WEBVTT 00:00:10.530 --> 00:00:12.949 Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Bullvine 00:00:12.949 --> 00:00:17.089 Podcast. And have I got a story for you. We're 00:00:17.089 --> 00:00:19.589 diving deep into the journey of one of dairy's 00:00:19.589 --> 00:00:22.850 most fascinating contrarians, David Diamond. 00:00:23.710 --> 00:00:26.530 You know, sometimes the most interesting stories 00:00:26.530 --> 00:00:29.109 in our industry aren't about those who followed 00:00:29.109 --> 00:00:31.760 the established path, but those who questioned 00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:35.240 it at every turn. When a seven -year -old David 00:00:35.240 --> 00:00:38.359 Diamond found himself face down in the dirt during 00:00:38.359 --> 00:00:41.039 his first time showing, nobody could have predicted 00:00:41.039 --> 00:00:43.780 he'd become one of our industry's most influential 00:00:43.780 --> 00:00:47.100 innovators. But that's exactly what happened. 00:00:47.500 --> 00:00:50.579 So grab your coffee, settle in, and let me tell 00:00:50.579 --> 00:00:52.899 you about a man whose career teaches us that 00:00:52.899 --> 00:00:55.740 in dairy, sometimes the most profitable path 00:00:55.740 --> 00:00:58.859 lies precisely where conventional wisdom says 00:00:58.859 --> 00:01:02.579 not to look. The determination that would define 00:01:02.579 --> 00:01:05.599 David Diamond's entire career began the first 00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:08.359 time he held a halter, when that runaway heifer 00:01:08.359 --> 00:01:10.780 got the better of him. His mother, Betty, offered 00:01:10.780 --> 00:01:13.739 no sympathy. Instead, she instilled what would 00:01:13.739 --> 00:01:16.459 become his guiding principle, never give up. 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:19.159 This wasn't just casual advice at the Diamond 00:01:19.159 --> 00:01:22.159 family's Glen Drummond farm. It was lived daily. 00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:25.519 I love this story about Betty's wisdom in action. 00:01:25.879 --> 00:01:28.400 When the family faced what seemed like a crisis 00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:31.840 after their prized cow, AeroFlower failed export 00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:35.579 tests to Japan, potentially a $100 ,000 loss 00:01:35.579 --> 00:01:39.680 back in 1991, Betty remained completely unfazed. 00:01:39.900 --> 00:01:43.159 There's an easy way and a hard way, she announced 00:01:43.159 --> 00:01:46.239 with that characteristic diamond clarity. We'll 00:01:46.239 --> 00:01:49.560 make more money the hard way. The family ended 00:01:49.560 --> 00:01:53.060 up selling 500 embryos at an average of $1 ,000 00:01:53.060 --> 00:01:55.959 each, turning what looked like disaster into 00:01:55.959 --> 00:01:58.700 an impressive business opportunity. Meanwhile, 00:01:58.959 --> 00:02:01.739 David's father, Roger, cultivated a deep appreciation 00:02:01.739 --> 00:02:05.040 for pedigrees. He partnered with respected breeders 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:07.560 like Shore Holsteins in the Pride Barb Syndicate 00:02:07.560 --> 00:02:10.800 and built an extensive leadership record on industry 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:14.259 boards. David describes his father as a great 00:02:14.259 --> 00:02:17.379 board member, a good people person, and a good 00:02:17.379 --> 00:02:20.580 pedigree person who was highly respected on boards 00:02:20.580 --> 00:02:23.219 as someone articulate, someone who could stand 00:02:23.219 --> 00:02:26.909 up and had a strong stance. Rogers' board involvement 00:02:26.909 --> 00:02:29.689 gave him unprecedented access to industry leaders 00:02:29.689 --> 00:02:32.430 like Jimmy Walker of Walker Bray Farms, Wellington 00:02:32.430 --> 00:02:35.509 Shively of Forest Lee Farms, Gordon Innes from 00:02:35.509 --> 00:02:38.050 City View Holsteins, and Bob Brown from Downer 00:02:38.050 --> 00:02:41.210 Lane Farms. Their collaborative work, with Bruce 00:02:41.210 --> 00:02:44.669 Amos serving as sire analyst, created this incredible 00:02:44.669 --> 00:02:47.289 intellectual environment where progressive ideas 00:02:47.289 --> 00:02:50.710 flourished. David once explained it this way, 00:02:51.229 --> 00:02:53.930 The time that my dad spent with those people 00:02:54.199 --> 00:02:56.979 on the road and sire committees, rubbing shoulders 00:02:56.979 --> 00:02:59.680 with many great breeders, provided invaluable 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:02.599 learning opportunities that shaped his perspective 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:06.439 on cattle breeding and genetics. Learning from 00:03:06.439 --> 00:03:09.560 both parents, David hit the ground