Dr. David Renaud has been named the 2026 recipient of the Cargill Animal Nutrition Young Scientist Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to dairy calf health and welfare research. The award will be formally presented on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 during the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
About the Award
The Cargill Animal Nutrition Young Scientist Award was established by ADSA to honour outstanding research done by young dairy production scientists within the first 10 years of their professional career. Recipients are selected based on demonstrated excellence in dairy cattle production research, a strong record of original published work and active membership in ADSA. Candidates must be 39 years of age or younger and have completed their doctoral degree no earlier than 10 years prior to the award year.
The award reflects both the calibre of a researcher’s contributions to the dairy sciences and their potential to continue shaping the field in the years ahead.
About Dr. David Renaud
Renaud is a professor in the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, where his research focuses on improving the health and welfare of calves. He earned both his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and his PhD in epidemiology from the University of Guelph.
His research program addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing the dairy industry including colostrum management, disease prevention, transportation stress and antimicrobial stewardship in dairy calves. This work is designed with direct application to on-farm decision-making, helping producers translate research findings into meaningful improvements in calf health outcomes. To date, Renaud has authored more than 180 peer-reviewed publications, establishing a substantial body of evidence that has informed both industry practices and broader policy discussions in dairy calf management. He remains actively engaged with the dairy sector as a practicing veterinarian in Ontario, bridging the gap between academic research and real-world application.
“It is an incredible honour to receive this recognition. Although the award is presented to an individual, it truly reflects the contributions of the graduate students, collaborators, producers and funding partners who have supported our research program over the years. Our work has always been centered on improving the health and welfare of dairy calves, and I am hopeful that the research we do continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals on farms every day,” says Renaud.
A Proud Moment for OVC
This award reflects the strength of animal health and welfare research at OVC and U of G, and the real-world difference that rigorous science can make in livestock management and animal care.
Dr. Todd Duffield, Chair of the Department of Population Medicine, spoke to both the depth and breadth of Renaud’s contributions: “We are all extremely pleased to see Dr. Renaud honoured with this prestigious award. Dave has had tremendous success with his applied and impactful calf health and welfare research program. His many research outputs including funding, publications, outreach and completed graduate students are truly exceptional. However, equally important and impressive is his ability continue to provide excellent teaching and service contributions while his research program is flourishing.”
We congratulate Renaud on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to his continued contributions to the field.
