Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Bullvine
Podcast. And have I got a story for you. We're
diving deep into the journey of one of dairy's
most fascinating contrarians, David Diamond.
You know, sometimes the most interesting stories
in our industry aren't about those who followed
the established path, but those who questioned
it at every turn. When a seven -year -old David
Diamond found himself face down in the dirt during
his first time showing, nobody could have predicted
he'd become one of our industry's most influential
innovators. But that's exactly what happened.
So grab your coffee, settle in, and let me tell
you about a man whose career teaches us that
in dairy, sometimes the most profitable path
lies precisely where conventional wisdom says
not to look. The determination that would define
David Diamond's entire career began the first
time he held a halter, when that runaway heifer
got the better of him. His mother, Betty, offered
no sympathy. Instead, she instilled what would
become his guiding principle, never give up.
This wasn't just casual advice at the Diamond
family's Glen Drummond farm. It was lived daily.
I love this story about Betty's wisdom in action.
When the family faced what seemed like a crisis
after their prized cow, AeroFlower failed export
tests to Japan, potentially a $100 ,000 loss
back in 1991, Betty remained completely unfazed.
There's an easy way and a hard way, she announced
with that characteristic diamond clarity. We'll
make more money the hard way. The family ended
up selling 500 embryos at an average of $1 ,000
each, turning what looked like disaster into
an impressive business opportunity. Meanwhile,
David's father, Roger, cultivated a deep appreciation
for pedigrees. He partnered with respected breeders
like Shore Holsteins in the Pride Barb Syndicate
and built an extensive leadership record on industry
boards. David describes his father as a great
board member, a good people person, and a good
pedigree person who was highly respected on boards
as someone articulate, someone who could stand
up and had a strong stance. Rogers' board involvement
gave him unprecedented access to industry leaders
like Jimmy Walker of Walker Bray Farms, Wellington
Shively of Forest Lee Farms, Gordon Innes from
City View Holsteins, and Bob Brown from Downer
Lane Farms. Their collaborative work, with Bruce
Amos serving as sire analyst, created this incredible
intellectual environment where progressive ideas
flourished. David once explained it this way,
The time that my dad spent with those people
on the road and sire committees, rubbing shoulders
with many great breeders, provided invaluable
learning opportunities that shaped his perspective
on cattle breeding and genetics. Learning from
both parents, David hit the ground running. But
his path wasn't exactly straightforward. Diamond
initially entered the competitive ring through
parental encouragement. And I'll tell you, he
was a somewhat reluctant 4 -H participant. The
turning point came at the London Championship
show. After dedicating an entire week to preparing
a heifer for competition, he stood exhausted
and completely unnoticed while handlers in pristine
clothing received all the accolades. He recalls
it vividly. No one acknowledged my contribution.
The presentable person in clean attire received
all the recognition. Right then and there, he
decided, if I was doing the difficult preparatory
work, I wanted appropriate recognition too. While
his brother Jamie established himself as the
family's premier fitter, David developed something
different, an approach based on instinct rather
than technical precision. I love this story from
a show in Syracuse. David remembers a prominent
showperson approaching him when his colleagues
were dining elsewhere, making dismissive comments
about his ambitions. But instead of discouraging
him, this interaction solidified his determination.
I aspired to the top showman role, but without
the condescension, David notes. This marked his
transition from behind -the -scenes preparation
to center -ring presentation. As he puts it,
fitting was artistry, but leading, that was performance
art. What makes David's approach to showmanship
so fascinating is that it centers on intuitive
understanding. Some presenters simply showcase
the animal, he emphasizes. With certain animals,
The moment I handle the halter, I think, this
will be challenging. Others communicate readiness
for presentation. This intuitive connection is
what distinguishes exceptional presenters from
merely competent handlers. It's a skill you can
only develop through extensive experience and
genuine connection with the animals. You know
what's fascinating about David in the show ring?
He's not one of those showmen who can only show
perfectly trained animals. People who've watched
him lead countless animals over the years notice
how differently he handles each one. I've been
lucky to work with some amazing cows, he once
said, shrugging off his reputation with characteristic
modesty. Some of those girls, they practically
lead themselves. They're born for the spotlight.
My job with them is simple. Don't mess up what
nature already perfected. But that's only half
the story. What makes David special isn't just
knowing when to step back, it's recognizing when
a cow needs something more. Have you ever watched
him mid -class, making those tiny adjustments
that suddenly transform an animal's presence?
