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. During Expo’s Virtual Farm Tours, dairy owners and managers share a visual presentation, with time for questions and an open discussion afterward. Tours are presented daily in Mendota Room 1 of the Exhibition Hall at 10:00 a.m.
Below is the 2025 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
Hosted by: Hurtgenlea Holsteins – Elkhorn, Wis.
Sponsored by: smaXtec Inc.
Located in Elkhorn, Wis., Adam Hurtgen and Cynthia Bartel, along with Leo and Karen Hurtgen, milk 160 cows in two box robots after retrofitting their free stall barn in 2023. Hurtgenlea’s 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.
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
Hosted by: MoDak Dairy, Inc. – Goodwin, S.D.
Sponsored by: Vita Plus
Located in Goodwin, South Dakota, MoDak Dairy has been in operation for the past 130 years. The Moes family milks 2,600 head in a double-30 parallel parlor and breeds for quality milk components while also maintaining a beef on dairy program. The Moes family strongly values community engagement and education. The family 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 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
Hosted by: Norm-E-Lane – Chili, Wis.
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 4,100 cows in two, double-25 parallel parlors (2 locations), raise 3,200 young stock and operate 7,700 acres of cropland.
Norm-E-Lane has seen numerous expansions since starting in Chili, Wisconsin, in 1946, including installing a digester in 2008 and a manure bedding dryer in 2019. Now, 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
Hosted by: Wagner Farms Inc. – Oconto Falls, Wis.
Sponsored by: CowManager
Wagner Farms, a fifth-generation dairy located in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, milks 950 cows in a double-16 parallel parlor. The Wagners focus on developing functional cows that combine strong production with excellent health traits, ensuring long-term herd retention. Their motto – People. Animals. Environment. – emphasizes their commitment to creating a positive operation.
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.
Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo is the premier forum for the dairy community to learn, share, create commerce and showcase competition. The annual event will return to Madison, Wis. September 30 – October 3, 2025.
