WEBVTT 00:00:20.090 --> 00:00:23.410 Hey there, dairy enthusiasts. Welcome back to 00:00:23.410 --> 00:00:26.390 the Bull Vine Podcast. I'm your host. And today 00:00:26.390 --> 00:00:28.269 I'm going to share an absolutely fascinating 00:00:28.269 --> 00:00:31.620 story. that has me completely captivated. The 00:00:31.620 --> 00:00:34.880 remarkable journey of Tommy Araki, a visionary 00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:37.840 who has transformed Japanese dairy farming over 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:40.820 an incredible five -decade career. You know what 00:00:40.820 --> 00:00:43.520 I love most about our industry? It's the passionate 00:00:43.520 --> 00:00:46.280 people who quietly revolutionized dairy farming 00:00:46.280 --> 00:00:50.380 around the world. And Tommy Araki? He's the perfect 00:00:50.380 --> 00:00:53.880 example of how one dedicated individual can reshape 00:00:53.880 --> 00:00:56.380 an entire country's approach to Holstein breeding. 00:00:57.100 --> 00:00:59.479 Picture this. A young boy growing up surrounded 00:00:59.479 --> 00:01:03.000 by cows in Japan in the 1960s and 70s, who would 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:05.180 eventually become the crucial bridge between 00:01:05.180 --> 00:01:07.480 Japanese and North American dairy industries. 00:01:08.260 --> 00:01:11.159 That's Tommy Araki for you, and his story begins 00:01:11.159 --> 00:01:15.219 with such humble, determined curiosity. Back 00:01:15.219 --> 00:01:18.299 in the late 1970s, when resources for aspiring 00:01:18.299 --> 00:01:20.819 dairy professionals in Japan were practically 00:01:20.819 --> 00:01:23.719 non -existent, do you know what young Tommy did? 00:01:24.420 --> 00:01:27.099 He actually wrote letters. Physical letters. 00:01:27.319 --> 00:01:30.439 to AI centers asking them to send him bull books. 00:01:31.079 --> 00:01:34.459 Can you imagine that level of initiative? That 00:01:34.459 --> 00:01:36.920 was really the beginning of everything, he says 00:01:36.920 --> 00:01:39.780 with that characteristic humility you often find 00:01:39.780 --> 00:01:42.760 in the most accomplished people. Tommy grew up 00:01:42.760 --> 00:01:45.260 in a household with cows, so his connection to 00:01:45.260 --> 00:01:48.140 these animals developed naturally. I grew up 00:01:48.140 --> 00:01:50.719 in a household with cows, so I naturally developed 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:53.640 an interest in them. In a way, it felt like a 00:01:53.640 --> 00:01:56.120 calling from above, he recalls with a laugh. 00:01:56.489 --> 00:01:59.290 That early affinity would set the foundation 00:01:59.290 --> 00:02:02.290 for a lifelong dedication to dairy cattle improvement. 00:02:03.170 --> 00:02:05.189 After graduating with his veterinary medicine 00:02:05.189 --> 00:02:09.090 degree from Rokuno Gakuen University in 1977, 00:02:09.750 --> 00:02:12.090 Tommy had two pivotal mentors who shaped his 00:02:12.090 --> 00:02:16.110 path. There was Dr. Numata, his surgery professor, 00:02:16.469 --> 00:02:19.289 and then Mr. Inoshita from Japan Holstein Breeding 00:02:19.289 --> 00:02:22.270 Service who gave him life -changing advice. You 00:02:22.270 --> 00:02:25.930 should go study in the U .S. That suggestion 00:02:25.930 --> 00:02:28.330 led to a six -month stint at Select Sires in 00:02:28.330 --> 00:02:32.030 1979, which Tommy describes as, a major turning 00:02:32.030 --> 00:02:35.270 point in my life. This immersion in American 00:02:35.270 --> 00:02:37.270 breeding practices gave him an international 00:02:37.270 --> 00:02:39.909 perspective at a crucial early stage in his career. 00:02:40.509 --> 00:02:42.870 The knowledge and connections he developed during 00:02:42.870 --> 00:02:46.289 this period would later enable him to serve as 00:02:46.289 --> 00:02:48.949 a critical bridge between Japanese and North 00:02:48.949 --> 00:02:52.250 American dairy industries. His timing couldn't 00:02:52.250 --> 00:02:55.050 have been better. He joined Japan Holstein Breeding 00:02:55.050 --> 00:02:58.229 Service during what he calls truly a vibrant 00:02:58.229 --> 00:03:01.289 era for the industry when dairy farming in Japan 00:03:01.289 --> 00:03:04.490 was experiencing significant growth. This period 00:03:04.490 --> 00:03:07.530 of expansion provided fertile ground for an ambitious 00:03:07.530 --> 00:03:10.770 young professional with fresh international perspectives. 