running. But 00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:12.860 his path wasn't exactly straightforward. Diamond 00:03:12.860 --> 00:03:15.300 initially entered the competitive ring through 00:03:15.300 --> 00:03:18.240 parental encouragement. And I'll tell you, he 00:03:18.240 --> 00:03:21.139 was a somewhat reluctant 4 -H participant. The 00:03:21.139 --> 00:03:22.939 turning point came at the London Championship 00:03:22.939 --> 00:03:26.569 show. After dedicating an entire week to preparing 00:03:26.569 --> 00:03:29.270 a heifer for competition, he stood exhausted 00:03:29.270 --> 00:03:32.250 and completely unnoticed while handlers in pristine 00:03:32.250 --> 00:03:35.650 clothing received all the accolades. He recalls 00:03:35.650 --> 00:03:38.669 it vividly. No one acknowledged my contribution. 00:03:38.990 --> 00:03:41.849 The presentable person in clean attire received 00:03:41.849 --> 00:03:45.090 all the recognition. Right then and there, he 00:03:45.090 --> 00:03:48.169 decided, if I was doing the difficult preparatory 00:03:48.169 --> 00:03:52.270 work, I wanted appropriate recognition too. While 00:03:52.270 --> 00:03:54.270 his brother Jamie established himself as the 00:03:54.270 --> 00:03:56.949 family's premier fitter, David developed something 00:03:56.949 --> 00:04:00.289 different, an approach based on instinct rather 00:04:00.289 --> 00:04:04.110 than technical precision. I love this story from 00:04:04.110 --> 00:04:07.389 a show in Syracuse. David remembers a prominent 00:04:07.389 --> 00:04:09.990 showperson approaching him when his colleagues 00:04:09.990 --> 00:04:12.710 were dining elsewhere, making dismissive comments 00:04:12.710 --> 00:04:16.029 about his ambitions. But instead of discouraging 00:04:16.029 --> 00:04:18.649 him, this interaction solidified his determination. 00:04:19.550 --> 00:04:22.350 I aspired to the top showman role, but without 00:04:22.350 --> 00:04:25.569 the condescension, David notes. This marked his 00:04:25.569 --> 00:04:27.509 transition from behind -the -scenes preparation 00:04:27.509 --> 00:04:30.810 to center -ring presentation. As he puts it, 00:04:30.910 --> 00:04:34.370 fitting was artistry, but leading, that was performance 00:04:34.370 --> 00:04:37.829 art. What makes David's approach to showmanship 00:04:37.829 --> 00:04:40.350 so fascinating is that it centers on intuitive 00:04:40.350 --> 00:04:44.170 understanding. Some presenters simply showcase 00:04:44.170 --> 00:04:47.410 the animal, he emphasizes. With certain animals, 00:04:47.850 --> 00:04:50.329 The moment I handle the halter, I think, this 00:04:50.329 --> 00:04:53.329 will be challenging. Others communicate readiness 00:04:53.329 --> 00:04:57.050 for presentation. This intuitive connection is 00:04:57.050 --> 00:04:59.529 what distinguishes exceptional presenters from 00:04:59.529 --> 00:05:02.410 merely competent handlers. It's a skill you can 00:05:02.410 --> 00:05:05.009 only develop through extensive experience and 00:05:05.009 --> 00:05:08.209 genuine connection with the animals. You know 00:05:08.209 --> 00:05:10.329 what's fascinating about David in the show ring? 00:05:10.730 --> 00:05:13.269 He's not one of those showmen who can only show 00:05:13.269 --> 00:05:16.189 perfectly trained animals. People who've watched 00:05:16.189 --> 00:05:18.930 him lead countless animals over the years notice 00:05:18.930 --> 00:05:22.230 how differently he handles each one. I've been 00:05:22.230 --> 00:05:25.170 lucky to work with some amazing cows, he once 00:05:25.170 --> 00:05:27.870 said, shrugging off his reputation with characteristic 00:05:27.870 --> 00:05:31.110 modesty. Some of those girls, they practically 00:05:31.110 --> 00:05:33.670 lead themselves. They're born for the spotlight. 00:05:33.970 --> 00:05:36.910 My job with them is simple. Don't mess up what 00:05:36.910 --> 00:05:40.990 nature already perfected. But that's only half 00:05:40.990 --> 00:05:44.329 the story. What makes David special isn't just 00:05:44.329 --> 00:05:47.250 knowing when to step back, it's recognizing when 00:05:47.250 --> 00:05:50.329 a cow needs something more. Have you ever watched 00:05:50.329 --> 00:05:52.910 him mid -class, making those tiny adjustments 00:05:52.910 --> 00:05:55.490 that suddenly transform an animal's presence? 00:05:55.850 --> 00:05:58.250 It's almost like watching a dance where he's 00:05:58.250 --> 00:06:01.709 constantly reading his partner's next move. Not 00:06:01.709 --> 00:06:04.250 every day is a winner, he admitted with a laugh. 