Going to the Dairy Expo just brings back a ton of memories of being in 4-H. I remember we used to pack up the van and my Uncle would bring a group of us to the expo. Props to him for dealing with us as all we wanted to do was look at the cows and see how many free pens and stress balls we could get from the different booths. Beyond that, we really didn't care what was going on.
I also remember some of the years when my parents would bring us and I thought it was so cool. Mainly because I got out of school to go and my friends would be jealous…it was also cool to go check out. On the way down every year, we would try and guess what color the shavings were going to be. We acted like we were gonna get a prize for guessing correctly when the only thing we won was bragging rights for the day.
Another awesome thing that you don't ever get to see unless you're here is how many different farms show up here from all over the country.
When I first got to the expo, the first thing I did was head to the barns. It's for sure where all the action is.
From the time you walk into the barns, you can tell that everyone's in competition mode. They're busy clipping, trimming, and of course trying to get that perfect top line.
What I realized while watching everybody get ready for the show was that these cattle are pampered more than most people.
You know how some girls extensions they put in their hair? Yeah, so do cows. Mind. Blown. I knew that they put a lot of time and effort into getting the ladies ready for the show, but had no idea that they had cow tail extensions. Looks like they're just like people!
And the pampering doesn't stop there. It basically rained for the past two days at the expo. Well, after you just do a nice topline and get her all ready for show, the last thing you want is for her to get rained on. These tents that we normally use for tailgating and parties, has been transformed into a cow umbrella. Magic!
This tarp that's usually used to cover storage is now another cow umbrella! Just goes to show that you do what you need to so that your cow looks the best she can in the ring.
Showtime!
I think walking into the ring is for sure a nerve-racking time for everyone in the ring. You have so much on your mind, making sure your cow isn't stressed out, making sure you don't look all sweaty and nervous, and also standing out to the judge.
There are people of all different ages showing. I think that's one of the really cool parts of the show, it's not just for one age group like a county fair is. This is for anyone with a registered dairy cow or heifer.
The World Dairy Expo is a great experience, even if you aren't a genius when it comes to the dairy industry. Trust me. It's just good to experience and meet different farmers and people working with dairy.
I met a few different farmers and one of them was telling me about how he, along with his sister, decided one day to buy a few Ayrshire cattle and then raised them, bred them, and now had the daughters at the expo this year. There's just some really cool people and stories that can be found at the expo.
The
World Dairy Expo
's going on until October 5th at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. For 2020, the expo will be held September 29th to October 3rd. Just remember, on your way out, don't forget to grab a grilled cheese and a milkshake…you almost have to. It's a tradition.