00:03:11.490 --> 00:03:15.349 Over his 36 -year career with JHBS, which later 00:03:15.349 --> 00:03:18.789 became Genetics Hokkaido Association, Tommy worked 00:03:18.789 --> 00:03:21.789 his way up from sire analyst to heading the semen 00:03:21.789 --> 00:03:24.370 sales division. positions that allowed him to 00:03:24.370 --> 00:03:26.509 implement his vision for improved dairy cattle 00:03:26.509 --> 00:03:30.030 on a national scale. What I find most impressive 00:03:30.030 --> 00:03:32.770 is how Tommy dedicated himself to bringing the 00:03:32.770 --> 00:03:35.210 best genetics from North America to Japanese 00:03:35.210 --> 00:03:38.310 farms. One of my most dedicated efforts during 00:03:38.310 --> 00:03:41.949 my time at Genetics Hokkaido and earlier at JHBS 00:03:41.949 --> 00:03:45.090 was the introduction of superior genetic resources 00:03:45.090 --> 00:03:48.550 from North America into Japan, he explains. His 00:03:48.550 --> 00:03:51.770 methods evolved brilliantly over time. from importing 00:03:51.770 --> 00:03:54.909 live animals for progeny testing to a more efficient 00:03:54.909 --> 00:03:57.949 approach using embryos to produce elite sires 00:03:57.949 --> 00:04:01.310 and high quality cows domestically. In the early 00:04:01.310 --> 00:04:04.289 stages, we imported live animals from North America 00:04:04.289 --> 00:04:07.650 and conducted progeny testing in Japan to evaluate 00:04:07.650 --> 00:04:10.590 their daughter's performance. However, we later 00:04:10.590 --> 00:04:13.069 shifted to a more efficient approach, importing 00:04:13.069 --> 00:04:15.949 embryos to produce elite sires and high quality 00:04:15.949 --> 00:04:20.029 cows domestically, he explains. With government 00:04:20.029 --> 00:04:22.569 subsidies supporting the initiative, they imported 00:04:22.569 --> 00:04:26.870 over 1 ,000 embryos annually. And with Japan's 00:04:26.870 --> 00:04:30.449 artificial insemination rates near 100%, these 00:04:30.449 --> 00:04:33.110 elite genetics could quickly transform the national 00:04:33.110 --> 00:04:36.709 herd. This enabled dairy farmers across Japan 00:04:36.709 --> 00:04:39.290 to access top -level North American genetics 00:04:39.290 --> 00:04:42.589 more easily and led to a rapid expansion of genetic 00:04:42.589 --> 00:04:46.269 exchange between the two regions. But Tommy wasn't 00:04:46.269 --> 00:04:49.259 done innovating. When he retired from genetics 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:53.740 Hokkaido in 2013 at age 59, he immediately launched 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:57.120 Tommy Hill International Litadid, focusing specifically 00:04:57.120 --> 00:04:59.480 on importing and distributing embryos from North 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:03.379 America. By 2015, he had signed an agency agreement 00:05:03.379 --> 00:05:06.120 with T -Genetics and the following year launched 00:05:06.120 --> 00:05:08.939 ST Japan to begin importing semen from North 00:05:08.939 --> 00:05:12.519 America. Perhaps his most revolutionary contribution 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:15.399 was introducing sexed semen technology to Japanese 00:05:15.399 --> 00:05:19.279 farmers. At that time, sexed semen was still 00:05:19.279 --> 00:05:22.639 relatively unknown and uncommon in Japan. Promoting 00:05:22.639 --> 00:05:26.199 it was a major challenge, he recalls. But this 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:29.439 technology, which allows farmers to produce primarily 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:32.500 female calves for herd replacements, completely 00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:35.819 transformed breeding efficiency in Japan. The 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:38.360 launch of ST Japan proved to be a turning point 00:05:38.360 --> 00:05:41.240 for the Japanese dairy industry, in Tommy's assessment. 00:05:41.660 --> 00:05:44.939 By promoting a breeding strategy focused on ensuring 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:48.160 the production of replacement heifers, he introduced 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:50.660 a more systematic approach to herd management 00:05:50.660 --> 00:05:53.920 that gradually became the new standard across 00:05:53.920 --> 00:05:57.040 the country. This innovation addressed a critical 00:05:57.040 --> 00:05:59.920 efficiency gap in Japanese dairy operations. 00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:03.779 By using sexed semen to produce replacement heifers 00:06:03.779 --> 00:06:06.079 from the best cows and beef semen, typically 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:08.980 wagyu, on the remainder, farmers could optimize 00:06:08.980 --> 00:06:11.850 both their dairy genetic progress and their income 00:06:11.850 --> 00:06:15.290 from beef cross calves. These detailed reproductive 00:06:15.290 --> 00:06:18.110 strategies have become well established and reflect 00:06:18.110 --> 00:06:21.470 Japan's focus on precision breeding. What I really 00:06:21.470 --> 00:06:24.129 appreciate about Tommy's philosophy is his focus 00:06:24.129 --> 00:06:27.490 on functionality over mere appearances. When 00:06:27.490 --> 00:06:30.269 judging Holsteins, he prefers cows with strong, 00:06:30.449 --> 00:06:33.569 well -attached udders and sound skeletal structure, 00:06:34.069 --> 00:06:36.709 cows that can consistently produce large volumes 00:06:36.709 --> 00:06:40.079 of milk over a long period. He doesn't place 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:42.680 much importance on size, which is refreshing 00:06:42.680 --> 00:06:45.639 in a world that often prioritizes visual appeal 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:49.040 over practical performance. He started judging 00:06:49.040 --> 00:06:52.339 Holsteins at just 25 years old, when the prevailing 00:06:52.339 --> 00:06:55.680 belief was that bigger is better. But Tommy held 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:58.399 firm to his conviction that truly valuable cows 00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:00.740 are those that can outperform the average in 00:07:00.740 --> 00:07:03.399 a typical barn producing more milk efficiently. 