Save the Date!
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.
DSANA is excited to announce that this year’s symposium will be held at the Crowne Plaza Kitchener located at 105 King Street, Kitchener, Ontario Canada on November 12, 13 and 14th. Please check this page as we announce presentation topics, event details and open registration.
We can’t wait to see you all in Ontario this November!
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
This year’s symposium committee is hard at work planning out the presentation schedule for this year’s symposium. Please check this section of the website for updates on topics, speakers and, as we approach the symposium, the daily schedule of the event.
Presentation Topics
Please note that this list may change with the availability of experts and panel participants
An Update on Diseases affecting Dairy Sheep
Dairy Sheep Genomics
Udder Conformation
Choosing Genetic Traits to Breed For
The Cost of Feeding Dairy Sheep
Nutritional Considerations in Late Gestation and Early Lactation
Physiology of Chronic Mastitis and What to do About It
Efficiently Pursuing Economic Enterprises Beyond Sheep’s Milk
An Update on Sheep Dairying in Canada + the Ontario Dairy Sheep Co-Operative
Staph Non-Aureus (Non-Coagulase Staph) Subclinical Mastitis
“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 and 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 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 and 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 Proceedings
3. FULL CONFERENCE PACKAGE FOR NON-MEMBERS: $325 USD
Presentations (Thursday and 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 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. You can also 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 of DSANA
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 Trour Rate $75 USD
For Farm Tour on Saturday, Nov. 10 (includes transportation and lunch)
Please note that this year’s 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.
“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
This year’s Dairy Sheep Symposium will be held at the Crowne Plaza Kitchener Waterloo. Attendees of the symposium have access to a special room rate at the Hotel where the symposium is being held. Not only do you get a preferred rate but staying at the symposium location means even more time for meeting and networking with other sheep dairy operators and sheep’s milk processors.
Crowne Plaza Kitchener Waterloo
105 King Street East Kitchener, Ontario N2G2K8 Canada
Hotel Front Desk - 1-519-744-4141
Crowne Plaza Kitchener Waterloo Website
You can also book by phone, 1 877 424 4188.