Showbox Stories: A Global Bridge at World Dairy Expo with Brian Leslie
The dairy industry is built on more than great cattle and new technology. It’s built on relationships—people who share knowledge, open doors, and help the next generation find its place in the industry. Those connections often stretch across generations and even across the world.
In the first episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast’s five-part series live from the Tanbark at World Dairy Expo, Peggy Coffeen and Tim Abbott explore the people, experiences, and innovations that continue to shape the dairy community. From international partnerships to emerging technology and the personal stories behind the show ring, the conversation highlights how the industry’s past and future are connected.
How World Dairy Expo Connects the Global Dairy Community
For Brian Leslie, an auctioneer, breeder, and longtime cowman, World Dairy Expo helped spark an international journey. His early experiences in Madison, Wisconsin, inspired the development of International Dairy Week in Australia, creating another opportunity for dairy enthusiasts to come together, showcase cattle, and build relationships.
Leslie’s story reflects the global nature of the dairy industry. While farms and breeding programs may look different from one country to another, the passion for cattle and the willingness to learn from others create common ground. Relationships built through shows, sales, and shared experiences can influence careers and open opportunities long after an event ends.
These connections also matter for the next generation. When experienced breeders and industry leaders share what they know, they help young people see what is possible and build relationships that can shape their own paths in dairy.
Technology Is Creating New Opportunities for Dairy Management
The conversation also looks ahead through the perspective of Jared Krull from CowManager. With a focus on knowing what’s next, Krull discusses how dairy technology continues to evolve and how new tools can help producers make more informed decisions about their herds.
One area of development is an innovative milk sensor designed to provide additional insight into herd health, fertility, and nutrition. As technology advances, the opportunity is not simply to collect more data, but to use that information to better understand cows and respond to their needs.
For dairy producers, new technology is most valuable when it supports practical decisions on the farm. Better information can help teams identify opportunities earlier, focus their attention, and continue improving herd management.
The Stories Behind the Show Ring Matter, Too
Through their Showbox Stories series, Peggy Coffeen and Tim Abbott bring attention to the experiences that often happen outside the spotlight. The show ring may be where cattle and breeders earn recognition, but the stories behind those moments reveal the relationships, challenges, and community support that make the dairy industry what it is.
One especially moving story shared during the conversation involves a young girl navigating the aftermath of a difficult barn fire and the support that helped her through it. Stories like this remind us that dairy is about more than competition or business. It is also about people showing up for one another when it matters most.
Preserving these experiences helps connect generations. They offer younger people a glimpse into the history of the industry while reminding longtime participants of the people and moments that shaped their own journeys.
Mentorship and Collaboration Keep Dairy Moving Forward
The connection between American and Australian dairy communities is one example of how collaboration strengthens the industry. Shared experiences create opportunities to exchange ideas, learn new approaches, and build lasting relationships.
Mentorship plays a similar role. The knowledge passed from one generation to the next is not always found in a textbook or formal training program. Sometimes it comes from a conversation beside a show box, a breeder willing to answer questions, or an industry leader who takes time to help someone get started.
These moments can have a lasting impact on the people who experience them. They also help ensure that the dairy industry continues to develop leaders who understand the value of learning from others and contributing to the community around them.
Preserving Dairy’s History While Looking Ahead
The first episode of this World Dairy Expo series brings together several parts of the dairy industry's story: international relationships, technological progress, personal resilience, and the importance of passing knowledge along. Each offers a different perspective on what keeps the industry moving forward.
As the series continues, the conversation will turn to more stories from the show ring and the technology helping producers make better decisions. But the message running through it all remains the same: progress depends on people who are willing to share what they know, stay curious, and build something together.
Showbox Stories gives those experiences a place to be remembered and shared. And by preserving the stories behind the cattle, the careers, and the relationships, the dairy community can help ensure that the next generation has something meaningful to build on.
Follow the Uplevel Dairy Podcast for more conversations with the people shaping the future of dairy. Subscribe at UplevelDairy.com and follow along on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram for more stories, insights, and lessons from leaders across the industry.
To hear the complete discussion, stream now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.
