WEBVTT 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:15.060 Breaking free from the chains of the past Where 00:00:15.060 --> 00:00:18.820 truth moves faster than a Holstein calf No law 00:00:18.820 --> 00:00:21.660 waiting on some printed page We're charting new 00:00:21.660 --> 00:00:25.300 ground in the digital age From genomic codes 00:00:25.300 --> 00:00:29.120 to robot facts We cut through the noise, no hold 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:32.460 them back not your daddy's dairy news tonight 00:00:32.460 --> 00:01:02.590 we're sparking Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast, 00:01:03.009 --> 00:01:05.709 where passionate dairy professionals gather to 00:01:05.709 --> 00:01:08.129 share bold insights and transformative stories 00:01:08.129 --> 00:01:11.950 shaping our industry. Today, we're exploring 00:01:11.950 --> 00:01:14.709 what the booming stock show world teaches us 00:01:14.709 --> 00:01:17.629 about reigniting passion and participation in 00:01:17.629 --> 00:01:20.530 dairy cattle shows. Stick around for fresh ideas, 00:01:20.810 --> 00:01:23.569 practical tips, and conversations that matter 00:01:23.569 --> 00:01:25.829 to our community. Welcome back to the Bullvine 00:01:25.829 --> 00:01:28.370 Podcast, the show that digs deep into the topics 00:01:28.370 --> 00:01:30.269 that matter to dairy producers. That's right. 00:01:30.519 --> 00:01:33.859 Today, we're digging into a really interesting 00:01:33.859 --> 00:01:36.680 feature article from The Bullvine. It's got a 00:01:36.680 --> 00:01:38.819 lot of people talking. It really has. And it 00:01:38.819 --> 00:01:41.140 raises some, you know, important questions about 00:01:41.140 --> 00:01:43.140 the future of dairy shows. Yeah. Especially when 00:01:43.140 --> 00:01:45.040 you put them side by side with how successful 00:01:45.040 --> 00:01:47.939 other livestock events seem to be right now. 00:01:48.060 --> 00:01:50.340 Yeah. We're going to break down why that contrast 00:01:50.340 --> 00:01:53.159 exists and maybe more importantly, what we can 00:01:53.159 --> 00:01:56.400 actually do about it. Pretty stark picture the 00:01:56.400 --> 00:01:58.500 article paints, isn't it? It talks about this 00:01:58.500 --> 00:02:01.620 almost undeniable feeling that something's missing 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:04.040 at dairy shows lately. Yeah, a lack of energy. 00:02:04.200 --> 00:02:07.739 Less energy, fewer vendors, and those grandstands. 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:10.280 Well, they often have quite a few empty seats. 00:02:10.520 --> 00:02:13.400 And that's just such a sharp contrast to what 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:16.180 you see at the big beef or swine or sheep shows. 00:02:16.360 --> 00:02:19.219 Those places are absolutely packed. Packed with 00:02:19.219 --> 00:02:21.889 families buzzing with excitement. It's a whole 00:02:21.889 --> 00:02:23.889 different vibe. Totally different. But it's not 00:02:23.889 --> 00:02:27.129 just a feeling, is it? Yeah. The numbers, they 00:02:27.129 --> 00:02:29.750 really tell the story here. These major stock 00:02:29.750 --> 00:02:32.150 shows, they've become way more than just competitions. 00:02:32.330 --> 00:02:35.090 They're like legitimate cultural events. Right. 00:02:35.169 --> 00:02:37.550 I mean, get this. The Houston Livestock Show 00:02:37.550 --> 00:02:40.990 and Rodeo. In 2022, they pulled in something 00:02:40.990 --> 00:02:45.439 like $190 million in revenue. Wow. And last year, 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:49.060 over 2 .5 million people attended. 2 .5 million? 