Whether on the grounds or hundreds of miles away, advances in technology allow people to connect with every aspect of World Dairy Expo in even more exciting ways, from wherever they are.
Follow on social media
“Like,” “follow” and “subscribe” to World Dairy Expo online to stay posted on exciting updates, not only during the show but also year-round.
“World Dairy Expo has a vibrant presence on Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram,” Laurie Breuch, dairy cattle show coordinator, says.
More than 43,000 people follow the expo on Facebook, and more than 10,000 keep tabs through Twitter. A growing number are also enjoying videos.
“YouTube allows dairy enthusiasts to view seminar recordings from virtual farm tours, educational seminars and dairy cattle show highlights,” Breuch adds. “If you miss the climax of the supreme champion ceremony, you can view it online after the show.”
Real-time coverage
Those who cannot be at the show in person can still feel like they have a ringside seat in the Coliseum with show ring coverage in real time through ExpoTV, available online (World Dairy Expo). Viewers can also come to this site for daily newscasts on WXPO News and watch the expanded Expo360 featuring trade show exhibitor information, according to Breuch. Coverage can be viewed live or recorded.
Back again this year, the expo is offering the option to have real-time dairy cattle show results sent to cellphones via text. Individuals can choose a specific breed or have results for all breed shows sent to them.
New this year: Railbird contest
Texting opportunities will grow to include a new railbird contest, offering one class contest per breed show.
Breuch explains, “Attendees will have the chance to text in their top four placings for the designated breed show class prior to the judge making his first pull. When expo’s official judge has completed the class placings, the railbird contest results will be final.”
Railbird entries will be time-stamped with submission. The contestant with the earliest time stamp and correct placing will be deemed the winner and notified by text. The winner will receive a World Dairy Expo prize.
Interactive engagement
Technology will also have an important role in connecting youth at the expo, including those attending with their FFA chapter or competing in judging contests.
“The FFA contest currently offers a texting scavenger hunt for FFA youth to correctly answer a random set of expo-related questions to win expo gear,” Breuch says. “The national dairy cattle judging contests for intercollegiate and post-secondary will also see new tablet computer interfaces for each student to provide their class results electronically.” This will increase the speed and efficiency of results tabulation.
Each contestant will have their own barcode to identify themselves and select the breed class for which they will enter their class placings at ringside. Judging officials will also enter their scores for individual class reason presentations to be tabulated.
Contest superintendents will be verifying all results for accuracy. The new system has been tested through the year in different settings and with multiple skill sets, all completing with satisfactory results.
Breuch adds, “We are excited to continue to build our technology interface for all the facets of World Dairy Expo.” 
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Peggy Coffeen
- Editor
- Progressive Dairyman
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