Representatives from the international dairy industry are descending in their droves upon Madison, Wisconsin, in the US this week for what is regarded by some to be the biggest and best dairy show in the world.

The World Dairy Expo is a five-day event that showcases the newest technologies available to the dairy industry and the best dairy cattle. The event is held every year in the state of Wisconsin, one of the highest milk-producing states in the US – second only to the state of California in terms of volumes produced.

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Regardless of language, the event translates into a multimillion dollar investment in the state of Wisconsin’s economy, according to Ben Brancel, Wisconsin’s Secretary for Agriculture. Brancel was speaking this week about the significant role the annual World Dairy Expo plays in facilitating commerce during his visit to the main exhibition hall on the expo grounds.

“We have more international guests at this time than any other time of the year. That doesn’t mean they haven’t been here, it’s just that their engagement is heightened on getting very specific information from my international trade team and being able to do more follow-ups. I think it will give us long-term benefit,” said Brancel.

Trading partners

Ongoing talks with international trading partners are crucial to developing those long-term relationships, he said.

“If you talk specifically trade agreements, they will engage in that discussion with you,” Brancel said. “They have strong opinions, and we in the state of Wisconsin have strong opinions. We trust the US representative at the trade negotiations table is carrying our message about dairy policy. But I will say if you don’t engage in that topic, it’s left behind.”

The focus of discussions is not on future trade scenarios, but rather on what is happening today. According to Brancel, delegates at the expo are talking equipment and genetics.

“Yesterday, in visiting with the minister for Agriculture for Lithuania, it was genetics that was discussed. They wanted to talk about embryos and semen and the ability to get the genetics that we have here in the US and specifically Wisconsin. So, those are examples of all avenues of marketing in the international community that come about because the World Dairy Expo is held here,” he added.

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