00:02:49.340 --> 00:02:51.020 Yeah. And then you've got the National Western 00:02:51.020 --> 00:02:54.800 Stock Show generating $171 million in economic 00:02:54.800 --> 00:02:57.780 activity just last year. Incredible. Or San Antonio 00:02:57.780 --> 00:03:01.500 Stock Show and Rodeo, over $288 million economic 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:04.599 impact. And they put $12 million that straight 00:03:04.599 --> 00:03:07.520 into youth education. That's massive. Those figures 00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:09.680 are just well, they're staggering. And it really 00:03:09.680 --> 00:03:11.639 makes you stop and think, OK, why should a dairy 00:03:11.639 --> 00:03:13.379 farmer listening right now care about these huge 00:03:13.379 --> 00:03:16.500 numbers from, you know, a rodeo? Exactly. But 00:03:16.500 --> 00:03:18.280 beyond the surface, it's really about looking 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:20.599 at a sector that's clearly growing. It's thriving 00:03:20.599 --> 00:03:23.139 versus one that, let's be honest, seems to be 00:03:23.139 --> 00:03:27.419 shrinking. And when things shrink, you risk losing 00:03:27.419 --> 00:03:29.860 that vital community connection, that energy, 00:03:29.979 --> 00:03:32.479 that vibrancy the shows used to have. And well, 00:03:32.599 --> 00:03:35.139 if we connect this to the bigger picture, it 00:03:35.139 --> 00:03:38.379 ties right into that. That hard truth the article 00:03:38.379 --> 00:03:40.699 mentions about declining dairy participation 00:03:40.699 --> 00:03:43.580 overall. Yeah, the farm numbers. Right. USDA 00:03:43.580 --> 00:03:46.780 data shows we lost, what, over 5 ,000 U .S. dairy 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:50.280 farms between 2020 and 2023. That's nearly 16%. 00:03:50.280 --> 00:03:53.280 It's a huge drop. And in dairy states like Wisconsin, 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:55.639 that trend is just relentless. You hear about 00:03:55.639 --> 00:03:58.259 hundreds of multigenerational farms closing down 00:03:58.259 --> 00:04:00.639 every year. That directly impacts who's left, 00:04:00.699 --> 00:04:02.629 who's still showing. That farm consolidation 00:04:02.629 --> 00:04:05.550 point is so powerful, too. You know, when operations 00:04:05.550 --> 00:04:07.530 get bigger and bigger, totally focused on efficiency, 00:04:07.810 --> 00:04:10.930 maybe component pricing, robotic milking. Does 00:04:10.930 --> 00:04:13.849 showing cattle just become like a luxury they 00:04:13.849 --> 00:04:16.389 can't really justify anymore? What's the hidden 00:04:16.389 --> 00:04:18.769 cost, do you think, if these bigger progressive 00:04:18.769 --> 00:04:21.370 operations step away from the show ring? That 00:04:21.370 --> 00:04:23.209 really raises an important question, doesn't 00:04:23.209 --> 00:04:25.209 it? Because even the premier events, you know, 00:04:25.250 --> 00:04:27.949 like World Dairy Expo, they're feeling it. We've 00:04:27.949 --> 00:04:30.259 seen commercial exhibitor numbers there. dropped 00:04:30.259 --> 00:04:34.019 pretty significantly from 884 companies back 00:04:34.019 --> 00:04:38.379 in 2017 down to 551 this year. Wow, that's almost 00:04:38.379 --> 00:04:41.480 40%. Nearly 38%, yeah. Yeah. And it's not just 00:04:41.480 --> 00:04:44.100 the shrinking number of farms. Preparing and 00:04:44.100 --> 00:04:46.660 showing dairy cattle takes a massive amount of 00:04:46.660 --> 00:04:50.720 time, expertise, resources. For sure. Plus... 00:04:50.949 --> 00:04:53.009 Let's not forget the added complications we've 00:04:53.009 --> 00:04:55.389 been dealing with lately. Things like HPAI, the 00:04:55.389 --> 00:04:57.629 avian influenza. Yeah, that's a big one. It has 00:04:57.629 --> 00:05:00.350 whole layers of testing protocols, movement requirements. 00:05:00.730 --> 00:05:02.829 Exhibitors in at least 16 states are dealing 00:05:02.829 --> 00:05:05.269 with that now. It's just another hurdle, another 00:05:05.269 --> 00:05:07.290 reason maybe not to participate. So putting it 00:05:07.290 --> 00:05:09.790 all together, if you are still actively showing 00:05:09.790 --> 00:05:12.790 cattle, you're basically competing in a shrinking 00:05:12.790 --> 00:05:16.069 arena, both literally in terms of fewer people. 