Registration now Open!
For 30 years, dairy sheep producers from Canada, Mexico, Europe, Central & South America, New Zealand & Australia, and the U.S. have attended DSANA’s annual symposium. It is the major annual event of the dairy sheep industry in North America, providing education and connection.
The event is perfect for established sheep dairies, those considering sheep dairying, those who milk sheep on homesteads, cheesemakers who work with sheep’s milk, veterinarians interested in small ruminant dairy animals, small ruminant nutritionists, and businesses that serve the sheep dairy industry.
This year’s symposium’s theme is “Mastitis and Milk Quality Management,” with presentations focused on how producers can manage mastitis in dairy sheep and optimize milk quality. Other presentations will focus on dairy sheep genetics, breeding, farm economics, and dairy sheep health and nutrition.
This year’s symposium will be held at the Crowne Plaza Kitchener-Waterloo, located at 105 King Street, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada on November 12, 13, and 14.
Special room rates available for DSANA attendees
~ One hour by car or shuttle from the Toronto airport ~
scroll down for details
Join Us For…
Opportunities to meet other dairy sheep producers from the United States, Canada and around the world
Tours of Ontario sheep dairies in Southern Ontario. Tour the farms and participate in hands-on workshops.
Presentations from experts, plus producer panels on dairy sheep production, economics, reproduction, and nutrition.
Presentation
topics
Dairy Sheep Mastitis:
Research Review and
Practical Applications for the Farm
We are delighted to welcome two Greek researchers to our symposium: Dr. Vasia Mavrogianni and Dr. Natalia Vasileiou, both of the University of Thessaly, Kardítsa, Thessalía, Greece. They will present their substantial research into dairy sheep mastitis and share how they are helping producers apply their research on farms. Dr. Mavrogianni is on the Veterinary Faculty at the university, and Dr. Vasileiou is in the Department of Animal Science.
Improving Your Flock’s
Udder Conformation
Better udders in a dairy flock lead to better health outcomes for ewes, higher milk production, and labor saving in the parlor. Dr. Andrea Mongini, DVM of M&M Veterinary Practice in California and Bee Tolman, longtime sheep dairy producer at Meadowood Farms in NY, recently teamed up with Johanne Cameron of Bergeries Marovine in Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, to produce the highly popular "Dairy Sheep Udder Assessment System," available on the DSANA website. In this presentation, Bee and Andrea will discuss how the system can be used to identify the strengths and weaknesses in your flock's udder characteristics and how to set up a breeding program that incorporates your assessment.
Preventing Late Gestation
Metabolic Diseases
Dr. Andrea Mongini, DVM, co-owner of M&M Veterinary Practice in California and a popular speaker at DSANA symposia, will present on metabolic diseases in late gestation and early lactation in dairy sheep. She will explain the physiological causes of these diseases, discuss how to recognize the signs of these diseases in ewes, and how to put together a practical protocol to treat them.
Choosing Which Genetic Traits to Select For
In your breeding program, you can only select for so many traits. How do you choose which traits to select for? How do you pick from such varied traits as udder conformation, milk production, parasite resistance, and others? How do you focus on multiple problems, while moving the needle on less-heritable traits? Dr. Ángela Cánovas, Full Professor of Beef Cattle and Small Ruminant Genomics at the University of Guelph, Canada, will help us understand how to apply genetics research to our dairy sheep breeding programs.
The Ontario Dairy Sheep
Co-operative
We’ll get an update on the Ontario Dairy Sheep Co-operative, a 24-member group of dairy sheep farmers from across Ontario who supply milk to major producers of cheese and yogurt, such as Saputo, Ovino, and Carr Valley Cheese. Members will talk about how the co-operative was formed and how the market demand for sheep milk products has evolved. They’ll also share tips on forming a dairy sheep cooperative.
Balancing Diets
with Limited Feed Options
How do I feed my sheep? Join noted dairy sheep nutritionist Courtney Vriens of Vriens Nutrition Consulting in Arthur, Ontario, as she walks through the process of developing an appropriate ration for a dairy sheep flock. She will be accompanied by a diverse panel of sheep milk producers from the U.S. and Canada who will share their perspective on working with a nutritionist to develop a ration for their specific operation, given their locally available feed resources and operational goals.
… and more presentations TBA!
Check this page again soon
for more speakers and topics
PLUS:
Dairy Sheep Mastitis Summit
This Friday morning summit will gather a panel of experts to provide a scientific understanding of on-farm mastitis practices, such as colostrum management, milking protocols, on-farm culturing, vaccinating, breeding and selection strategies, and codon tests for mastitis resistance. Confirmed panelists: Dr. Andrea Mongini, Dr. Vasia Mavrogianni, Dr. Natalia Vasileiou.
Evening Wine & Cheese Reception…
On Thursday evening we will feature Ontario and Quebecois sheep’s milk cheeses made by local producers. These receptions are always a highlight of the annual DSANA symposium.
Farm tours
On Saturday, symposium participants will have the opportunity to visit sheep dairies in the Toronto area. Farm tours will include member farms of the Ontario Dairy Sheep Co-op. Transportation is provided as part of symposium registration; the charter bus will leave the hotel around 9:00 am. For those planning to travel home on Saturday evening, the tour bus will return to the hotel by 6:00 pm.
Plus… A trade show with vendors, breakfast meetings, and breakout Groups!
