Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast, the show where
we explore the stories behind the world's most
successful dairy operations. Today, we're diving
into the remarkable journey of Cord Horman and
Wilcor Holsteins, a German breeding program that
has captured international attention with its
commitment to quality over quantity. From humble
beginnings to grand champion titles, Cord shares
his insights on breeding philosophy, facility
design, and the importance of deep cow families.
Let's get started. All right, folks, picture
this, the packed hall, the murmur of anticipation,
and then the hush as the judge points. Oh, Katie,
grand champion at the 51st, shout her best in.
The place must have just, well. Yeah, electric
atmosphere, I bet. But you know us here at the
Deep Dive. We're not just about the snapshot
of victory, are we? We want to know the whole
story. Exactly. Today, we're pulling back the
curtain on that champion moment to explore the
remarkable journey of Cord Horman and Wilker
Holsteins. That's right. And for you listening
in, whether you're managing a large herd or a
family -sized operation or involved in the dairy
sector in any capacity, this isn't just a, you
know, pat on the back story. Think of it more
as a blueprint for building excellence. one careful
decision at a time. We're talking about a vision
that started small, a level of patience that's
honestly, well, a rarity these days, and an attention
to detail that's truly something to admire. Absolutely.
We're taking you backstage to see how a 16 -cow
tie stall setup evolved into a breeding program
that commands respect on the global Holstein
stage. We'll be digging into Cord's early passion
for Holsteins, those eye -opening experiences
he had in North America. Those trips were key.
The well -thought -out steps he took to build
Wilcor and his unique insights gained from working
in the AI industry. That's a fascinating angle.
It really is. We'll also be unraveling his breeding
philosophy, like what drives his decisions. Then,
of course, the fascinating story of the Eucalyptus
family. the meticulous journey of developing
O 'Kady into a champion, the perspective he's
gained from judging internationally, the success
of the Welcome to Wilcor sale, a glimpse into
his life beyond the farm where Wilcor stands
today, and some really valuable advice for anyone
looking to breed top -tier Holsteins. We're going
deep, folks. No skimming here. This is a thorough
exploration designed to give you, well... Practical
insights you can actually apply. So let's not
wait another minute. Let's do it. 16 cows in
a tie stall. I mean, that's a picture many of
you listening will know well, right? For sure.
It's where Cord's passion really took root, inspired
by his father's interest in the breed. You can
almost see a young Cord, maybe 10 years old,
leading his first 4 -H calf. That early hands
-on experience is often where that... you know
lifelong connection begins it really is and it
wasn't just the daily routine on the farm those
february trips to the shatterbeston were clearly
a major influence cord remembers being there
the day before just soaking it all in seeing
these incredible animals daughters of legendary
bulls he said and i quote i guess that lit the
fire yeah it's those moments isn't it that first
exposure to truly exceptional cows that just
sets your own standards so for you listening
Kord's early exposure to top quality animals
at events like Shoud or Bestin highlights a crucial
first step, immersing yourself in excellence
to understand the benchmark and ignite your own
ambition. Absolutely. And his education in what
makes a great cow wasn't limited to Germany.
His exchange year in North America, even though
it wasn't directly focused on show cattle, it
definitely broadened his horizons. Right. And
then those return trips to Canada and the U .S.,
taking in the fall show circuit at World Dairy
Expo and the Royal Winter Fair, those were really
formative experiences. He got to see those iconic
cows firsthand. Names that still ring out. Right.
Despoins and James Sidney, Thru Lane, James Rose,
these weren't just pretty faces. They were kind
of redefining the modern kind of Holstein back
then. And Cord picked up on a key principle there.
He certainly did. He realized, and this is a
crucial insight for everyone, you don't win anything
on the pack but in the ring. The pedigree is
important, sure, but it's not the whole story.
He identified the critical elements, that special
appeal, the cleanness of frame, but fundamentally
correct confirmation and crucially great utters.
That became a non -negotiable cornerstone of
his breeding philosophy. Fast forward to 2009.
Cord finishes his education, ready to put his
vision into action. But talk about timing. He
stepped right into a period of record low milk
prices. You've got to admire the grit there.
