WEBVTT 00:00:10.220 --> 00:00:14.039 Creeping across the pasture land. Got dirt on 00:00:14.039 --> 00:00:18.719 the boots and a working hand. From the milk house 00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:24.000 home to the auction call. These are the folks 00:00:24.000 --> 00:01:02.310 standing strong and tall. Yeah, this is... Welcome 00:01:02.310 --> 00:01:04.890 to our latest podcast episode, where we discuss 00:01:04.890 --> 00:01:07.689 some game -changing dairy stories and the future 00:01:07.689 --> 00:01:11.609 of farming. Grab your coffee, sit back, and let's 00:01:11.609 --> 00:01:14.670 dive in. Today, we're diving deep into an incredible 00:01:14.670 --> 00:01:16.969 story pulled from a feature article that's truly 00:01:16.969 --> 00:01:19.689 captivated the agricultural community. Think 00:01:19.689 --> 00:01:21.950 of us as your guides, navigating through the 00:01:21.950 --> 00:01:25.349 layers of history, innovation, and sheer human 00:01:25.349 --> 00:01:28.560 tenacity. Exactly. and what we're about to explore 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:30.920 isn't just you know a historical anecdote it's 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:33.439 really a living blueprint for resilience and 00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:36.500 progress in an ever -changing industry this isn't 00:01:36.500 --> 00:01:38.500 just a fascinating tale it's more like a strategic 00:01:38.500 --> 00:01:40.939 playbook for modern dairy producers whether you're 00:01:40.939 --> 00:01:44.299 in the rolling hills of europe or the vast plains 00:01:44.299 --> 00:01:47.010 of north america We're going to unpack the journey 00:01:47.010 --> 00:01:50.150 of Dutch dairy pioneers to Brazil, their founding 00:01:50.150 --> 00:01:52.629 of the Castrolanda Cooperative, and the remarkable 00:01:52.629 --> 00:01:55.450 creation of Agrilite, which is now, well, Latin 00:01:55.450 --> 00:01:57.930 America's premier dairy showcase. And what really 00:01:57.930 --> 00:01:59.909 struck me from the outset, looking through these 00:01:59.909 --> 00:02:02.650 sources, is the article's bold claim. It says, 00:02:02.730 --> 00:02:05.209 this success story continues to raise the bar 00:02:05.209 --> 00:02:09.789 for global milk production. That's a pretty provocative 00:02:09.789 --> 00:02:12.810 statement, isn't it? Implying that lessons from, 00:02:12.889 --> 00:02:15.919 what, 70 years ago. born from desperate necessity, 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:18.860 are profoundly shaping today's most cutting -edge 00:02:18.860 --> 00:02:22.080 operations. It is that beyond -borders vision 00:02:22.080 --> 00:02:24.319 right from the very start. I mean, the idea of 00:02:24.319 --> 00:02:26.659 intentionally transplanting an entire way of 00:02:26.659 --> 00:02:30.080 life and a complex agricultural system to a new 00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:32.780 continent, it challenges so much of our, well, 00:02:32.819 --> 00:02:35.159 conventional thinking about what progress truly 00:02:35.159 --> 00:02:37.620 looks like in agriculture and how international 00:02:37.620 --> 00:02:40.599 cooperation can shape it. We're facing unprecedented 00:02:40.599 --> 00:02:42.639 challenges today, you know, climate shifts, market 00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:45.419 volatility. And this narrative, starting back 00:02:45.419 --> 00:02:47.860 in 1952, suddenly feels incredibly current. It 00:02:47.860 --> 00:02:49.780 really does. It's a testament to these timeless 00:02:49.780 --> 00:02:51.860 principles that maybe got overlooked in the rush 00:02:51.860 --> 00:02:54.740 for immediate gains. But now they're becoming 00:02:54.740 --> 00:02:57.680 surprisingly relevant again. OK, let's truly 00:02:57.680 --> 00:03:00.520 dive into that audacious beginning now, right 00:03:00.520 --> 00:03:02.759 at the very root of this story. Picture this, 00:03:02.900 --> 00:03:07.030 September 1952. 