The image of a sleek, perfectly fitted Holstein parading around the colored shavings at World Dairy Expo often conjures thoughts of purebred passion and genetic art: something that doesn’t always seem to fit with the daily grind of commercial milk production. Yet farms like GenoSource and Woldt Farms are among a growing number of forward-thinking operations proving this dichotomy false.
These are the “bread and butter” dairies. They’re living proof that beauty and business, elite genetics and robust milk checks, can and do thrive hand-in-hand – and they’re leveraging World Dairy Expo to help do it.
Woldt Farms Proves Commercial Cows Can Shine in the Showring
Located in Brillion, Wisconsin, Woldt Farms covers 4,000 acres and is home to 1,750 milking cows and 1,000 heifers. While their showring experience has stayed local to Calumet County, the value of a show-worthy animal is not lost on the farm’s managers.
“We’re looking for the cow that’s going to last a long time on the commercial side while also being able to take those same animals into a showring and showcase our heifer growing side of the operation,” says Jeff Evenson, Dairy Manager. “We try to get those genetics as heifers to carry over and make them into a good, sound show cow, but also still being profitable on the commercial side.”
Woldt Farms has never exhibited cattle at World Dairy Expo, but they’ve made use of several other opportunities to expand their network and showcase their forages, genetics and management practices in Madison. In 2024, they hosted a Virtual Farm Tour, and in 2025, they took home grand champion honors for their mixed haylage in the World Forage Analysis Superbowl.
Even in walking the barns, Evenson says the cattle remind him more of those he’d find on a commercial operation. “There aren’t a lot of small farms anymore – you get a farm of our size or even bigger, and it’s hard to take these five animals out into their own separate area and give them all the attention in the world. At the end of the day, you still have to be profitable.”
Paying careful attention to genetics – not unlike the way a show herd would – helps Woldt Farms remain profitable. “We’re always looking to increase our components through genetics, while keeping square udders, good feet and legs and a good moderate size type. We don’t want the mammoth, really big cows, just because of our facility,” Evenson says.
Evenson has also noticed common themes throughout the trade show and with others he meets in Madison. “Seeing all the new technology that keeps evolving year to year to help dairy farmers become more profitable and efficient,” he says. “And some of the cover crop things to be better stewards of the land and leave it in better shape than what we found it in.”
GenoSource: Turning Elite Genetics into Dairy Business Results
GenoSource exists as a partnership between eight individuals from the Simon, Rauen and Demmer families, along with Pat Carroll in Blairstown, Iowa. The dairy was founded on the idea that genetic advancement is what will help develop the ideal cow, leading to a more sustainable and lucrative future.
With a milking herd of 4,500 cows, they’re continually growing their genetic base to both achieve their own operational goals and to provide other dairymen with modern genetics. They believe that with today’s genetics, showring success and strong milk checks can be one and the same.
“When you watch a class at World Dairy Expo today, you’re seeing where the breed is headed,” says Kyle Demmer, COO of GenoSource. “The balance, udder quality and structural correctness don’t happen by accident. They’re the result of years of intentional breeding, and they define what the modern Holstein should be. At GenoSource, we’re not chasing trends — we’re working to set them. The next generation of elite cattle needs to blend high-end type with real production power. She should look the part, work in the barn, transmit at the highest level and most importantly, move the breed forward.”
Since its inception in 2014, GenoSource has taken full advantage of the marketing and networking opportunities that come with World Dairy Expo. According to GenoSource CEO Tim Rauen, all of the families grew up showing dairy and now have kids interested in it, so it was easy to agree on moving into that sector of the industry.
“Since making that decision, GenoSource has produced four class winners at World Dairy Expo and earned 25 All-American nominations on animals we have bred or owned, resulting in 11 All-American honors and two All-Canadian honors,” Rauen says. “In 2025, we were also awarded Premier Breeder of the Heifer Show for the International Holstein Show.”
Beyond the visibility that comes with showring success, GenoSource also offers tours surrounding World Dairy Expo, as well as a unique visitor area in their show string, and different sales, interviews and business meetings throughout the week of the show.
“Having a string at World Dairy Expo is something we are very proud of,” Demmer adds. “Many around the globe know of us because of our bulls and high genomic animals, but to also show we can deliver results on the other end of the spectrum is something we are really fulfilled by. We pay close attention to the little details to make the week of Expo a success, from the tour to the animals and the show, and it’s something we look forward to every year.”
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