WEBVTT 00:00:10.089 --> 00:00:12.890 Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Bullvine 00:00:12.890 --> 00:00:15.970 Podcast. I'm your host, Bella, and I'm joined 00:00:15.970 --> 00:00:19.589 today by my co -host, Douglas. We have an incredibly 00:00:19.589 --> 00:00:22.670 inspiring episode lined up for you today that 00:00:22.670 --> 00:00:25.230 I know will resonate with everyone in our dairy 00:00:25.230 --> 00:00:28.280 community. That's right, Bella. Today we're diving 00:00:28.280 --> 00:00:30.480 into the remarkable journey of Tom and Kelly 00:00:30.480 --> 00:00:34.299 Cull of Bud John Farms. If you're in the Holstein 00:00:34.299 --> 00:00:37.079 world, you've definitely heard these names. Over 00:00:37.079 --> 00:00:39.539 the past quarter century, this power couple has 00:00:39.539 --> 00:00:41.899 transformed a modest farming operation into one 00:00:41.899 --> 00:00:44.039 of the most respected breeding programs in the 00:00:44.039 --> 00:00:47.039 industry. Their story is packed with lessons 00:00:47.039 --> 00:00:50.539 about resilience, innovation, and unwavering 00:00:50.539 --> 00:00:53.280 commitment. What I love about their story is 00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:56.600 how relatable their beginnings are. Many of our 00:00:56.600 --> 00:00:59.000 listeners started on small family farms just 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:01.500 like Tom did, and Kelly's background in the AI 00:01:01.500 --> 00:01:03.859 industry is something many professionals will 00:01:03.859 --> 00:01:07.120 connect with. We'll explore how they built their 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:10.299 business, overcame significant challenges, and 00:01:10.299 --> 00:01:13.079 created a legacy that continues to impact the 00:01:13.079 --> 00:01:16.319 dairy world. So get comfortable, whether you're 00:01:16.319 --> 00:01:18.200 in the milking parlor, driving your tractor, 00:01:18.359 --> 00:01:21.719 or just taking a break from farm chores. You're 00:01:21.719 --> 00:01:23.719 about to hear a story that might just change 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:26.659 how you think about your own operation. Let's 00:01:26.659 --> 00:01:29.700 start at the beginning. Tom's story begins, like 00:01:29.700 --> 00:01:33.120 many of our listeners' stories, on a small family 00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:36.959 farm in Pewaukee, just west of Milwaukee. Douglas, 00:01:37.140 --> 00:01:38.980 can you paint that picture for our audience? 00:01:39.620 --> 00:01:42.180 Tom grew up on what he describes as a modest 00:01:42.180 --> 00:01:45.680 operation, about 50 cows in a tie -stall barn 00:01:45.680 --> 00:01:50.560 with 260 acres of land, all Holsteins. Like most 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:53.319 farm kids, he balanced daily chores with school 00:01:53.319 --> 00:01:56.879 and sports. His family wasn't specifically breeding 00:01:56.879 --> 00:01:59.439 or buying animals for the show ring. They worked 00:01:59.439 --> 00:02:02.019 with what they had, showing their everyday cows 00:02:02.019 --> 00:02:05.719 at local fairs. It's amazing to think that someone 00:02:05.719 --> 00:02:08.879 who's now considered an industry icon started 00:02:08.879 --> 00:02:12.080 with such humble beginnings. It really shows 00:02:12.080 --> 00:02:15.699 what's possible with dedication and vision. The 00:02:15.699 --> 00:02:17.659 turning point came when Tom's brothers showed 00:02:17.659 --> 00:02:20.650 two special young cows, Bud John Raider Annie 00:02:20.650 --> 00:02:23.849 and Bud John Starbuck Winnie, and things really 00:02:23.849 --> 00:02:27.030 took off from there. Meanwhile, Kelly was on 00:02:27.030 --> 00:02:28.990 a completely different path in the AI industry. 00:02:29.270 --> 00:02:32.750 She was putting in serious miles, around 70 ,000 00:02:32.750 --> 00:02:36.409 miles yearly, covering a seven -state area, first 00:02:36.409 --> 00:02:39.909 for Sire Power and later for Alta Genetics. 70 00:02:39.909 --> 00:02:43.409 ,000 miles a year? That's incredible. That's 00:02:43.409 --> 00:02:45.650 like driving around the Earth almost three times. 00:02:46.810 --> 00:02:49.530 It's a staggering number. And during all that 00:02:49.530 --> 00:02:52.009 travel, Kelly was absorbing ideas from different 00:02:52.009 --> 00:02:54.889 farms and management systems. When she helped 00:02:54.889 --> 00:02:57.810 launch the Peak Young Sire program, she was exposed 00:02:57.810 --> 00:03:00.449 to countless different approaches to dairy management. 00:03:00.830 --> 00:03:03.729 All those ideas would later shape what Bud John 00:03:03.729 --> 00:03:08.430 Farms would become. And ka, I love how Kelly 00:03:08.430 --> 00:03:11.090 took all those exhausting road miles and turned 00:03:11.090 --> 00:03:14.110 them into practical innovations. For example, 00:03:14.560 --> 00:03:16.840 Their calf warming room was designed after a 00:03:16.840 --> 00:03:19.460 system she'd seen at a young sire herd in northwest 00:03:19.460 --> 00:03:22.860 Wisconsin. It's a perfect example of how exposure 00:03:22.860 --> 00:03:26.300 to different operations can spark new ideas for 00:03:26.300 --> 00:03:29.539 your own farm. So Bella, Tom, and Kelly tied 00:03:29.539 --> 00:03:32.319 the knot in 2000, which means they just celebrated 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:36.319 their 25th anniversary this March. But they weren't 00:03:36.319 --> 00:03:38.729 just building a marriage. They were creating 00:03:38.729 --> 00:03:41.770 the foundation for a revolutionary business model. 