Dairy Programs at the University of Tennessee

09/02/2026

A new professional development opportunity from the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (SDBII) is Now Open!

SDBII funds will be available to defray the cost of registration up to $1,325, and up to $1,500 available for flights, lodging, and parking for selected participants. Total awards will not exceed $2,825. Mileage and other ground transportation costs are not reimbursable.

This is a competitive application process; applications will be evaluated and scored based on completeness and demonstration of potential impact. Applications are due by 11:59 PM ET on October 16, 2026.

For more information on ConeCon, visit https://icecreamassociation.org/page/conecon

For more information on applying for an SDBII scholarship to attend, visit https://sdbii.tennessee.edu/opportunities/

08/11/2026

Join us TOMORROW (8/12) for August's Webinar Wednesday! Melanie Herman, Reproductive and Genetic Specialist at Premier Select Sires, will be discussing reproduction techniques incorporating modern technologies and heat abatement strategies in Southern dairy farms.

The webinar will take place from 12 to 1 PM ET via Zoom. Register for the Webinar Wednesday program for free by visiting tiny.utk.edu/WW26Registration.

This webinar is not exclusive to Tennessee dairy producers, so feel free to share this opportunity with anyone who may benefit from this topic!

06/29/2026

The UT Dairy Club attended and competed at the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Annual Meeting last week. We are so proud of these young professionals and their dedication to the dairy industry! 🐄

06/16/2026

🌟 Join us in Knoxville! 🌟

The Southeast Value-Added Dairy Conference (SEVAD) is returning to Knoxville, Tennessee, July 29–31, 2026. Each year, SEVAD brings together dairy business owners, researchers, Extension professionals, and industry partners for educational sessions, hands-on workshops, and valuable networking opportunities to help your operation grow and thrive.

This year's programming includes two optional pre-conference workshops and a plant tour of Broadacre Dairy (Weigel's)!

Southeastern dairy business personnel may also be eligible for a scholarship to attend.

For more information on registration, this year's topics, and travel scholarships, visit our website at tiny.utk.edu/SEVAD26

We hope to see you this July!

06/15/2026

June's Webinar Wednesday has been rescheduled to NEXT WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24TH!

EDIT: Dr. Downey's Webinar Wednesday has been rescheduled to Wednesday, June 24th!

Join us this Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 12 PM to 1 PM EST, for June's Webinar Wednesday seminar! 🌟

Dr. Blair Downey, UTIA Assistant Professor, will be provided updates on her PLF dairy calf research as a follow-up to her presentation at the 2026 TDPA Annual Meeting. A recording will be made available after the meeting. This meeting will count toward Master Dairy Credit for 2026. 🐄

If you have not done so and would like to attend, please register for FREE at tiny.utk.edu/WW26Registration to receive meetings links and additional information. Please share this opportunity with others who may benefit from this topic!

If you did not attend the TDPA meeting in February and would like to listen to Dr. Downey's presentation prior to next week's webinar, view the recording on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/IJmM04e2-6U?si=cOeRcx0-q3J9Mz5_

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

Some would argue this is the best month of the year. Why? Because it’s June Dairy Month, of course! 🥛 It’s a time to celebrate the hardworking dairy farmers who provide the delicious, nutritious dairy products we all enjoy.

Hear more from this proud dairy farmer ➡️ tnfarmbureau.org/dairy-for-life

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06/11/2026

In honor of , discover dairy’s impact across The Dairy Alliance’s 8-state region. Check out Tennessee's dairy industry!

06/10/2026

🥛🎉 Tennessee students, the Junior Chef State Fair Challenge ends June 19, 2026, giving middle and high school students time to whip up a fair-inspired recipe using Tennessee-grown ingredients. 🎡🌱
Hosted by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education and Pick TN Products, this statewide challenge is open to students in grades 6–12.
🥛 Get creative with local ingredients
🧀 Show off your kitchen skills
🍦 Create a portable recipe worthy of the fairgrounds
Students can enter solo or with a teammate, making this a fun fit for classrooms, camps, and summer programs alike.
Learn more and apply here: https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/farm-to-school.html

06/10/2026

The 2026 Tennessee 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Competition was held on May 28, 2026. While all the students impressed us with their dairy knowledge, the first and second place junior high and senior high teams were recognized during the June Dairy Month Kick-Off event. Congratulations to the following senior high teams and students! 🏆

🥇First place: Lincoln County A (Luke Bayless, Kaylin Osterhaus, Katie Elliot, Makai Traylor)

🥈Second place: Coffee County (Ava Cobb, Addison Cobb, Caroline Teal, Elliot Weaver)