They had to rent a barn and prioritize commercial
viability just to keep the farm afloat before
they could even think about seriously pursuing
those elite genetics. It's a powerful reminder
that even the biggest dreams need to be grounded
in, well, financial reality. This next chapter
in Cord's story is a crucial reminder that even
the most ambitious dreams face real -world challenges.
It's a testament to his resilience, that. Exactly.
Really grounds the story, doesn't it? This wasn't
an overnight fairy tale. There was a significant
period of practical challenges. But what's impressive
is that even during that time, from 2009 to 2020
while renting facilities, he was strategically
making those genetic investments that would eventually
define Will Kord. Right. Playing the long game.
For those of you considering strategic genetic
investments, take note of Kord's long term vision,
even amidst those short term hurdles. And. The
results speak volumes, don't they? 12, excellent.
14, very good, and nothing lower in classification.
That's an incredible level of consistency and
a testament to those early strategic choices.
Investing in embryos from outstanding families,
those show cows from France. But you mentioned
the real turning point. Yes, the Eau Calibre
embryos. That was the pivotal investment. He
got into that family before Eau Calibre's major
accolades, which shows remarkable foresight,
really. Definitely. And the returns on that investment,
both in terms of sales and in building the foundation
of his best cow families, have been substantial
and long -lasting. This wasn't just luck. It
underscores a vital insight. Identifying and
investing in deep, proven cow families early
can provide a foundational advantage that pays
dividends for years to come. Then comes 2019,
a real milestone. Cord starts building that purpose
-designed facility on the home farm. And from
what we hear, this isn't your run -of -the -mill
barn. No, sounds pretty nice. Spacious stalls,
deep bedding, open sides for fresh air, plenty
of natural light. Sounds like the cow has got
a serious upgrade. This marked a significant
shift in Wilcor's trajectory. It really does
sound like it. Yeah. And as he mentioned, he
traveled to the U .S. to see similar setups,
did his homework, and designed a barn specifically
to create an optimal environment for his high
-caliber cows and heifers. Housing for 25 -30
milking cows, around 25 heifers, plus calf housing.
That step, he says, was crucial in allowing them
to move forward. And it highlights a crucial
point for many of you listening. Excellence isn't
necessarily about vast acreage and endless resources.
Wilcor operates on just 70 hectares, half owned,
half rented. It's about maximizing the genetic
potential you have by creating the right environment
and focusing on quality over quantity in every
aspect. Many of you listening will likely be
familiar with the challenges of optimizing production
on limited land. Cord's story is a great example
of how strategic focus can overcome those limitations.
Absolutely. Yeah, here's another aspect that's
quite noteworthy. Cord manages this elite breeding
program while working part -time in the AI industry.
50 % of his time. Think about that. He's not
just immersed in WillCore. He's deeply connected
to the broader Holstein world. That's a perspective
you can't put a price on, right? Being involved
in the AI sector gives him a real -time understanding
of market trends, which sires are generating
buzz, what traits breeders are prioritizing.
It's a synergy that must be incredibly valuable
for his own breeding decisions at Wilcor. He's
seeing the industry from multiple angles. So
being in the AI industry, how does that firsthand
knowledge of which sires are popular or which
traits breeders are prioritizing directly influence
the matings you choose at Wilcor? Precisely.
It directly informs his breeding philosophy,
which, as he describes it, is quite straightforward.
Balanced cows with correct frames, strong dairy
character, good mobility, and outstanding udders.
But, importantly, they also need that excellent
pedigree and phenotype to maximize their marketability.
It's a very holistic approach. Seeing the demand
for, say, strong udders in the AI market reinforces
my focus on udder quality in our own breeding
program, ensuring our genetics align with what
the industry values. And he's not afraid to go
against the current when it comes to popular
trends either. He's observed the recent emphasis
on extreme stature, those tall, narrow, sometimes
less than sturdy types, and it's just not his
cup of tea. He's currently leaning more towards
production, which is interesting. It shows he's
thinking long term about cows that are not just
visually appealing, but also highly functional
and profitable for the dairy farmer. Exactly.
He's prioritizing cows that will perform well
in real world farm conditions, not just those
that look spectacular in the show ring. And that
naturally leads us to what's arguably the cornerstone
of Wilcor's success. The Eucalyptus family. It's
almost as if he had a crystal ball. Making that
investment before their major accolades really
put them on the map. Foresight is an understatement.
