STRATFORD – Over the last seven years, the Canadian Dairy XPO has seen a continual increase in the number of international companies and dairy industry leaders in attendance.
This year is no exception, with producers from approximately 40 different countries expected to be represented on April 3 and 4.
Among them, an increasing number of American producers are turning out to see how their Canadian counterparts improve efficiencies.
“We have seen a gradual incline in U.S. producers coming to the show,” confirmed general manager Jordon Underhill.
While he said the Canadian dairy farms continue to grow in size, American dairy farmers still face over-supply, driving the price down on their products.
“Canadian dairymen have a lot of friends across the border that are really suffering right now, but at the end of the day they have kind of cannibalized themselves in that they are just oversupplying the market,” Underhill said.
He added that from his observations, U.S. dairymen are envious of the system that Canada has in place and the sustainability of it in terms of having multiple generations run the farm.
“We’ve seen a gradual increase in what’s happening here in Canada and they are coming to learn about the industry at the Canadian Dairy XPO,” he said.
Youth engagement
Underhill also said he is encouraged by the number of youth who attend the XPO and what that means for the future of the Canadian dairy industry.
“If you look at the attendance of just over 16,000, 50 per cent are under the age of 35 and for me that is very encouraging,” Underhill said.
The element of the show Underhill enjoys most is seeing young dairymen and dairywomen becoming better communicators and not being afraid to reach out to the media to explain developments in the industry.
With shows like the XPO giving producers the chance to share and discover innovations, it invites the best and brightest.
“I think there has been this change over in that we are now keeping the best and brightest on the dairy farm,” he said.
“(It’s) because there are things like robotics which they are interested in and it gives them some flexibility from a lifestyle standpoint.”
If national focus stays on what is new and how processes can be improved, Underhill said it can only mean good things for the country’s industry.
“I think over the next 50 and 100 years if we can continue to keep our best and brightest on the dairy farm it’s going to be extremely positive.”
