It was another good year for attendance at World Dairy Expo.
Organizers of the dairy and tradeshow in Madison say over 65,100 people from 94
countries came through the gates during the five day event last week at the
Alliant Energy Center. That was about 3,600 less than last year's total count.
Visitors from Canada, Mexico, Japan, Columbia and The Netherlands represented
the top five nations with the most attendees, respectively.
This year, a record 890 companies featured their products and
services in the trade show areas.
In the dairy barns, 1,779 exhibitors from 37 states and
eight Canadian provinces checked in 2,338 head of dairy cattle this year. The
Supreme Champion animal of the competition was a Brown Swiss cow, 'Cutting Edge
T Delilah,' exhibited by Kyle Barton of Copake, New York.
The dairy breed sales are also being called a success. The
highest lot in the World Classic Holstein Sale went for $205,000. Over $1.7
million dollars in cattle were sold in the auction, with prices averaging
nearly $35,000 per head.
And at the 2018 Champion Dairy Product Contest Auction, 81
lots sold for a total of $$27,856
Meanwhile, show coordinators say plans are already underway
for next year's event, which is being held October 1-5, 2019. The theme will be
'Tools for Dairy's Progress.'