00:05:16.490 --> 00:05:18.649 And maybe figuratively, too. Yeah, I think so. 00:05:18.730 --> 00:05:20.730 Fewer participants could mean less competitive 00:05:20.730 --> 00:05:22.790 diversity. Maybe the prestige of winning isn't 00:05:22.790 --> 00:05:24.649 quite what it was. And ultimately, maybe less 00:05:24.649 --> 00:05:28.189 value for your marketing efforts. Exactly. You 00:05:28.189 --> 00:05:30.670 have to wonder, those beautiful photos of your 00:05:30.670 --> 00:05:34.110 EX96 champion cow, do they carry the same weight 00:05:34.110 --> 00:05:37.050 when there are fewer eyes seeing them? Fewer 00:05:37.050 --> 00:05:40.870 potential buyers for those genetics. It's a sobering 00:05:40.870 --> 00:05:43.129 thought. Okay, so we've laid out the challenges 00:05:43.129 --> 00:05:46.089 facing dairy shows. It's a pretty stark picture, 00:05:46.129 --> 00:05:48.910 as we said. But let's shift gears. What about 00:05:48.910 --> 00:05:51.490 those thriving stock events, the ones packing 00:05:51.490 --> 00:05:54.149 the stands? What exactly are they doing differently 00:05:54.149 --> 00:05:56.389 that maybe dairy shows could learn from? Well, 00:05:56.410 --> 00:05:58.230 this is where it gets really interesting. What 00:05:58.230 --> 00:05:59.990 the article highlights is that these successful 00:05:59.990 --> 00:06:03.069 stock shows, they've really evolved beyond just 00:06:03.069 --> 00:06:06.009 technical judging. They've managed to create 00:06:06.009 --> 00:06:09.439 a much, much broader appeal. The key insight 00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:11.500 seems to be that they aren't just events for 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:13.600 the insiders anymore. They're becoming community 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:17.300 magnets. Okay. How so? Well, they weave together 00:06:17.300 --> 00:06:19.339 the livestock competition with things like big 00:06:19.339 --> 00:06:21.100 -name entertainment, interactive educational 00:06:21.100 --> 00:06:23.540 exhibits. They build these deep connections with 00:06:23.540 --> 00:06:26.439 urban and suburban folks. They bridge that farm 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:28.860 -to -city gap really effectively. Like that Houston 00:06:28.860 --> 00:06:31.399 rodeo example again. Exactly. It's a carnival, 00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:33.920 it's a concert series, and it's a livestock show. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:36.680 all rolled into one massive experience. That 00:06:36.680 --> 00:06:38.279 makes sense. And then there's the youth development 00:06:38.279 --> 00:06:41.920 aspect. The article really emphasizes these jackpot 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:43.800 circuits. Oh, yeah. They're a game changer for 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:46.800 the stock show world. These are, you know, frequent, 00:06:46.939 --> 00:06:50.500 they're accessible, lower stakes events. Perfect 00:06:50.500 --> 00:06:53.019 places for young exhibitors to just get in there, 00:06:53.079 --> 00:06:55.720 get experience, get feedback, learn. And we do 00:06:55.720 --> 00:06:58.279 have strong youth programs in Derry, like Derry 00:06:58.279 --> 00:07:00.100 Bowl, Derry Challenge. We do. They're excellent 00:07:00.100 --> 00:07:03.120 programs. Yeah. Maybe not quite that same accessible, 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:06.120 frequent jackpot model. The article contrasts 00:07:06.120 --> 00:07:08.120 it a bit. Right. But the potential is there. 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:10.839 Look at 4 -H Canada, for example. They had over 00:07:10.839 --> 00:07:14.439 17 ,000 members involved in like 45 ,000 projects 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:18.420 in 2022. Ontario saw 30 % growth that year. Wow. 00:07:18.660 --> 00:07:21.100 So. The youth interest definitely exists if we 00:07:21.100 --> 00:07:22.839 give them the right opportunities. Good point. 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:25.360 And the final piece is transforming the events 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:28.500 themselves into these comprehensive entertainment 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:31.540 destinations. Too many dairy shows, the article 00:07:31.540 --> 00:07:36.279 argues, kind of remain insider events. Very focused 00:07:36.279 --> 00:07:38.980 on the judging, the type classification. Exactly. 