00:06:04.750 --> 00:06:07.569 Man, I've had some shows where things went sideways 00:06:07.569 --> 00:06:10.870 fast. Cows have bad days, just like people do. 00:06:11.470 --> 00:06:14.209 Those mishaps taught him to read not just the 00:06:14.209 --> 00:06:16.870 animal, but everything around them, the judge's 00:06:16.870 --> 00:06:20.029 preferences, the competition, even how the lighting 00:06:20.029 --> 00:06:23.209 hits certain features. When asked about his strategy 00:06:23.209 --> 00:06:25.910 after a particularly impressive win, he just 00:06:25.910 --> 00:06:28.750 smiled and said, It's never about what I want 00:06:28.750 --> 00:06:31.529 in that ring. It's about what the cow needs and 00:06:31.529 --> 00:06:34.589 what the owner deserves. That's classic David. 00:06:34.750 --> 00:06:37.750 He doesn't overthink the philosophy. To him, 00:06:37.810 --> 00:06:41.019 leading cattle isn't some complex science. It's 00:06:41.019 --> 00:06:44.240 about paying attention and adapting. One minute, 00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:47.040 he's barely touching the halter, letting a natural 00:06:47.040 --> 00:06:50.439 champion own the spotlight. The next, he's making 00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:53.180 quick decisions to highlight strengths or minimize 00:06:53.180 --> 00:06:56.600 challenges no one else even noticed. What I find 00:06:56.600 --> 00:07:00.120 most telling? The way owners seek him out. These 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:02.720 aren't just any cows he's leading. They're someone's 00:07:02.720 --> 00:07:05.959 pride and joy, often representing years of breeding 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:08.439 decisions and hopes. When you hand your lead 00:07:08.439 --> 00:07:11.329 to David, you're trusting him to read the situation 00:07:11.329 --> 00:07:14.170 and make split -second judgment calls that could 00:07:14.170 --> 00:07:17.730 make or break your animal's showing career. Isn't 00:07:17.730 --> 00:07:20.569 that what great showmanship comes down to? Not 00:07:20.569 --> 00:07:23.430 just technical skill, but the instinct to know 00:07:23.430 --> 00:07:26.129 exactly what's needed in each unique moment. 00:07:26.589 --> 00:07:29.410 In a world where so many try to force animals 00:07:29.410 --> 00:07:32.129 into their preferred style, David's approach 00:07:32.129 --> 00:07:35.329 is refreshingly humble. He adapts to the cow, 00:07:35.509 --> 00:07:37.920 not the other way around. What began at Glen 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:40.620 Drummond Farm evolved into a significant commercial 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:44.259 sales enterprise by 1998. The farm's strategic 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:46.939 location made it ideal for transporting cattle 00:07:46.939 --> 00:07:50.939 southward to American markets. And you know how 00:07:50.939 --> 00:07:53.399 these things often start, with a small favor. 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:56.839 The initial shipment was exactly that, a favor 00:07:56.839 --> 00:07:59.459 for Michael Heath involving three heifers destined 00:07:59.459 --> 00:08:03.069 for Texas rancher Nate Goldenberg. But that small 00:08:03.069 --> 00:08:05.670 beginning quickly expanded into a substantial 00:08:05.670 --> 00:08:09.350 business operation. Diamond developed expertise 00:08:09.350 --> 00:08:12.970 in trading Ontario calves with remarkable efficiency, 00:08:13.410 --> 00:08:16.949 turning what was initially a side activity into 00:08:16.949 --> 00:08:19.290 a significant revenue stream through strategic 00:08:19.290 --> 00:08:22.990 partnerships and logistical excellence. His partnership 00:08:22.990 --> 00:08:25.810 with Jamie Howard of Kentucky strengthened his 00:08:25.810 --> 00:08:29.269 southern distribution capabilities. David explains 00:08:29.269 --> 00:08:32.299 it this way. Jamie wasn't someone who relied 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:35.460 solely on phone communication. He would visit 00:08:35.460 --> 00:08:37.899 personally and purchase cattle alongside me. 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:40.720 We shared the same practical understanding of 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:43.340 the industry. I think their business philosophy 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:46.700 is something we can all learn from. They prioritized 00:08:46.700 --> 00:08:49.440 volume over maximizing individual transactions. 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:53.179 As David puts it, I wasn't interested in negotiating 00:08:53.179 --> 00:08:56.360 extensively for minor amounts. We focused on 00:08:56.360 --> 00:09:00.840 scale, moving 70 animals rather than 7. Starting 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:03.340 from a very meager beginning, it quickly grew 00:09:03.340 --> 00:09:05.720 to be more business than he had ever imagined 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:09.019 until trade restrictions related to BSE temporarily 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:12.639 closed the U .S.