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Division
of Investment and Export
PO Box 7970
Madison, WI 53707-7970
USA
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Vol.
8 #2, November 2008
Return of Canadians to the World Dairy Expo
Dairy industry leaders from over 80 countries assembled in Madison,
September 30 to October 4, for the 2008 World Dairy Expo. The
largest number of non-U.S. attendees came from Canada. Nearly
500 farmers, breeders, and dairy experts traveled to Wisconsin from
across Canada. Other countries sending large numbers of
attendees included Mexico (256), the Netherlands (190), the United
Kingdom (143), and Germany (141).
The return of Canadian exhibitors offset the slight decline in
international attendees from the 2007 numbers. For the first
time in five years, Canadian cattle were in the judging ring at World
Dairy Expo and their presence did not go unnoticed. A
Holstein exhibited by Pierre Boulet of Quebec was named Supreme
Champion of the show. The World Classic ’08
Holstein Sale celebrated its 20th anniversary at the Expo.
Lot number one, consigned by Comestar Holsteins of Victoriaville,
Quebec, commanded a top price of $97,000. The sale averaged
$25,213 on 45 lots, with buyers from 16 states, Germany, Sweden, and
the Netherlands.
While the international boundary between Canada and the United States
is considered the longest undefended border in the world, crossing with
cattle is not easy. The border was closed for cattle from May
2003 until November 2007, due to concerns about the spread of bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease). Health documents
indicating that each animal is free from any evidence of communicable
disease and complies with other restrictions are currently required
when Canadian cattle enter the United States. All animals
crossing the border into the United States from Canada must be
identified with an official Canadian eartag and a permanent CAN tattoo,
freezebrand, or other humanely-applied mark.
Staff from the Wisconsin International Trade Team helped Wisconsin
companies connect with some of the international attendees by
coordinating the international registration during the five-day event
and arranging schedules for numerous high-level delegations, including
one from Wisconsin's sister-state of Hessen. The Trade Team
from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer
Protection also hosted a delegation of top feed importers from China
and arranged one-on-one meetings with Wisconsin suppliers for the group.
Plans are underway for the 2009 World Dairy Expo, which will be held
September 29-October 3. Companies interested in learning how
they can connect with international buyers during next year’s
event or other export sales opportunities can contact the Wisconsin
International Trade Team, international@wisconsin.gov, at (800)462-5237.
--Jen Pino-Gallagher, DATCP Economic Development Consultant
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