00:03:41.969 --> 00:03:44.189 Their partnership actually began a few years 00:03:44.189 --> 00:03:48.009 before they married, right? In 1996, they partnered 00:03:48.009 --> 00:03:50.870 with Joel Kietzman to acquire Cruel Broker Elegance, 00:03:51.030 --> 00:03:54.789 followed by housing Van Dyke K. Integrity Paradise 00:03:54.789 --> 00:03:59.770 for Mark Ruth in 1997. These early partnerships 00:03:59.770 --> 00:04:02.110 planted the seeds for what would eventually grow 00:04:02.110 --> 00:04:06.009 into Bud John Boarding. After moving to La Mira 00:04:06.009 --> 00:04:09.560 in 1998, They spotted a gap in the market that 00:04:09.560 --> 00:04:12.620 no one else had filled. They realized there was 00:04:12.620 --> 00:04:15.340 a need for specialized care for show animals 00:04:15.340 --> 00:04:17.839 owned by families who didn't have the facilities 00:04:17.839 --> 00:04:22.480 or expertise to raise them properly. That's such 00:04:22.480 --> 00:04:25.600 a brilliant business insight. They essentially 00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:29.040 created a service that didn't exist before, allowing 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:31.680 more families to participate in showing without 00:04:31.680 --> 00:04:35.180 needing to become full -time dairy farmers. Tom 00:04:35.180 --> 00:04:38.250 explains it like this. We started a market of 00:04:38.250 --> 00:04:40.250 buying and selling cattle to local Wisconsin 00:04:40.250 --> 00:04:43.069 families that maybe weren't able or didn't have 00:04:43.069 --> 00:04:46.089 the facilities to raise show animals. Their kids 00:04:46.089 --> 00:04:48.290 were involved and wanted to show in Junior Holstein 00:04:48.290 --> 00:04:51.189 shows, so they'd purchase these animals and then 00:04:51.189 --> 00:04:55.810 leave them with us for daily care. And from those 00:04:55.810 --> 00:04:59.009 first local clients, their reputation spread 00:04:59.009 --> 00:05:02.709 throughout Wisconsin. Some of those early partnerships, 00:05:02.990 --> 00:05:05.730 like the one with the Crave family from Waterloo, 00:05:06.199 --> 00:05:08.759 continue strong today, more than two decades 00:05:08.759 --> 00:05:12.000 later. That speaks volumes about the quality 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:14.759 of their work and the trust they've built. Tom 00:05:14.759 --> 00:05:17.600 and Kelly have said, we did not start trying 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:20.879 to make the business we are today. Rather, we 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:23.000 started with some small partnerships that grew 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:26.040 into larger ones, and these partnerships created 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:29.339 more partnerships. I think there's a powerful 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:31.480 lesson there about organic growth and letting 00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:34.339 your reputation build your business. You know, 00:05:34.339 --> 00:05:38.319 Douglas, Behind every successful person, there's 00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:41.420 usually some pivotal advice or mentorship that 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:44.899 changed everything. Tom had one of those moments 00:05:44.899 --> 00:05:46.879 during his first year at the University of Wisconsin 00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:50.980 -Madison in 1993. While working as a clipper 00:05:50.980 --> 00:05:53.879 for Harry Weier of Dundee -Eyed Holsteins, Tom 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:56.000 approached Pam Weier -Nunes at the spring show, 00:05:56.180 --> 00:05:59.480 asking how to improve his skills. Her reply was 00:05:59.480 --> 00:06:02.500 simple, but life -changing. Go work with Joel 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:05.959 Kietzman and Mark Ruth. Isn't it amazing how 00:06:05.959 --> 00:06:08.819 seven simple words can set someone on an entirely 00:06:08.819 --> 00:06:12.819 new path? Both men took Tom under their wing, 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:15.720 instilling their work ethic and cattle preparation 00:06:15.720 --> 00:06:18.500 skills in him. I think many of our listeners 00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:21.120 can probably point to similar moments when the 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:23.800 right advice at the right time changed everything. 