Iowa dairy producers and allied industry members are invited to attend 2026 Iowa Dairy Days, a statewide series of in-person educational meetings hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, this January and February. The 2026 theme, “Near-Term Strategies for Long-Term Pay-Off,” highlights practical, actionable decisions producers can make to strengthen herd performance, manage risk and support long-term profitability.

Dairy Days brings together regional and statewide extension specialists to address timely topics in milk markets, herd health, forage management and farm-level decision-making. Each location offers a full day of programming, interactive discussion and opportunities to network with fellow producers and industry partners. Lunch will be provided through local sponsorships.

“Many dairy producers are looking at predictions for 2026 milk prices and are getting nervous,” said Gail Carpenter, assistant professor and extension dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Our goal when developing this year’s program was to bring practical tools for dairy farmers who want to improve their management today to prepare for whatever the next year brings.”

The 2026 program features speakers from the ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Team, as well as forage specialists:

· Fred Hall, northwest Iowa dairy field specialist, will discuss current milk market dynamics and their implications for component-based pricing.

· Dr. Phillip Jardon, clinical associate professor and dairy extension veterinarian, will review emerging disease and parasite issues and their implications for Iowa dairy herds.

· Larry Tranel, northeast/southeast Iowa dairy field specialist, will explore cost-of-production strategies across herd sizes and production systems.

· Shelby Gruss, assistant professor and extension forage specialist, will lead a forage identification session followed by a producer listening session.

· Gail Carpenter will discuss how near-term culling decisions can influence long-term herd health, efficiency and profitability.

· Jenn Bentley, northeast Iowa dairy field specialist, will share applied colostrum management strategies.

This program will be presented at five locations around the state. Additionally, the northwest Iowa location in Spencer will feature a tour of Jones Dairy beginning at 9 a.m. At all other locations, the program will begin at 9:30 a.m. with registration and refreshments, and speakers  begining at 10 a.m.

· Feb. 5: Johnson’s Restaurant — 916 North High Street NE, Elkader

Dairy Days is open to dairy producers, farm employees and allied industry professionals. To register and view more program information, visit the ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Team website. For more information, contact Gail Carpenter at ajcarpen@iastate.edu or 515-294-9085.