Here’s a story from Andy Vance, Buckeye Ag Network. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more news and coverage of the dairy business from Andy! Thanks Andy.

One of the nation’s largest Dairy exhibitions is about to close the books on 2006 entries. The Spring Dairy Expo, held March 30th-April 1st at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus is calling all dairymen to bring their best to show or sell. Registrations will be accepted up until showtime, but if you’re not registered by March 1st, be prepared to pay a hefty penalty. Registrations accepted by March 1st are only $20/head, but after that date the fee hits $50/head, and after March 24th, the fee skyrockets to $100, so if you’re thinking of bringing cows to Columbus, you’ll be money ahead to sign up in the next two weeks. A registration form is available at springdairyexpo.com.

The event has typically drawn top-quality cattle from numerous states across the country, according to entries Superintendent Julie Ziegler. “In 2005, exhibitors from New Jersey to Iowa displayed 614 animals in the six breed shows hosted at the event. 150 animals crossed the sale block in the five breed sales. Dairy businesses displayed their wares in the trade show and over 400 youth from several states competed in the youth judging contest.” This year the judging contest will be accompanied by an adult judging clinic hosted by the Purebred Dairy Cattle Association.

The Expo will feature six breed sales, including the Midwest Revue Brown Swiss, Ohio Ayrshire, Ohio Holstein, and Buckeye Dairy Club Holstein, Guernsey, and Jersey sales. In addition to the typical state sanctioned shows, The Spring Dairy Expo will be headlined by three National Shows – The National Ayrshire Spring Show, The MidEast National Holstein Show, and the National Brown Swiss Spring Show.

I’ve broadcast from this show for several years, and although the Voinovich building may be one of the dustiest places to do radio, the facility is perfect for a cattle show. Columbus is a beautiful town, and there is plenty to do when you’re not tending to the ladies (the cows, I mean,). It’s a great show with plenty of great dairymen – Well worth the trip.