World Dairy Expo has named Corey Geiger of CoBank its 2026 Industry Person of the Year, recognising his decades of work in dairy journalism, economics, industry communication and service.
Geiger, who is based in Omro, Wisconsin, currently serves as lead dairy economist at CoBank. He will be formally honoured during the World Dairy Expo Recognition Awards Banquet on September 29, 2026, in Madison.
Geiger was raised on his family’s sixth-generation dairy farm in Wisconsin and studied dairy science and agricultural economics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His professional career combined practical dairy-farming experience with agricultural journalism and economic analysis.
Before joining CoBank, Geiger spent nearly 30 years with Hoard’s Dairyman, including 14 years as managing editor. During that period, he covered and analysed issues affecting dairy producers, including milk markets, agricultural policy, global trade and broader industry trends.
At CoBank, Geiger continues to provide dairy-market research and economic analysis to producers, processors and other industry stakeholders. His work focuses on interpreting market developments and their implications for the dairy sector.
World Dairy Expo said Geiger’s recognition reflects a career characterised by leadership, communication and service to the dairy industry. He has also been involved with World Dairy Expo and other dairy organisations throughout his career.
The 2026 Recognition Awards also honour dairy leaders in two other categories. Jonathan and Alicia Lamb, Matthew and Kendra Lamb, and Jim Veazey and Janette Veazey-Post of Oakfield Corners Dairy in New York have been named Dairy Producers of the Year. Robert Chicoine of Semex/CIAQ in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, has been named International Person of the Year.
Oakfield Corners Dairy has grown from 65 cows in 1965 to an operation spanning more than 10,000 cows and 15,000 acres across New York and Ohio. The operation has also recorded an energy-corrected milk average exceeding 110 pounds per cow and an 18-year streak of milk-quality awards, according to World Dairy Expo.
Chicoine’s career in dairy genetics began with the Centre d’Insémination Artificielle du Québec (CIAQ) in 1966. World Dairy Expo credited him with helping advance data-driven sire selection and contributing to the development of the Semex Alliance, whose Canadian genetics have reached producers in more than 80 countries.
The three award recipients will be recognised together at the September 29 banquet, bringing attention to contributions spanning dairy production, industry economics, communication and international dairy genetics.
Source: Dairynews7x7 22 Sep, 2026 Read full story here
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