00:07:04.339 --> 00:07:07.420 Now, with satisfaction, he notes how the industry 00:07:07.420 --> 00:07:10.160 has evolved toward his long -standing position. 00:07:10.819 --> 00:07:14.040 This shift from prioritizing appearance to emphasizing 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:17.160 performance represents a maturation of the industry 00:07:17.160 --> 00:07:20.259 that Tommy witnessed and helped guide over his 00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:24.180 five -decade career. When asked about underappreciated 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:27.019 indicators of a cow's longevity or productivity, 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:30.399 Tommy emphasizes the functional traits that might 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:33.120 not capture attention in the show ring but prove 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:35.579 their value in everyday production environments. 00:07:36.339 --> 00:07:39.310 In dairy cattle reproduction, What truly matters 00:07:39.310 --> 00:07:42.430 is not size or short -term milk yield, but whether 00:07:42.430 --> 00:07:45.269 a cow can remain healthy and productive over 00:07:45.269 --> 00:07:48.949 a long period. Traits like utter quality, strong 00:07:48.949 --> 00:07:51.889 skeletal structure, resistance to disease, and 00:07:51.889 --> 00:07:54.490 healthy feet and legs are directly linked to 00:07:54.490 --> 00:07:57.069 long -term productivity and ease of management, 00:07:57.230 --> 00:08:00.410 he explains. Tommy's international perspective 00:08:00.410 --> 00:08:03.009 gives him unique insights into the differences 00:08:03.009 --> 00:08:05.970 between Japanese and North American dairy approaches. 00:08:06.329 --> 00:08:09.829 At the 50th Central Japan Holstein Show, he remarked 00:08:09.829 --> 00:08:12.670 on Quebec's more aggressive approach to Holstein 00:08:12.670 --> 00:08:16.129 improvement. When asked to elaborate on comparisons 00:08:16.129 --> 00:08:18.730 between Japanese and North American approaches, 00:08:19.170 --> 00:08:22.250 he acknowledges, At this point, I believe that 00:08:22.250 --> 00:08:24.610 Japan's genetic improvement in dairy cattle still 00:08:24.610 --> 00:08:26.610 hasn't fully caught up with countries like the 00:08:26.610 --> 00:08:29.930 United States and Canada. However, the gap is 00:08:29.930 --> 00:08:34.389 steadily narrowing. He points to Japan's increasing 00:08:34.389 --> 00:08:37.240 utilization of elite North American genetics 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:40.840 as a key factor in this progress. In recent years, 00:08:41.179 --> 00:08:43.519 Japan has made significant progress by actively 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:46.340 importing and utilizing elite genetic resources 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:49.320 from North America, such as high quality semen 00:08:49.320 --> 00:08:52.799 and embryos. This genetic importation strategy, 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:56.000 which Tommy himself championed, has yielded tangible 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:59.340 results in Japanese herds. Beyond genetics and 00:08:59.340 --> 00:09:02.100 breeding, Tommy has witnessed profound shifts 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:05.039 in how Japanese society relates to dairy products. 00:09:06.220 --> 00:09:08.840 When I began my career, dairy products in Japan 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:11.080 were largely viewed as something for children, 00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:14.899 the elderly, or the sick, he recalls. This limited 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:17.419 perception reflected dairy's initial positioning 00:09:17.419 --> 00:09:20.279 in Japanese culture as primarily a nutritional 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:23.179 supplement rather than a mainstream food category. 00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:26.340 The transformation in Japanese dairy consumption 00:09:26.340 --> 00:09:29.200 patterns paralleled broader cultural changes. 