Beef
1 December, 2025
International Dairy Week returns to Tatura
INTERNATIONAL Dairy Week (IDW) is back, bringing together the very best of Australia’s dairy industry from Saturday, January 17 to Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Known as the pinnacle event for dairy breeders, exhibitors and enthusiasts, IDW offers a week of world class competition, education and celebration in the heart of Tatura.
The week kicks off in delicious style with the Tatura Food Truck Festival on Saturday January 17, a perfect way for families and visitors to enjoy the local flavours before the judging excitement begins.
That same evening, the Australia Clipping Championships will showcase the skill of some of the country’s top cattle clippers, providing a fantastic spectacle for all attendees.
The schedule for the week ensures a strong mix of tradition and excitement.
Sunday morning begins with the much-loved church service, followed by the Holstein Australia Youth Show and the highly anticipated Showmanship Classes, which provide young exhibitors with the chance to shine.
Monday sets the scene for the week ahead, kicking off with the National All Breeds Youth Show, highlighting the next generation of dairy breeders and providing a fitting launchpad for the week’s events.
This year’s IDW boasts an exceptional line up of judges from around the world:
Australia’s National Red & White Show: Tanner Schmaling (Maple-Leigh Futures, Wisconsin, USA), a renowned cattle fitter and breeder with numerous Grand Champions and over 65 All-American and All Canadian nominations.
Australia’s National Holstein Show: Mark Nutsford (Riverdane Herd & Celltech Embryo Transfer, Cheshire, England), internationally respected for his breeding and judging expertise, with multiple All-Britain nominations and top-class Holsteins.
Australia’s National Jersey Show: Ryan Krohlow (HammerTime, Poynette, Wisconsin, USA), bringing over two decades of professional dairy experience, including 17 Grand Champions prepared at World Dairy Expo.
Australia’s National Brown Swiss Show: Jordan Siemers (Siemers Holsteins, Newton, Wisconsin, USA), an expert in elite genetics, global embryo marketing, and Holstein sire analysis, with extensive judging experience.
Australia’s National Illawarra Show: Rob Kite (Cotonhall, Staffordshire, England), dedicated to breeding high type Dairy Shorthorns and Illawarras with international judging credentials and long-term involvement in the Shorthorn community.
Australia’s All Breeds Youth Show: Steven Fraser (Fraeland Farms, Fergus, Ontario, Canada), a Master Breeder Holstein operation, with extensive judging experience across North America and Portugal, and a previous cattle fitter at IDW.
IDW Sheri Martin Youth Showmanship Class: judge announcement coming soon.
Australia’s National Ayrshire Show: David Hanson (Forest-Lawn Holsteins, Nicollet, Minnesota, USA), with experience judging locally, nationally, and internationally, including All American and Finnish National Shows.
Australia’s National Guernsey Show: Lee Kohler (Marodore Farm, Baltimore, Ohio, USA), a highly respected Guernsey breeder and mentor, with decades of experience in youth dairy judging and national competition.
International Dairy Week 2026 is set to be another great celebration of the future of the dairy industry.
Attendees can expect world class judging, engaging youth competitions, networking with industry leaders, and a week of entertainment that truly showcases the very best of Australian dairy.
Cattle entries for International Dairy Week are now open, with submissions closing in early December for exhibitors wishing to be part of the event.
This provides breeders and exhibitors the opportunity to secure their place in one of Australia’s premier dairy competitions.
For more information, to submit cattle entries, or to plan your visit, please visit www.idwaus.com
International Dairy Week will take place on Saturday, January 17 until Thursday, January 20, 2026 at Tatura Park, Tatura.