-Canada border. But here's what 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:15.399 matters for your operation. Diamond's approach 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:17.899 to building his cattle export business offers 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:20.559 valuable insights for today's dairy entrepreneurs. 00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:24.299 His focus on volume over margin maximization 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:27.240 demonstrates that scaling operations can often 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:29.769 be more profitable than optimizing individual 00:09:29.769 --> 00:09:33.549 transactions. Additionally, his emphasis on building 00:09:33.549 --> 00:09:35.789 genuine relationships with business partners 00:09:35.789 --> 00:09:38.850 reminds us that successful commerce in the dairy 00:09:38.850 --> 00:09:42.169 industry still depends heavily on trust and mutual 00:09:42.169 --> 00:09:45.230 understanding. I'd encourage you to consider 00:09:45.230 --> 00:09:47.730 how these principles might affect your operations 00:09:47.730 --> 00:09:51.549 growth strategy and business relationships. Sometimes, 00:09:51.830 --> 00:09:55.330 the path to profitability isn't maximizing every 00:09:55.330 --> 00:09:58.570 single transaction, but building volume through 00:09:58.570 --> 00:10:01.429 trusted partnerships. If cattle operations taught 00:10:01.429 --> 00:10:03.990 Diamond about volume business, his boardroom 00:10:03.990 --> 00:10:06.769 experiences provided profound lessons in strategic 00:10:06.769 --> 00:10:10.450 leadership. At just 30 years old, he joined Wobe's 00:10:10.450 --> 00:10:13.429 board, a relative newcomer surrounded by industry 00:10:13.429 --> 00:10:15.909 veterans like Howard Cornwell and Jim Jenkins. 00:10:16.429 --> 00:10:19.289 Howard managed a 100 -cow operation when that 00:10:19.289 --> 00:10:22.009 represented significant scale, Diamond remembers. 00:10:22.309 --> 00:10:25.429 He didn't dismiss my input. He provided mentorship. 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:29.480 During Ontario's artificial insemination cooperative 00:10:29.480 --> 00:10:32.659 consolidation discussions, Jenkins offered this 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:35.360 perspective. You're not considering all dimensions 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:38.899 of the situation. Diamond absorbed these insights, 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:41.460 which would shape his future decision -making 00:10:41.460 --> 00:10:45.960 approaches. The creation of GenCorp emerged from 00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:48.860 challenging circumstances. After Eastern Breeders 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:50.860 declined a three -co -op unification proposal, 00:10:51.559 --> 00:10:53.899 Diamond and three colleagues processed their 00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:56.909 disappointment over refreshments. During this 00:10:56.909 --> 00:11:00.350 informal gathering, inspiration emerged. Let's 00:11:00.350 --> 00:11:02.289 take a different approach, someone suggested. 00:11:02.690 --> 00:11:05.970 We'll begin by merging UBI and WOBI's administrative 00:11:05.970 --> 00:11:10.429 functions. This practical compromise led to Gencor's 00:11:10.429 --> 00:11:13.250 establishment, which was conceived through necessity, 00:11:13.549 --> 00:11:16.470 determination, and collaborative problem -solving. 00:11:17.090 --> 00:11:20.950 Of course, significant challenges followed. From 00:11:20.950 --> 00:11:23.549 the beginning, David encountered resistance on 00:11:23.549 --> 00:11:25.789 Cemex's board. When a determined administrator 00:11:25.789 --> 00:11:28.610 from Quebec attempted to control Cemex's leadership 00:11:28.610 --> 00:11:32.330 direction, Diamond maintained his position. That's 00:11:32.330 --> 00:11:35.250 unacceptable, he insisted, recruiting Harvey 00:11:35.250 --> 00:11:37.710 Wood, a banking professional willing to implement 00:11:37.710 --> 00:11:41.110 necessary operational efficiencies. Harvey wasn't 00:11:41.110 --> 00:11:43.629 appointed to maintain the status quo. He was 00:11:43.629 --> 00:11:47.190 there to implement essential changes. When staff 00:11:47.190 --> 00:11:50.009 and distributors expressed concerns about restructuring, 00:11:50.190 --> 00:11:53.379 Diamond responded directly. Your continued employment 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:56.379 exists because we implemented necessary changes. 