00:09:29.549 --> 00:09:32.830 As Japanese dietary habits rapidly westernized, 00:09:33.129 --> 00:09:35.309 dairy products like cheese, yogurt, and fresh 00:09:35.309 --> 00:09:37.710 cream gradually became part of everyday life 00:09:37.710 --> 00:09:41.610 across all age groups, Tommy explains. This dietary 00:09:41.610 --> 00:09:44.330 evolution represented not merely changing tastes, 00:09:44.610 --> 00:09:47.330 but a fundamental shift in cultural food preferences. 00:09:48.429 --> 00:09:50.830 Cheese consumption exemplifies this transformation. 00:09:51.529 --> 00:09:54.809 One major shift was in cheese consumption. Domestic 00:09:54.809 --> 00:09:57.519 production increased, and locally made cheeses 00:09:57.519 --> 00:10:00.120 gained wide acceptance as everyday ingredients. 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:03.899 This trend created a virtuous cycle for the dairy 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:06.559 industry, as it helped raise awareness about 00:10:06.559 --> 00:10:08.799 the flavor and nutritional components of milk 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:13.379 itself, such as fat and protein content. Contemporary 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:16.080 Japanese consumers increasingly seek premium 00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:19.899 dairy attributes. Today, rich, high -fat, high 00:10:19.899 --> 00:10:22.580 -protein milk is increasingly preferred, and 00:10:22.580 --> 00:10:24.519 there is growing attention toward products with 00:10:24.519 --> 00:10:28.730 added health value such as A2 milk. This preference 00:10:28.730 --> 00:10:31.110 for higher milk solids contrasts with Western 00:10:31.110 --> 00:10:34.029 trends toward reduced -fat dairy products and 00:10:34.029 --> 00:10:37.110 reflects distinct cultural preferences that influence 00:10:37.110 --> 00:10:40.309 breeding objectives. Let's talk about Hokkaido, 00:10:40.590 --> 00:10:43.570 Japan's northernmost main island, which has developed 00:10:43.570 --> 00:10:47.009 into the country's dairy powerhouse. Hokkaido 00:10:47.009 --> 00:10:49.629 is often compared to Quebec because both regions 00:10:49.629 --> 00:10:52.570 share similarities in climate, natural environment, 00:10:52.850 --> 00:10:55.029 and a strong foundation of family -run dairy 00:10:55.029 --> 00:10:59.019 farms. Tommy explains. One distinctive feature 00:10:59.019 --> 00:11:01.379 of Hokkaido's dairy model is its emphasis on 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:04.639 feed self -sufficiency. One of Hokkaido's defining 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:07.179 features is its feed self -sufficiency model, 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:09.879 built on the cultivation of homegrown forage 00:11:09.879 --> 00:11:12.559 and corn, taking full advantage of the region's 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:16.480 expansive farmland. While Hokkaido shares similarities 00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:19.539 with Quebec, it also faces unique challenges 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:22.500 that have driven innovative adaptations. Hokkaido 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:25.429 also faces unique local challenges. most notably 00:11:25.429 --> 00:11:29.149 a serious labor shortage, Tommy notes. This workforce 00:11:29.149 --> 00:11:31.610 deficit reflects broader Japanese demographic 00:11:31.610 --> 00:11:34.769 trends, including an aging rural population and 00:11:34.769 --> 00:11:37.950 declining birth rates. The response to this challenge 00:11:37.950 --> 00:11:40.909 demonstrates Hokkaido farmers' pragmatic innovation. 00:11:41.629 --> 00:11:43.909 In response, there has been a rapid adoption 00:11:43.909 --> 00:11:46.850 of robotic milking systems and automation technologies. 00:11:47.370 --> 00:11:50.289 This embrace of labor -saving technology allows 00:11:50.289 --> 00:11:53.409 farms to maintain productivity with fewer workers 00:11:53.409 --> 00:11:56.509 and help build more sustainable management systems. 00:11:57.110 --> 00:11:59.370 Having worked extensively with both Japanese 00:11:59.370 --> 00:12:02.330 and North American dairy systems, Tommy offers 00:12:02.330 --> 00:12:04.830 nuanced observations on the subtle differences 00:12:04.830 --> 00:12:08.070 between these regions. The demographic challenges 00:12:08.070 --> 00:12:10.830 facing Japanese agriculture have accelerated 00:12:10.830 --> 00:12:14.940 certain technological adoptions. In Japan, labor 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:17.279 shortages have become a serious issue in recent 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:20.179 years. As a result, the adoption of automation 00:12:20.179 --> 00:12:23.100 technologies, such as robotic milking systems, 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:26.700 is progressing rapidly, Tommy explains. Distinct 00:12:26.700 --> 00:12:29.620 consumer preferences in each market create divergent 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:33.600 