Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Bullvine
Podcast. I'm your host, Bella, and I'm joined
today by my co -host, Douglas. We have an incredibly
inspiring episode lined up for you today that
I know will resonate with everyone in our dairy
community. That's right, Bella. Today we're diving
into the remarkable journey of Tom and Kelly
Cull of Bud John Farms. If you're in the Holstein
world, you've definitely heard these names. Over
the past quarter century, this power couple has
transformed a modest farming operation into one
of the most respected breeding programs in the
industry. Their story is packed with lessons
about resilience, innovation, and unwavering
commitment. What I love about their story is
how relatable their beginnings are. Many of our
listeners started on small family farms just
like Tom did, and Kelly's background in the AI
industry is something many professionals will
connect with. We'll explore how they built their
business, overcame significant challenges, and
created a legacy that continues to impact the
dairy world. So get comfortable, whether you're
in the milking parlor, driving your tractor,
or just taking a break from farm chores. You're
about to hear a story that might just change
how you think about your own operation. Let's
start at the beginning. Tom's story begins, like
many of our listeners' stories, on a small family
farm in Pewaukee, just west of Milwaukee. Douglas,
can you paint that picture for our audience?
Tom grew up on what he describes as a modest
operation, about 50 cows in a tie -stall barn
with 260 acres of land, all Holsteins. Like most
farm kids, he balanced daily chores with school
and sports. His family wasn't specifically breeding
or buying animals for the show ring. They worked
with what they had, showing their everyday cows
at local fairs. It's amazing to think that someone
who's now considered an industry icon started
with such humble beginnings. It really shows
what's possible with dedication and vision. The
turning point came when Tom's brothers showed
two special young cows, Bud John Raider Annie
and Bud John Starbuck Winnie, and things really
took off from there. Meanwhile, Kelly was on
a completely different path in the AI industry.
She was putting in serious miles, around 70 ,000
miles yearly, covering a seven -state area, first
for Sire Power and later for Alta Genetics. 70
,000 miles a year? That's incredible. That's
like driving around the Earth almost three times.
It's a staggering number. And during all that
travel, Kelly was absorbing ideas from different
farms and management systems. When she helped
launch the Peak Young Sire program, she was exposed
to countless different approaches to dairy management.
All those ideas would later shape what Bud John
Farms would become. And ka, I love how Kelly
took all those exhausting road miles and turned
them into practical innovations. For example,
Their calf warming room was designed after a
system she'd seen at a young sire herd in northwest
Wisconsin. It's a perfect example of how exposure
to different operations can spark new ideas for
your own farm. So Bella, Tom, and Kelly tied
the knot in 2000, which means they just celebrated
their 25th anniversary this March. But they weren't
just building a marriage. They were creating
the foundation for a revolutionary business model.
Their partnership actually began a few years
before they married, right? In 1996, they partnered
with Joel Kietzman to acquire Cruel Broker Elegance,
followed by housing Van Dyke K. Integrity Paradise
for Mark Ruth in 1997. These early partnerships
planted the seeds for what would eventually grow
into Bud John Boarding. After moving to La Mira
in 1998, They spotted a gap in the market that
no one else had filled. They realized there was
a need for specialized care for show animals
owned by families who didn't have the facilities
or expertise to raise them properly. That's such
a brilliant business insight. They essentially
created a service that didn't exist before, allowing
more families to participate in showing without
needing to become full -time dairy farmers. Tom
explains it like this. We started a market of
buying and selling cattle to local Wisconsin
families that maybe weren't able or didn't have
the facilities to raise show animals. Their kids
were involved and wanted to show in Junior Holstein
shows, so they'd purchase these animals and then
leave them with us for daily care. And from those
first local clients, their reputation spread
throughout Wisconsin. Some of those early partnerships,
like the one with the Crave family from Waterloo,
continue strong today, more than two decades
later. That speaks volumes about the quality
of their work and the trust they've built. Tom
and Kelly have said, we did not start trying
to make the business we are today. Rather, we
started with some small partnerships that grew
into larger ones, and these partnerships created
more partnerships. I think there's a powerful
lesson there about organic growth and letting
your reputation build your business. You know,
Douglas, Behind every successful person, there's
usually some pivotal advice or mentorship that
changed everything. Tom had one of those moments
during his first year at the University of Wisconsin
-Madison in 1993. While working as a clipper
for Harry Weier of Dundee -Eyed Holsteins, Tom
approached Pam Weier -Nunes at the spring show,
asking how to improve his skills. Her reply was
simple, but life -changing. Go work with Joel
Kietzman and Mark Ruth. Isn't it amazing how
seven simple words can set someone on an entirely
new path? Both men took Tom under their wing,
instilling their work ethic and cattle preparation
skills in him. I think many of our listeners
can probably point to similar moments when the
right advice at the right time changed everything.
