More than 2,000 head of dairy cattle are set to parade through the show ring, across World Dairy Expo’s famous colored shavings, Oct. 1-5 in Madison, Wis. World Dairy Expo features five full days of world-class cattle competition among North America’s top dairy breeders.

Eight international breed shows will culminate with the crowning of Expo’s 2019 supreme champion Oct. 5. Four breed sales featuring top-shelf genetics also will take place on the grounds during the week.

More than 65,000 visitors, including 2,000 international guests, are expected to experience the largest dairy-focused event in the world Oct. 1-5 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. Over 800 commercial exhibitors from more than 25 countries will unveil their newest products and services at this year’s show, as well.

The theme of this year’s show is “Tools for Dairy’s Progress.”

“Along with educational favorites Expo seminars, virtual farm tours and dairy forage seminars, World Dairy Expo is excited to add Knowledge Nook sessions — presentations highlighting new products, research and services — to its growing list of learning opportunities for dairy farmers,” says Katie Schmitt, WDE media relations specialist. “Combined with Expo’s trade show, dairy cattle show, youth contests and networking events, there is something for everyone.”

TRADE SHOW: Some 887 participating companies from 27 countries, six Canadian provinces and 44 U.S. states took part in the 2018 World Dairy Expo trade show, and a similar group will unveil their newest products and services at this year’s event.

According to Schmitt, people come to World Dairy Expo because it’s where the global dairy industry meets.

“It’s the place where you can catch up with a neighbor from down the road or have a drink with someone from the other side of the world,” she says. “Expo is an event that brings together not only the best dairy cattle in North America, but also innovative companies, industry experts and leading researchers to share tools for dairy’s progress.”

Some 887 participating companies from 27 countries, six Canadian provinces and 44 U.S. states took part in the 2018 World Dairy Expo trade show, and a similar group will showcase their newest products and services this year.

The huge Expo trade show offers a wide array of modern dairy farm equipment and products in the Outdoor Trade Mall, Arena, Coliseum, Trade Center and Exhibition Hall. Everything from the latest in manure handling equipment to robotic milking systems and animal health products will be on display. To learn about new products featured in the trade show, attend a Knowledge Nook session during World Dairy Expo.

Daily seminars

World Dairy Expo also offers free daily seminars on dairy management and other industry issues. These programs will offer visitors technical expertise to help them stay knowledgeable and competitive in the global marketplace.

Forage experts will share valuable information at free seminars on the dairy forage seminar stage Oct. 2-5.

Virtual farm tours allow attendees to explore a variety of successful dairy operations from across North America without leaving the Expo site. Each free visual presentation, led by dairy producers, is followed by a question-and-answer session. Attendees can tour farms and learn about them face to face, producer to producer.

New this year, WDE’s participating companies will showcase their newest research, products and services to help dairy producers improve their operations during Knowledge Nook sessions. The sessions will be presented daily beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Knowledge Nook, located in the atrium of the Exhibition Hall.

Expo also hosts numerous competitions, including national and international judging and skills contests at the 4-H, FFA, intercollegiate and postsecondary levels.

Winners of the 2019 WDE Champion-ship Dairy Products Contest will be honored on opening day, and winning forage samples from the 2019 World Forage Analysis Superbowl will be on display throughout the week in the Arena Building.

Hours for the Expo trade show are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 1-4, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 5. Daily admission is $12 per person, and season passes are $35 per person. Parking is free.

Visit worlddairyexpo.com, call 608-224-6455, or email [email protected].

2019 show and sale schedule

To complete eight cattle shows in five days at World Dairy Expo, several breed shows must take place at the same time in the Coliseum (C). Most sales are in the Sale Pavilion (SP).

Oct. 1

7:15 a.m. International Junior Holstein Show (C)
7:30 a.m. International Ayrshire Show (C)
3 p.m. International Jersey Show — heifers (C)
3 p.m. International Milking Shorthorn Show — heifers (C)

Oct. 2

7:30 a.m. International Jersey Show — cows and groups (C)
12:30 p.m. International Milking Shorthorn Show — cows and groups (C)
2 p.m. International Brown Swiss Show — heifers (C)
4 p.m. Top of the World Jersey Sale (SP)
7:30 p.m. World Ayrshire Event Sale (SP)

Oct. 3

7:30 a.m. International Brown Swiss Show — cows and groups (C)
1:30 p.m. International Guernsey Show — heifers (C)
1:30 p.m. International Red and White Show — heifers (C)
2 p.m. World Premier Brown Swiss Sale (SP)
6 p.m. WDE Youth Showmanship Contest (C)

Oct. 4

7:30 a.m. International Guernsey Show — cows and groups (C)
7:30 a.m. International Red and White Show — cows and groups (C)
12 p.m. International Holstein Show — heifers (C)
7 p.m. World Classic ’19 Holstein Sale (C)

Oct. 5

7:30 a.m. International Holstein Show — cows and groups (C)
4 p.m. Parade of Champions and Selection of Supreme Champions (C)