UC Davis Goat Day
November 14, 2026 UC Davis Giedt Hall
Online Registration & Information: Not available yet
Hosted By:
- The UC Davis Department of Animal Science
- The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Morning Schedule – Giedt Hall, Room 1001
8-9 am: Registration and Check-In
- Coffee, Tea, Bagels, Chèvre & Goat Butter served
9:00-9:20 am: Welcome & Facility Updates
- Welcome: Welcome: Dept Chair, UC Davis Animal Science
- UCD Animal Science Goat Facility Update: Ben Rupchis, Goat Facility Manager, UC Davis Animal Science
- UCD Veterinary Medical Center Update: Dr. Meera Heller, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
- UCD Veterinary Medicine Extension Update: Dr. Rosie Busch, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
9:20-10:00 am: Research Updates
- Environmental Enrichment for Goat Kids: Jordan Tonooka, PhD Candidate, Animal Biology Graduate Group, UC Davis
- From Oocyte to Kid: Assistive Reproductive Technologies in Goats: Dr. Kazuki Takahashi, VetART Lab UC Davis
- Data Lab Linear Modeling Tool
10:00 -10:30 am: Economics of Raising Goats
- Dr. Larry Tranel, Iowa State University
10:30-11:00 am: Poster Session & Goat Dairy Product Tasting
- Sponsored by Sierra Nevada Cheese Company
11:00-12:30pm: Advancing the herd: Reproduction & Genetics
This session will cover how advanced reproductive and genetic tools work together to improve herd productivity and health.
- 11:00-11:45 am Leveraging Data to Improve Herd Performance: Dr. Asha Miles, Dairy Records Management Systems
- 11:45-12:30pm Advanced reproductive technologies (AI, IVF/ET: Overview and applications for expanding superior genetics): Dr. Fauna Smith, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
Afternoon Workshops & Activities
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch Break
- Burritos delivered if reserved or lunch on your own.
Giedt Hall 1:30-3:30 pm
1:30 - 2:00 pm: Financial Analysis Tools
- Dr. Larry Tranel, Iowa State University
2:00 - 2:30: Keeping Goat Kids Healthy: Prevention, Early Detection & When to Call the Vet
- Dr. Meera Heller, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
2:30 - 3:00: Advanced Repro Demonstration/Microscopy
- VetART Lab
3:00 - 3:30: Community Capitols: How Goat Dairies Contribute Locally
- Dr. Rosie Busch, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
Animal Science Teaching Facility 1:30-3:30 pm (Youth Tracks)
30 minute rotation of 3 stations with 10 minute transition periods
- Showmanship Station, UC Davis Students
- Conformation Evaluation Station, Ben Rupchis
- Culling Decisions Station, Dr. Fauna Smith
Location and Parking Information:
Recommended parking for Goat Day is in Parking Lot 47 at the intersection of Bioletti Way and La Rue Rd. There is no charge for parking on weekends. Registration and the morning program will take place at Giedt Hall. Afternoon programs will take place at the Animal Science Teaching Facility. It is a 5-minute (0.3-mile) walk from Lot 47 to both event locations. Click the links below for detailed map directions.
Animal Science Teaching Facility
Contact Ben Rupchis at 434-327-8226 with any questions or to arrange driving access to Giedt Hall if you need to drop someone off next to the building.