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:26.879 For Kelly, professional development came less 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:29.699 from direct advice and more from her commitment 00:06:29.699 --> 00:06:33.560 to being a role model herself. She says, I think 00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:35.959 the most important hat I wear is one of a mentor. 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:40.180 Her personal motto is, get what you give in life, 00:06:40.360 --> 00:06:42.920 which I think beautifully summarizes her approach. 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:45.959 That philosophy of giving back and mentoring 00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:48.680 others is clearly important to both of them. 00:06:49.040 --> 00:06:51.920 I think it explains a lot about why they've had 00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:54.660 such an impact on the industry beyond just their 00:06:54.660 --> 00:06:57.699 breeding program. Every success story includes 00:06:57.699 --> 00:07:00.470 overcoming significant challenges. And Tom and 00:07:00.470 --> 00:07:03.670 Kelly's journey is no exception. One of the most 00:07:03.670 --> 00:07:05.850 remarkable examples is Kelly's health journey 00:07:05.850 --> 00:07:10.610 in 2018. That year was incredibly difficult for 00:07:10.610 --> 00:07:14.350 Kelly. At just 45 years old, she underwent not 00:07:14.350 --> 00:07:17.610 one, but two hip replacement surgeries after 00:07:17.610 --> 00:07:20.329 suffering from osteoarthritis for nearly a year. 00:07:20.670 --> 00:07:23.649 Can you imagine running a dairy operation while 00:07:23.649 --> 00:07:26.680 dealing with that level of pain? Her doctor was 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:28.980 adamant that she stay completely away from the 00:07:28.980 --> 00:07:31.600 farm for two full months to ensure proper recovery. 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:35.259 For someone whose life revolves around the farm, 00:07:35.319 --> 00:07:39.000 that must have felt like an eternity. Then 10 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:41.600 months after the first surgery, she had her second 00:07:41.600 --> 00:07:43.939 hip replaced right after the World Dairy Expo. 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:47.079 But here's where the story becomes truly inspirational. 00:07:48.779 --> 00:07:52.959 In 2024, at age 51, with two artificial hips, 00:07:53.220 --> 00:07:56.500 Kelly power walked a half marathon, completing 00:07:56.500 --> 00:08:00.079 the 13 .1 miles in just three hours after training 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:02.779 for more than three months. That's the definition 00:08:02.779 --> 00:08:05.759 of resilience. What's fascinating is how Kelly's 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:08.500 hip journey parallels that of one of Bud John's 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:11.819 most celebrated cows, Subliminal, who in 2013 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:15.519 overcame a severe hip dislocation. Kelly jokes 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:18.139 that Two of Tom's favorite women in his life 00:08:18.139 --> 00:08:22.000 have fake or repaired hips. But there's a serious 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:25.480 side to this story, too. Subliminal's year -long 00:08:25.480 --> 00:08:28.800 recovery using slings, hobbles, and a specialized 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:31.920 sandpen directly influenced the design of Bud 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:34.860 John's new facility, which now includes a dedicated 00:08:34.860 --> 00:08:37.580 sandpen area for injured or recovering animals. 00:08:38.019 --> 00:08:40.700 They've even invested in a float tank and blood 00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:42.879 analysis equipment to address metabolic health 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:45.840 situations quickly. I think that illustrates 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:48.379 something important about Tom and Kelly's approach. 00:08:49.200 --> 00:08:51.919 They turn personal challenges into solutions 00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:55.679 that benefit all their animals. Their philosophy 00:08:55.679 --> 00:08:58.340 seems to be that repair and recovery take time, 00:08:58.440 --> 00:09:00.980 and you have to allow people and animals to live 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:03.460 in an environment that nurtures them back to 00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:07.100 health. Douglas, I think our listeners would 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:09.679 enjoy hearing about some of the mishaps Tom and 00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:11.899 Kelly have experienced while traveling to shows. 00:09:12.970 --> 00:09:16.029 Because behind every polished show ring victory, 00:09:16.309 --> 00:09:19.070 there's usually a collection of disasters that 00:09:19.070 --> 00:09:21.149 never make it into the winner's circle photos. 