Agenda

11:00–12:00 PM

Attendee Check-in, Badge & Registration Bag Pickup

12:20–12:30 PM

Welcome! Dr Patrick Zimmerman, CEO, C-Lock Inc.

12:30–1:30 PM

Welcome Lunch – Introduction of C-Lock Team

     Opening Remarks: Dr. John Pollak (1:15-1:30 PM) Goals and Objectives

1:30–1:45 PM

Scott Zimmerman, President, C-Lock Inc.

     Title: GreenFeed Projects Overview

1:45–2:15 PM

Caleigh Iwanski, Graduate Research Assistant under Dr. Megan Rolf, Kansas State University

     Title: From Measurement to Merit: Methane Data in Beef Cattle Genetic Prediction

2:15–2:45 PM

Dr. Fran Cowley, Professor Livestock Production, University of New England

     Title: Accounting for biology when interpreting GreenFeed data

2:45–3:15 PM

Dr. Bob Weaber, Professor and Head, Eastern Kansas Research and Extension Centers, Kansas State University

     Title: Standardization of sustainability phenotypes:  The role of the Beef Improvement Federation

3:15–3:45 PM

Ross Havens, Marketing Coordinator, Nichols Farms 

     Title: Collecting Phenotypes

3:45–4:00 PM

Afternoon Break

4:00–4:30 PM

Working Session – Table: How your group is using GreenFeed, test length, number of visits, other traits being collected, and which traits are being used or will likely be used in genetic evaluation, and whether this is or will be incorporated into an index.

4:30–5:00 PM

Working Session – Panel: One representative from each table to share with everyone what was discussed.

Panel Leads:  Dr. Sarah Place, Dr. Hector Menendez, Dr. Francisco Penagaricano, Dr. Troy Rowan, Dr. Fran Cowley, Dr. Arjan Jonker

5:00–5:30 PM

Dr. Arjan Jonker, Senior Scientist, New Zealand Institute of Bioeconomy Science at the Grasslands Research Centre

     Title: Breeding low methane sheep, from research to implementation

5:30 PM

Final Wrap-Up and Adjourn

5:30-6:30 PM

Happy Hour Networking

6:30 PM

Group Dinner at the hotel — Complimentary

7:00–8:00 AM

Breakfast – Cook-to-order provided by hotel, served in the back atrium.

8:00–8:15 AM

Opening Remarks: Scott Zimmerman, President, C-Lock Inc.

     Recap of Day 1

8:15–8:45 AM

Dr. Matthew Cleveland, Senior Director of Global Bovine Sustainability, ABS

     Title: Scaling selection for sustainability traits through commercial beef breeding programs

8:45–9:15 AM

Dr. Troy Rowan, Assistant Professor, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture

     Title: Uncovering Molecular Phenotypes of Efficient Cows

9:15–9:50 AM

Dr. Francisco Peñagaricano, Associate Professor, Judge John J. Crown Chair in Dairy Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison 

      Title: Breeding for more environmentally friendly dairy cows

9:50–10:10 AM

Morning Break

10:10–10:45 AM

Dr. Sara Place, Associate Professor of Feedlot Systems, AgNext – Colorado State University

      Title: Overview of CSU AgNext research using GreenFeed to assess gas flux from beef cattle

10:45–11:20 AM

Dr. Hector Menendez, Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Livestock Grazing Specialist, South Dakota State University 

      Title: A Systems Thinking and Dynamics:  Unpacking Complex Beef Phenotypes and Genetics

11:20–12:00 PM

Dr. Paul Smith, Research Scientist, Teagasc

      Title: Tiny but mighty – the contribution of the rumen microbiome to lowering enteric methane emissions.

12:00–1:00 PM

Lunch (to be held in the atrium)

1:00–1:30 PM

Working Session – Table: Opportunities with all the data being collected, and the major concerns that need to be addressed.

1:30–2:00 PM

Working Session – Panel: One representative from each table to share with everyone what was discussed.

Panel Leads: Dr. John Pollak, Dr. Bob Weaber, Ross Havens, Dr. Matthew Cleveland, Dr. Paul Smith.

2:00–2:30 PM

Dr. Nicolas Gengler, Full Professor of Genetics, Genomics, and Numerical Modeling at Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège 

     Title: Beef-on-Dairy: The Belgian Approach to Address Theoretical and Practical Challenges Using Genomics, Selection Index Theory, Infrared Spectroscopy and GreenFeed Systems

2:30–3:00 PM

Dr. Meredith Harrison, Sr. Manager GHG Program Analytics, Tyson Foods

     Title: Scoping Out Supply Chain Emissions

3:00–3:15 PM

Afternoon Break

3:15–3:45 PM

Scott Zimmerman, President, C-Lock Inc.

     Title: Concentration vs Fluxes for Phenotyping

3:45–4:00 PM

Brandon Peterson, Director of Global Sales, C-Lock Inc.

     Title: C-Lock Solutions Overview

4:00–4:15 PM

Closing Remarks: Dr. John Pollak

     Next steps and assign committees

4:15 PM

Adjourn

8:00 AM

Leave hotel – Transportation provided.  Meeting in the hotel lobby.

9:20 AM

Arrive at the AgNext Climate-Smart Research Facility

9:20–9:45 AM

Refreshments/Break

9:45–11:00 AM

Tour

11:00 AM –12:30 PM

Travel back to hotel

AgNext Research Facility Tour

2026 C-Lock Symposium

Pioneering Beef Cattle Genetic Selection

Embassy Suites by Hilton Denver Central Park, Denver Colorado
March 3rd to 5th, 2026