LifeStart Conference 2026: Where innovation meets application
- Conference
Our LifeStart Conference is a science-led event bringing together leading researchers, veterinarians, nutritionists and industry experts to explore the latest developments in calf rearing. Rooted in Trouw Nutrition’s leadership in early life nutrition, the conference will focus on translating cutting-edge science into practical strategies that improve calf health, resilience and lifetime performance.
Dear delegates.
We hope that you have enjoyed our latest LifeStart event and have found it of relevance to your role.
Please take a few short minutes to give us your feedback so that we can use it to improve future events.
Give Feedback
We wish you a safe journey home.
The speakers
Read the biographies of the speakers here
Get ready for exciting days ahead!
Wednesday October 14 | Morning programme
|
8:30-9:30 |
Arrival & registration |
|
9:30-9:40 |
Welcome & event objectives |
|
9:40-10:00 |
LifeStart: Unlocking nature's blueprint for lifetime performance | Dr Javier Martin-Tereso |
|
10:00-10:30 |
Beyond passive immunity: New concepts in colostrum management and calf development | Dr Mike Steele |
|
10:30-11:00 |
Troubleshooting calf diarrhea: Protecting the calf and improving the system | Dr Dave Renaud
|
|
11:00-11:40 |
Coffee break |
|
11:40-12:10 |
Lessons learned by on-farm application of quick thoracic ultrasound | Prof Dr Bart Pardon |
|
12:10-12:50 |
Feeding for resilience: The role of dietary fats in milk for calf health and development | Dr Juliette Wilms |
12:50-13:50 Lunch
Wednesday October 14 | Afternoon programme
|
13:50-14:20 |
Animal behaviour and welfare in the age of technology: Building better lives for dairy calves | Dr João Costa |
|
14:20-15:00 |
Designing better calf barns - practical solutions for lifetime productivity | Courtney Halbach |
|
15:00-15:30 |
Coffee break |
|
15:30-16:00 |
Are whole milk fed calves deficient in trace minerals? Or milk replacer calves overfed? | Dr Jean Baptiste Daniel |
|
16:00-16:20 |
LifeStart for lifetime value: Investing in early-life nutrition to build resilient, sustainable dairy systems | Dr Liz Homer |
|
16:20-16:40 |
From research to reality. Applying LifeStart principles to achieve better outcomes on farm | Georgina Thomas |
|
16:40-16:50 |
Session summary & close |
|
16:50-17:00 |
Logistics & overview of plans |
|
18:30-19:00 |
Drinks reception "W invite" room (same room as used at lunch) |
|
19:00-... |
Dinner "W invite" room |
Thursday October 15
|
6:15 |
Breakfast in "W invite" room Hotel Wander |
|
7:30 |
Board buses & load luggage |
|
7:45-8:45 |
Buses depart Hotel Wander & travel to Boxmeer |
|
8:45-9:00 |
Arrive in Boxmeer |
|
9:00-10:15 |
*Pillar #1: Shaping the future dairy farm | New Ruminant Research Centre |
|
10:15-10:30 |
Transfer to next location |
|
10:30-11:45 |
*Pillar #2: LifeStart research & nutritional innovation | Calf and Beef Research Centre |
|
11:45-12:00 |
Transfer to next location |
|
12:00-13:00 |
Lunch in pillar locations |
|
13:00-14:15 |
*Pillar #3: Health & welfare in a changing industry | Swine Research Centre |
|
14:15-14:30 |
Wrap up |
|
14:30 |
Bus transfer back to hotel (arrive 15:30) and airport (arrive 17:30) |
* Note - each of the 3 groups will go to the pillars in a different order
Problems on the day?
Please speak to your Trouw Nutrition representative if you have any queries at the conference or you can also contact representatives of the organising committee:
Stefanie Tomassen stefanie.tomassen@trouwnutrition.com
+31 6 20 46 32 49
Diana Bonestroo diana.bonestroo@trouwnutrition.com
+31 6 19 28 75 12
Dress code
Conference travel information
Thank you for registering for the LifeStart Conference. We are delighted to confirm that your registration has been received.
We are currently finalising the remaining event details, including travel arrangements and transfers. Your local Trouw Nutrition representative will be in touch shortly to help coordinate your travel plans and provide any additional information you may need.
Shuttle transfers will be available at scheduled times from Ede-Wageningen train station to the conference venue. More detailed transfer schedules and departure times will be shared closer to the event.
For the return journey, transportation will be arranged to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Exact departure times and additional logistics will be communicated at a later stage. For now, please note that airport pick-up from Schiphol is not planned, so attendees should make their own arrangements to travel from Schiphol to Ede-Wageningen train station upon arrival.
We look forward to welcoming you to the conference and sharing an inspiring and enjoyable experience with you.
How to get to the hotel
For directions to Hotel Wander, you can use the following route.
What's in it for you?
- Hear from leading calf experts: Gain insights from internationally recognised researchers, veterinarians, nutritionists and industry leaders sharing the latest science and practical experience in calf rearing.
- Explore the latest calf research: Discover new developments in pre-weaning nutrition, resilience, health and welfare, precision management, dairy beef production and lifetime performance.
- Connect science with practice: Learn how evidence-based strategies can be applied on farm to improve calf growth, health, efficiency and long-term productivity.
- Engage in interactive discussions: Join Q&A sessions and expert-led conversations exploring the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the dairy and dairy beef sectors.
- Look beyond today's challenges: Explore emerging trends, innovations and future-focused solutions that will help build more resilient calves and more sustainable businesses.
Unveiling our state of the art research facility
After 30 years of pioneering work in nutritional science, from the calf to the 5th lactation cow, we are proud to present our new, advanced research facility. Attendees will receive an exclusive first look at the latest technologies and how our enhanced research capabilities are shaping and accelerating the future of dairy nutrition.
