Attendance continues strong here at World Dairy Expo. Yesterday we had almost 13,000 visitors out here! We’ve had registered visitors from 77 countries.
Today looks like it will be beautiful with the Weather Channel saying: Sunshine along with a few clouds. High 52F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.
The third annual World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest auction was held Tuesday, October 4 at World Dairy Expo. The contest, sponsored by the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association (WDPA), raised $19,000.
“We are absolutely ecstatic with the overall success of this year’s contest”, stated WDPA Executive Director Brad Legreid. “For being only in its third year, this year’s contest entries increased by 50% and the auction raised a significant dollar amount. Just the fact that this contest received over 200 entries in only its third year, clearly shows the interest it is generating in the US dairy industry. We look forward to an even bigger and better contest next year.”
A portion of the auction proceeds will be donated to the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin’s Education Foundation to assist current and beginning producers achieve success in dairy farming. Product donations were also made to the MATC Culinary Arts School, UW Food Science Dept. and the Ronald McDonald House.
The media need to eat just like everyone else and today thanks to the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board we got some treats.
Here’s Cheese Chef John Esser with an array of cheese dishes and cheeses for us to sample. I really liked, well, all of them. I asked him if you can eat too much cheese in one week.
You can hear his answer in my interview with him here: 
(2.5MB MP3 File)
Just yesterday we were outside and sweating and the tents didn’t have sides up. Now exhibits like Kuhn Knight, have heaters going and we need it. It’s just a little chilly out there. But not bad at all.
If you forgot your jacket, just go to the Purple Cow in the Exhibit Hall and you can buy one with the World Dairy Expo logo on it.
You know I really don’t think this hoof cares if it gets trimmed at this point. It’s just a guess on my part.
Anyway, you can try a lot of things here at Expo. Maybe you’re looking for a good trimmer or maybe you just want to find out what it’s like to trim those things. You can do it. This was at the King Arthur’s Tool – BORS booth.
Today the Brown Swiss Show took place and at the end of the show we were treated to authentic swiss yodeling and alphorns. I got caught across the ring from the action so pardon my photo. However, I was able to capture the sound.
You can listen to the Brown Swiss parade here: (3MB MP3 File)
Yesterday these fans were very important as we had near record high temperatures. Today, it’s a different story. It’s cool and breezy, which I’m sure is much appreciated by visitors and animals alike.
Here’s where most of the posting to World Dairy Diary is taking place. It’s a nice little “fishbowl” of an office. I went out and had some small posters made to put on the windows. Then I can work in there with the lights out and people don’t know I’m there! It’s a self-defense thing.
I was getting a little tired of the people who wanted tickets to the upcoming Dolly Parton concert. This is the old receptionists office I guess. One Alliant Center employee even stopped by and said “so you’re the new receptionist eh?” Not!
If you’re looking for a good deal and a chance to help Expo’s youth activities then visit the silent auction. You can impact the future of the dairy industry by placing your bids at the World Dairy Expo Invest In Our Best Silent Auction. All auction proceeds will benefit Expo’s youth contests and programs, including national and international judging contests at the 4-H, FFA, intercollegiate and post-secondary levels.
The Invest in Our Best Silent Auction will take place during show hours on the west balcony of the Coliseum. Individuals may register and place bids daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 4 through Friday, October 7. The Invest in Our Best Auction will close with a live sale, conducted by Tom and Sandy Morris of Tom Morris, Ltd., at noon on Saturday. Click here (PDF) for a list of the 2005 silent auction items.
I don’t have a picture of him but I got a chance to interview Wallace Behnke, a World Dairy Expo board member and dairy farmer of mostly registered holsteins here in Wisconsin. Wallace talks about this year’s show and the challenges Expo faces.
You can listen to my interview with Wallace here: (2.7MB MP3 File)