For Kelly, professional development came less
from direct advice and more from her commitment
to being a role model herself. She says, I think
the most important hat I wear is one of a mentor.
Her personal motto is, get what you give in life,
which I think beautifully summarizes her approach.
That philosophy of giving back and mentoring
others is clearly important to both of them.
I think it explains a lot about why they've had
such an impact on the industry beyond just their
breeding program. Every success story includes
overcoming significant challenges. And Tom and
Kelly's journey is no exception. One of the most
remarkable examples is Kelly's health journey
in 2018. That year was incredibly difficult for
Kelly. At just 45 years old, she underwent not
one, but two hip replacement surgeries after
suffering from osteoarthritis for nearly a year.
Can you imagine running a dairy operation while
dealing with that level of pain? Her doctor was
adamant that she stay completely away from the
farm for two full months to ensure proper recovery.
For someone whose life revolves around the farm,
that must have felt like an eternity. Then 10
months after the first surgery, she had her second
hip replaced right after the World Dairy Expo.
But here's where the story becomes truly inspirational.
In 2024, at age 51, with two artificial hips,
Kelly power walked a half marathon, completing
the 13 .1 miles in just three hours after training
for more than three months. That's the definition
of resilience. What's fascinating is how Kelly's
hip journey parallels that of one of Bud John's
most celebrated cows, Subliminal, who in 2013
overcame a severe hip dislocation. Kelly jokes
that Two of Tom's favorite women in his life
have fake or repaired hips. But there's a serious
side to this story, too. Subliminal's year -long
recovery using slings, hobbles, and a specialized
sandpen directly influenced the design of Bud
John's new facility, which now includes a dedicated
sandpen area for injured or recovering animals.
They've even invested in a float tank and blood
analysis equipment to address metabolic health
situations quickly. I think that illustrates
something important about Tom and Kelly's approach.
They turn personal challenges into solutions
that benefit all their animals. Their philosophy
seems to be that repair and recovery take time,
and you have to allow people and animals to live
in an environment that nurtures them back to
health. Douglas, I think our listeners would
enjoy hearing about some of the mishaps Tom and
Kelly have experienced while traveling to shows.
Because behind every polished show ring victory,
there's usually a collection of disasters that
never make it into the winner's circle photos.
One of my favorites involves Tom's ingenious
but initially flawed big storage carts designed
for show setup. Picture this. They arrive at
their first show in Quebec, roll these massive
carts off the trailer, and all the wheels immediately
break off. Oh no, what did they do? Continuing
the story. They fixed them with heavy caster
wheels before their next show, The Royal. But
the saga continued. As they rolled the carts
down the back road towards the barns, the caster
wheels began to break apart. They barely got
them into the barn. And the punchline is that
after Tom finally found a durable solution, many
people have copied the carts for themselves.
Isn't that always the way? Your disasters become
someone else's inspiration. Then there's the
tale of Mandy. a tabby farm cat who stowed away
in their trailer during a trip to Louisville.
After disappearing into the fairgrounds for five
days, she reappeared in their tent on show day,
hung around while they showed their national
champion, and eventually returned home to Wisconsin.
