The Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX) is offering a powerful programming line-up, organizers of the inaugural event say.
Leading edge genetics, global dairy summit broadcasting, live demos and robotics are all happening at the Stratford event set for Feb. 6 and 7.
The expo is a new dairy trade show, owned and operated by industry veteran Jordon Underhill, of ROI Event Management.
The agriculture-focused event management group recognized that Canada did not have an exclusive, national dairy event; one comparable to the USA World Dairy Expo, in Madison Wisconsin.
“Canadian dairyman are globally recognized for their early adoption of innovation and commitment to genetic improvement, yet we do not currently have a platform where the entire sector can gather to stimulate continuous improvement” said Underhill.
He added that’s just what those farmers will get at the CDX, with a two-day, action-packed lineup.
Leading genetic suppliers are displaying live cattle in a free stall setting and live demos of brand new innovations, such as colostrum feeding, rumen fluid extraction and real time somatic cell count testing conducted on the iPhone.
“The goal since the inception of the Canadian Dairy Xpo has been simple, always keep the progressive Canadian dairyman top of mind and deliver $100 or more in value for the $25 admission,” said Underhill.
“Top that off with a $10 off coupon from one of our exhibitors and you create a stellar return for the attending producer. That was the idea from day one.”
It’s a first in the world, as the four robotic milking powerhouses demonstrate side-by-side and talk features and benefits in the Britespan Building Cow Coliseum.
This massive free-span structure was built specifically for these and other companies to showcase innovation and leading genetics available for the Canadian dairy producer.
“Dairy farmers are looking for solutions that meet the current demands of the industry and supply management system,” said Brian Anderson of Athlone Farms.
“Today’s evolving industry requires us as the farmer to rapidly embrace technology and innovation.
“It is important that we make the time to get out with our family members and on-farm labourers, to see what the industry has to offer and to educate ourselves with what appears to be an international speaker line-up at the Canadian Dairy Xpo.”
According to organizers, the event is a hot commodity most will say, as there seems to be a significant amount of support from not only the dairy industry, but the mainstream business world as well.
The event and efforts around it have recently been covered in the high profile publication, Business Review North America.
Although the expo targets purebred and commercial dairy producers, the opening night will host a complimentary CheeseFest function that will welcome the general community.
The networking and social function offers an extensive buffet of cheeses from around the world, local wineries, micro brews and live entertainment.
Celebrity Chef Lynn Crawford will also be making an appearance and cooking with the Perth County 4-H youth club.
The expo has already caught the attention of world renowned Joep Driessen, founder of CowSignals. He will be traveling from the Netherlands to speak specifically to Canadian dairy producers on identifying practical signals as they relate to housing, health and care.
Driessen, along with five other world-class dairy gurus, will be speaking on the first day of the event in the dairy classroom.
Don Eby from Ebyholme Farms says he won’t miss the CowSignals speaker from the Netherlands and the rest of the classroom lineup.
“To be able to see this caliber of speaker right here in our backyard is invaluable,” said Eby.
“I like the concept of an educational conference, specialized dairy trade show and live demos all rolled into one. I think producers and industry alike will make CDX an annual stop.”
It is not just the feature speakers of the dairy classroom that will travel globally to attend CDX. The global dairy summit meeting will welcome five of the largest commercial dairyman from the top five milk production countries.
Over the lunch hour in the dairy classroom, these producers will engage in a round table discussion on all aspects of the dairy business and entertain questions from attending Canadian producers.
This collaborative dairy platform is $15 admission with a coupon.
After a free breakfast, tuning in on world class dairy speakers, checking out the latest in technology from over 200 qualified exhibitors, live demonstrations and an evening function CheeseFest.
The Canadian Dairy Xpo takes place at the Stratford Rotary Complex in Stratford Feb. 6 to 7.
For more information, visit www.dairyxpo.ca or call 226-381-0282.
