All Things BLV 2026

July 14-17, 2026
Brody Square, East Lansing, Michigan

Abstracts | Sponsor Information | Registration Information | Agenda | Lodging and Transportation| Things To Do

Submit an Abstract, Register or Support the Conference at: https://events.anr.msu.edu/blv26/

The International All Things Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) Conference is planned as a welcoming and collaborative gathering place for sharing ideas, successes, challenges, and needs regarding BLV – while providing career development, mentorship, and training to early career individuals and students.

The international gathering for discussion and learning among researchers, extension specialists, producers, veterinarians, and students is vital for progress in global bovine leukosis diagnosis, management, and control. The conference will stimulate interests and build community and collaboration around BLV.

This conference includes presentations in BLV from lead researchers across the globe, as well as accounts of success and challenges of BLV management from engaged producers and veterinarians.

This program will be submitted for American Association of Veterinary State Board RACE approval. Notification of credit status will be updated here.

Call For Abstracts

This conference welcomes presentations on the latest scientific advancements from researchers around the world, as well as experiences in BLV management and/or disease elimination from producers and veterinarians. Consider being a part of the conversation by sharing your research or experience with BLV at the 2026 International All Things BLV Conference, July 14-17!

Proposed topics include, but are not limited to:
Molecular Virology
Genetics/Genomics
Immunology and Microbiology
Epidemiology
Economic Impacts of BLV
Diagnostics and Control
Producer and Practitioner Experiences with BLV

Submission of abstracts are required for consideration of presentation.
Please consider submitting an abstract today!

https://events.anr.msu.edu/blv26/

Sponsor Opportunities

Why Support:

Broad connection with producers, researchers, veterinarians and others in the cattle industry.
Advancement of BLV research and control efforts, benefiting the cattle industry and public health at large.
Enabling young researchers to expand their knowledge of BLV and gain career enhancing mentorship.
Create new collaborations to address BLV challenges and improve the cattle industry.
Hear Producer and Practitioner Experiences with BLV and work together and help provide solutions.

We invite you to be a part of the development of the BLV community internationally. Please consider supporting the conference.

Sponsor Levels:
Platinum - $5,000+

Two complimentary registrations
Brief 2-3 minute conference greeting
Exhibit table
On-site company supplied banner
Company supplied literature
On-site and online recognition

Gold - $2,500+

One complimentary registration
Exhibit table
On-site company supplied banner
Company supplied literature
On-site and online recognition

Silver - $1,000+

One complimentary bus tour registration
On-site company supplied banner
Company supplied literature
On-site and online recognition

Copper - $500+

Company supplied literature
On-site and online recognition

https://events.anr.msu.edu/blv26/

Registration Information:

	In-Person Full Conference with Tour	In Person Conference No Tour	Virtual Conference
Early (Register by 6-23-26)	$285	$235	$225
Regular (Register by 7-8-26)	$335	$285	$275
Onsite Registration	$435	$385	$375

https://events.anr.msu.edu/blv26/

No refunds after July 1, 2026. No refunds related to dorm lodging after June 24. Refunds prior to July 1 are subject to a $25 administrative charge.