00:11:56.799 --> 00:12:00.080 Next was his position as chair of the Cemex Genetics 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:03.179 Advisory Board, providing valuable insight and 00:12:03.179 --> 00:12:06.100 lessons. Throughout these transitions, Diamond 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:08.940 maintained his core philosophy. Transformation 00:12:08.940 --> 00:12:12.399 is my greatest achievement. From his early days 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:14.899 traveling to purchase fresh cows to his later 00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:17.940 work analyzing performance metrics, he continuously 00:12:17.940 --> 00:12:21.379 reinvented his approach. Each calculated adjustment 00:12:21.950 --> 00:12:25.629 building on previous experience. For your operation, 00:12:25.850 --> 00:12:28.309 Diamond's boardroom experiences demonstrate the 00:12:28.309 --> 00:12:30.529 importance of strategic thinking when facing 00:12:30.529 --> 00:12:33.929 industry consolidation. For today's dairy professionals, 00:12:34.210 --> 00:12:36.509 his willingness to pursue unconventional solutions 00:12:36.509 --> 00:12:39.870 offers valuable lessons in navigating complex 00:12:39.870 --> 00:12:42.710 organizational changes while maintaining focus 00:12:42.710 --> 00:12:46.360 on farmer interests. When facing resistance to 00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:49.000 necessary change, remember that sometimes the 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:51.840 most beneficial solutions emerge from unexpected 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:55.080 sources and informal discussions, provided you 00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:59.220 remain open to new approaches. Rather than pursuing 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:01.799 retirement and leisure activities, as many might 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:05.000 have done, David Diamond established AG3 Genetics 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:07.840 with a clear purpose and vision. The concept 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:10.379 materialized during the Oxford County Show in 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:13.679 2018, where Diamond evaluated McCutcheon's summer. 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:18.179 a cow valued at $100 ,000. I contacted Jeff Stevens, 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:21.279 he recounts, and inquired about her udder's ability 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:24.759 to compete at Madison. Upon receiving confirmation, 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:27.960 Diamond promptly contacted potential partners 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:31.139 Michael Heath and Sebastian Dion with a straightforward 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:34.000 proposition. We're not marketing reproductive 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:38.799 material. We're offering genetic legacy. AG3's 00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:40.840 foundation embodied a challenge to conventional 00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:43.840 approaches. Following a period where genomic 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:46.419 excitement resulted in extensive use of numerous 00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:49.539 unproven pedigrees, Diamond emphasized that cow 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:51.480 families demonstrate consistent performance. 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:56.000 His guiding principle, consistency over unpredictability, 00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:58.539 crystallized during an evening discussion with 00:13:58.539 --> 00:14:01.580 Heath. They invested in heifers like the mother 00:14:01.580 --> 00:14:04.080 of late night, heifers and genetics that were 00:14:04.080 --> 00:14:07.240 not on any AI executive's radar. As David puts 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:09.899 it, genomics without performance verification 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:13.210 is speculation. compounded by more speculation. 00:14:13.750 --> 00:14:16.789 His breeding philosophy developed into a comprehensive 00:14:16.789 --> 00:14:20.090 approach, offering bulls from cow families, demonstrating 00:14:20.090 --> 00:14:23.549 reliability and functional purpose. Of course, 00:14:23.649 --> 00:14:26.629 AG3's emergence encountered an industry that 00:14:26.629 --> 00:14:29.669 was sometimes resistant to innovation. Diamond's 00:14:29.669 --> 00:14:31.830 initial efforts to work directly with farmers 00:14:31.830 --> 00:14:34.330 rather than exclusively through distributors 00:14:34.330 --> 00:14:37.309 created some resistance, but he remained committed 00:14:37.309 --> 00:14:43.049 to innovation. He launched AG3. CA, with a streamlined 00:14:43.049 --> 00:14:46.450 business model, offering genetics online, selective 00:14:46.450 --> 00:14:49.470 distribution partnerships, and minimal sales 00:14:49.470 --> 00:14:51.690 personnel to maintain operational efficiency. 