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World Dairy Expo® is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Expo Recognition Awards. Nominated and selected by their peers, these individuals have made remarkable contributions to the dairy industry and their communities. Honorees will be formally honored during the Recognition Awards Banquet at World Dairy Expo on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. Banquet tickets will be available at worlddairyexpo.com beginning on July 1.
The 2022 Expo Recognition Award honorees are as follows:
Dairy Producer of the Year
John Ruedinger, Van Dyne, Wis., Ruedinger Farms, Inc.
![](https://cms-static.wehaacdn.com/hoards-com/images/Ruedinger_john.22742.jpg)
John Ruedinger, Van Dayne, Wis., is a leader in the dairy industry not only on his own farm but in organizations supporting his community and the global dairy industry. Ruedinger has served in leadership roles that placed him in the room during the creation of Cooperative Resources International and URUS. On the farm, Ruedinger, his wife, Karen, and daughter and son-in-law, Jamie and David Zappa, operate Ruedinger Farms, Inc. together. The team’s 1,500-cow dairy has an average production of 90 pounds of milk and 6.75 pounds of solids per cow per day.
Industry Person of the Year
Shelly Mayer, Slinger, Wis., Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW), Mayer Farm, Folks Song Farm and Mayer Farms Beef
![](https://cms-static.wehaacdn.com/hoards-com/images/Shelly_Mayer.22743.jpg)
International Person of the Year
Mark Comfort, Cardinal, Ontario, Canada, Udder Comfort, Comfort Holsteins and Comfort Tunis
![](https://cms-static.wehaacdn.com/hoards-com/images/Mark_Comfort.22744.jpg)
Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo brings together the latest in dairy innovation and the best cattle in North America. The dairy industry will return to Madison, Wisconsin for the 55th event, October 2 – 7, 2022, when the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, dairy and forage seminars, a world-class dairy cattle show and more will be on display. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile event app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or YouTube for more information.