Corey Geiger Named Person of the Year at Dairy Expo
The dairy economist was honored at the 2026 World Dairy Expo for his contributions to industry pricing models.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Organic Food
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Corey Geiger received the Person of the Year award at the 2026 World Dairy Expo in recognition of his influential work in dairy economics. Geiger currently serves as the lead dairy economist for CoBank and spent nearly 30 years in dairy journalism.
Why it matters
Geiger's research into milk components helped shift the industry toward a pricing model focused on butterfat and protein. He continues to advocate for creative financing solutions to help secure the future for the next generation of farmers.
Today, 90% of milk in the country is priced on components rather than liquid volume. Additionally, Oakfield Corners Dairy has grown from an initial 65-cow operation to managing over 10,000 cows across 15,000 acres.
The players
Corey Geiger
He is the lead dairy economist for CoBank and a former journalist with three decades of industry experience.
Robert Chicoine
He is a pioneer in dairy genetics who helped establish the Semex Alliance and Canadian genetic reach.
Oakfield Corners Dairy
This major dairy producer operates over 10,000 cows across New York and Ohio.
The details
Geiger researched specific milk data sets to influence national pricing structures, while fellow honoree Robert Chicoine pioneered data-driven sire selection that reached 80 countries. Oakfield Corners Dairy, also recognized at the event, recently achieved grand champion status at the International Holstein Show.
Timeline
1965: Oakfield Corners Dairy was established with an initial herd of 65 cows.
1966: Robert Chicoine began his professional career at CIAQ.
2023: Corey Geiger joined CoBank as the lead dairy economist.
2025: Oakfield Corners won grand champion at the International Holstein Show.
2026: Corey Geiger was presented with the Person of the Year award.
Culture Shift
This recognition highlights a shift toward data-driven decision-making within the dairy sector. The industry is currently moving away from traditional volume-based metrics toward component-based pricing, a trend accelerated by experts like Geiger.
Readers in Wisconsin may see broader stability in dairy pricing models as the industry adopts the component-based standards championed by local experts. These shifts affect the long-term viability of farms in the region as they move toward modernized financial strategies.
The takeaway
The evolution of the dairy industry toward scientific, data-driven pricing models marks a significant departure from legacy volume-based practices. Producers and farmers should monitor these pricing trends closely to align their business strategies with the modern market.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving standards and practices in the dairy sector, visit the Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Farm Progress.
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