First American Dairy XPO deemed a success

The inaugural American Dairy XPO (ADX) delivered all that it promised – the latest in cutting-edge technology, global innovation and education as well as plenty of opportunities for socializing and networking.

Vermont Lt. Gov. John Rodgers (left) and Ag Secretary Anson Tebbetts were part of the welcoming committee at the first-year event. Photo by Liz Friers

The premier dairy trade show, which took place Nov. 5 and 6 at the Champlain Valley Exposition Center in Essex Junction, VT, featured 200 exhibitors from 10 countries. Three large exhibition halls featured the latest in dairy equipment, nutrition and feeding systems, technological advances and strategies for efficiency, sustainability and profitability.

KC Newcome, Central and Eastern U.S. sales representative for Tunnel Plus, observes a young visitor as she tests out the new BlissBrush Max for cows at the American Dairy XPO. Photo by Lisa Halvorsen

Dairy Delivers Classroom sessions covered a range of topics that addressed key challenges in dairying including farm transition, lameness management and improving employer-employee relationships. ADX also celebrated tomorrow’s farmers with FFA members and 4-H’ers invited to participate.

In his Dairy Delivers Classroom session “Strong Teams, Strong Dairy,” Michael Hoffman (center), founder of Igniting Performance Inc., leads his audience in an interactive activity designed to help them develop better people skills. Photo by Lisa Halvorsen

While the choice of Vermont as the host for the first ADX may seem surprising, Jordon Underhill, director of USMCA Exhibitions of DLG Markets North America, explained why it made sense.

“We chose the Northeast as the region for the first American Dairy XPO as it is an underserved area with a high concentration of dairy operations and processors in Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania and Quebec – and Vermont, because it has a strong dairy tradition and is easy to get to.

Champlain Valley Equipment brought in some of their big machines for attendees to inspect. Photo by Liz Friers

“Ninety-nine percent of the farms in the Northeast are family operations,” he continued. “It’s a misconception that scale and progressiveness go hand in hand. Small producers often have high-quality farm operations. The expo provides access to innovation and continuing education for producers to remain relevant to pass the farm onto family.”

A young visitor checks out the new state-of-the-art A5 Max robotic milker at the Lely New England Center booth. Photo by Lisa Halvorsen

Paul Godin, founder and general manager of Lely Center New England, praised the show, noting that its dedication to dairying made it stand out.

“We were the biggest vendor at the Vermont Farm Show, but previous shows were inefficient as they were so diversified in agriculture. This show is nice and while there are not as many bodies, the people who came felt inspiration and hope due to the commitment of the exhibitors.”

Lely was one of the founding partners of the show along with Agri-Plastics, John Deere and Progressive Dairy. The event was organized by DLG Markets North America, the German Agricultural Society which also hosts the Canadian XPO and international trade fairs Agritechnica and EuroTier.

More than 150 exhibitors meant attendees could learn about all facets of the evolving dairy industry. Photo by Liz Friers

Kirk McLean, ag sales manager for Stubbe’s Precast, traveled from Ontario to be part of the show. He was at ADX to renew old acquaintances and talk with farmers about the company’s extensive precast product line including feed bunkers, slatted floors and scraper alley tubes.

Kirk McLean, agricultural sales manager for Stubbe’s Precast, chats with a couple of dairy farmers at ADX. Photo by Lisa Halvorsen

“A show like this gives producers opportunities to see a large variety of products and services in one day. We don’t offer a lot of cash-and-carry products, and it may be multiple years before we see a return on our investment. But we want to be where dairying is, where we will draw in people.”

Stubbe’s also sponsored Stubbe’s Drafthouse as a way to give back. The on-site pub provided a place for attendees, who hailed from as far away as Ohio, Illinois, Texas and British Columbia, to relax and connect with other farmers and exhibitors.

The comedian behind “Don’t Tell the Bishop” – “Jacob,” who has 1.2 million followers on Facebook – stopped by the Country Folks booth to say hello. Photo by Liz Friers

For long-time dairy farmer Dave Conant of Conant’s Riverside Farms, a sixth-generation dairy operation in Richmond, VT, the opportunity to catch up with friends and discover what’s new in the industry was a big draw. He and his son Ransom Conant were there to learn about advancements in free-stall barns and milking parlors, among other dairy equipment.

Ransom Conant (left) and his father, Dave Conant of Conant’s Riverside Farms, listen as Don Datema (center), livestock comfort specialist at EasyFix USA in South Dakota, explains why the EasyFix flexible stall – the “dream stall” – is more comfortable and less stressful for cows. Photo by Lisa Halvorsen

“We don’t ordinarily have any international dairy shows so close to Vermont. I am hoping this will continue,” he said.