It's almost like watching a dance where he's
constantly reading his partner's next move. Not
every day is a winner, he admitted with a laugh.
Man, I've had some shows where things went sideways
fast. Cows have bad days, just like people do.
Those mishaps taught him to read not just the
animal, but everything around them, the judge's
preferences, the competition, even how the lighting
hits certain features. When asked about his strategy
after a particularly impressive win, he just
smiled and said, It's never about what I want
in that ring. It's about what the cow needs and
what the owner deserves. That's classic David.
He doesn't overthink the philosophy. To him,
leading cattle isn't some complex science. It's
about paying attention and adapting. One minute,
he's barely touching the halter, letting a natural
champion own the spotlight. The next, he's making
quick decisions to highlight strengths or minimize
challenges no one else even noticed. What I find
most telling? The way owners seek him out. These
aren't just any cows he's leading. They're someone's
pride and joy, often representing years of breeding
decisions and hopes. When you hand your lead
to David, you're trusting him to read the situation
and make split -second judgment calls that could
make or break your animal's showing career. Isn't
that what great showmanship comes down to? Not
just technical skill, but the instinct to know
exactly what's needed in each unique moment.
In a world where so many try to force animals
into their preferred style, David's approach
is refreshingly humble. He adapts to the cow,
not the other way around. What began at Glen
Drummond Farm evolved into a significant commercial
sales enterprise by 1998. The farm's strategic
location made it ideal for transporting cattle
southward to American markets. And you know how
these things often start, with a small favor.
The initial shipment was exactly that, a favor
for Michael Heath involving three heifers destined
for Texas rancher Nate Goldenberg. But that small
beginning quickly expanded into a substantial
business operation. Diamond developed expertise
in trading Ontario calves with remarkable efficiency,
turning what was initially a side activity into
a significant revenue stream through strategic
partnerships and logistical excellence. His partnership
with Jamie Howard of Kentucky strengthened his
southern distribution capabilities. David explains
it this way. Jamie wasn't someone who relied
solely on phone communication. He would visit
personally and purchase cattle alongside me.
We shared the same practical understanding of
the industry. I think their business philosophy
is something we can all learn from. They prioritized
volume over maximizing individual transactions.
As David puts it, I wasn't interested in negotiating
extensively for minor amounts. We focused on
scale, moving 70 animals rather than 7. Starting
from a very meager beginning, it quickly grew
to be more business than he had ever imagined
until trade restrictions related to BSE temporarily
closed the U .S.-Canada border. But here's what
matters for your operation. Diamond's approach
to building his cattle export business offers
valuable insights for today's dairy entrepreneurs.
His focus on volume over margin maximization
demonstrates that scaling operations can often
be more profitable than optimizing individual
transactions. Additionally, his emphasis on building
genuine relationships with business partners
reminds us that successful commerce in the dairy
industry still depends heavily on trust and mutual
understanding. I'd encourage you to consider
how these principles might affect your operations
growth strategy and business relationships. Sometimes,
the path to profitability isn't maximizing every
single transaction, but building volume through
trusted partnerships. If cattle operations taught
Diamond about volume business, his boardroom
experiences provided profound lessons in strategic
leadership. At just 30 years old, he joined Wobe's
board, a relative newcomer surrounded by industry
veterans like Howard Cornwell and Jim Jenkins.
Howard managed a 100 -cow operation when that
represented significant scale, Diamond remembers.
He didn't dismiss my input. He provided mentorship.
During Ontario's artificial insemination cooperative
consolidation discussions, Jenkins offered this
perspective. You're not considering all dimensions
of the situation. Diamond absorbed these insights,
which would shape his future decision -making
approaches. The creation of GenCorp emerged from
challenging circumstances. After Eastern Breeders
declined a three -co -op unification proposal,
Diamond and three colleagues processed their
disappointment over refreshments. During this
informal gathering, inspiration emerged. Let's
take a different approach, someone suggested.
We'll begin by merging UBI and WOBI's administrative
functions. This practical compromise led to Gencor's
establishment, which was conceived through necessity,
determination, and collaborative problem -solving.
