Virtual farm tours feature progress through innovation

MADISON, Wis. – World Dairy Expo Virtual Farm Tours have brought some of the best dairy operations from near and far to Madison for over 20 years. The four dairies to be featured during WDE 2025 continue that tradition while showcasing environmental stewardship, quality genetics, technology advancements, diversification and more.

Dairy owners and managers share a visual presentation, with time for questions and an open discussion afterwards. Tours are presented daily in Mendota Room 1 of the Exhibition Hall at 10 a.m.

Below is the World Dairy Expo Virtual Farm Tour schedule that can be enjoyed in person at WDE or online through ExpoTV at www.worlddairyexpo.com.

• Tuesday, September 30

Hurtgenlea Holsteins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin; sponsored by smaXtec Inc.

Adam Hurtgen and Cynthia Bartel, along with Leo and Karen Hurtgen, milk 160 cows in two box robots after retro-fitting their free stall barn in 2023. Their main goal is to improve each generation so their cows live longer, healthier and more productive lives. They’re able to achieve this with the help of internal monitoring technology, which provides real-time insights to support early intervention and long-term herd improvement.

Four dairy producers stand in front of a sign for Rolling Hills Dairy Producers Cooperative, featuring 'Hurtgenlea Holsteins.' — Adam Hurtgen and Cynthia Bartel, left, along with Leo and Karen Hurtgen, right, achieve their goals with the help of internal monitoring technology, which provides real-time insights to support early intervention and long-term herd improvement.

Three bulls from Hurtgenlea Holsteins have been ranked in the top 75 Total Performance Index (TPI) International Proven Sires List, including the #1 TPI bull, Hurtgenlea Richard Charl-ET.

Through their breeding program and technology use, they have 115 female descendants in the herd that come from Hurtgenlea Yoder Modesto-ET, the dam of Charl. Modesto was a former #1 Net Merit Cow in the world and was nominated for Global Cow of the Year by Holstein International magazine.

• Wednesday, October 1

MoDak Dairy, Inc., Goodwin, South Dakota; sponsored by: Vita Plus

MoDak Dairy has been in operation for the past 130 years. The Moes family milks 2600 cows in a double-30 parallel parlor and breeds for quality milk components while also maintaining a beef on dairy program. The family strongly values community engagement and education and routinely hosts students from their local technical college, South Dakota State University, and, recently, from the Midwest Regional Dairy Challenge for the on-farm evaluation competition.

Three dairy farmers standing in front of the MoDak Dairy, Inc. sign in Goodwin, South Dakota, with a cloudy sky in the background. — The Moes family strongly values community engagement and education and routinely hosts students from their local technical college, South Dakota State University, and, recently, from the Midwest Regional Dairy Challenge for the on-farm evaluation competition.

All of MoDak Dairy’s heifers are managed on-site, where calves are raised in a state-of-the-art mechanically ventilated facility, designed to promote calf growth and well-being. Calves are group-housed and fed using a headlock bottle feeding rail. Their facilities and management provide a balance of new-age technology and common-sense heifer practices to raise healthy, productive youngstock, and the facilities draw numerous tours annually.

• Thursday, October 2

Norm-E-Lane, Chili, Wisconsin; sponsored by McLanahan Corporation

Norm-E-Lane is a multi-generational, progressive farm, that continually advances their enterprises through passionate people, meaningful relationships, leading-edge farming practices and exceptional animal care. Currently, the Meissners milk 4100 cows in two, double-25 parallel parlors at two locations while raising 3200 head of young stock and farming 7700 acres of cropland.

The entrance to Norm-E-Lane dairy farm featuring a large sign and an American flag against a blue sky. — Norm-E-Lane Farms milks 4100 cows in two, double-25 parallel parlors at two locations while raising 3200 head of young stock and farming 7700 acres of cropland. The farm, owned by the Meissner Family, has seen numerous expansions since its beginning in 1946.

The farm has seen numerous expansions since starting in Chili, Wisconsin, in 1946, including installing a digester in 2008 and a manure bedding dryer in 2019. Currently, Norm-E-Lane separates solids which are then run through a dryer, post-separation to be reduced to 50% moisture and used for bedding.

In 2022, they pivoted from electricity and are now capturing the gas from the digester and turning it back into liquid natural gas and injecting that directly into the pipeline behind their farm.

• Friday, October 3

Wagner Farms Inc., Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, sponsored by CowManager

A fifth-generation dairy milking 950 cows in a double-16 parallel parlor, the Wagners’ motto is: People. Animals. Environment. They emphasize their commitment to creating a positive operation. Their herd focus is on developing functional cows that combine strong production with excellent health traits, ensuring long-term herd retention.

A group of seven people, including children, pose for a photo outdoors, wearing casual attire in shades of black and blue. Two large dogs with red bandanas sit in front of them, and a white fence and sunset are visible in the background. — The current operators of Wagner Farms, Inc. are the 5th-generation to own it. By the looks of it, they have a good future in sight, emphasizing their commitment to creating a positive operation with this motto: People. Animals. Environment.

By fostering an environment where people love what they do, it helps fuel the passion behind their daily operations. Caring for their animals isn’t just a priority but a fundamental principle of their philosophy.

Strategic protocols and well-established systems, including the CowManager Youngstock Monitor along with the use of buddy hutches, support growth rates of more than 2.5 pounds per day and result in near 0% death loss.

Additionally, the farm is a demonstration site, providing an opportunity to showcase various conservation practices that support environmental stewardship while also boosting productivity.