You really can't make these stories up. I think
these kinds of mishaps and adventures are what
make the show circuit so memorable. It's not
just about the ribbons and champions. It's about
the journey. Speaking of champions, Tom's receipt
of the prestigious Klusendorf Award speaks volumes
about his impact on the industry. This honor
recognizes not just his showmanship skills, but
his significant contributions as a mentor to
countless young exhibitors. When asked about
specific mentoring relationships that stand out,
Tom highlighted several meaningful ones, including
Kelly's nephews, Trevor Tooman, Chandler, and
Calvin Benning, who transformed their modest
beef farm into an efficient facility for show
heifers. He also mentioned Kylie Nichols, whose
Jersey Home Ridge Tia Nett overcame significant
calving challenges to become a Junior Supreme
Champion and Jersey Jug Futurity winner. Beyond
these examples, Tom and Kelly have mentored numerous
fitters and show crew members who have become
like family. I love their approach to staff training.
They tell their team, Put your phone down and
eyes up. Observe, watch, listen. That philosophy
applies far beyond the barn. It's a lesson we
could all use in our increasingly distracted
world. Absolutely. In an age where we're constantly
looking at screens, they remind us that nothing
replaces careful observation, whether we're talking
about animal behavior or learning new skills.
Let's talk about some of the management principles
that have made Bud John Farms so successful.
What I love about their approach is that these
principles can work for operations of all sizes,
not just elite show herds. First and foremost,
observation trumps technology. That put -your
-phone -down -and -eyes -up philosophy we just
mentioned isn't just about training. It's the
foundation of their animal care approach. They
believe nothing replaces careful observation
of animal behavior and needs. They also emphasize
facility respect. both for their staff and animals.
Lead the animals as if you are at a show daily,
they instruct. Every animal on this farm is treated
with the utmost respect. These might seem like
simple principles, but they've yielded extraordinary
results. The culls have created specialized recovery
environments, invested in diagnostic tools for
immediate health monitoring, and maintained an
unwavering commitment to excellence in their
operation. Let me share some specific Bud John
management tips that our listeners could implement
in their own operations. Number one, early disease
detection. They've installed on -farm blood analysis
equipment for rapid metabolic testing, allowing
treatment before symptoms become severe. Number
two, recovery environments. They've designed
specialized sandpens for injured or recovering
animals, providing secure footing that prevents
further injury. Number three, specialized calf
facilities. They created a dedicated warming
room for starting calves in cold weather months
before transitioning to outdoor hutches. Number
four, observation first approach. They train
staff to recognize subtle behavioral changes
that indicate an animal needs attention before
symptoms appear. And number five, technology
integration. They use custom software solutions
that combine animal management with financial
tracking to reduce administrative overhead. These
approaches may require initial investment, but
they can substantially reduce veterinary costs
and animal losses in the long term. It's about
being proactive rather than reactive when it
comes to herd health. Working with your spouse
24 -7 would break many marriages. How have Tom
and Kelly made it work for 25 years? Their secret
isn't particularly mysterious. It's just hard
to execute consistently. They admit they're both
type A in charge personalities, which creates
daily challenges, but has also made them great
at what they each do. Their approach involves
clear role definition and some hard -earned relationship
skills. They say, we've learned to agree to disagree.
We've learned to let things go. We've learned
how to compromise. These skills didn't come naturally.
They were developed through years of working
side by side, navigating challenges and celebrating
triumphs together. Their partnership reveals
complementary strengths. Describing Tom with
his quick wit, thought -out answers to any question,
ability to see multiple angles to any situation,
and problem -solving skills would have made an
excellent lawyer in another life. Meanwhile,
Kelly would have remained an entrepreneur, perhaps
breeding and kenneling dogs, driven by her love
of animals and business enjoyment. When asked
about their ideal dinner guests, Kelly's response
reveals her admiration for strong female leadership.