00:14:52.250 --> 00:14:55.049 I love this recent advice from Kathleen O 'Keefe, 00:14:55.269 --> 00:14:58.350 content manager at Cowsmopolitan. She told him, 00:14:58.690 --> 00:15:01.049 you're like the Wizard of Oz operating behind 00:15:01.049 --> 00:15:04.029 these outstanding cows and bulls. Either increase 00:15:04.029 --> 00:15:06.809 your visibility or accept diminishing recognition. 00:15:07.529 --> 00:15:11.100 After consideration, Diamond agreed. and is now 00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:13.779 taking a more prominent public role in the industry, 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:16.539 which he has helped shape from behind the scenes 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:19.779 for decades. One of David Diamond's formative 00:15:19.779 --> 00:15:22.840 mentors was Hardy Shore, widely regarded as among 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:25.419 the most talented individuals in dairy industry 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:28.980 history. The renowned auctioneer -turned -mentor 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:31.500 significantly influenced Diamond's development. 00:15:40.330 --> 00:15:42.570 when circumstances required him to collaborate 00:15:42.570 --> 00:15:45.509 with Diamond for a Colombian buyer. Instead, 00:15:45.789 --> 00:15:48.529 he generously shared his expertise with the younger 00:15:48.529 --> 00:15:51.309 Diamond and demonstrated his mastery of the profession. 00:15:52.049 --> 00:15:55.210 Albert Cormier provided another influential relationship. 00:15:55.750 --> 00:15:58.490 Cormier was an innovative breeder -marketer who 00:15:58.490 --> 00:16:01.990 invested in American genetics. He taught me to 00:16:01.990 --> 00:16:04.769 consider bloodlines others might overlook, David 00:16:04.769 --> 00:16:08.090 says. Cormier demonstrated marketing excellence, 00:16:08.370 --> 00:16:10.970 and Diamond learned from him to embrace calculated 00:16:10.970 --> 00:16:14.070 risks and innovative thinking when making breeding 00:16:14.070 --> 00:16:16.870 decisions that might contradict the status quo. 00:16:17.710 --> 00:16:20.450 Diamond mentions that all of his business journeys 00:16:20.450 --> 00:16:23.129 and connections forged helped present him with 00:16:23.129 --> 00:16:25.230 opportunities to have been part of ownership 00:16:25.230 --> 00:16:29.350 groups of animals such as Apple, Chassidy, Planet 00:16:29.350 --> 00:16:32.850 Silk, Summer, and Caught Your Eye, and also to 00:16:32.850 --> 00:16:35.210 have been a co -breeder of bulls like Absolute, 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:39.419 avalanche gold chip simpatico bullseye eye candy 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:42.360 and caught up genetic futures was a recipient 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:45.500 operation ivf facility another venture that further 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:48.100 expanded his business horizons in wisconsin with 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:50.899 two partners from startup to development and 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:53.340 eventual sale it helped fund one of the best 00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:56.240 investments of his life a lakeside retreat in 00:16:56.240 --> 00:17:00.220 muskoka at 62 this lakeside cottage in muskoka 00:17:00.590 --> 00:17:02.909 that he fully enjoys with his wife and business 00:17:02.909 --> 00:17:06.609 partner of 40 plus years, Joanne, serves as a 00:17:06.609 --> 00:17:09.390 second residence and a strategic planning center. 00:17:10.470 --> 00:17:12.869 Diamond notes that without the strong support 00:17:12.869 --> 00:17:15.630 from Joanne in the background, he would not have 00:17:15.630 --> 00:17:17.829 been able to travel as extensively as he did 00:17:17.829 --> 00:17:20.609 to further their business and pursue his goals. 00:17:21.630 --> 00:17:24.930 Between reviewing AG3's performance data and 00:17:24.930 --> 00:17:26.990 enjoying quality time with his granddaughter, 00:17:27.390 --> 00:17:30.890 daughters, and partners, Diamond isn't yet focused 00:17:30.890 --> 00:17:34.549 on defining his legacy. Regarding AG3 genetics, 00:17:34.849 --> 00:17:37.490 he describes it as just one phase of the journey, 00:17:37.670 --> 00:17:40.690 suggesting future ventures may lie ahead still. 