On Thursday, people from across the country will come to Wisconsin for World Beef Expo — one of the largest cattle shows in the Midwest. The 31st World Beef Expo will run from Sep. 28 to Oct. 1 at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis.
The event is held in conjunction with the annual Harvest Fair which features free, live entertainment including local artists and lumberjack shows. You can also look forward to food vendors and shopping at the farmers market on site.
World Beef Expo President Cody Quam expects up to 4,000 spectators over the weekend. The grounds will welcome about 1,000 head of cattle representing 25 breeds from 13 states for the four-day show. The event is open to the public with free admission.
Unfortunately, Quam says fuel prices and travel expenses may be hindering some folks from exhibiting this year. However, he his noticing more young faces coming to the shows.
“We’re seeing a lot of new entries as kids age out and new kids are coming up through the ranks,” he says. “But we’re seeing a very steady trend over the last three years of our exhibitors.”
Speaking of economics, Quam notes the price of cattle is acting as both a hindrance and a catalyst for growth in the beef industry, depending on who you talk to.
“Honestly, I think we’re seeing both. We’re seeing retirements… but we’re also seeing just a huge involvement from new producers whether they’re transitioning from a different sector of agriculture or just starting fresh,” he says.
Quam farms on a fourth-generation centennial farm, Marda Angus Farms, in Lodi. The family has shown at World Beef Expo since its inception.
“We have livestock to help raise our kids,” he says. “There’s nothing more special than spending time with your young kids in the barn in the summer and after school and weekends working with a project and then going to these types of events and seeing your work come together.”
See the World Beef Expo schedule: https://www.worldbeefexpo.com/schedule
