Cattle entries confirmed that while the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is spreading throughout the dairy industry, it’s doing little to deter those who participate in the big dance, and World Dairy Expo (WDE) is preparing with heightened safety measures.
“The dairy industry and dairy cattle exhibitors are resilient,” says Laura Herschleb, general manager of WDE. “Their resilience has most certainly been on display this year as the HPAI situation has and continues to evolve. Exhibitors have been working hard to prepare their animals for this show.”
WDE reported 2024 dairy cattle entries remain on par with previous years as 2024’s entries are being processed. At the time of this writing, the data was not yet finalized.
“All indications suggest entry numbers as of [Sept. 3], are very similar to the number of animals entered in 2023,” Herschleb says.
Rough estimates of 2024 registrations suggest about 45% of entries are cows and 55% are calves and heifers. A year ago, 2,597 total animals were exhibited by 1,804 individuals representing 36 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces.
“The pageantry and prestige of showing on the colored shavings arelike no other,” Herschleb says. “We’re most excited for celebrating the genetic progression of the dairy cattle gracing the colored shavings, coupled with the technological innovations on display in our trade show and the expertise of industry experts presenting at WDE.”
HPAI guidelines at WDE
Since the detection of HPAI in dairy cattle this spring, WDE has worked diligently with health officials to develop a plan that ensures the safety and success of the show.
“World Dairy Expo has always recognized and respected the privilege it is to bring the world’s dairy industry together and the biosecurity measures it involves,” Herschleb says.
With the prevalence of HPAI in dairy cattle and travel guidelines put in place by federal and local governments, WDE is requiring a negative HPAI test in lockstep with both the USDA's federal order and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) state order, as well as allowing late arrivals and early departures on the grounds exclusively for 2024.
“Due to the fluid nature of the situation, the executive committee is permitting late arrivals and early releases of cattle to help exhibitors compete and return home within the time range their health certificate dictates,” Herschleb says. “We have to remember that cattle travel here from Canada and coast-to-coast.”
Essentially, exhibitors are eligible for late arrival and early departure if they have a lactating animal and one’s travel and exhibition time will exceed the federal order – or a state order for a shorter length of time – on the same negative test.
WDE staff have urged exhibitors to work closely with their veterinarian and state’s animal health officials to create a plan that will not require a routine test on the grounds.
“This year, we are strongly encouraging all cattle exhibitors to develop a plan with their herd veterinarian to meet their state’s testing requirements for their trip to and return home from World Dairy Expo,” Herschleb says. “Each state has different requirements, and we fully realize and appreciate the boots on the ground.”
In the event of a positive HPAI test at WDE, all cattle on site will be temporarily quarantined pending an investigation by the Wisconsin DATCP.
“We know how important it is for the global dairy industry to meet each year, especially after canceling the entire show in 2020 due to COVID-19,” Herschleb says. “Following the recommendations and guidelines set by state and federal health officials, we seek to deliver in 2024 the world’s greatest dairy-focused trade show, dairy cattle show, educational forum and international gathering of the dairy industry.”