00:17:41.509 --> 00:17:44.089 The joys of grandparenthood have added a new 00:17:44.089 --> 00:17:47.130 perspective to his professional intensity without 00:17:47.130 --> 00:17:49.450 diminishing his drive to continue innovating 00:17:49.450 --> 00:17:52.049 within the industry. When you strip away the 00:17:52.049 --> 00:17:54.869 show ring victories, boardroom battles, and genetic 00:17:54.869 --> 00:17:57.609 innovations, what remains of David Diamond's 00:17:57.609 --> 00:17:59.410 remarkable journey through the dairy industry 00:17:59.410 --> 00:18:02.750 is something far more valuable, a masterclass 00:18:02.750 --> 00:18:06.390 in strategic transformation. In an industry often 00:18:06.390 --> 00:18:09.750 resistant to change, Diamond didn't just participate. 00:18:10.009 --> 00:18:12.630 He consistently rewrote the rules of engagement. 00:18:12.990 --> 00:18:16.230 His career spans every critical facet of the 00:18:16.230 --> 00:18:19.359 modern dairy business. mastering show ring presentation, 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:21.859 orchestrating multi -million dollar industry 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:24.900 consolidations, pioneering international cattle 00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:27.960 marketing, and challenging genomic orthodoxy 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:31.539 with AG3 genetics. What makes Diamond's contributions 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:35.099 exceptional isn't just their breadth and interconnectedness. 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:38.720 Each reinvention built upon previous experiences, 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:42.380 show ring intuition informed boardroom negotiations, 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:45.559 commercial trading insights, shaped breeding 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:48.710 decisions, and industry politics provided the 00:18:48.710 --> 00:18:51.849 foundation for entrepreneurial ventures. While 00:18:51.849 --> 00:18:54.369 others specialized in isolated corners of the 00:18:54.369 --> 00:18:57.490 industry, Diamond's mastery of its entire ecosystem 00:18:57.490 --> 00:19:00.390 allowed him to identify opportunities invisible 00:19:00.390 --> 00:19:04.210 to those with narrower perspectives. Transformation 00:19:04.210 --> 00:19:07.029 is my greatest achievement, Diamond states with 00:19:07.029 --> 00:19:10.210 characteristic directness, but this understates 00:19:10.210 --> 00:19:13.990 the case. His true legacy is demonstrating that 00:19:13.990 --> 00:19:16.569 the dairy industry rewards not those who follow 00:19:16.569 --> 00:19:19.170 established practices, but those bold enough 00:19:19.170 --> 00:19:21.650 to challenge them at precisely the right moment. 00:19:21.970 --> 00:19:24.829 When everyone chased the same genomic profiles, 00:19:25.150 --> 00:19:28.369 he bet on proven cow families. When AI companies 00:19:28.369 --> 00:19:31.430 prioritized total merit index rankings over function, 00:19:31.690 --> 00:19:35.170 he focused on productive longevity, aka cows 00:19:35.170 --> 00:19:38.049 with a purpose. When boardroom debates stalled 00:19:38.049 --> 00:19:40.869 progress, he created alternative paths forward. 00:19:41.450 --> 00:19:44.470 As our dairy landscape continues evolving, Diamond's 00:19:44.470 --> 00:19:46.930 career offers a roadmap not just for what to 00:19:46.930 --> 00:19:49.930 achieve, but how to think. His willingness to 00:19:49.930 --> 00:19:52.329 abandon comfortable certainties for calculated 00:19:52.329 --> 00:19:55.349 risks, to navigate both spotlight and shadow 00:19:55.349 --> 00:19:58.089 with equal effectiveness, and to continuously 00:19:58.089 --> 00:20:00.890 reinvent himself stands as his most valuable 00:20:00.890 --> 00:20:04.089 lesson. Long after specific bulls, boardroom 00:20:04.089 --> 00:20:06.650 decisions, and show ring victories fade from 00:20:06.650 --> 00:20:09.359 memory, his fundamental approach The courage 00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:12.859 to see industry truths as merely temporary consensus 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:15.500 will continue inspiring those who understand 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:18.240 that in dairy breeding, yesterday's revolutionary 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:21.099 idea becomes tomorrow's conventional wisdom. 