It's fall and that means World Dairy Expo! Exhibitors are on the grounds preparing for the show – setting-up displays, shaking straw, and hanging signs. Cattle, too, are settling into their new homes for the next week.
To start off the youth events, 4-H and college judging teams visited local dairies for practice prior to today's contest.
Trade show exhibitors are also out in full force organizing their booths in preparation for Tuesday's official opening.
At Hoard's Dairyman, Sunday started at 5 a.m. washing 12 Guernsey cows for the judging teams that stopped. Just after 8 a.m., the vans arrived and guests toured the Hoard's visitor center, milking parlor, and freestall barn. The first class began at 8:45 a.m.
Three classes were put together for students and coaches to evaluate. No official placings are given – they are determined by the coaches (we call it a "judging workout"). This provides an opportunity for competitors to see Guernsey cows and the forum to take notes to craft their oral reasons.
Teams then toured National Dairy Shine, Nasco, and were treated to lunch. Afterwards, they headed just down the road to Whitewater where Sunshine Genetics showcased their top Brown Swiss.
The Hoard's Dairyman office will see plenty of visitors, too. National 4-H Conference attendees will visit Hoard's Dairyman's office and farm today, as well as National Dairy Shrine and Nasco.
All of Fort Atkinson, especially those of us at Hoard's, look forward to an exciting week!
