“From the Ground Up”
November 15, 2025 UC Davis Giedt Hall
Online Registration & Information: UC Davis Goat Day - Choose Registration
Adults: $15 if registered by 11pm on November 8; $20 starting November 9
Youth (17 and under) and UC Davis students: Free, but registration is required
Box Lunches available for purchase: $18.00 each. Pre-order by 11pm on November 8. Includes sandwich or wrap (Turkey, Ham, Roast Beef or Vegetarian), chips, cookie & a drink.
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, Donuts & Water Served
9:00-9:40 am: Welcome & Facility Updates
- Welcome: Dr. Anne Todgham, Department 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
9:40-10:30 am: Research Updates
- Highlights from a multi-hospital study on goat dystocias: Dr. Sarah Depenbrock, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
- Gabapentin use in goats: Dr. Meera Heller, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
- Diagnostic tests for CL (Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis): Frances Fan, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
- Johne's Disease in Goats: Dr. Fauna Smith, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
- Clinical Trial with Transgenic Goat's Milk: Austin Weber, UC Davis Food Science and Technology
10:30 -10:45 am Break
10:45-11:05 am: Pasture Management
- Dan Macon, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
11:05-11:40 am: Targeted Grazing: Featured Producer: Bianca Soares
- Bianca Soares, Star Creek Land Stewards
11:40-12:00: Lameness and locomotion
Dr. Meera Heller, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
Afternoon Schedule – Animal Science Teaching Facility
12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch Break
- Boxed lunches delivered if reserved or lunch on your own.
1:10 – 4:00 pm Activities, Animal Science Teaching Facility (ASTF)
- Choose any 3 options- 50 minutes each with 10 minutes to rotate
Activity A: Dairy Goat Showmanship & Judging (Youth Track). Session 1 (1:10 – 2:00), Session 2 (2:10 – 3:00), Session 3 (3:10 – 4:00)
- Ben Rupchis and Goat Facility Student Employees, UC Davis Animal Science
Activity B: Hoof Trimming Demo. Session 1 (1:10 – 2:00), Session 2 (2:10 – 3:00), Session 3 (3:10 – 4:00)
- Dr. Fauna Smith and Dr. Joan Dean Rowe, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
Activity C: Grazing Management: Identifying Toxins in the Environment and Feed. Session 1 (1:10 – 2:00), Session 2 (2:10 – 3:00), Session 3 (3:10 – 4:00)
- Dr. Rosie Busch, Dr. Olukayode Jegede and Dan Macon, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
Activity D: Healthy Goat Physical Exam. Session 1 (1:10 – 2:00), Session 2 (2:10 – 3:00), Session 3 (3:10 – 4:00)
- Dr. Meera Heler and Veterinary Medicine Residents, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
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.