2026 Retreat: Achieving Success through Effective & Efficient Management

Our theme-based Herd Manager Retreat will provide a community of learning, an exchange of ideas and best practices amongst an elite group of peers. The GPS Dairy Consulting team is thrilled to provide this opportunity to cultivate the growth and relationships of leaders with our new format and expanded speaker lineup. The program will also be fully translated in Spanish!

JOIN US FEBRUARY 13-14, 2026 at the Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

REGISTER HERE

Get a PDF copy of the agenda HERE.

 

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH

7:00-10:00pm: MEET & GREET RECEPTION – Enjoy pre-meeting networking, snacks & beverages. Families welcome. Open bar provided by ST Genetics.

 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH

7:00-8:30am: BREAKFAST BUFFET: Families welcome

MORNING SESSION 

  • RETREAT KICKOFF & INTRODUCTIONS 
  • THEME I: OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE: BEAT THE HEAT
    • Presentations:
      • “Heat Stress – The Hidden Cost on Today’s Performance and Tomorrow’s Potential” –Merle Buyck, Diamond V
      • “Heat Stress Can Burn up your Bottom Line” – Gabriella Houdek, AgriGrowth Solutions
      • Panel / Open Discussion
  • THEME II: REPRODUCTIVE EXCELLENCE: PRECISION, PERFORMANCE, PROFIT
    • Presentations:
      • “Profit by Design: Leveraging Genetics for Improved Dairy Efficiency” – Eric Zwiefelhofer, ST Genetics
      • “Repro Remixed: A Fresh Look at Dairy Fertility” – GPS Dairy Consulting Team
      • “Reproductive Success Fuels Our Farm Growth” – Marlena Wagner, Jagiello Dairy
      • Panel / Open Discussion

LUNCH: Families welcome

AFTERNOON SESSION

  • THEME III: PEOPLE EXCELLENCE: YOUR GREATEST ASSET
    • Presentations:
      • “Leading for Performance” – Richard Stup, PhD, Cornell University
      • “Where Will My Workforce Come From?” – Richard Stup, PhD, Cornell University
      • Roundtable: Open Discussion

RETREAT ROUND-UP AND FINAL THOUGHTS

REGISTER HERE

Please note that hotel reservations are separate from event registration. The deadline for GPS room block at the Kalahari is Thursday, January 15th, 2026. Reserve your room by using this booking link: https://book.passkey.com/e/51101456.

Can a reservation be made for someone other than the credit card holder? (Letter of Authorization) Yes. If the name on the reservation differs from the name on the credit card used, and the credit card holder will not be present at check-in, you will need to complete the Kalahari’s Electronic Letter of Authorization Form. Please ensure that the credit card used for the reservation matches the credit card listed in the Letter of Authorization. Note that the completed form must be submitted more than 7 days prior to the arrival date to be accepted. After filling out the form from the link above, be sure to hit “Submit” in the upper right hand corner to finalize submission of your form.

Herd Manager Retreat is sponsored by: