The Dairy Show

Some people build their legacy through one career. Others build it through a lifetime of showing up, learning, sharing what they know, and helping the people around them become better. Corey Geiger has done all of that. From growing up on a small dairy farm in Manitowoc County to becoming a journalist, dairy economist, author, mentor, and one of the industry's most recognizable voices, Corey's career has been defined by curiosity, service, and a genuine commitment to dairy. In 2026, World Dairy Expo is proud to name Corey Geiger its Industry Person of the Year.

When you look at how far dairy genetics has come, it’s easy to focus on the technology we have today. Genomics, sexed semen, IVF, advanced genetic indexes—all of these tools have transformed the way dairy producers make breeding decisions. But long before many of these technologies became part of everyday dairy breeding, people like Robert Chicoine were helping lay the groundwork for what was possible. Named the 2026 International Person of the Year by World Dairy Expo, Robert Chicoine has spent his career helping advance dairy genetics, build collaboration within the industry, and bring Canadian genetics to producers around the world. His story is one of curiosity, innovation, and a willingness to think beyond what was possible at the time.

This collaborative episode between Uplevel Dairy and World Dairy Expo features the McCarty Brothers—Mike, David, Ken, and Clay—as they discuss their family's legacy and milestones that led to being named World Dairy Expo's Dairy Producers of the Year. They reflect on their family's history from northeastern Pennsylvania to their significant growth in Kansas, their partnerships with large companies like Danone, and their commitment to sustainability and innovation in dairy farming. They share insights into working as a family, their passion for sustainable practices, and their excitement for the future. The episode also offers advice to aspiring young farmers, underscoring the importance of hard work, taking risks, and maintaining a forward-thinking vision. The McCarty family's story is one of resilience, innovation, and community impact. The McCartys will be honored, along with International Person of the Year, Juan F. Moreno and Industry Person of the Year, Jim Mulhern, on Wednesday, October 1, at the World Dairy Expo Recognition Awards Banquet. Purchase your tickets here. Start mapping your trip to World Dairy Expo, September 30th - October 3rd. Visit www.worlddairyexpo.com today!    

In this special episode, Peggy Coffeen, host of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, partners with World Dairy Expo to interview Juan Moreno, CEO and Founder of STgenetics and recipient of the 2025 International Person of the Year award. Juan shares his inspiring journey from growing up on a dairy farm in Colombia to pioneering reproductive technologies that have transformed dairy cattle breeding.   He discusses his motivations, the pivotal moments in his career, and the importance of individual animal care in modern dairy farming. Juan also reflects on the role of artificial insemination technology in advancing the global dairy industry and emphasizes the collective effort required to feed the world.    Be sure to start planning your trip to World Dairy Expo, September 30th through October 3rd. If you’d like to be part of The Recognition Awards Celebration on Wednesday, October 1, click here to purchase banquet tickets.   This episode is brought to you in partnership with Uplevel Dairy Podcast. You can listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts or here.

Welcome to this special episode of The Dairy Show, brought to you in partnership with Peggy Coffeen, host of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast. She serves as your guest host for a three episode series spotlighting the 2025 World Dairy Expo Recognition Award winners.   In this first episode, we’ll celebrate the vast impact of Jim Mulhern, former President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, who will be honored as the Industry Person of the Year at the Recognition Award Banquet on Wednesday evening, October 1, in Madison, Wisconsin. Jim will be joined by fellow honorees Juan F. Moreno of STgenetics, the International Person of the Year, and the McCarty Family of Rexford, Kansas, recognized as the Dairy Producers of the Year.   Stay tuned for future episodes as we highlight each of these industry leaders. And, if you’d like to be part of the celebration, visit worlddairyexpo.com (under the Contest tab) to purchase banquet tickets. Now, let’s dive into today’s conversation.