To Become a Sponsor of the Symposium, Please write to:
hello@dsana.org
“We've been attending the Symposium for over 20 years. The information we've gathered has been critical to the success of our dairy and cheese-making business. It's been invaluable to build relationships with the network of experts and colleagues we've learned from at the Symposium and the ability to troubleshoot with them later when we've encountered challenges. Another great thing about the Symposium has been the marketing knowledge and feedback we've gained from presenting our cheese to experts and peers at the Symposium's cheese reception”
- Sarah Hoffmann, Green Dirt Farm, Missouri, USA
Registration
Register today and don’t miss out!
There are several registration options for this year’s Symposium (for both U.S. and Canadian DSANA members and non-members). Please read the options below and scroll down to the registration form. Registering early pays! Registering now helps our team of volunteers plan the event. Registrations made after October, 12th 2026 will be subject to a $50 USD late fee.
DSANA members receive a discounted price which is available to new members as well, so why not join DSANA today?
1. FULL CONFERENCE PACKAGE FOR DSANA US MEMBERS: $250 USD
Presentations (Thursday & Friday)
Breakfast and Lunch (Thursday & Friday)
Wine & Cheese reception (Thursday Evening)
Friday Evening Dinner Social
Farm visit with bus transport and lunch (Saturday)
Digital version of Symposium Proceedings
*This package is also available to all DSANA members living outside of the US and Canada
2. FULL CONFERENCE PACKAGE FOR DSANA Canadian MEMBERS: $275 CAD
With consideration for the exchange rate of the Canadian Dollar, DSANA is offering Canadian Members an admission fee in Canadian dollars. (Please note that the fee on the registration form is shown in USD equivalent to $275 CAD)
Presentations (Thursday & Friday)
Breakfast and Lunch (Thursday & Friday)
Wine & Cheese reception (Thursday Evening)
Friday Evening Dinner Social
Farm visit with bus transportation and lunch (Saturday)
Digital version of Symposium Proceedings
3. FULL CONFERENCE PACKAGE FOR NON-MEMBERS: $325 USD
Presentations (Thursday & Friday)
Breakfast and Lunch (Thursday & Friday)
Wine & Cheese reception (Thursday Evening)
Friday Evening Dinner Social
Farm visit with bus transportation and lunch (Saturday)
Digital version of Symposium Proceedings
*This package is available to anyone wanting to attend the symposium, living inside or outside the US, who does NOT want to join DSANA. However, you can Join DSANA and register for the symposium as a DSANA member for the same price as this package while also benefiting from being a member.
4. Daily Rates $150 USD
For US and Canadian members and non-members wanting to attend single days of the symposium:
For presentations on Thursday, Nov. 8 (includes breakfast and lunch)
For presentations on Friday, Nov. 9 (includes breakfast and lunch)
5. Farm Tour Rate $75 USD
For Farm Tour only, on Saturday, Nov. 10 (includes transportation and lunch)
Please note that this year’s Symposium Proceedings will be available in a digital format by default. A printed version of the Proceedings can be added to your registration at a cost of $25 USD, and will be given to you at the Symposium.
To register for this year’s Symposium, simply determine the tickets you would like to purchase and fill out the form that appears below. DSANA members need to click “sign in” and enter their email address and password to register as DSANA members. After signing in, you might need to press the “back button” or refresh the page to see the registration form again. For questions, or if you need assistance, please email hello@dsana.org.
“I found excuses not to attend the symposium for years. I was too busy, it was too hard to leave the farm, it’s too expensive. When we finally did attend in 2017, I quickly learned the error of my ways. The information we took home from that symposium and the ones that followed have had a measurable effect on how our farm operates and our bottom line. The best part of the symposium is the networking. Meeting people who have lived through the same problems and challenges you face day to day is incredibly helpful and comforting. I always leave the symposium feeling re-energized about my farm.”
- Kyle White, Milkhouse Farm + Dairy, Ontario, Canada
Venue + Location
DSANA has a block of rooms available at the hotel. Rooms are available at a special rate starting at $169.00 CAD per night (approx. $120 USD) for attendees of the symposium. You must book your room(s) by October 16, 2026 to receive the preferred rate. Staying at the symposium hotel will provide even more time for meeting and networking with fellow attendees!
Crowne Plaza Kitchener Waterloo
105 King Street East, Kitchener, Ontario N2G2K8 Canada
Hotel Front Desk - 1-519-744-4141
Crowne Plaza Kitchener Waterloo reservation website
You can also book by phone: 1-877-424-4188
Ask for “agent” to speak with a live representative
Say you’re with the DSANA conference to receive a discount
Getting There
The city of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, is located one hour’s drive west of Toronto.
Flying to the Symposium
Pearson International Airport in Toronto is the largest airport in Canada and has connecting flights to all major airports in the U.S. and around the world. Attendees flying into Canada will need a valid passport.
Crossing the Border by Land
Kitchener-Waterloo is located 1.5 hours from the international bridge at Niagara Falls and 3 hours from the international bridge between Detroit and Windsor. Americans entering Canada by land need a valid passport, a U.S. passport card, an enhanced driver’s license or a Nexus card.
Getting to the hotel from Pearson airport
Buses run from Pearson airport to downtown Kitchener for under $30 one way. You can also book an Uber. We will post more information on this soon.