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:24.740 The greatest compliment to Diamond's impact isn't 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:27.599 found in championship banners or genetic evaluations, 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:30.500 but in the quiet revolution his thinking has 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:34.059 sparked across the industry. In boardrooms, breeding 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:36.779 programs, and show preparations throughout North 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:40.119 America, his influence lives on, not just in 00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:42.279 what farmers do, but in how they think about 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:45.480 what's possible. Perhaps more than any individual 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:48.359 achievement, that is what transforms an accomplished 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:52.359 career into an enduring legacy. Before we wrap 00:20:52.359 --> 00:20:55.180 up today's episode, let me share five key takeaways 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:58.619 from David Diamond's remarkable journey. First, 00:20:58.779 --> 00:21:01.839 challenge conventional wisdom. Diamond's success 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:04.480 came from questioning established practices and 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:07.140 finding opportunities in areas others overlooked, 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:10.079 demonstrating that innovation often requires 00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:13.880 going against industry trends. Second, value 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:16.859 consistency over hype. While the industry chased 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:19.539 genomic numbers, Diamond focused on proven cow 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:22.000 families and functional traits showing that reliable 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:25.420 performance trumps flashy statistics. Third, 00:21:25.619 --> 00:21:28.690 scale strategically. His commercial success came 00:21:28.690 --> 00:21:31.329 from prioritizing volume and relationships over 00:21:31.329 --> 00:21:33.730 maximizing margins on individual transactions, 00:21:34.170 --> 00:21:37.730 a lesson in building sustainable growth. Fourth, 00:21:37.930 --> 00:21:40.890 master intuitive understanding. Whether in the 00:21:40.890 --> 00:21:43.549 show ring, adapting to each animal's needs, or 00:21:43.549 --> 00:21:46.490 in the boardroom navigating consolidation, Diamond's 00:21:46.490 --> 00:21:48.609 success stemmed from deep intuitive knowledge 00:21:48.609 --> 00:21:52.750 of his domain. And finally, continuously reinvent 00:21:52.750 --> 00:21:56.279 yourself. Throughout his career, Diamond transformed 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:59.420 from reluctant showman to commercial trader to 00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:02.420 organizational leader to genetic innovator, proving 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:05.220 that strategic evolution creates lasting industry 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:08.180 impact. That brings us to the end of today's 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:11.119 episode, exploring the remarkable journey of 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:14.059 David Diamond. From that young boy face down 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:16.579 in the dirt at his first show to becoming one 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:19.339 of our industry's most innovative thinkers, his 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:22.460 story reminds us that transformation often begins 00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:25.680 with questioning the status quo. If there's one 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:27.720 thing I hope you take away from today's episode, 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:31.359 it's this. In dairy, the most profitable path 00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:34.180 often lies precisely where conventional wisdom 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:37.859 says not to look. As Diamond himself might say, 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:40.259 sometimes you need to zig when everyone else 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:42.839 is zagging. Thank you for joining me today on 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:45.579 the Bullvine Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:48.539 please subscribe, leave a review, and share with 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:51.339 others who might find David's story as inspiring 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:55.410 as we do. Until next time, keep innovating and 00:22:55.410 --> 00:22:56.670 challenging those conventions.