00:07:39.339 --> 00:07:41.439 Technically excellent, maybe for the purebred 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:44.660 enthusiast, but they often lack that magnetic 00:07:44.660 --> 00:07:47.870 pull for the wider community. The whole experience 00:07:47.870 --> 00:07:50.209 needs to be a draw, not just the competition 00:07:50.209 --> 00:07:52.290 itself. Okay, this is where it gets really interesting 00:07:52.290 --> 00:07:54.970 then. How do we make that shift? How do we go 00:07:54.970 --> 00:07:58.529 from being primarily an insider event to becoming 00:07:58.529 --> 00:08:01.649 more like that cultural phenomenon we see with 00:08:01.649 --> 00:08:03.610 some stock shows? Yeah, that's the million dollar 00:08:03.610 --> 00:08:06.250 question, isn't it? It's really about, I think, 00:08:06.329 --> 00:08:10.189 expanding the tent. making it welcoming and engaging 00:08:10.189 --> 00:08:12.430 for a much wider audience, both people already 00:08:12.430 --> 00:08:14.589 in agriculture and those outside it. Okay, so 00:08:14.589 --> 00:08:16.230 the article doesn't just point out the problems, 00:08:16.290 --> 00:08:18.470 thankfully. It lays out a pretty comprehensive 00:08:18.470 --> 00:08:21.089 action plan, calls it a blueprint for a dairy 00:08:21.089 --> 00:08:24.470 show revolution. Pretty bold. It is bold. So 00:08:24.470 --> 00:08:26.189 let's unpack these. Where does this blueprint 00:08:26.189 --> 00:08:28.629 say we should start? What are the first moves? 00:08:29.110 --> 00:08:31.629 Well, it's really about adopting strategies that 00:08:31.629 --> 00:08:33.870 are proven to work elsewhere. And a huge piece 00:08:33.870 --> 00:08:36.450 of that is reimagining how we engage young people. 00:08:36.570 --> 00:08:39.820 Okay, youth engagement. Yeah. We need more accessible 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:42.919 entry points. That jackpot show model that's 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:47.440 so effective in beef, sheep, goats. We need dairy 00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:49.480 -specific circuits like that. More frequent, 00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:52.440 more affordable, maybe. Exactly. Regular, affordable 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:55.440 practice. Lower stakes so kids can focus on learning 00:08:55.440 --> 00:08:57.879 and skill development. Consistent feedback from 00:08:57.879 --> 00:09:00.700 different judges. And making them geographically 00:09:00.700 --> 00:09:02.740 accessible so more kids can actually get to them. 00:09:03.049 --> 00:09:05.330 And it's not just about the showing itself, right? 00:09:05.429 --> 00:09:07.590 The Blueprint talks about diversifying the youth 00:09:07.590 --> 00:09:10.470 programming too. Absolutely. Beyond just showmanship, 00:09:10.690 --> 00:09:14.149 think about skill building stuff, like Skillathon's 00:09:14.149 --> 00:09:16.570 comprehensive contests, testing their knowledge 00:09:16.570 --> 00:09:19.330 of dairy husbandry, or marketing and communication 00:09:19.330 --> 00:09:21.610 contests, teaching them how to promote dairy 00:09:21.610 --> 00:09:23.870 genetics. That sounds great. And maybe structured 00:09:23.870 --> 00:09:27.049 mentorship programs, pairing experienced exhibitors 00:09:27.049 --> 00:09:29.509 with newcomers. That could foster skills and 00:09:29.509 --> 00:09:31.070 that crucial sense of community. That makes a 00:09:31.070 --> 00:09:33.490 lot of sense. But what about the cost? Showing 00:09:33.490 --> 00:09:36.210 animals isn't cheap. That's critical. The blueprint 00:09:36.210 --> 00:09:38.690 stresses breaking down financial barriers. We 00:09:38.690 --> 00:09:41.070 need creative solutions here. Things like robust 00:09:41.070 --> 00:09:43.309 animal leasing programs, maybe connecting farms 00:09:43.309 --> 00:09:45.669 with kids who don't have animals. Okay. Project 00:09:45.669 --> 00:09:47.769 scholarships that go beyond just prize money. 00:09:48.009 --> 00:09:50.509 Maybe community -sponsored animals for youth 00:09:50.509 --> 00:09:53.309 who aren't from farm backgrounds. Grant programs 00:09:53.309 --> 00:09:55.570 to help new families cover some of those startup 00:09:55.570 --> 00:09:58.870 costs. The cost of entry is just a massive hurdle 00:09:58.870 --> 00:10:02.360 for so many. Definitely. Okay, so... Reimagining 00:10:02.360 --> 00:10:05.320 youth engagement is step one. What's next in 00:10:05.320 --> 00:10:08.019 the blueprint? Modernizing the show formats. 