00:09:22.309 --> 00:09:24.929 One of my favorites involves Tom's ingenious 00:09:24.929 --> 00:09:27.690 but initially flawed big storage carts designed 00:09:27.690 --> 00:09:31.870 for show setup. Picture this. They arrive at 00:09:31.870 --> 00:09:34.269 their first show in Quebec, roll these massive 00:09:34.269 --> 00:09:36.970 carts off the trailer, and all the wheels immediately 00:09:36.970 --> 00:09:41.070 break off. Oh no, what did they do? Continuing 00:09:41.070 --> 00:09:43.580 the story. They fixed them with heavy caster 00:09:43.580 --> 00:09:47.039 wheels before their next show, The Royal. But 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:49.700 the saga continued. As they rolled the carts 00:09:49.700 --> 00:09:52.360 down the back road towards the barns, the caster 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:54.980 wheels began to break apart. They barely got 00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:57.940 them into the barn. And the punchline is that 00:09:57.940 --> 00:10:01.320 after Tom finally found a durable solution, many 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:02.980 people have copied the carts for themselves. 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:07.179 Isn't that always the way? Your disasters become 00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:10.240 someone else's inspiration. Then there's the 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:13.299 tale of Mandy. a tabby farm cat who stowed away 00:10:13.299 --> 00:10:15.299 in their trailer during a trip to Louisville. 00:10:15.919 --> 00:10:18.440 After disappearing into the fairgrounds for five 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:21.679 days, she reappeared in their tent on show day, 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:24.059 hung around while they showed their national 00:10:24.059 --> 00:10:26.860 champion, and eventually returned home to Wisconsin. 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:30.840 You really can't make these stories up. I think 00:10:30.840 --> 00:10:33.259 these kinds of mishaps and adventures are what 00:10:33.259 --> 00:10:36.759 make the show circuit so memorable. It's not 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:39.720 just about the ribbons and champions. It's about 00:10:39.720 --> 00:10:43.139 the journey. Speaking of champions, Tom's receipt 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:46.240 of the prestigious Klusendorf Award speaks volumes 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:49.179 about his impact on the industry. This honor 00:10:49.179 --> 00:10:52.059 recognizes not just his showmanship skills, but 00:10:52.059 --> 00:10:54.299 his significant contributions as a mentor to 00:10:54.299 --> 00:10:57.840 countless young exhibitors. When asked about 00:10:57.840 --> 00:11:00.539 specific mentoring relationships that stand out, 00:11:00.679 --> 00:11:03.720 Tom highlighted several meaningful ones, including 00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:07.330 Kelly's nephews, Trevor Tooman, Chandler, and 00:11:07.330 --> 00:11:10.009 Calvin Benning, who transformed their modest 00:11:10.009 --> 00:11:12.750 beef farm into an efficient facility for show 00:11:12.750 --> 00:11:15.929 heifers. He also mentioned Kylie Nichols, whose 00:11:15.929 --> 00:11:19.049 Jersey Home Ridge Tia Nett overcame significant 00:11:19.049 --> 00:11:21.309 calving challenges to become a Junior Supreme 00:11:21.309 --> 00:11:25.549 Champion and Jersey Jug Futurity winner. Beyond 00:11:25.549 --> 00:11:28.330 these examples, Tom and Kelly have mentored numerous 00:11:28.330 --> 00:11:30.830 fitters and show crew members who have become 00:11:30.830 --> 00:11:34.149 like family. I love their approach to staff training. 00:11:34.529 --> 00:11:37.009 They tell their team, Put your phone down and 00:11:37.009 --> 00:11:41.710 eyes up. Observe, watch, listen. That philosophy 00:11:41.710 --> 00:11:44.409 applies far beyond the barn. It's a lesson we 00:11:44.409 --> 00:11:46.330 could all use in our increasingly distracted 00:11:46.330 --> 00:11:50.669 world. Absolutely. In an age where we're constantly 00:11:50.669 --> 00:11:53.309 looking at screens, they remind us that nothing 00:11:53.309 --> 00:11:56.350 replaces careful observation, whether we're talking 00:11:56.350 --> 00:11:58.990 about animal behavior or learning new skills. 00:12:00.049 --> 00:12:02.549 Let's talk about some of the management principles 00:12:02.549 --> 00:12:05.350 that have made Bud John Farms so successful. 00:12:05.789 --> 00:12:08.529 What I love about their approach is that these 00:12:08.529 --> 00:12:11.330 principles can work for operations of all sizes, 00:12:11.529 --> 00:12:15.870 not just elite show herds. First and foremost, 00:12:16.110 --> 00:12:19.710 observation trumps technology. That put -your 00:12:19.710 --> 00:12:21.750 -phone -down -and -eyes -up philosophy we just 00:12:21.750 --> 00:12:24.450 mentioned isn't just about training. It's the 00:12:24.450 --> 00:12:27.750 foundation of their animal care approach. They 00:12:27.750 --> 00:12:30.190 believe nothing replaces careful observation 00:12:30.190 --> 00:12:33.809 of animal behavior and needs. They also emphasize 00:12:33.809 --> 00:12:37.080 facility respect. both for their staff and animals. 