Tentative Agenda

July 14, 2026
Time (ET)	Event/Session
4 p.m.	Optional Opening Reception & Guided Tour of the New MSU Dairy Cattle Research and Teaching Center
July 15, 2026
Time (ET)	Event/Session
7 a.m.	Registration Open and Breakfast
8:45 a.m.	Welcome Dr. Tasia Kendrick, Michigan State University
9 a.m.	Opening Keynote: Bovine leukemia virus…there is a human factor, and we have to deal with it. Dr. Frank van der Meer, University of Calgary
10 a.m.	Break
10:20 a.m.	Deciphering Host-Virus Interactions for Control and Eradication Programs in Regions with High BLV Prevalence Dr. Stephen Valas, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (Anses)
10:40 a.m.	Genomic Signatures of Selection in Immune Regulatory and MHC Regions Provide Candidate Targets for Bovine Leukemia Virus Research Alxi Booms, CentralStar Cooperative/Antelbio
11:00 a.m.	Exhausted T cells drive CCL4-mediated macrophage accumulation and reduced antigen presentation in enzootic bovine leukos Hayato Nakamura, Hokkaido University
11:20 a.m.	Break
11:40 a.m.	Our challenge in clinical application of diagnosis and prediction of enzootic bovine leukemia by BLV clonality analysis Dr. Tomohiro Okagawa, Hokkaido University / FASMAC Co., Ltd.
Noon	The risk assessment of EBL onset by high-throughput clonality analysis of BLV-infected cells using RAISING Maho Inoue, Hokkaido University
12:20 p.m.	Lunch and Networking Graduate and Undergraduate Networking
1:50 p.m.	Panel: Understanding the Host Response to BLV: Implications for Disease Control
2:50 p.m.	Break
3:05 p.m.	A Small Polypeptide Encoded by Antisense Long Non-coding RNAs Mediates Bovine Leukemia Virus Replication Dr. Luc Willems, National Fund For Scientific Research at University of Liege
3:25 p.m.	Direct LAMP amplification from whole blood to detect BLV DNA Dr. Scott, Sherrill-Mix, Michigan State University
3:45 p.m.	A Novel Approach for Early Detection of Bovine Leukemia Virus Using Precision Technology to Monitor Biometric Signatures Ted Brooks, Michigan State University
4:05 p.m.	Break
4:20 p.m.	First evidence of BLV in Culicoides biting midges collected on cattle farms in Poland Dr. Aneta Pluta, National Veterinary Research Institute
4:40 p.m.	Comparing three BLV control strategies using proviral load and their effects on prevalence and incidence in dairy herds Dr. Simon Bourassi, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island
5:00 p.m.	Break
5:15 p.m.	Keynote Address: Genetic and immunological landscapes of leukemogenesis in enzootic bovine leukosis Dr. Tomohiro Okagawa, Hokkaido University / FASMAC Co., Ltd.
6:15 p.m.	Dinner and Networking
July 16, 2026
Time (ET)	Event/Session
8 a.m.	Registration Open and Breakfast
9 a.m.	Panel: Prospects and Challenges of Emerging Technologies in BLV Research and Control
10:00 a.m.	Break
10:20 a.m.	Decline of maternally derived anti-bovine leukemia virus antibody levels in Holstein heifers on commercial dairy farms Olivia Willoughby, University of Guelph
10:40 a.m.	Association of Bovine Leukemia Virus Infection on Health, Milk Production, Fertility, and Longevity in Dairy Cattle Modesto Elvir Hernandez, University of Florida
11:00 a.m.	Associations of bovine leukemia virus infection with fertility, disease, and culling risk Olivia Willoughby, University of Guelph
11:20 a.m.	Break
11:40 a.m.	Business Meeting
Noon	Lunch and Networking Graduate Student Career Development and Networking Session
2 p.m.	Keynote Address: Bovine Leukemia Virus Vaccine: Progress and Future Steps Dr. Karina Trono, INTA Argentina
3:00 p.m.	Break
3:15 p.m.	Epidemiological Trends During a BLV Eradication Program in French Reunion Island Herds Camille Demassieux, Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), France
3:35 p.m.	Prevalence of Bovine Leukemia Virus Antibodies and Proviral Load on Front Range Dairy Farms in Colorado and Wyoming Marcie Bernard, Colorado State University
3:55 p.m.	Longitudinal assessment of proviral load in BLV-infected dairy cattle and implications for testing frequency Dr. Simon Bourassi, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island
4:15 p.m.	Break
4:30 p.m.	Panel: Global Perspectives on BLV Control: Current Status and Future Challenges
5:30 p.m.	Conference Wrap Up Dr. Tasia Kendrick, Michigan State University
5:45 p.m.	Dinner and Networking - Offsite Location
July 17, 2026
Time (ET)	Event/Session
7 a.m.	Registration Open / Breakfast
7:30 a.m.	Vans Departs for Tour
8:0 a.m.	Michigan Beef Processing and Packing Facility and Farm Tour
3:30 p.m.	Tour and Conference Concludes

Lodging and Transportation

Lodging:

We have worked to reserve lodging at two hotels that are within a 15 minute walk of the conference facility. There are also dorm rooms available at the facility. There is a hotel across the street from where the conference meeting is held. If rooms become available we will add those room as an option to the conference site.

