Progressive Events: Canadian Dairy XPO continues to offer more in 2018

VIP parking fundraiser – Junior Farmers will be manning a VIP parking area in front of Entrance 1. It will open at 7 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Spots will be sold at $5 per car on a first-come, first-served basis, as there are a limited number of parking spots available.
Dairy at Guelph & DFO Lounge – This joint initiative between Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO), University of Guelph and CDX creates a space in Hall 1 where dairy producers can view DFO initiatives and dairy research projects as well as speak directly with DFO representatives and university researchers.
AgCareers.com Resumé Blitz – On April 5, from 9 to 11 a.m., exhibiting companies wishing to participate in the resumé blitz will have a bright green sign at their exhibit to welcome seniors and graduate students from dairy and agricultural programs seeking employment opportunities.
Holstein Canada Dairy Den & Retail Outlet – CDX has permanently relocated the two-tier platform that was in Hall 2 to the middle of the Cow Coliseum. This platform will serve as a hospitality and producer lounge on both levels. During CheeseFEST, the upper level of platform will be the main entertainment complex with the live bands playing.
Product demonstrations – A couple of product demonstrations have been scheduled for each day of the show. Stop by the Outdoor Exhibit Corral at 1 p.m. daily to see a vertical self-propelled TMR mixer in action. The Future of Robotics demonstration at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily in the Cow Coliseum will feature robotic technology relating to feeding, manure management and milking from leading equipment manufacturers.
New Dairy Classroom location and speaker line-up – The Purina Dairy Classroom and free breakfast has been moved to a new location in the upper lobby, directly off Main Entrance 1.

The complimentary hot breakfast will be served each morning from 8 to 9:30 a.m. directly outside the classroom. New this year, while breakfast is being served, Russell Gammon and Dr. Tim Henshaw will talk “Road Trip Ramblings” of their travels across the province. The classroom program then kicks off at 10 a.m. with a welcome from event hosts and sponsors.

At 10:15 a.m. each day, Greg Peterson, one of the Peterson Farm Brothers from Assaria, Kansas, who became internet sensations with farm-related parody music videos, will talk about advocating for agriculture.

At 11:15 a.m., Mike Jerred, global technology manager – dairy, Cargill Animal Nutrition, will show how data can be used to optimize every part of the farm business.

Attendees have a chance to meet the experts from Dairy at Guelph, a cross-faculty group that has been created at the University of Guelph to communicate research relevant to dairy producers at 12:15 p.m.

From 1 to 2:30 p.m., dairy producers will share their experiences in a panel presentation. On Wednesday, Allison Pylypjuk, veterinarian, Interlake Dairy Services, Manitoba, will moderate a panel focused on “Measuring Inputs for Increased Milk Production.” Panelists include: Josh Ireland, Albadon Farms, Teeswater, Ontario; Jodi Wallace, Anderson Farms/Silverstream Holsteins, Ormstown, Quebec; and Joseph Holtmann, Rosser Holsteins, Rosser, Manitoba. Thursday’s panel will highlight progressive dairy youth, with producers addressing succession and transition from previous generations, risk evaluation, cash flow and more. Panelists include: Kevin Forbes, Forbesvue Farms, Sarnia, Ontario; Matt Plett, Plemark Holsteins, Blumenort, Manitoba; Alanna Coneybeare, Conlee Farms Inc., Listowel, Ontario; and Nick Brown, Brownsville Farms Ltd., Sussex, New Brunswick.

The final session at 2:30 each day will interest producers who want to learn more about consumer preferences and expanding ethnic markets. Bita Farhang, research and market development manager, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, and other guest speakers will host this interactive discussion.

Visit Canadian Dairy XPO for more details about the event.

Canadian Dairy XPO daily schedule

Wednesday, April 4

8 to 9:30 a.m. Free breakfast … Upper Lobby – Purina Dairy Classroom

9 a.m. All Trade Show Halls, WeCover Cow Coliseum and Outdoor Exhibit Corral Open … All halls

9 to 10 a.m. Road Trip Ramblings with Russell Gammon and Dr. Tim Henshaw speaking over breakfast … Upper Lobby – Purina Dairy Classroom

10 a.m. Future of Robotics Demo … WeCover Cow Coliseum

10 a.m. Welcome and Introduction – Purina and CDX … Upper Lobby – Purina Dairy Classroom

10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Advocating for Agriculture – Greg Peterson, The Peterson Farm Brothers … Upper Lobby – Purina Dairy Classroom

10:30 a.m. Kids Farm Safety Program … Forage and Milking Mall

11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Robotics and Automation Data Management – Mike Jerred, Cargill Animal Nutrition … Upper Lobby – Purina Dairy Classroom

12 to 1 p.m. Zoetis Dairy College: Transition Management – Little Actions: Big ROI … Dairy Community Room, Entrance 1

12:15 to 1 p.m. Dairy at Guelph – Stephen Le Blanc, David Kelton and Christine Baes … Upper Lobby – Purina Dairy Classroom

1 to 2:30 p.m. Measuring Inputs for Maximum Production Producer Panel … Upper Lobby – Purina Dairy Classroom

1 p.m. Self-Loading TMR Demo … Outdoor Exhibit Corral

2 p.m. Future of Robotics Demo … WeCover Cow Coliseum

2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Consumer Preference and Expanding Ethnic Markets – Bita Farhang, George MacNaughton and guest speaker … Upper Lobby – Purina Dairy Classroom

2:30 p.m. Kids Farm Safety Program … Forage and Milking Mall

4 p.m. All Trade Show Halls, Outdoor Exhibit Corral and Catering Close … All halls

4 to 7 p.m. CheeseFEST (free to attend!) … WeCover Cow Coliseum

Thursday, April 5