Three years have passed since the dairy industry last came together for the Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX) in Stratford, Ontario.
Much of the event will remain the same, while enhancements will provide an even better experience for the record-breaking crowd anticipated to attend April 5-6.
“Everything is back in terms of the trade show, the dairy classroom, CheeseFest, the breakfast, and we’ve added some components,” says president and founder Jordon Underhill.
The 2023 CDX will emphasize the show’s culture of gathering the industry together, as well as a place to showcase cows and new innovations.
Coming together
“The greatest thing about the dairy industry in Canada, because of the strength of it, you have multiple generations on a farm, which is amazing,” Underhill says.
For this reason, he says, “We’re looking at ways to satisfy everybody from grandson or granddaughter to grandma and grandpa. They’re all important, so we want to make sure that we have lots of space for families to eat and gather.”
The show has reworked its hospitality areas to accommodate more space and seating to increase comfort for families.
The entire Hall 3 space has been designated for the GayLea/4-H Milk Parlour where attendees can purchase a grilled cheese and milkshake, take a break and listen to live local acoustic entertainment.
“We wanted to make a really comfortable area for industry and families and producers to come together and connect,” Underhill says.
There are also a couple of new kids areas. At the north end of the show, there will be an area with agricultural-themed toys, and in the Cow Coliseum a large corn box will be filled with John Deere toys.
As always, the show begins with a complimentary pancake breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in the upper lobby, outside of the dairy classroom.
Approximately 600 to 700 people enjoy breakfast each day. Underhill says, “It’s a chance for producers to connect before they start touring the show.”
CheeseFest, the largest social gathering of the show, will be back on Wednesday evening. “It is another great social event that we wanted to make sure came back strong,” Underhill says, “not only to get the commodity at the forefront with sampling cheese, but again just connecting people together.”
More cows
The Genetics in Motion showcase is back with three genetic companies having live animals on display. This year, it will be accompanied by comfortable viewing areas.
“The big thing in terms of more cows on-site is the Calves for a Cause sale,” Underhill explains.
This year, CDX will host the annual sale started in 2021 by dairy producers Darryl and Sarah Markus to raise funds for the London Children’s Health Foundation.
They’ve partnered with Jeff Stephens to line up consignments and manage the sale. “He’s just finalized his list of 40 live lots and frozen, and it’s outstanding,” Underhill exclaims. “I’m not sure if there is a sale that will be on the same kind of level in terms of quality consignments here in 2023.”
Encans Boulet will lead the live auction, which will also be streamed online, starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, in conjunction with CheeseFest in the Cow Coliseum.
Sale cattle will be on display both days of the event along with recognition of the consigners and buyers.
New innovations
Highlighting innovation was part of the initial vision of CDX when it started 10 years ago.
Underhill says attendees will be impressed with the amount of new products and technologies on display at this year’s event.
“There’s innovation that hasn’t been seen over the last three years, so we all need to catch up on what’s new,” he says.
In addition, CDX has been searching for the latest international innovations and this year will have a designated German Pavilion in the TMR & Forage Hall.
“There will be brand new companies in there from Germany, showcasing their dairy innovations and looking to connect with not only producers to get feedback from Canadian producers on their technologies, but also with the industry to find distribution and warehousing here in Canada,” Underhill explains.
With more people, more cows and more innovation, the show is also offering more parking to accommodate a larger crowd. For additional details on the April 5-6 event, visit the CDX website.
What’s happening at CDX
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
8-9:30 a.m. – Complimentary breakfast with dairy commentary by Tim Henshaw and Russell Gammon
Upper Lobby, outside of Dairy Classroom
9:30-10 a.m. – Dairy Classroom Welcome and Introduction with Shannon Borden, Diamond V; and Jordon Underhill, president of CDX
Dairy Classroom, Upper Lobby
10 a.m.-12 p.m. – Keynote Speaker, Joep Driessen, founder of CowSignals
Dairy Classroom, Upper Lobby
12-12:30 p.m. – HOP – Dairy Podcast
Dairy Classroom, Upper Lobby
12:30-2 p.m. – Zoetis Discussion Panel – Maximizing your herd’s genetics: An essential strategy for today’s dairy farmer
Dairy Classroom, Upper Lobby
2-3 p.m. – Diamond V Speaker – Productive life cycle, Dr. Gavin Staley
Dairy Classroom, Upper Lobby
4-7 p.m. – CheeseFest
Cow Coliseum
6 p.m. – Calves for a Cause Sale
Cow Coliseum
Thursday, April 6, 2023
8-9:30 a.m. – Complimentary breakfast with dairy commentary by Tim Henshaw and Russell Gammon
Upper Lobby, outside of Dairy Classroom
9:30-10 a.m. – Dairy Classroom Welcome and Introduction with Shannon Borden, Diamond V, and Jordon Underhill, president of CDX
Dairy Classroom, Upper Lobby
10 a.m.-12 p.m. – Keynote Speaker, Joep Driessen, founder of CowSignals
Dairy Classroom, Upper Lobby
12-12:30 p.m. – HOP – Dairy Podcast
Dairy Classroom, Upper Lobby
12:30-2 p.m. – Shur-Gain | Trouw Nutrition Discussion Panel – Strategies for overcoming on-farm challenges
Dairy Classroom, Upper Lobby
Both days
Holstein Canada Hub
Cow Coliseum – 2-Tier Platform
John Deere Kids Zone
Cow Coliseum
Robotics In Motion
Cow Coliseum
GayLea/4-H Milk Parlour
Hall 3
German Pavilion
TMR & Forage Hall
Genetics In Motion Showcase
Cow Coliseum
