Cattle Housing Tent

World Dairy Expo is extending Tent 2 to match the length of Tent 1 and relocating the Sale Pavilion to the east end of Tent 2 near the Coliseum. These updates will improve the experience for cattle exhibitors while making navigation easier for attendees and Youth Contest participants.

Key things to note with Entries

Entry Deadline: Monday, August 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CDT

Entry Fee: $120 per animal. There is no entry fee for group classes.

Before submitting your entries, please review your Account/Owner registration profile to ensure it includes:

• A current representative email address (used for Judge and Committee ballots)
• String Manager name and phone number
• Accurate "Payable To" information and mailing address for premium payments and W-9 authorization

Don't forget to:

• Submit your Stalling Request Form (stalling by yourself, with others, or unknown)
• Include the farm/exhibitor you'll be stalled with, String Manager contact information, number of heifers and cows, and breed(s)
• Enter the Showmanship and Fitting Contests through the Exhibitor Dashboard (due August 31)

Animal Ownership Transfer Fees

If ownership of an approved World Dairy Expo entry changes during the show (September 23–October 2, 2026), a $50 ownership transfer fee will apply.

Exceptions

• No World Dairy Expo transfer fee applies if the animal is entered under the new ownership by the August 31 entry deadline and the ownership transfer has been confirmed by the National Breed Association.

Please Note

• Ownership cannot change after an animal has checked in ringside for its individual class.
• Payment is due at the time of transfer. Cash, check or credit card (plus a 3% service fee) are accepted.
• If an animal is sold after entry or through a private sale during Expo, notify the Dairy Cattle Show Office (top level of the Coliseum). Every effort will be made to announce the new owner.
• Premiums will be paid to the new owner once complete address and tax identification information has been provided.

Expo Display Rule Update

Stall aisle display archways may be a maximum of 12 feet high and must maintain a minimum of 7 feet of floor clearance to improve airflow and visibility throughout the cattle housing areas.

Additional Reminders

• Premier entry nominations are free and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the night of your breed meeting during Expo.
• Felly's Flowers is the exclusive flower vendor for Expo. Pre-order Expo-themed mums and seasonal plants for delivery to Alliant Energy Center on Friday, September 25, time to be announced. (order form coming soon)

ExpoTV

Never miss a moment of World Dairy Expo with ExpoTV. Your subscription includes live and on-demand coverage of Dairy Cattle Shows, educational seminars, award presentations and exclusive ringside commentary during the International Jersey Show and International Holstein Show.

Subscription: $30 (plus tax)

Get your ExpoTV subscription today. 

ExpoTV is presented by:

Agrarian Solutions, Golden Calf Company, Lely, Semex/Boviteq, and Zoetis 

Youth Contest Changes

Dairy Cattle Judging Contests

The 4-H, Post-Secondary and Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contests will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026. Contest registration opens July 13. All contestants must be out of the barns by 11 a.m. on Friday, September 25.

Youth Fitting Contest

The Intermediate and Senior divisions will have separate start times on Saturday, September 26 in the Sale Pavilion:

• Intermediate Division: 7 a.m. setup

• Senior Division: 9 a.m. setup

Early Release Options

Show Early Release

Junior Holstein and Milking Shorthorn entries are eligible for early release and may depart 6 p.m.–midnight following the completion of their show on Sunday or Monday only. To request early release, select the Early Release option for each eligible animal in the Exhibitor Dashboard during entry.

Influenza A Testing Early Release

Exhibitors requesting early release due to Influenza A testing requirements must complete the separate Google Form available in the Exhibitor Dashboard. This option is available to exhibitors with lactating cattle returning to states with an NMTS status of Affected or Provisional Unaffected as of August 31, 2026, or for lactating cattle traveling with others from those states.

Resource: USDA NMTS State Statuses based on Testing/Surveillance Activities

2026 Dairy Cattle Show Calendar

Need a printed 2026 Premium Book?  Please email your name and mailing address to entries@wdexpo.com or call 608-224-6455 ext 4.

2026 Expo Event Schedule

Questions? contact the Dairy Cattle Show team:

Laurie Breuch 

lbreuch@wdexpo.com

Dairy Systems Manager

Direct phone: (608) 960-7910

Lexa Miller

lmiller@wdexpo.com

Cattle Show & Contests Coordinator

Direct phone: (608) 960-7907

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