Director Declan Patten said the program was designed to showcase excellence across every level of the industry and includes seven national breed shows, a national youth show and the chance to compete for Australia’s Supreme Champion.
It also caters for the wider community with family-friendly entertainment, music and activities designed to introduce visitors to the Australian dairy industry.
IDW will get under way with the popular Tatura Food Truck festival which features around 14 different food trucks and over 2000 people.
“The food truck festival is a way for us to give back to the Tatura community for allowing us to host our event in such a great town and great venue,” Declan said.
There will be all the usual things including the Power of Women in Dairy event, presentation of the Lex Bunn award and the ST Creates Future dairy sale, which is always a highlight of the week.
Declan said this year’s judging panel featured a star-studded line-up of international judges.
“We always bring the world’s best judges to IDW,” Declan said.
As always, there will be focus on the youth, and this year there will be a branding opportunity for businesses to get behind the event by donating milk shakes in their brand colour.
To streamline the process for exhibitors a new check in entry system — the showmen app will be trialled for the first time.
“Once the cow is entered in the system she will stay on the database, so all you will have to do is click on her, and she will be automatically entered in the appropriate class.
“We are expecting this to be a great asset and a game changer for us and our exhibitors as we move forward.”
Entries can be found via the IDW website under the cattle show tab.
Organisers have also done away with hats for paraders this year, numbers will now be attached to a harness worn by the leader .
Declan said IDW coverage had grown each year, supported by media manager Casey Trealor and Around The Barn.
“We started out with around 200,000 views, and last time I looked, we had had 8.5 million engagements,” he said.
“Casey has travelled to World Dairy Expo and is taking Around the Barn to Italy in December as well.”
Declan said with more than 150 breeders on site, elite cattle sales, and opportunities to explore progeny and technology tours, the week was a hub for both commerce and knowledge exchange.
“Industry breakfasts, dinners, and networking events further provide a relaxed and accessible environment for learning, collaboration, and inspiration, and let’s not forget what we are all here for, a great week of dairy cows.” Declan said.
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