He mentioned they were fortunate to get in early.
And that initial investment has yielded significant
returns, not just in sales of calves and embryos,
but in the overall quality of their current herd.
Their best cows still trace back to that incredible
line. And it's not just about being in the right
place at the right time. You know, it's about
understanding the enduring power of deep cow
families, those with a proven track record of
genetic excellence. The influence of Chief Mark
in that lineage, known for his contributions
to strength and dairy character, provided that
ideal foundation that Cord could then build upon
through careful sire selection over generations.
And then we have O 'Kady, the star of our story,
the grand champion herself. She's the embodiment
of Wilcor's breeding and development philosophy.
Right from birth, apparently, she stood out exceptional
length, clean bone structure, that undeniable
it factor. Yeah, that look. It's almost as if
some cows are just born with that star quality.
She certainly was special. And it's fascinating
that Cord also places a strong emphasis on temperament.
It's not just about the visual appeal and production
figures. He believes you need cows with strong
personalities, aggressive eaters, those that
thrive in the herd. But they also need to be
calm and easy to handle. It's that delicate balance
of spirit and docility. And his approach to Okedi's
development is just a masterclass in strategic
patience. He didn't rush things, deciding against
fleshing her as a heifer and carefully timing
her calving for the Jimin show season. Her entire
development was meticulously managed, and even
her show preparation included a small amount
of silage in her diet to maintain her overall
health and well -being. It's that attention to
the fundamental aspects of cow care, even when
aiming for the highest levels of competition.
That's right. It's a holistic and balanced approach.
He understands that long -term health and well
-being are paramount, even for show animals.
And speaking of achievements, it's easy to overlook
the fact that Kord joined the German judging
panel at just 24 years old. 24? That's seriously
impressive. It really is. A significant accomplishment,
showcasing his early expertise and eye for quality.
And he's gone on to judge prestigious events
around the globe, establishing himself as a highly
respected evaluator of Holsteins. His judging
philosophy really mirrors his own breeding goals,
doesn't it? For our listeners who might aspire
to a similar level of expertise, what key steps
do you think are essential to becoming a respected
evaluator in the Holstein world? It does. He
looked for that powerful combination of dairy
strength, that smooth, refined look we call silkiness,
overall style and balance. correct skeletal structure,
and of course a phenomenal, utter, well -veined,
feminine, yet strong, and with excellent teat
placement and movement. That consistent vision,
applied both in his own breeding program and
in his judging career, has undoubtedly been a
major contributor to Wilcoir's success and his
respected standing in the Holstein community.
And then there's the Welcome to Wilcor sale.
Launched in 2022, it's grown remarkably quickly,
attracting buyers from across the continent.
It's not just about acquiring Wilcor genetics
either. It's also about his collaborations with
other leading breeders throughout Europe. Right.
And he emphasizes the crucial role of building
those personal connections, attending shows and
sales across Europe for over two decades. In
our increasingly digital world, that traditional
face -to -face networking still holds tremendous
value for establishing trust and finding the
right partners. But he's also savvy about utilizing
technology. He recognizes the power of social
media for marketing and the necessity of strong
online presence for sales. It's that effective
blend of traditional relationship building with
modern tools that seems to be a winning strategy.
Absolutely. And the evolution of the sale itself
is very strategic. He's focusing on offering
unique lots that are harder to find elsewhere,
like that impressive group of high -quality milking
cows offered last year. He's constantly thinking
about how to make each subsequent sale even better
and more appealing to buyers. Now, it's not all
about cows and competitions, believe it or not.
What does Cord do when he's not in the barn?
I love this. He's been playing soccer since he
was four years old. Wow. Dedication. Still plays
today in the senior league. Apparently no practice.
Just Friday night games followed by some well
-deserved beer and German bratwurst. Sounds like
a great way to unwind. Doesn't it? Does that
team spirit from soccer translate into how you
approach collaboration or build relationships
within the Holstein community? It does sound
like a good balance. And family is clearly a
top priority. He talks about creating a happy
environment for his wife and two young boys,
living on a beautiful farm in a supportive community
with grandparents living just moments away. That
strong integration of farm life and family life
is often a defining characteristic of successful,
sustainable family farms. And those kids are
growing up immersed in the world of elite dairy
cattle, learning firsthand about the rewards
of hard work and dedication. Whether they follow
in his Holstein footsteps remains to be seen,
of course, but they're certainly getting a valuable
education in life. So where does Wilcor stand
today? Well, it's firmly established as one of
Germany's leading Holstein breeding operations.