Of course, significant challenges followed. From
the beginning, David encountered resistance on
Cemex's board. When a determined administrator
from Quebec attempted to control Cemex's leadership
direction, Diamond maintained his position. That's
unacceptable, he insisted, recruiting Harvey
Wood, a banking professional willing to implement
necessary operational efficiencies. Harvey wasn't
appointed to maintain the status quo. He was
there to implement essential changes. When staff
and distributors expressed concerns about restructuring,
Diamond responded directly. Your continued employment
exists because we implemented necessary changes.
Next was his position as chair of the Cemex Genetics
Advisory Board, providing valuable insight and
lessons. Throughout these transitions, Diamond
maintained his core philosophy. Transformation
is my greatest achievement. From his early days
traveling to purchase fresh cows to his later
work analyzing performance metrics, he continuously
reinvented his approach. Each calculated adjustment
building on previous experience. For your operation,
Diamond's boardroom experiences demonstrate the
importance of strategic thinking when facing
industry consolidation. For today's dairy professionals,
his willingness to pursue unconventional solutions
offers valuable lessons in navigating complex
organizational changes while maintaining focus
on farmer interests. When facing resistance to
necessary change, remember that sometimes the
most beneficial solutions emerge from unexpected
sources and informal discussions, provided you
remain open to new approaches. Rather than pursuing
retirement and leisure activities, as many might
have done, David Diamond established AG3 Genetics
with a clear purpose and vision. The concept
materialized during the Oxford County Show in
2018, where Diamond evaluated McCutcheon's summer.
a cow valued at $100 ,000. I contacted Jeff Stevens,
he recounts, and inquired about her udder's ability
to compete at Madison. Upon receiving confirmation,
Diamond promptly contacted potential partners
Michael Heath and Sebastian Dion with a straightforward
proposition. We're not marketing reproductive
material. We're offering genetic legacy. AG3's
foundation embodied a challenge to conventional
approaches. Following a period where genomic
excitement resulted in extensive use of numerous
unproven pedigrees, Diamond emphasized that cow
families demonstrate consistent performance.
His guiding principle, consistency over unpredictability,
crystallized during an evening discussion with
Heath. They invested in heifers like the mother
of late night, heifers and genetics that were
not on any AI executive's radar. As David puts
it, genomics without performance verification
is speculation. compounded by more speculation.
His breeding philosophy developed into a comprehensive
approach, offering bulls from cow families, demonstrating
reliability and functional purpose. Of course,
AG3's emergence encountered an industry that
was sometimes resistant to innovation. Diamond's
initial efforts to work directly with farmers
rather than exclusively through distributors
created some resistance, but he remained committed
to innovation. He launched AG3. CA, with a streamlined
business model, offering genetics online, selective
distribution partnerships, and minimal sales
personnel to maintain operational efficiency.
I love this recent advice from Kathleen O 'Keefe,
content manager at Cowsmopolitan. She told him,
you're like the Wizard of Oz operating behind
these outstanding cows and bulls. Either increase
your visibility or accept diminishing recognition.
After consideration, Diamond agreed. and is now
taking a more prominent public role in the industry,
which he has helped shape from behind the scenes
for decades. One of David Diamond's formative
mentors was Hardy Shore, widely regarded as among
the most talented individuals in dairy industry
history. The renowned auctioneer -turned -mentor
significantly influenced Diamond's development.
when circumstances required him to collaborate
with Diamond for a Colombian buyer. Instead,
he generously shared his expertise with the younger
Diamond and demonstrated his mastery of the profession.
Albert Cormier provided another influential relationship.
Cormier was an innovative breeder -marketer who
invested in American genetics. He taught me to
consider bloodlines others might overlook, David
says. Cormier demonstrated marketing excellence,
and Diamond learned from him to embrace calculated
risks and innovative thinking when making breeding
decisions that might contradict the status quo.
Diamond mentions that all of his business journeys
and connections forged helped present him with
opportunities to have been part of ownership
groups of animals such as Apple, Chassidy, Planet
Silk, Summer, and Caught Your Eye, and also to
have been a co -breeder of bulls like Absolute,
avalanche gold chip simpatico bullseye eye candy
and caught up genetic futures was a recipient
operation ivf facility another venture that further
expanded his business horizons in wisconsin with
two partners from startup to development and
eventual sale it helped fund one of the best
investments of his life a lakeside retreat in
muskoka at 62 this lakeside cottage in muskoka
that he fully enjoys with his wife and business
partner of 40 plus years, Joanne, serves as a
second residence and a strategic planning center.
Diamond notes that without the strong support
from Joanne in the background, he would not have
been able to travel as extensively as he did
to further their business and pursue his goals.