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:40.320 Lead the animals as if you are at a show daily, 00:12:40.580 --> 00:12:43.779 they instruct. Every animal on this farm is treated 00:12:43.779 --> 00:12:46.879 with the utmost respect. These might seem like 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:49.639 simple principles, but they've yielded extraordinary 00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:53.399 results. The culls have created specialized recovery 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:57.399 environments, invested in diagnostic tools for 00:12:57.399 --> 00:13:00.139 immediate health monitoring, and maintained an 00:13:00.139 --> 00:13:02.200 unwavering commitment to excellence in their 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:06.720 operation. Let me share some specific Bud John 00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:09.299 management tips that our listeners could implement 00:13:09.299 --> 00:13:13.340 in their own operations. Number one, early disease 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:16.740 detection. They've installed on -farm blood analysis 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:19.500 equipment for rapid metabolic testing, allowing 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:22.779 treatment before symptoms become severe. Number 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:26.179 two, recovery environments. They've designed 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:29.000 specialized sandpens for injured or recovering 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:32.220 animals, providing secure footing that prevents 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:35.710 further injury. Number three, specialized calf 00:13:35.710 --> 00:13:38.509 facilities. They created a dedicated warming 00:13:38.509 --> 00:13:40.789 room for starting calves in cold weather months 00:13:40.789 --> 00:13:43.889 before transitioning to outdoor hutches. Number 00:13:43.889 --> 00:13:47.789 four, observation first approach. They train 00:13:47.789 --> 00:13:50.149 staff to recognize subtle behavioral changes 00:13:50.149 --> 00:13:52.950 that indicate an animal needs attention before 00:13:52.950 --> 00:13:55.929 symptoms appear. And number five, technology 00:13:55.929 --> 00:13:59.340 integration. They use custom software solutions 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:01.779 that combine animal management with financial 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:05.360 tracking to reduce administrative overhead. These 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:08.759 approaches may require initial investment, but 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:11.440 they can substantially reduce veterinary costs 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:14.779 and animal losses in the long term. It's about 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:17.279 being proactive rather than reactive when it 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:20.320 comes to herd health. Working with your spouse 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:25.799 24 -7 would break many marriages. How have Tom 00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:29.460 and Kelly made it work for 25 years? Their secret 00:14:29.460 --> 00:14:32.659 isn't particularly mysterious. It's just hard 00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:36.019 to execute consistently. They admit they're both 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:39.059 type A in charge personalities, which creates 00:14:39.059 --> 00:14:41.740 daily challenges, but has also made them great 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:44.559 at what they each do. Their approach involves 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:47.399 clear role definition and some hard -earned relationship 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:51.860 skills. They say, we've learned to agree to disagree. 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:55.009 We've learned to let things go. We've learned 00:14:55.009 --> 00:14:58.529 how to compromise. These skills didn't come naturally. 00:14:58.870 --> 00:15:01.169 They were developed through years of working 00:15:01.169 --> 00:15:04.309 side by side, navigating challenges and celebrating 00:15:04.309 --> 00:15:07.250 triumphs together. Their partnership reveals 00:15:07.250 --> 00:15:11.649 complementary strengths. Describing Tom with 00:15:11.649 --> 00:15:14.389 his quick wit, thought -out answers to any question, 00:15:14.590 --> 00:15:17.350 ability to see multiple angles to any situation, 00:15:17.529 --> 00:15:20.610 and problem -solving skills would have made an 00:15:20.610 --> 00:15:23.210 excellent lawyer in another life. Meanwhile, 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:25.840 Kelly would have remained an entrepreneur, perhaps 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:29.039 breeding and kenneling dogs, driven by her love 00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:32.379 of animals and business enjoyment. When asked 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:35.100 about their ideal dinner guests, Kelly's response 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:38.080 reveals her admiration for strong female leadership. 