That focused 30 -cow milking herd consistently
produces exceptional animals that compete at
the highest levels. And those classification
scores, 12, excellent, 14, very good, really
speak volumes about the consistent quality he's
achieved. And Cord keeps a sharp eye on current
industry trends, too. He's noticed a shift away
from pedigrees that emphasize extreme type but
maybe lack in production and health traits. Right.
The balance is key. The demand for overly tall,
narrow cattle is also waning, he says. It's all
about achieving that crucial balance and prioritizing
functionality now. Exactly. As he aptly put it,
size doesn't matter anymore. Quality and balance
do. Frail, knock -kneed cows cannot succeed in
the show ring or in a commercial setting. That
perfectly aligns with Wilcor's longstanding breeding
philosophy, suggesting they are very well positioned
for the future direction of the industry. And
he's not one to rest on his laurels, clearly.
He has ambitious goals for Wilcor, including
more memorable sales and showcasing a strong
string of mostly home -bred cows at a major European
show. They're continuously developing those established,
successful cow families while strategically incorporating
carefully selected outside genetics to complement
their breeding objectives. It's a continuous
cycle of refinement and improvement. And by maintaining
that manageable size and that intense focus on
quality, Wilcor is well -placed to remain a significant
influence in European Holstein breeding for many
years to come. That ongoing reinvestment in their
facilities and their commitment to genetic advancement
are key to staying at the forefront. Now, for
anyone listening who dreams of building their
own successful Holstein breeding program, Cord
offers some truly valuable advice. He emphasizes
the importance of gaining experience by working
for successful breeders, learning different languages,
traveling to see different operations, and actively
listening to the wisdom of experienced breeders.
It's all about absorbing knowledge from every
possible source. Yeah, soaking it all in. And
perhaps the most critical piece of advice he
shares. Success only comes through hard work
and attention to detail. Patience is absolutely
essential. Development takes significant time.
That's the core message, isn't it? It really
is. In an industry that sometimes chases fleeting
trends and quick profits, that reminder about
the fundamental importance of hard work, meticulous
detail, and a long -term vision is incredibly
important and resonates deeply. Absolutely. And
ultimately, the story of Wilker Holsteins is
a powerful demonstration that you don't need
a massive operation to achieve extraordinary
excellence. From those modest beginnings, Cord
has shown that a focused passion and an unwavering
commitment to quality can lead to remarkable
results and a lasting impact on the Holstein
breed. It truly is a story of quality over quantity,
the power of strategic patience, and, well, a
relentless pursuit of excellence. Indeed. And
Wilker's journey serves as a powerful example
for dairy farmers and industry professionals
at all levels. It underscores that achieving
excellence in Holstein breeding is attainable
through focused passion and an unwavering commitment
to quality, regardless of your initial scale
of operation. It really makes you think about
how Cord Horman managed to effectively balance
his responsibilities in the AI industry with
the demanding work of building such an elite
breeding program. For those of you listening,
maybe think about how you can leverage your own
diverse experiences and perspectives to enhance
your dairy operations and decision making. Perhaps
consider the potential for synergy between different
facets of the dairy industry and how they could
mutually benefit your own path forward. Something
to mull over. Definitely food for thought. And
for more in -depth stories and valuable insights
from the world of dairy breeding, be sure to
visit the Bullvine website at www .thebullvine
.com. You'll find a wealth of information to
continue exploring the nuances of the industry
and see how the inspiring lessons from Wilcor
Holsteins can inform your own journey towards
rising to excellence. Thanks for diving deep
with us today. Keep striving for that excellence
in your own operations, and we look forward to
our next conversation. Thanks for tuning in to
this episode of the Bullvine Podcast. If you
enjoyed learning about Cord Horman's approach
to Holstein breeding, be sure to subscribe to
our podcast for more stories from the dairy industry.
Join us next time as we explore another inspiring
tale of innovation and excellence in agriculture.
Until then, stay informed and keep listening.
Stay curious, stay informed.