Who said a farm expo can’t be fun?
The countdown is on until the Canadian Dairy XPO show takes over the Stratford Rotary Complex and this year the show is bringing virtual reality.
Exhibitors from close to 40 countries will be in Stratford on April 5 and 6 to share their products and ideas with dairy producers.
“The idea is to bring international innovation to Canadian dairy farmers to make them more efficient and competitive,” said Jordan Underhill, founder and general manager of the Canadian Dairy XPO.
But this year it will go one step further. Not only can attendees hear about dairy developments overseas, but they’ll also have the chance to transport to barns around the world.
“There’s 360 virtual farm tours that are going on. You put a headset on and you’re teleported to a dairy farm in another country and continent,” Underhill said.
“All of a sudden you’re in somebody else’s barn, you don’t have to worry about biosecurity because you’re not actually standing there. You can walk around the barn and see all the different features and everything is moving. Cows are being milked. It’s pretty fascinating technology.”
The Canadian Dairy XPO brings thousands to Perth County.
Last year the show drew close to 15,000 guests, the vast majority of them dairy producers. It makes sense for the county that boasts the largest concentration of dairy producers in Canada – but attendees come from across the country to take in the show.
It’s one reason that Underhill and company moved the show from a winter date to early April, to make travel easier for guests from out of the province.
This year buses will also be running between the National Holstein Convention in Markham and the Spring Discovery Show in Ancaster, both of which are also running in the first week of April. It’s a full week of dairy.
Stratford is the perfect place for the CDX, not just because of the plethora of dairy farmers in Perth County, but because of its location outside major urban centres, Underhill said.
“It’s easy to get to. Farmers are busy, they need to get in and get out. You don’t get the (traffic) backlogs that a major city would have,” he said. “It’s the right spot, and we proved that we’re here to stay with the investment in the building and pedestrian bridge.”
Last year the XPO built a new 5,000 square foot (465 square metre) cow coliseum and walkway to connect it to parking area.
Though the show appeals mainly to dairy producers, Underhill also encouraged community members to come out to the Cheesefest event, which features live entertainment and lots of Canadian dairy products to try for free. That takes place on the first night of the show.
“The idea is to make the three-way connection between producers, industry, and consumers. Last year…farmers really enjoyed the questions they got, and the fact that consumers are interested in where their food comes from,” Underhill said.
“It was a nice connection point.”
mstacey@postmedia.com
IF YOU GO
Canadian Dairy XPO
April 5 and 6
Stratford Rotary Complex
Admission $25
Source: Stratford Beacon Herald