50 Dutch families. And they're 00:03:07.030 --> 00:03:08.889 not just packing suitcases. They're dismantling 00:03:08.889 --> 00:03:12.550 entire lives. They boarded a ship, the MS Alioth, 00:03:12.650 --> 00:03:15.569 bound for a new world. And they didn't just bring 00:03:15.569 --> 00:03:18.770 their dreams. They brought 61 carefully selected 00:03:18.770 --> 00:03:22.289 cows. Our sources describe this as nothing but 00:03:22.289 --> 00:03:24.669 expertise and absolute faith in their breeding 00:03:24.669 --> 00:03:27.969 program. Just strikes me as an almost unthinkable 00:03:27.969 --> 00:03:30.750 leap of faith. Unfathomable. Yeah, an unfathomable 00:03:30.750 --> 00:03:33.530 leap indeed. Think about the comfort and familiarity 00:03:33.530 --> 00:03:35.389 of the polders back home in the Netherlands. 00:03:35.710 --> 00:03:39.050 You know, these low -lying lands meticulously 00:03:39.050 --> 00:03:41.669 reclaimed from the sea over centuries. Perfect 00:03:41.669 --> 00:03:44.009 for intensive dairy farming with a climate that 00:03:44.009 --> 00:03:46.250 suited their Friesian cattle just right. Yeah, 00:03:46.289 --> 00:03:48.870 idyllic almost. Exactly. Now contrast that with 00:03:48.870 --> 00:03:51.610 their destination. 5 ,000 hectares along the 00:03:51.610 --> 00:03:53.669 Iapo River purchased from the Castro municipality 00:03:53.669 --> 00:03:56.419 in Brazil. This wasn't just a different country. 00:03:56.460 --> 00:03:59.259 It was ecologically, climatically, culturally 00:03:59.259 --> 00:04:01.900 a completely different planet. Wow. The sheer 00:04:01.900 --> 00:04:04.280 scale of that contrast, the unknowns they faced, 00:04:04.379 --> 00:04:06.879 it's just staggering to consider. It really brings 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:09.120 home that concept you mentioned, survival meets 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:14.000 vision. Because when the MS Alioth finally docked 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:17.240 in Brazil, these families didn't arrive to a 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:20.810 ready -made infrastructure. The conditions they 00:04:20.810 --> 00:04:23.589 faced, as our sources highlight, they make what 00:04:23.589 --> 00:04:26.769 we consider heat stress discussions today look 00:04:26.769 --> 00:04:29.689 almost academic. We're talking about fundamental 00:04:29.689 --> 00:04:33.050 survival in an entirely new, often punishing 00:04:33.050 --> 00:04:35.430 environment. They weren't tweaking cooling systems. 00:04:35.730 --> 00:04:38.509 They were building from absolute scratch, often 00:04:38.509 --> 00:04:41.290 battling what must have felt like alien elements. 00:04:41.740 --> 00:04:43.620 And that article makes a powerful point here, 00:04:43.699 --> 00:04:45.480 that the early founders understood something 00:04:45.480 --> 00:04:47.819 truly fundamental, that great dairy operations 00:04:47.819 --> 00:04:50.860 are built on community knowledge, not just individual 00:04:50.860 --> 00:04:53.720 expertise. They knew instinctively, didn't they, 00:04:53.779 --> 00:04:56.699 that going it alone would mean failure. And that's 00:04:56.699 --> 00:04:58.660 where the role of the Reformed Evangelical Church 00:04:58.660 --> 00:05:01.199 becomes absolutely crucial, which I find utterly 00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:02.980 fascinating. It served as the organizational 00:05:02.980 --> 00:05:05.199 backbone. Right, not just spiritual support. 00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:08.639 No, not merely a place for spiritual solace in 00:05:08.639 --> 00:05:10.899 a new, daunting land, though I'm sure that was 00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:13.579 vital too. It was the foundational structure 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:17.500 for this entire migration. Picture this. Their 00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:20.699 faith, interwoven with a deep commitment to education, 00:05:20.839 --> 00:05:23.019 and most critically, to cooperative principles. 