The World Dairy Expo has been the premier show for the dairy industry for the past 50 years. And with the rapid growth in the dairy business in South Dakota, it's a perfect venue to promote the state's dairy industry and supporting ag businesses.
This was the 25th year Amy Freeburg has marketed South Dakota hay at the Expo as part of the National Hay Association booth. Amy and her husband Gary own and operate Freeburg Hay near Gayville, S.D. She said the Expo is a perfect venue to talk to their top customers that are buying and feeding hay all over the country. "This show has just grown and grown and grown," she said. "It's just a really good opportunity to interact with the dairy people, and the vast majority of the hay that we raise goes into the dairying market."
South Dakota has long been one of the nation's leading hay-producing states, and is especially known for growing top-quality dairy alfalfa. Freeburg said the Expo gives them the chance to promote that.
South Dakota ag businesses also showcased some innovative products at the World Dairy Expo. Hydrogreen Global Technologies, of Renner, S.D., displayed their hydroponic feeds, which is a great alternative for dairy producers looking for a fresh feed source.
"And with small grains like barley, wheat or oats we can now grow from seed to feed in six days," said Vice President of Sales, Dan Kippley. He said fresh feed, which is more digestible, leads to marked improvements in milk quality, as the fat and protein content increases. "The main advantage for dairy cattle and goat producers is the consistency of the feed," he said. "That's one thing they can't get with a mountain of corn silage is you have different consistency throughout that entire pile."
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Kippley said the cost comparison also makes hydroponic feed attractive. "We're talking roughly $28 a ton is what the Hydrogreen is costing right now," he said. "That compares to conventional feed, depending on the year for the farmer and the region of the country, which could be $34 per ton or more."
More than 2,500 of the world's finest dairy cattle also competed in this year's breed association shows. Several South Dakota dairy cattle placed high, including a Jersey owned by Victory Farms of Milbank, S.D.
Audrey Souza said they had a strong showing in the National Jersey Open Show and the Junior Show. She felt honored to place among some of the best dairy cattle in the business. "So Nadine, she got first junior in her aged cow class and then she got sixth in the class for open," she said. "We bought her a few years ago. She's a partnership cow and we've shown her at the South Dakota State Fair. She won Supreme Champion there. We've shown her in the past here at Expo. She won seventh in her class a couple of years ago."
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture was also recruiting at Expo as part of Gov. Dennis Daugaard's plan of expanding the state's dairy industry.
SDDA's David Skaggs has been recruiting at the World Dairy Expo for the past 11 years. He said they started with the goal of attracting dairies to the state from places like California, where dairymen are facing challenges such as water shortages and regulatory pressures. They highlight the advantages of dairying in the state, including the friendly business environment, ample feed supplies and a strong processing industry. And Skaggs credits the Expo for helping South Dakota grow cow numbers.
"When I first started 11 years ago, we were at 80,000 dairy cows in the state with a 14,400-pound herd average, and today we're at 118,000 cows with a 23,000 pound herd average," he said.
With that growth, however, the state is currently facing a milk surplus, and so SDDA was also at this year's show trying to attract additional dairy processors to South Dakota.
"We have cows that have been permitted to add to the state, but I have no home for the milk at the moment," Skaggs said. "So we're actively trying to talk to people about bringing in additional processing into our state."
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The 50th annual World Dairy Expo hosted a record 75,000-plus attendees, 3,000 international guests and 850 exhibitors for the five-day celebration.