00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:11.320 Yeah, exactly. Shaking things up a bit. Introducing 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:14.539 new and, frankly, more engaging classes. Like 00:10:14.539 --> 00:10:17.039 what? Well, the article suggests things like 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:19.919 People's Choice Awards. Let the audience vote 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:21.759 for their favorites. That gets them involved. 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:24.200 I like that. Maybe functional -type classes that 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:27.049 focus more on... modern production traits, longevity, 00:10:27.350 --> 00:10:29.470 things like that. And definitely some youth -focused 00:10:29.470 --> 00:10:32.190 fun classes, costume contests, things that add 00:10:32.190 --> 00:10:34.049 a bit of lightheartedness. It changes the dynamic. 00:10:34.090 --> 00:10:36.570 It does. And what about how the show itself is 00:10:36.570 --> 00:10:38.799 presented? Big improvements needed there too, 00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:41.519 potentially. We need professional educational 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:44.460 announcing. Someone who can explain the judging 00:10:44.460 --> 00:10:47.120 criteria in plain language that a newcomer can 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:49.360 understand. Don't just jargon. Exactly. Clear 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:51.860 visuals like large screens showing close -ups 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:54.899 or graphics. And streamlined scheduling to keep 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:57.379 the audience engaged, keep things moving. It 00:10:57.379 --> 00:11:00.559 has to be clear to a casual observer what's going 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:03.360 on and why it matters. You mentioned the PDCA 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:05.580 updates earlier. Yeah, the Purebred Dairy Cattle 00:11:05.580 --> 00:11:07.840 Association show ring code of ethics updates 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:12.519 effective March 1st, 2025. That shows there's 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:14.980 a willingness within the industry to adapt and 00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:17.179 address things. Right. And we need to extend 00:11:17.179 --> 00:11:18.960 that kind of innovative thinking to the entire 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:21.799 show experience, not just the rulebook. I also 00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:23.980 really like the idea in the article about integrating 00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:26.740 agritainment. That's a great term. Isn't it? 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:28.600 It's about adding these complementary tractions 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:30.580 that just make the whole experience better for 00:11:30.580 --> 00:11:33.419 everyone. So things beyond just watching cows 00:11:33.419 --> 00:11:36.700 walk in a circle. Exactly. Imagine dairy product 00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:40.659 tastings. Maybe cooking demos using local dairy. 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:43.720 Interactive educational exhibits about modern, 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:47.360 sustainable dairy farming. Family -friendly activities. 