See what’s next in dairy farming at the World Dairy Expo 2024. Check out virtual farm tours featuring the latest in technology, eco-friendly practices, and top genetics. Are you ready to join us?
For over five decades, the World Dairy Expo has stood as the epicenter for the global dairy community, attracting professionals, enthusiasts, and industry leaders to Madison, Wisconsin, every year. This event transcends the typical trade show, embodying a hub of innovation and cooperation that underscores the latest dairy farming advancements, best practices, and technologies. It presents unmatched networking, competition, and educational opportunities in a top-tier setting dedicated to the future of dairy farming. Among the Expo’s highlights, Virtual Farm Tours are particularly noteworthy. These tours offer a glimpse into distinguished dairy farms and their operations, accessible in person and online. They are pivotal in demonstrating industry innovations like environmental sustainability, genetic progress, technological integration, and efficient farm management. By bridging geographic divides, the Virtual Farm Tours bring state-of-the-art practices from various locales to a global audience, fostering education and inspiration for more sustainable and profitable farming methods. The impact of these tours is not just educational, but also inspiring, motivating the global dairy community to strive for excellence.
Immersive Agriculture: Two Decades of World Dairy Expo Virtual Farm Tours Unveiling the Pinnacle of Dairy Excellence
For over two decades, the World Dairy Expo Virtual Farm Tours have been a platform for showcasing the finest dairy operations. These tours offer an immersive experience with detailed visual presentations and interactive Q&A sessions. This unique format not only highlights best practices but also fosters community learning and collaboration among dairy professionals, making it a must-attend event for anyone in the dairy industry.
Future of Dairy Farming Highlighted in World Dairy Expo Virtual Farm Tours
As we eagerly anticipate the 2024 World Dairy Expo, we invite you to partake in a series of virtual farm tours designed to showcase some of the most innovative and sustainable practices in dairy farming today. These tours are scheduled daily at 10:00 a.m. in Mendota Room 1 of the Exhibition Hall, making them easily accessible for all attendees. Whether you’re at the Expo in person or tuning in through ExpoTV online at www.worlddairyexpo.com, you won’t want to miss these insightful tours.
Tuesday, October 1 Hosted by: Schoepp Farms LLC – Lodi, Wis.
Wednesday, October 2, Hosted by McCarty Family Farms – Rexford, Kan.
Sponsored by DeLaval, Inc.
Thursday, October 3, Hosted by Vandoske Dairy Farms – Cleveland, Wis.
Sponsored by Compeer Financial
Friday, October 4 Hosted by: Woldt Farms LLC – Brillion, Wis.
Sponsored by: Complete Management Consulting LLC
Schoepp Farms LLC: A Model of Sustainable Agriculture and Diversification
Schoepp Farms LLC, located in Lodi, Wisconsin, exemplifies diversified agriculture and sustainable practices. This farm combines grazing and cash grain operations, growing over 400 acres of corn, soybeans, winter wheat, alfalfa, and 110 acres of grass pasture. These pastures support 200 dairy heifers and 30-50 dry cows, as well as produce premium grass-fed beef.
Schoepp Farms thrives on sustainable farming techniques, notably no-tilling and rotational grazing. For over thirty years, they have practiced no-till agriculture, which significantly reduces soil erosion and enhances the farm’s resilience to extreme weather conditions like droughts and heavy rains, ensuring consistent yields.
Rotational grazing, an essential practice, involves moving livestock between pastures to allow recovery and regrowth of forage plants. This improves pasture nutritional quality and soil health. These methods have bolstered environmental sustainability and increased profitability by optimizing land use and enhancing crop productivity.
McCarty Family Farms: A Legacy of Innovation and Environmental Stewardship
McCarty Family Farms has a storied history, beginning in a humble barn without electricity, where cows were milked by hand. In 2000, they relocated to Rexford, Kansas, marking a period of rapid expansion. They operate six locations today, including an Ohio partnership, an on-site milk processing plant, and two visitor centers. They now milk 19,000 registered Holsteins using advanced 120-stall DeLaval carousel parlors.
Central to McCarty Family Farms is a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Their practices aim to maximize genetic progress while ensuring cattle health and productivity. Their sustainability efforts include efficient farming and innovative waste management solutions, underscoring their role as exemplary land stewards.