You may book reservations at:

The AC Hotel (3160 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48912) (15 minute walk west of Brody Complex)

You may reserve your room for $129 group rate until June 24, 2026. Lodging accommodations requested after June 24, 2026 will be based on the hotel’s availability and may not be able to honor the group rate. The daily parking fee is $14.

The Graduate Hotel (133 Evergreen Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823) (15 minute walk Northeast of Brody Complex)

Brody Dorm Complex Lodging (Limited Availability), 241 W. Brody Rd., East Lansing, MI 48824

Participation in this lodging option includes a required meal plan at Brody Square. All included meals are expected to be utilized as part of this arrangement.

Please note that meal participation directly impacts our ability to continue offering dorm housing for adult groups in the future. We appreciate your cooperation and respect for this expectation.

Registration by July 1, 2026 is required if you wish to book dorm lodging.

To learn more about the dormitory design visit: https://virtualtour.msu.edu/tour/residence-halls-neighborhoods/brody-neighborhood/

Single Dorm Lodging

Option 1: July 14 – July 18, 2026 – Single AC Dorm – $370 – Includes: 

Lodging July 14, 15, 16, 17
July 15: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
July 16: Breakfast, Lunch
July 17: Breakfast, Dinner
July 18: Breakfast

Option 2: July 14 – July 17, 2026 – Single AC Dorm – $280 – Includes: 

Lodging July 14, 15, 16
July 15: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
July 16: Breakfast, Lunch
July 17: Breakfast

Option 3: July 15 – July 17, 2026 – Single AC Dorm – $215– Includes: 

Lodging July 15 and 16
July 15: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
July 16: Breakfast, Lunch
July 17: Breakfast

Double Dorm Lodging

Option 1: July 14 – July 18, 2026 – Double AC Dorm – $610 – Includes: 

Lodging July 14, 15, 16, 17
July 15: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
July 16: Breakfast, Lunch
July 17: Breakfast, Dinner
July 18: Breakfast

  Option 2: July 14 – July 17, 2026 – Double AC Dorm – $460 – Includes: 

Lodging July 14, 15, 16
July 15: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
July 16: Breakfast, Lunch
July 17: Breakfast

Option 3: July 15 – July 17, 2026 – Double AC Dorm – $360– Includes: 

Lodging July 15 and 16
July 15: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
July 16: Breakfast, Lunch
July 17: Breakfast

Looking for additional lodging options?

Visit: East Lansing/Lansing Lodging

Parking Information

A special weekly parking pass for attendees will be available for $20. This pass allows parking at both the Kellogg Center Ramp (across the street from the Brody Complex) and Brody Complex Lot 65.

Details on how to purchase this pass will be included in the final confirmation message approximately 3 to 5 days before the event. Please note you will need the license plate number of the vehicle you plan to drive in order to register and complete your purchase. If you have a rental car, please wait until you’ve picked up the vehicle before following the parking instructions included in your confirmation message. If your rental pickup is outside of business hours, contact ANR Events after reviewing those instructions, and they will work with you to arrange access to your parking pass before you have your license plate information.

If you are staying at the AC hotel, they will require a separate $14 daily parking charge so you may decide to park at the Brody complex and walk to the hotel. If you are staying at the Graduate the parking is included in your lodging rate.

If you plan to drive between the hotel and the Brody complex you will need both an MSU parking pass and work with the hotel to acquire parking at their facility.

There are also a limited number of complimentary parking lots available on campus (Lots 15, 83, and 91) for those who prefer free parking and are comfortable walking to the conference location.

A campus map with parking lot locations and facilities can be found here: https://maps.msu.edu/interactive/index.php

Transportation:

Airports:

Lansing

Detroit

Grand Rapids

Ground Transportation:

Train: Amtrak

Michigan Flyer:
Michigan’s Premier Motorcoach Connection Between East Lansing, Brighton, Ann Arbor & Detroit Metro Airport. Hytch a Ride to your bus! Hytch is a new option that provides passengers from East Lansing with a ride to or from your front door. Just add the ride to your Michigan Flyer bus ticket at the time of booking and Hytch pickup times are automatically aligned with your Michigan Flyer pickup time.

You may also consider using UBER or LYFT for transportation to and from the airport.