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:50.340 Things that connect visitors to dairy agriculture 00:11:50.340 --> 00:11:53.080 in a fun, hands -on way. That really shifts the 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:55.539 focus, doesn't it, from just competition to a 00:11:55.539 --> 00:11:57.820 whole interactive experience? It absolutely does. 00:11:58.039 --> 00:12:00.600 And a third key part of the blueprint is really 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:03.200 leaning into technology to widen the reach. Okay, 00:12:03.299 --> 00:12:05.960 digital engagement. Yep. High -quality live streaming 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:08.500 is almost a must now, ideally with professional 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:10.539 commentary like we talked about. Show specific 00:12:10.539 --> 00:12:12.840 apps for schedules, entries, results, making 00:12:12.840 --> 00:12:15.769 life easier for exhibitors and attendees. And 00:12:15.769 --> 00:12:17.870 social media, obviously. Consistent, engaging 00:12:17.870 --> 00:12:20.570 social media before, during, and after the event. 00:12:20.830 --> 00:12:23.149 Technology like showman .app is mentioned as 00:12:23.149 --> 00:12:24.950 an example of streamlining things like online 00:12:24.950 --> 00:12:27.169 entries and payments. That frees up volunteer 00:12:27.169 --> 00:12:29.769 time for more strategic stuff. And why is this 00:12:29.769 --> 00:12:32.570 tech piece so crucial? Well, think about it. 00:12:32.629 --> 00:12:34.549 Your digital audience, the people watching that 00:12:34.549 --> 00:12:37.070 live stream or engaging online, could potentially 00:12:37.070 --> 00:12:39.710 be many, many times larger than the crowd physically 00:12:39.710 --> 00:12:42.210 there. Good point. If you're not embracing technology, 00:12:42.669 --> 00:12:45.470 you're really limiting your reach. You're missing 00:12:45.470 --> 00:12:48.450 huge opportunities to showcase those great animals, 00:12:48.509 --> 00:12:51.929 that passion, to a global audience. Okay, strategy 00:12:51.929 --> 00:12:55.070 number four in the blueprint. Marketing. But 00:12:55.070 --> 00:12:57.429 marketing differently, right? Precisely. Marketing 00:12:57.429 --> 00:13:00.169 strategically to multiple audiences. We need 00:13:00.169 --> 00:13:02.330 to get better at telling the dairy story. What 00:13:02.330 --> 00:13:04.330 does that mean exactly? Focusing the marketing 00:13:04.330 --> 00:13:07.669 on the people behind the cows. The passion, the 00:13:07.669 --> 00:13:10.830 heritage, the exhibitor dedication, the family 00:13:10.830 --> 00:13:13.649 traditions. Highlighting how show ring excellence 00:13:13.649 --> 00:13:15.950 actually contributes to producing better milk, 00:13:16.070 --> 00:13:18.230 better food. It's not just about the animals. 00:13:18.389 --> 00:13:20.570 It's about the culture, the contribution. And 00:13:20.570 --> 00:13:23.110 tailoring the message. Yes. Targeting diverse 00:13:23.110 --> 00:13:25.789 audiences. Developing specific strategies for 00:13:25.789 --> 00:13:27.590 families and youth. Promoting through schools, 00:13:27.789 --> 00:13:30.570 4 -H, FFA. For the general public, framing shows 00:13:30.570 --> 00:13:33.269 as educational fun, agritourism destinations. 00:13:33.809 --> 00:13:36.460 And what about potential new exhibitors? Offering 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:38.580 introductory clinics, maybe learn to show days 00:13:38.580 --> 00:13:41.779 to lower the barrier to entry. Holstein USA data 00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:46.039 shows there's still interest. 463 different animals 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:48.940 placed top three across 11 national shows in 00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:52.259 2022. Right. And their 2024 convention drew over 00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:55.759 700 people. So the core interest is there, but 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:58.240 there's clearly a need and an opportunity for 00:13:58.240 --> 00:14:00.799 growth. Definitely. Okay, finally, the blueprint 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:03.320 talks about enhancing the actual experience for 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:05.240 exhibitors and spectators. What does that involve? 