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:50.799 She said, And both Tom and Kelly shared a touching 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:53.840 wish. Tom and I would like to have dinner with 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:57.559 Matt Templeton and Annette Ostrom one more time. 00:15:58.139 --> 00:16:01.220 The wistfulness in that simple statement speaks 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:04.240 volumes about the relationships they valued throughout 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:07.100 their journey. One of the most valuable business 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:10.259 lessons from the Kulls story is how they've used 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:13.000 diversification to protect themselves against 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:16.240 market volatility. Douglas, can you explain their 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:19.159 approach? The cull's multifaceted business model 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:21.720 offers a blueprint for sustainability in today's 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:24.519 dairy industry, where milk price volatility can 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:27.580 devastate even well -managed operations. Unlike 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:29.799 conventional dairy farms that rely primarily 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:33.159 on milk sales, Bud John has deliberately created 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:36.460 multiple revenue streams. Their boarding business, 00:16:36.820 --> 00:16:40.399 embryo work, and show preparation services provide 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:43.279 income stability when any sector faces challenges. 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:46.259 This approach has allowed them to weather economic 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:49.379 storms that have forced many traditional operations 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:53.000 to exit the industry. While specific economic 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:55.860 data isn't publicly available, the longevity 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:58.759 of their business model speaks volumes. They've 00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:00.659 maintained profitability through some of the 00:17:00.659 --> 00:17:03.860 dairy industry's most challenging decades. Their 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:06.700 25 -year success story demonstrates that specialized 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:10.079 services can create significant value when traditional 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:13.599 commodities face price pressure. For conventional 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:15.740 dairy producers considering diversification, 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:19.319 the Bud John model suggests starting with your 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:22.180 operation's unique strengths and gradually expanding 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:25.299 into complementary services. This might mean 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:28.200 offering custom heifer raising, specialized breeding 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:31.740 services, or even educational programs. Whatever 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:34.680 leverages your expertise while creating new revenue 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:38.400 opportunities. Tom and Kelly have noted. Looking 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:40.880 back, I can identify that we have adjusted our 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:43.519 business model several times over the past 25 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:47.680 years. That willingness to evolve and adapt is 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:49.920 crucial in today's rapidly changing agricultural 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:53.619 landscape. If you had to distill the Bud John 00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:56.440 way into three words, Tom and Kelly wouldn't 00:17:56.440 --> 00:18:00.160 hesitate, never give up. This philosophy resonates 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:02.079 through their choice of theme song, The Champion 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:05.019 by Carrie Underwood. which perfectly captures 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:07.279 their journey from modest beginnings to industry 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:10.200 leadership. Each letter in Champion carries a 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:13.640 special meaning. C, courage. H, honor. A, attitude. 