Between reviewing AG3's performance data and
enjoying quality time with his granddaughter,
daughters, and partners, Diamond isn't yet focused
on defining his legacy. Regarding AG3 genetics,
he describes it as just one phase of the journey,
suggesting future ventures may lie ahead still.
The joys of grandparenthood have added a new
perspective to his professional intensity without
diminishing his drive to continue innovating
within the industry. When you strip away the
show ring victories, boardroom battles, and genetic
innovations, what remains of David Diamond's
remarkable journey through the dairy industry
is something far more valuable, a masterclass
in strategic transformation. In an industry often
resistant to change, Diamond didn't just participate.
He consistently rewrote the rules of engagement.
His career spans every critical facet of the
modern dairy business. mastering show ring presentation,
orchestrating multi -million dollar industry
consolidations, pioneering international cattle
marketing, and challenging genomic orthodoxy
with AG3 genetics. What makes Diamond's contributions
exceptional isn't just their breadth and interconnectedness.
Each reinvention built upon previous experiences,
show ring intuition informed boardroom negotiations,
commercial trading insights, shaped breeding
decisions, and industry politics provided the
foundation for entrepreneurial ventures. While
others specialized in isolated corners of the
industry, Diamond's mastery of its entire ecosystem
allowed him to identify opportunities invisible
to those with narrower perspectives. Transformation
is my greatest achievement, Diamond states with
characteristic directness, but this understates
the case. His true legacy is demonstrating that
the dairy industry rewards not those who follow
established practices, but those bold enough
to challenge them at precisely the right moment.
When everyone chased the same genomic profiles,
he bet on proven cow families. When AI companies
prioritized total merit index rankings over function,
he focused on productive longevity, aka cows
with a purpose. When boardroom debates stalled
progress, he created alternative paths forward.
As our dairy landscape continues evolving, Diamond's
career offers a roadmap not just for what to
achieve, but how to think. His willingness to
abandon comfortable certainties for calculated
risks, to navigate both spotlight and shadow
with equal effectiveness, and to continuously
reinvent himself stands as his most valuable
lesson. Long after specific bulls, boardroom
decisions, and show ring victories fade from
memory, his fundamental approach The courage
to see industry truths as merely temporary consensus
will continue inspiring those who understand
that in dairy breeding, yesterday's revolutionary
idea becomes tomorrow's conventional wisdom.
The greatest compliment to Diamond's impact isn't
found in championship banners or genetic evaluations,
but in the quiet revolution his thinking has
sparked across the industry. In boardrooms, breeding
programs, and show preparations throughout North
America, his influence lives on, not just in
what farmers do, but in how they think about
what's possible. Perhaps more than any individual
achievement, that is what transforms an accomplished
career into an enduring legacy. Before we wrap
up today's episode, let me share five key takeaways
from David Diamond's remarkable journey. First,
challenge conventional wisdom. Diamond's success
came from questioning established practices and
finding opportunities in areas others overlooked,
demonstrating that innovation often requires
going against industry trends. Second, value
consistency over hype. While the industry chased
genomic numbers, Diamond focused on proven cow
families and functional traits showing that reliable
performance trumps flashy statistics. Third,
scale strategically. His commercial success came
from prioritizing volume and relationships over
maximizing margins on individual transactions,
a lesson in building sustainable growth. Fourth,
master intuitive understanding. Whether in the
show ring, adapting to each animal's needs, or
in the boardroom navigating consolidation, Diamond's
success stemmed from deep intuitive knowledge
of his domain. And finally, continuously reinvent
yourself. Throughout his career, Diamond transformed
from reluctant showman to commercial trader to
organizational leader to genetic innovator, proving
that strategic evolution creates lasting industry
impact. That brings us to the end of today's
episode, exploring the remarkable journey of
David Diamond. From that young boy face down
in the dirt at his first show to becoming one
of our industry's most innovative thinkers, his
story reminds us that transformation often begins
with questioning the status quo. If there's one
thing I hope you take away from today's episode,
it's this. In dairy, the most profitable path
often lies precisely where conventional wisdom
says not to look. As Diamond himself might say,
sometimes you need to zig when everyone else
is zagging. Thank you for joining me today on
the Bullvine Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode,
please subscribe, leave a review, and share with
others who might find David's story as inspiring
as we do. Until next time, keep innovating and
challenging those conventions.