00:14:05.690 --> 00:14:07.950 It gets down to the basics sometimes. Facility 00:14:07.950 --> 00:14:10.529 comfort and accessibility. Is there adequate 00:14:10.529 --> 00:14:13.850 seating? Can people actually see? Good lighting, 00:14:13.990 --> 00:14:16.690 good audio, accessible restrooms and amenities, 00:14:16.990 --> 00:14:18.789 comfortable environments for the animals and 00:14:18.789 --> 00:14:20.509 the people. Makes sense. What else? Creating 00:14:20.509 --> 00:14:23.029 a welcoming atmosphere. Making events feel inviting, 00:14:23.250 --> 00:14:25.769 especially for newcomers. Providing clear explanations, 00:14:25.990 --> 00:14:28.149 celebrating participation just as much as winning, 00:14:28.269 --> 00:14:30.570 making people feel glad they came. And adding 00:14:30.570 --> 00:14:33.230 value beyond the show itself. Yeah, value -added 00:14:33.230 --> 00:14:36.090 activities. Things like trade shows running alongside 00:14:36.090 --> 00:14:38.990 the cattle show, educational workshops, maybe 00:14:38.990 --> 00:14:41.610 on genomic selection, nutrition, herd health, 00:14:41.750 --> 00:14:44.110 networking opportunities for industry folks, 00:14:44.250 --> 00:14:46.330 making it worth their time beyond just watching 00:14:46.330 --> 00:14:48.789 the classes. And as we innovate, as we try all 00:14:48.789 --> 00:14:50.669 these new things, the article brings up a really 00:14:50.669 --> 00:14:53.330 important point about ethics and integrity. Yes. 00:14:53.710 --> 00:14:56.750 Absolutely crucial. The recent PDCA updates to 00:14:56.750 --> 00:14:59.090 the show Ring Code of Essex, the ones starting 00:14:59.090 --> 00:15:02.950 March 1st, 2025, they really reflect a proactive 00:15:02.950 --> 00:15:05.830 effort there. How so? Well, they increased the 00:15:05.830 --> 00:15:08.690 allowable top -line hair length slightly. which 00:15:08.690 --> 00:15:11.730 was a point of discussion. But more significantly, 00:15:11.889 --> 00:15:14.429 they specifically address some of those controversial 00:15:14.429 --> 00:15:16.909 practices, things like artificial teat setting, 00:15:17.129 --> 00:15:19.909 overbagging udders, misrepresenting lactation 00:15:19.909 --> 00:15:22.529 status. So drawing some clearer lines. Exactly. 00:15:22.690 --> 00:15:25.049 It strikes that necessary balance, I think, between 00:15:25.049 --> 00:15:26.730 allowing for skilled fitting, but maintaining 00:15:26.730 --> 00:15:29.669 tradition, and most importantly, ethical conduct. 00:15:30.009 --> 00:15:33.049 The article is pretty blunt, suggesting the industry 00:15:33.049 --> 00:15:35.210 has sometimes maybe looked the other way on questionable 00:15:35.210 --> 00:15:37.750 practices for show ring success. But this shows, 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:41.399 We can modernize. We can evolve while upholding 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:44.620 ethical standards. That's vital for keeping public 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:47.139 trust in dairy shows and in the dairy industry 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:50.779 as a whole. Transparency and animal welfare have 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:53.340 to be front and center. OK, so after digging 00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:55.559 into all of that, the challenges, the opportunities, 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:59.679 the blueprint, what's the key takeaway? If you're 00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:02.220 a farmer listening today, what's the bottom line? 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:04.919 The bottom line is, I think. that the dairy show 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:06.840 world is really at a pivotal moment. It's like 00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:09.320 a crossroads, similar to when farms had to decide 00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:11.620 about investing in robots or not. Staying the 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:14.360 same, the status quo, it just doesn't seem sustainable 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:17.120 anymore. So action is needed. Action is needed. 