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:17.160 M, motivation. P, persevere. I, integrity. O, 00:18:17.339 --> 00:18:21.339 optimistic. N, necessary. We truly have paid 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:24.059 our dues, they say. We have physically worked 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:26.359 our whole lives, and when we go to any show, 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:28.920 we always want to be a force to reckon with. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:32.460 Their legacy isn't just about winning ribbons 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:35.460 or breeding exceptional cattle. It's about establishing 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:39.440 a new business model in the dairy industry. We 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:41.539 laid the foundation on how to build a boarding 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:44.200 business that is not focused and does not rely 00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:46.980 on just one avenue or revenue stream, but is 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:51.349 multifaceted, they explain. The Culls diversified 00:18:51.349 --> 00:18:53.809 approach offers valuable lessons in an industry 00:18:53.809 --> 00:18:57.029 facing significant economic challenges, from 00:18:57.029 --> 00:18:59.769 milk price volatility to rising input costs. 00:18:59.990 --> 00:19:02.710 By expanding beyond traditional milk production 00:19:02.710 --> 00:19:05.809 to include specialized boarding services, embryo 00:19:05.809 --> 00:19:08.730 work, and show preparation, they've created multiple 00:19:08.730 --> 00:19:11.609 revenue streams that provide stability when one 00:19:11.609 --> 00:19:14.630 sector struggles. And as Tom and Kelly celebrate 00:19:14.630 --> 00:19:19.369 their 25th year in business in 2025, Their story 00:19:19.369 --> 00:19:22.630 continues to inspire dairy farmers and breeders 00:19:22.630 --> 00:19:26.069 everywhere. From their humble beginnings, Tom 00:19:26.069 --> 00:19:28.910 on that small family farm in Pewaukee, and Kelly 00:19:28.910 --> 00:19:32.230 logging all those miles in the AI industry, they've 00:19:32.230 --> 00:19:35.109 built not just a successful business, but a model 00:19:35.109 --> 00:19:37.970 for excellence that others can follow. Their 00:19:37.970 --> 00:19:40.210 journey hasn't been without challenges, from 00:19:40.210 --> 00:19:42.490 health issues to the constant demands of evolving 00:19:42.490 --> 00:19:45.160 with the industry. But Bud John Farms' ability 00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:48.259 to adapt, innovate, and stay true to its core 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:50.920 values has secured its place among the elite. 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:53.920 What strikes me most about Tom and Kelly's story 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:56.819 isn't just what they've accomplished, it's how 00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:59.839 they've accomplished it. They've created something 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:03.640 special with unwavering dedication, genuine passion, 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:06.579 and a partnership built on mutual respect and 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:09.599 complementary strengths. And if there's one lesson 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:11.680 we can all take from the Coles, whether we're 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:14.569 dairy farmers or not, It's those three simple 00:20:14.569 --> 00:20:16.970 words that have guided them through every challenge. 00:20:17.450 --> 00:20:22.029 Never give up. As they put it, we will exhaust 00:20:22.029 --> 00:20:24.950 every possibility when it comes to problem solving 00:20:24.950 --> 00:20:27.950 and caring for animals. And when we can't do 00:20:27.950 --> 00:20:30.430 it, we will network and figure out another solution. 00:20:31.049 --> 00:20:34.410 Rarely do we ever give up. That's all for today's 00:20:34.410 --> 00:20:37.130 episode of the Bullvine Podcast. We hope you 00:20:37.130 --> 00:20:39.349 found inspiration and practical ideas in the 00:20:39.349 --> 00:20:42.509 story of Tom and Kelly Cull. Remember to subscribe 00:20:42.509 --> 00:20:45.089 wherever you get your podcasts and join us next 00:20:45.089 --> 00:20:47.269 time for more insights from the dairy industry's 00:20:47.269 --> 00:20:49.910 most innovative minds. Until then, keep dreaming 00:20:49.910 --> 00:20:53.650 big and never give up. This is Bella. And Douglas, 00:20:53.869 --> 00:20:56.430 signing off. Thanks for listening to the Bullvine 00:20:56.430 --> 00:20:56.789 Podcast.