operations.
Praveen Penmetsa is the CEO and co-founder of Monarch Tractor, developer of the world’s first smart, electric, driver-optional tractor. Monarch’s modular platform powers autonomy, electrification, and data intelligence — starting with the MK-V Dairy tractor, which automates feed pushing for dairy farms to enhance labor, boost efficiency, and increase milk production.