00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:19.379 You really need to reimagine how we engage young 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:21.929 people. Think about those accessible pathways, 00:16:22.230 --> 00:16:25.529 jackpot shows, skillathons, finding ways to lower 00:16:25.529 --> 00:16:27.730 those financial barriers. And modernizing the 00:16:27.730 --> 00:16:29.850 events themselves, making them more engaging 00:16:29.850 --> 00:16:32.210 with new classes, adding that agretainment factor, 00:16:32.529 --> 00:16:34.629 ensuring the commentary connects with everyone, 00:16:34.730 --> 00:16:37.529 not just the experts. Absolutely. And leveraging 00:16:37.529 --> 00:16:40.750 technology apps, social media, high quality live 00:16:40.750 --> 00:16:43.549 streaming that's non -negotiable now if you want 00:16:43.549 --> 00:16:45.409 to broaden your reach beyond the people physically 00:16:45.409 --> 00:16:48.210 present. Showcasing your animals and your passion 00:16:48.210 --> 00:16:50.590 globally. And marketing needs to be strategic, 00:16:50.690 --> 00:16:53.070 right? Telling that powerful story of dairy's 00:16:53.070 --> 00:16:55.950 heritage, the life skills involved, and targeting 00:16:55.950 --> 00:16:59.169 different groups effectively. Yes. And underpinning 00:16:59.169 --> 00:17:01.899 all of it. Is balancing that tradition we love 00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:04.640 with strong ethics to maintain credibility and 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:07.660 ensure animal welfare is paramount? Public trust 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:09.759 is everything. The article puts it very clearly. 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:12.460 The status quo isn't sustainable. Dairy shows 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:16.079 are at a crossroads. And that willingness to 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:18.960 evolve, like we see with the PDCA updates, that 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:20.799 needs to permeate everything we do with shows. 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:22.700 It's going to take collaboration from everyone 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:25.359 involved, breeders, show committees, breed associations, 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:28.240 youth leaders. So the provocative thought for 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:30.359 everyone listening, maybe. The question isn't 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:33.140 whether dairy shows will change. They will. The 00:17:33.140 --> 00:17:35.940 real question is, will you be part of driving 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:39.230 that change? Or will you risk being left behind 00:17:39.230 --> 00:17:41.849 when it happens? What bold moves are you going 00:17:41.849 --> 00:17:44.289 to make to help reinvigorate dairy shows this 00:17:44.289 --> 00:17:47.170 year? That's a powerful question to end on. Great 00:17:47.170 --> 00:17:49.730 points. And that's probably all the time we have 00:17:49.730 --> 00:17:52.029 for today's Deep Dive. For more articles and 00:17:52.029 --> 00:17:54.069 insights like the one we discussed, be sure to 00:17:54.069 --> 00:17:58.029 visit www .thebullvine .com. And don't forget 00:17:58.029 --> 00:18:00.329 to subscribe wherever you got your podcasts so 00:18:00.329 --> 00:18:02.190 you don't miss our next discussion. Thanks so 00:18:02.190 --> 00:18:04.470 much for listening. That's a wrap for this episode 00:18:04.470 --> 00:18:07.619 of The Bullvine Podcast. Remember, it's our collective 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:10.460 courage and innovation that will write the future 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:13.480 of dairy cattle shows. Want to join the conversation 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:16.819 or hear more from the front lines? Visit thebullvine 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:20.799 .com and stay connected. Until next time, keep 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:22.980 raising the bar and pushing boundaries.