Expo en Español is an educational opportunity for attendees of World Dairy Expo – from dairy farm owners, laborers and everyone in between. The sessions, which are sponsored by Progressive Dairy, span from transition cow management to leadership within the farm business and are offered each day of the show at 2 p.m. in the Exhibition Hall.
"Expo en Español is designed for Spanish speakers involved in the dairy industry, filling a gap for a large percentage of attendees, not only in terms of laborers from the U.S. but also visitors from Spain, Portugal, South America and Mexico,” says Jenna Langrehr, attendee programs manager for World Dairy Expo. “These seminars focus on tools that are beneficial for dairy owners, managers and mid-managers, and fulfills World Dairy Expo's mission by creating unique learning opportunities not only for those in the United States but for the entire global dairy community."
Progressive Dairy reached out to each presenter and asked them why their scheduled presentation is vital to the World Dairy Expo 2025 program. Here is what they had to say.
Best management practices for optimal animal welfare during the transition period
Sept. 30 at 2 p.m.
Adrian Barragan, associate research professor and extension veterinarian for Penn State University
Why is this topic important?
Animal welfare is a key aspect of dairy farming nowadays, and disease prevention should be top priority to achieve optimal welfare in dairy cows. The transition period is one of the most challenging times for dairy cows, and excellent management during this period is essential for maximizing animal welfare and profitability on dairy farms. Spanish-speaking workers represent more than 50% of the dairy workforce nationwide and around 80% of the farm personnel working directly with cows. Therefore, training this critical component of the workforce on disease prevention during the transition period is paramount.
What do you hope attendees take away from this presentation?
Attendees will learn about the animal welfare definition and its importance to the dairy industry. In addition, they will learn about how the health of dairy cows is challenged during the transition period and what the best management practices are to help cows cope with these challenges. The latter is of critical importance to maintain optimal cow health and performance, and therefore maximize animal welfare and profitability in the farm.
Milk quality – Milking routine training
Oct. 1 at 2 p.m.
Dr. Paula Ospina, owner of Urgent Veterinary Care
Why is this topic important?
Milk quality is directly related to the milking routine, making it a critical subject for anyone involved in the dairy industry. Presenting this topic in Spanish is particularly valuable, as it allows native Spanish speakers to engage with and discuss one of the industry's most crucial subjects in their native language.
As the dairy industry continues to evolve, there is an increasing presence of native Spanish speakers in managerial and training roles. This demographic shift underscores the importance of prioritizing this topic. Addressing milk quality and milking standard operating procedures in Spanish ensures that these key individuals are fully equipped to implement and uphold best practices on their farms.
What do you hope attendees take away from this presentation?
The primary goal of this presentation is to expose attendees to the scientific principles underlying milk quality and effective milking practices. By doing so, we aim to provide them with actionable tools and techniques that they can implement on their farms to improve overall efficiency, animal welfare and product quality. By the end of the presentation, attendees will have gained valuable insights and practical knowledge, empowering them to drive improvements in milk quality and operational efficiency on their farms.
Leadership starts with us
Oct. 2 at 2 p.m.
Juan Quezada, director of training and development for Milk Source LLC
Why is this topic important?
I believe that this topic is not only important in the dairy industry, but it is also important in various types of work. Leadership starts with us, which means that everything we do daily, in our work and in our personal lives, has a significant influence on our everyday life.
What do you hope attendees take away from this presentation?
I wish for people to take home and to their workplace the importance of us being a role model for our co-workers, our friends and, most importantly, our families. Every day, without knowing it, we help or affect all the people around us. I want them to take away that it is our responsibility to be a good example to follow.
Multigenerational effects of heat stress in dairy cows
Oct. 3 at 2 p.m.
Jimena Laporta Sanchis, associate professor of lactation physiology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison
Why is this topic important?
Heat stress is a major challenge for dairy farms, especially in warm climates where many Spanish-speaking producers and workers live and work. Understanding how heat stress affects not only the individual cow but also future generations will help us make better management decisions today. Sharing these science-based research findings in Spanish ensures that this critical information is accessible and actionable for the people who are on the front lines of dairy care every day.
What do you hope attendees take away from this presentation?
I hope attendees leave with a clearer understanding that the impact of heat stress goes beyond immediate losses in milk production during the warm summer months, as it can have lasting effects on the cow’s daughters and even granddaughters. By recognizing these multigenerational consequences, we can prioritize strategies – like cooling and nutrition – to protect animal welfare, health, productivity and the long-term success of the farm.
Presentation topics and times were accurate as of the time of print.