breeding objectives. In Japan, consumers tend 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:36.399 to prefer milk with higher fat and protein content, 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:38.980 unlike in Western countries where low -fat milk 00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:42.100 is more common, Tommy observes. This preference 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:44.360 for richer milk influences breeding decisions 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:47.980 and selection emphasis. Looking toward the future, 00:12:48.299 --> 00:12:50.620 Tommy identifies a clear direction for Japanese 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:53.799 dairy farming. Japanese dairy farming is moving 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:56.039 toward managing more cows with fewer people. 00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:59.340 This efficiency imperative demands specific animal 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:02.299 attributes. To make this possible, we need cows 00:13:02.299 --> 00:13:04.700 that are healthy, efficient, and productive, 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:08.059 with minimal management and maximum return. In 00:13:08.059 --> 00:13:12.049 other words, truly economic cows. Despite regional 00:13:12.049 --> 00:13:15.350 differences, Tommy emphasizes the universal fundamentals 00:13:15.350 --> 00:13:18.809 that unite dairy farming globally. The fundamentals 00:13:18.809 --> 00:13:21.169 of dairy farming are the same around the world. 00:13:21.669 --> 00:13:23.929 That's why I believe it's so important to learn 00:13:23.929 --> 00:13:26.570 from one another and build strong international 00:13:26.570 --> 00:13:30.049 partnerships. After 50 years in the industry, 00:13:30.429 --> 00:13:33.370 Tommy maintains the enthusiastic curiosity of 00:13:33.370 --> 00:13:36.429 a perpetual student. I continue to see change 00:13:36.429 --> 00:13:39.070 every day, and I hope to keep learning and evolving 00:13:39.070 --> 00:13:42.960 for many years to come. he reflects. This commitment 00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:46.000 to continuous learning exemplifies the mindset 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:48.980 that has allowed him to remain relevant and influential 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:52.840 through decades of industry transformation. Tommy 00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:55.659 Araki's legacy lives on in the improved genetics 00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:58.820 of Japanese dairy herds, the strengthened connections 00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:01.460 between international dairy communities, and 00:14:01.460 --> 00:14:04.440 the modern breeding strategies now standard across 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:08.620 Japan. His story shows how one passionate, dedicated 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:12.340 person can shape an entire industry through persistence, 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:15.620 innovation, and unwavering focus on fundamentals. 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:18.940 From handwritten letters requesting bull books 00:14:18.940 --> 00:14:22.039 to pioneering embryo imports and introducing 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:25.000 revolutionary breeding technologies, Tommy's 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:27.539 career traces the arc of a rapidly advancing 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:30.740 industry. Perhaps his greatest contribution has 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:33.240 been serving as a living bridge between Japanese 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:35.899 and North American dairy cultures, facilitating 00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:38.860 genetic exchange and knowledge transfer. that 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:42.059 has benefited both regions. If you ever get the 00:14:42.059 --> 00:14:44.299 chance to meet him, I think you'd have so much 00:14:44.299 --> 00:14:47.019 to talk about. His perspective on what makes 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:50.820 a truly functional, profitable cow would fascinate 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:54.759 anyone passionate about dairy excellence. That's 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:57.460 all for today's episode of the Bullvine Podcast. 00:14:57.720 --> 00:15:00.039 If you enjoyed Tommy's story as much as I did, 00:15:00.419 --> 00:15:02.980 please subscribe, leave a rating, and share with 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:05.919 your fellow dairy enthusiasts. Until next time, 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:06.899 keep leading friends.