The saying, “All roads lead to Rome,” was a literal reflection of the network of roads built by the Roman Empire, all branching out from the capitol city. The phrase has evolved to more of a metaphorical usage today, meaning there are many ways to achieve the same goal.
In some ways, both meanings ring true when you consider the roads leading to Madison: specifically, to World Dairy Expo. The dairy industry has built many pathways for producers, breeders, exhibitors, professionals and enthusiasts of all ages to come together around their common interest in dairy cattle.
The stories of Allison Cressy, Heather Slaton, Gertie van den Goor and David Fernandez showcase the many ways in which this single event can provide opportunities for learning, growth, networking and enjoyment, no matter your age, role in the industry or where you come from.
Top Honeymoon Destination
Allison Cressy is the herd manager for a 500-cow dairy in Fultonville, N.Y., where she also met her husband. After they got married, World Dairy Expo made their list of possible honeymoon destination options.
“He wasn’t really on board with it completely,” Cressy recalls. “But once we got there, he was like a kid in a candy shop going through the trade center. I think he brought home more literature than I did. For someone who had thought he didn’t want to go because cows are more my thing than his, he really enjoyed himself.”
For Cressy, the experience was a dream come true, not only because she was sharing it with her new husband, but also because it’s something she has wanted to do for years.
“I was in awe. There are so many things,” she says. “I’m not used to seeing the fancy, pretty, high-type cows. I have shown a little bit, and I think it’s fun to show, but being a spectator, I used to think was a little boring. But the more I watched it, I really enjoyed it. My husband and I made a game and tried to place the cows as close to the judge’s placings as we could.”
The Cressys made their way home via Niagara Falls with only one regret: They didn’t try the grilled cheese.
Valuable for Dairy Lovers at All Levels
Heather Slaton says she, her husband and their triplets aren’t your typical dairy family.
“My husband and I grew up on Texas farms, but we had beef cows that weren’t really anything special,” she says.
But the Slatons found themselves the proud owners of three registered Jerseys after their 4-H club formed a dairy judging team. The 13-year-old triplets took an interest in judging.
“They went absolutely wild over the idea of dairy and learned so much. They said, ‘We can’t just judge these things, we’ve got to know all about them,’” Slaton says. “The more we read about World Dairy Expo, the more we were convinced we just had to get our kids and family there.”
She says the thing that surprised her the most was everyone was so incredibly welcoming.
“They didn’t care if you didn’t have a huge operation,” she says. “They still wanted to educate you on what they did have and in ways that you might get to work on your scale back home, which we appreciate as small producers.”
The Slatons have taken their experience as inspiration to grow the interest in dairy in Texas.
“At our county show, we set up an Expo-style booth where we’re giving out dairy prizes and things like that,” Slaton says.
Large Group Not Required
Together with her husband and business partners, Gertie van den Goor is part of an operation comprised of two dairies and a heifer facility in the thumb of Michigan. Van den Goor moved from the Netherlands to Michigan with her family about 25 years ago.
She went to World Dairy Expo in 2024 on an invitation from the Dairy Girl Network to be a panelist. Though she traveled to Madison by herself, she didn’t feel alone.
“Everyone was friendly, outgoing and there to have a good time,” she says. “The most valuable experience was the feeling of being part of something bigger. Dairy creates a connection with complete strangers. People sitting next to you would ask you where you came from while eating a grilled cheese. Strangers would offer you their extra free ice cream coupon while waiting in line.”
The feeling of camaraderie was even more evident through the Dairy Girl Network event. “Women of all ages and backgrounds came together and shared the same passion, the same struggles and the same voice,” Van den Goor says. “I’m not into showing
cattle, but I loved watching some of the shows, listening to people around me and hearing all the different languages.
Family Learning Experience
David Fernandez is a farm manager for a 450-cow dairy in the North Atlantic area of Costa Rica. The farm is in the humid tropics, with annual relative humidity over 80%, raising Girolando cattle.
Fernandez had been to World Dairy Expo once before, in 2014. At the time, his children, Tomás and Isabella, were only 5 and 2 years old.
“For 2024, I wanted to return with my children,” Fernandez says. “The idea is to promote and encourage them to continue in the dairy business as it is, but with a broader overview of technology, automation, dairy farm types and the different breeds.”
For both Fernandez and the kids, World Dairy Expo delivered what they were looking for.
“The children enjoyed themselves, learned and had a great experience at the show,” Fernandez says. “It’s important to sow a seed of interest in the industry and give continuity to the dairy business.”
The family was impressed by both the automation and technology as well as the cattle at the show. “One of the biggest impressions for me was the exhibition of the different breeds, how they are prepared and take care of every detail to take the cows to the arena and highlight their best qualities,” he says.
