Ask almost anyone in the dairy industry, and you’ll probably be told, World Dairy Expo is more than a trade show. Much more. It’s closer to a reunion where everyone comes together around the cows. This year, more than 3,100 were entered. There are 2,477 housed on-site at the Alliant Energy Center grounds in Madison, Wisconsin. Organizers say it’s a drop of close to 20%.
But 50,000 people are expected throughout the event. And that’s where looking forward to gathering together like an extended family comes in.
One of the people helping cultivate that feeling is someone who knows it, firsthand. Lisa Behnke stepped away from the dairy industry a couple of times during her career. But, she found her way back, and is now the current communications manager for World Dairy Expo.
“There are three of us that can make that claim,” she said about returning to work at the show after leaving.
That pull back to dairy may have something to do with all the people involved.
“It’s like Cheers,” Behnke explained. “You want to go where everybody knows your name.”
Where the industry really does come together
World Dairy Expo can be a busy week for farmers. It’s filled with cattle shows, meetings, exhibits, and new technology. But it can also feel a little like a vacation, even when there’s plenty of work involved. Farmers who are dealing with low milk prices, high fuel costs, and the daily challenges of running a dairy — can find a little relief simply by being around other people who understand.
“I think farmers are intrinsically hopeful,” Behnke said.
And that hope is especially noticeable at World Dairy Expo. Generations of dairy families return year after year. Behnke’s watched young people participate in youth programs and awards at the show, then come back years later as dairy producers themselves. And those connections aren’t limited to just cows, either.
Technology and the coolest week of the year
Technology has become a huge part of the event, from Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) to ID animals, robotics, and other tools designed to help people get more done in less time. Today, even something as ordinary as a tablecloth can involve technology. Some linens used at the show have RFID tags sewn into the hem to help track them. It’s just another example of how much more there is to the dairy industry than milking cows.
But for the people who come back to Madison every year the biggest draw may still be the people. The families, friends, and non-farmers you look forward to seeing.
“It’s the coolest week of the year,” Behnke said.
And perhaps that’s because World Dairy Expo brings together people who may have different challenges, but share a common goal: finding better ways to move the dairy industry forward.
