Showbox Stories: Connecting Dairy's Traditions, People and Innovation at World Dairy Expo

Written by Peggy Coffeen

Every show box has a story. Behind the cattle in the show ring are years of hard work, family traditions, friendships, and lessons that help shape the dairy industry. At World Dairy Expo, those stories come together, connecting generations of breeders, industry professionals, and young people finding their place in dairy.

Recorded live from The Tanbark Stage at World Dairy Expo, Showbox Stories brought together Uplevel Dairy host Peggy Coffeen and Tim Abbott of Showbox Sires for conversations with people whose experiences reflect the many ways the dairy industry continues to grow. Presented with support from CowManager, the series explored family legacies, mentorship, opportunities for the next generation, and technology helping producers care for their herds.

Although each conversation offered a different perspective, one theme remained consistent: dairy's future is shaped by the people, relationships, and ideas that move the industry forward.

The Stories and Traditions That Connect Dairy Generations

For many dairy families, World Dairy Expo represents much more than a place to exhibit cattle. It is where years of breeding decisions come together, relationships are strengthened, and memories become part of a family's history.

Throughout Showbox Stories, guests reflected on the experiences and traditions that have shaped their lives in dairy. From the Kruse family's iconic blue show box and its four World Dairy Expo champions to Bryan Voegeli's family's connection to the early history of Expo, these stories demonstrate how the industry's history is carried forward.

Building a legacy also means looking ahead. Katie DiGangi of Darlington Ridge Dairy shared how her family is working to establish the D Ridge prefix and create something future generations can continue to grow.

And those connections reach beyond individual farms. Brian Leslie's perspective highlighted how the relationships and experiences developed through dairy can have an influence around the world at International Dairy Week in Tatura Park, Australia.

Whether through family breeding programs, show ring accomplishments, or friendships formed along the way, dairy traditions are built by people who share a passion for the industry and want to leave something meaningful behind.

Mentorship Makes the Dairy Industry Stronger

Experience is one of the dairy industry's most valuable resources, but its impact grows when people are willing to share it.

Several Showbox Stories guests emphasized the role mentors played in their careers. Chris Hill reflected on the influence of dairy judging and experienced cowmen, while Clark Woodmansee and Bryan Voegeli shared the value of learning from other breeders and building relationships throughout the industry.

Dr. Sheila McGuirk brought attention to another important part of mentorship: hands-on education. Through veterinary education and opportunities at World Dairy Expo, students can gain practical experience and learn from professionals who have spent their careers working with animals.

Mentorship doesn't always happen through a formal program. Sometimes it starts with someone taking the time to answer a question, explain a decision, or give a young person the opportunity to get involved.

That willingness to share knowledge helps the next generation build confidence, develop skills, and find its place in dairy.

Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation

Building the future of dairy also means making room for people who are just beginning their journey.

Not everyone enters the industry through the same path. Tara Bohnert of CowManager shared her perspective on finding a place in dairy without growing up in a traditional dairy family. Her experience reinforces that involvement, determination, and connections can create opportunities for people from all backgrounds.

Programs such as the Helennbrand Lasting Legacy Award and activities like Dairy Jeopardy also demonstrate the value of giving young people opportunities to participate, learn, and connect with others who share their interest in agriculture.

At the farm level, those opportunities often begin much earlier. From helping with daily responsibilities to participating in cattle projects and attending events like World Dairy Expo, young people gain experiences that build confidence, responsibility, and lasting relationships.

The next generation doesn't have to follow the exact same path as those before them. It needs opportunities to learn, contribute, and create stories of its own.

How Technology Is Changing Dairy Herd Management

While the stories behind dairy's traditions remain important, innovation continues to create new opportunities for producers and their teams.

As the presenting partner of Showbox Stories, CowManager brought attention to how monitoring technology can help dairy operations make more informed decisions about animal health and management.

Conversations with Tara Bohnert and Dr. Lori Nagel explored the value of calving alerts and lifetime monitoring. From helping dairy teams prepare for upcoming calvings to recognizing changes in eating, rumination, and activity, monitoring technology gives producers additional insight into their animals.

That information can help teams identify potential concerns, prioritize attention, and better understand how animals are developing. At Darlington Ridge Dairy, CowManager also plays a role in herd health and fertility monitoring, giving the team another tool to support its management decisions.

Technology doesn't replace experienced caregivers or the knowledge developed through years of working with cattle. Instead, it complements that experience by providing information that can help producers make better use of their time and care for their animals.

Tradition and Innovation Work Better Together

One of the strongest takeaways from Showbox Stories is that dairy doesn't have to choose between preserving its traditions and embracing new ideas.

The knowledge passed down through generations helps shape breeding decisions, animal care, and relationships across the industry. Mentorship creates opportunities for new people to get involved, while technology gives producers additional ways to monitor herd health and manage their operations.

All of these pieces work together to shape dairy's future.

World Dairy Expo provides a place for those connections to happen. It brings together people with different experiences, backgrounds, and goals, creating opportunities to exchange ideas and build relationships that continue long after the show ends.

With CowManager as the presenting partner, Showbox Stories celebrated both the people and traditions that make dairy special and the innovation helping the industry continue to evolve.

Every show box has a story. Behind each one are people, experiences, and lessons worth sharing—and together, those stories help shape the future of dairy.

Listen to Showbox Stories on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Peggy Coffeen
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