Although the majority of exhibitors showcased the latest in equipment and technology, education was also a key component of the show. The University of Vermont (UVM) was well-represented with booths for the college’s CREAM (Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management) program, Vermont 4-H and agronomy. UVM Extension Dairy Educator Whitney Hull was tapped as one of the speakers for the Dairy Delivers Classroom, speaking on management strategies to improve milk quality and farm profitability.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets and Professional Dairy Producers sponsored the educational sessions, which featured industry professionals and dairy producers, including Olympian Elle Purrier St. Pierre, who offered insight into how she balances life as a farmer, mother and world-class runner. Purrier St. Pierre operates a large-scale operation near the Canadian border with her husband Jamie, milking over 3,000 cows.

The Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) cooperative represents dairy farmers across the Northeast. Photo by Liz Friers

Other farmers shared their personal experiences with transitioning the farm to the next generation and making carbon scores work for their operations. Industry experts spoke about managing lameness in cattle, building strong dairy teams, implementing a HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) surveillance program to protect the milk supply and ways the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center is investing in the future of dairy.

Valerie Lavigne, a farmer from Schaghticoke, NY, visited ADX with her family, noting that her three kids enjoyed a field trip off the farm. “It’s the best way to educate,” she said, though she also valued the event for its focus on promoting dairy.

A former Rensselaer County Dairy Princess and self-proclaimed “agvocate” for dairy, Lavigne understands the importance of dairy promotion and staying current with new products, technology and dairy trends. She helps promotes the industry through public speaking as well as shares insights into dairying through her Dairy Val Gal social media channels and her “Pull Up a Bale” podcast, where she interviews guests about dairy industry issues.

“Dairy farmers tend to be a bit isolated, so expos like this are fantastic. Farmers get to learn about new products and see new technology. Ideas flow. There’s also community value in chatting with other dairy farmers.”

Bourdeau Bros. Inc., a family owned and operated business serving the agricultural needs of farmers in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Quebec and Ontario since 1974, saw lots of visitors. Photo by Liz Friers

Erin Marlowe of Lactalis U.S. Yogurt agreed that the show was all about connections. “We wanted to talk with dairy farmers in the region to let them know about opportunities in the organic market as we are expanding our direct supply. We offer financial assistance to help new farmers, tech assistance, grazing planning and information on veterinary dairy protocols.”

“The youth component is also an important part of the show,” Underhill pointed out, noting that Cabot Creamery and Ben & Jerry’s provided supplies for the 4-H food booth where 4-H’ers sold grilled cheese sandwiches and milkshakes to raise money for programming. The milkshakes were so popular that they ran out of milk by 3 p.m. on the first day and had to restock for the second day.

FFA members shared information at their booth and volunteered in several capacities from working at the ticket booth to surveying attendees about the show.

Members of the Missisquoi Valley Union High School FFA chapter in Swanton, VT, attended ADX to learn about new technology, equipment and career opportunities from the 200 exhibitors at the trade show. Photo by Lisa Halvorsen

FFA State President Hailey Chase of Bristol, VT, a member of the Middlebury FFA chapter, noted, “We are trying to get the word out about FFA although it’s also important for young people to talk to industry professionals and have these networking experiences.”

FFA State President Hailey Chase poses with her mother and Middlebury FFA Chapter Advisor Jackie Chase at the FFA booth at the American Dairy XPO, held Nov. 5 and 6. Photo by Lisa Halvorsen

Her sister Mackenzie, the FFA state vice president, concurred. “This event is amazing. It’s a great opportunity for kids in FFA to network and see what ag offers for job opportunities.”

DairyFEST capped off the first day, bringing together dairy farmers, industry professionals and exhibitors to socialize, enjoy live entertainment and sample cheeses, ice cream and other dairy products. In addition, Peter Rainville, owner of the Four Girls Dairy in Fairfax, VT, was honored as the 2025 Vermont Dairy Farm of the Year winner in a special ceremony.

ADX will return to the Champlain Valley Exposition Center in November 2026 in keeping with its commitment to support innovation and information sharing among dairy producers and industry professionals in the U.S. Learn more at americandairyxpo.ca.

For more photos from the event, be sure to visit the American Dairy XPO photo album on Country Folks’ Facebook page.

by Lisa Halvorsen

Featured photo: Elle Purrier St. Pierre took the podium at the American Dairy XPO in Vermont to share insights into what it’s like to be a dairy farmer, mother and Olympian. Photo by Lisa Halvorsen