She said, And both Tom and Kelly shared a touching
wish. Tom and I would like to have dinner with
Matt Templeton and Annette Ostrom one more time.
The wistfulness in that simple statement speaks
volumes about the relationships they valued throughout
their journey. One of the most valuable business
lessons from the Kulls story is how they've used
diversification to protect themselves against
market volatility. Douglas, can you explain their
approach? The cull's multifaceted business model
offers a blueprint for sustainability in today's
dairy industry, where milk price volatility can
devastate even well -managed operations. Unlike
conventional dairy farms that rely primarily
on milk sales, Bud John has deliberately created
multiple revenue streams. Their boarding business,
embryo work, and show preparation services provide
income stability when any sector faces challenges.
This approach has allowed them to weather economic
storms that have forced many traditional operations
to exit the industry. While specific economic
data isn't publicly available, the longevity
of their business model speaks volumes. They've
maintained profitability through some of the
dairy industry's most challenging decades. Their
25 -year success story demonstrates that specialized
services can create significant value when traditional
commodities face price pressure. For conventional
dairy producers considering diversification,
the Bud John model suggests starting with your
operation's unique strengths and gradually expanding
into complementary services. This might mean
offering custom heifer raising, specialized breeding
services, or even educational programs. Whatever
leverages your expertise while creating new revenue
opportunities. Tom and Kelly have noted. Looking
back, I can identify that we have adjusted our
business model several times over the past 25
years. That willingness to evolve and adapt is
crucial in today's rapidly changing agricultural
landscape. If you had to distill the Bud John
way into three words, Tom and Kelly wouldn't
hesitate, never give up. This philosophy resonates
through their choice of theme song, The Champion
by Carrie Underwood. which perfectly captures
their journey from modest beginnings to industry
leadership. Each letter in Champion carries a
special meaning. C, courage. H, honor. A, attitude.
M, motivation. P, persevere. I, integrity. O,
optimistic. N, necessary. We truly have paid
our dues, they say. We have physically worked
our whole lives, and when we go to any show,
we always want to be a force to reckon with.
Their legacy isn't just about winning ribbons
or breeding exceptional cattle. It's about establishing
a new business model in the dairy industry. We
laid the foundation on how to build a boarding
business that is not focused and does not rely
on just one avenue or revenue stream, but is
multifaceted, they explain. The Culls diversified
approach offers valuable lessons in an industry
facing significant economic challenges, from
milk price volatility to rising input costs.
By expanding beyond traditional milk production
to include specialized boarding services, embryo
work, and show preparation, they've created multiple
revenue streams that provide stability when one
sector struggles. And as Tom and Kelly celebrate
their 25th year in business in 2025, Their story
continues to inspire dairy farmers and breeders
everywhere. From their humble beginnings, Tom
on that small family farm in Pewaukee, and Kelly
logging all those miles in the AI industry, they've
built not just a successful business, but a model
for excellence that others can follow. Their
journey hasn't been without challenges, from
health issues to the constant demands of evolving
with the industry. But Bud John Farms' ability
to adapt, innovate, and stay true to its core
values has secured its place among the elite.
What strikes me most about Tom and Kelly's story
isn't just what they've accomplished, it's how
they've accomplished it. They've created something
special with unwavering dedication, genuine passion,
and a partnership built on mutual respect and
complementary strengths. And if there's one lesson
we can all take from the Coles, whether we're
dairy farmers or not, It's those three simple
words that have guided them through every challenge.
Never give up. As they put it, we will exhaust
every possibility when it comes to problem solving
and caring for animals. And when we can't do
it, we will network and figure out another solution.
Rarely do we ever give up. That's all for today's
episode of the Bullvine Podcast. We hope you
found inspiration and practical ideas in the
story of Tom and Kelly Cull. Remember to subscribe
wherever you get your podcasts and join us next
time for more insights from the dairy industry's
most innovative minds. Until then, keep dreaming
big and never give up. This is Bella. And Douglas,
signing off. Thanks for listening to the Bullvine
Podcast.