McCarty Family Farms’ accolades include the International Dairy Foods Association’s Innovative Dairy Farm of the Year, the US Dairy Sustainability Award, and Holstein USA’s Progressive Genetics Herd Award. These honors highlight their pioneering efforts and significant impact on the dairy industry.
Vandoske Dairy Farms: From Humble Beginnings to Community Pillars
Established in 1945 by Bob Vandoske’s grandparents, Vandoske Dairy Farms has evolved remarkably from a humble herd of 18 cows to over 600 registered Holsteins, achieving a rolling herd average of 30,400 lbs. This growth underscores the family’s dedication to excellence in dairy farming.
Vandoske Dairy Farms is widely recognized for its exemplary practices. The farm has earned multiple Milk Quality Awards from the Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA). It has produced noteworthy breeding results, including the Junior Bred & Owned Champion at the World Dairy Expo in 2019 and 2021.
Beyond their dairy achievements, the Vandoskens actively engage with their community. They frequently host their local dairy breakfast, strengthening community bonds and promoting dairy farming awareness. They also operate a direct-to-consumer ice cream store, providing farm-fresh products and fostering a deeper connection with the local populace.
Woldt Farms LLC: A Century-Long Legacy of Innovation, Sustainability, and Community Engagement
Woldt Farms LLC, with roots dating back to 1911, exemplifies enduring family farm commitment. Daryl and Amy Woldt, the fourth-generation owners, have advanced the farm since 1990. The farm now boasts 1,650 cows milked in a modern double-16 parallel parlor, showcasing significant progress.
Focused on sustainability, the Woldts are integral to the Lower Fox Demo Farms and Calumet County Ag Stewardship Alliance. Impressively, 95% of their 1,300 acres use no-till or cover cropping, reducing soil erosion and enhancing soil health. This blend of innovation and tradition underscores their conservation pledge.
Community engagement remains a cornerstone of Woldt Farms LLC. They bridge the gap between urban consumers and rural producers through educational events like ‘Sundae on the Farm,’ fostering a deeper appreciation for the dairy industry and enhancing agricultural literacy.
The Bottom Line
The World Dairy Expo is the premier forum for the global dairy community, fostering learning, innovation, and collaboration. The Virtual Farm Tours have showcased agricultural excellence for over two decades, focusing on sustainability, genetics, and technology. Attendees gain valuable insights that drive the dairy industry forward in person or online. Join us in Madison or digitally, and stay connected through the World Dairy Expo mobile app and social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Spotify, or YouTube.
Key Takeaways:
- The World Dairy Expo Virtual Farm Tours have been showcasing top-tier dairy operations for over 20 years, emphasizing advancements in sustainability, genetics, and technology.
- Schoepp Farms has successfully implemented over 30 years of no-till crops and rotational grazing to mitigate soil erosion and enhance resilience against extreme weather.
- McCarty Family Farms, with over a century of history, now operates multiple locations, milking 19,000 registered Holsteins and prioritizing sustainability.
- Vandoske Dairy Farms, a third-generation establishment, excels in milk quality and community engagement, recently launching a direct-to-consumer ice cream store.
- Woldt Farms LLC, a fourth-generation farm, focuses on environmental stewardship with a high percentage of no-till or cover crop acreage and community involvement.
- The 2024 Expo will be held from October 1-4 in Madison, Wis., offering a comprehensive platform for learning, networking, and showcasing innovations within the dairy industry.
Summary:
The World Dairy Expo, held annually in Madison, Wisconsin, is a hub for innovation and cooperation in dairy farming. The 2024 event will feature virtual farm tours to showcase sustainable practices in dairy farming. Schoepp Farms LLC, located in Lodi, Wisconsin, exemplifies diversified agriculture and sustainable practices, growing over 400 acres of corn, soybeans, winter wheat, alfalfa, and 110 acres of grass pasture. McCarty Family Farms, a storied farm with a history dating back to a humble barn without electricity, milks 19,000 registered Holsteins using advanced 120-stall DeLaval carousel parlors. Vandoske Dairy Farms, established in 1945 by Bob Vandoske’s grandparents, has evolved from 18 cows to over 600 registered Holsteins, achieving a rolling herd average of 30,400 lbs. The Vandoskens actively engage with their community, hosting local dairy breakfasts and promoting dairy farming awareness. Woldt Farms LLC, with roots dating back to 1911, exemplifies enduring family farm commitment, with 1,650 cows milked in a modern double-16 parallel parlor.