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:25.899 These weren't just abstract ideals, they actually 00:05:25.899 --> 00:05:31.050 transformed into tangible survival tools. survival 00:05:31.050 --> 00:05:32.889 tools yeah that's a great way to put it yeah 00:05:32.889 --> 00:05:36.350 in this vastly different often hostile landscape 00:05:36.350 --> 00:05:39.310 the stark reality was like you said going it 00:05:39.310 --> 00:05:42.050 alone meant failure the church became the central 00:05:42.050 --> 00:05:44.870 hub providing spiritual grounding yes but also 00:05:44.870 --> 00:05:47.550 facilitating vital communication organizing scarce 00:05:47.550 --> 00:05:50.410 resources yeah and relentlessly reinforcing those 00:05:50.410 --> 00:05:52.110 communal bonds that were absolutely necessary 00:05:52.110 --> 00:05:55.029 for their very existence and well their eventual 00:05:55.029 --> 00:05:57.629 success it really underscores how true resilience 00:05:57.629 --> 00:06:00.420 is so often built collectively not in isolation. 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:02.439 That collective spirit must have been tested 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:05.560 constantly, every single day you'd imagine. And 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:07.519 speaking of adaptability, that brings us directly 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:10.420 to the animals themselves. Those 61 cows, they 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:12.060 weren't just any cattle, were they? No, not at 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:15.079 all. They were carefully selected Dutch -Friesian 00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:18.019 bloodlines, prized for their productivity in 00:06:18.019 --> 00:06:21.699 those cool, temperate European climates. But 00:06:21.699 --> 00:06:24.060 imagine the challenge. I mean, really imagine 00:06:24.060 --> 00:06:27.040 it. These animals had to adapt not just to entirely 00:06:27.040 --> 00:06:29.399 different grass varieties in an unfamiliar climate, 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:33.379 but to entirely different heat stress patterns. 00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:36.699 Yeah, that's key. Different patterns. It wasn't 00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:38.920 merely warmer. It was a distinct kind of warmth, 00:06:39.100 --> 00:06:41.259 right? Higher humidity, different solar intensity, 00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:44.540 unfamiliar seasonal cycles. How do they even 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:47.899 begin to manage that without modern vet science 00:06:47.899 --> 00:06:50.800 and all the environmental controls we rely on 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:52.980 now? It's a question of raw, on -the -ground 00:06:52.980 --> 00:06:55.100 innovation, isn't it? Just figuring it out. They 00:06:55.100 --> 00:06:57.959 were forced to experiment from day one. Literally 00:06:57.959 --> 00:07:00.560 day one. Our sources hint at the intense learning 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:03.120 curve, discovering which local forage crops could 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:05.899 sustain high -producing dairy animals, experimenting 00:07:05.899 --> 00:07:08.220 with natural ventilation and rudimentary shelters, 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:11.279 even just observing which individual cows showed 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:13.339 greater resilience. Trial and error on a massive 00:07:13.339 --> 00:07:15.920 scale. Exactly. And for many of you listening 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:18.060 today, especially across North America, does 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:20.379 that sound familiar? Hmm. Yeah, increasingly 00:07:20.379 --> 00:07:23.870 so. Because with summers getting hotter and more 00:07:23.870 --> 00:07:26.730 unpredictable, the adaptation strategies these 00:07:26.730 --> 00:07:29.470 families developed 70 years ago, they're suddenly 00:07:29.470 --> 00:07:31.730 incredibly relevant. They were dealing with persistent, 00:07:31.889 --> 00:07:35.029 you know, 90 degree days and high humidity long 00:07:35.029 --> 00:07:37.550 before it became a widespread concern in traditional 00:07:37.550 --> 00:07:40.329 dairy regions like Wisconsin or Ontario. That's 00:07:40.329 --> 00:07:42.750 a really good point. They learned early on through 00:07:42.750 --> 00:07:46.670 sheer necessity that genetic. excellence. No 00:07:46.670 --> 00:07:49.490 matter how carefully selected, it means absolutely 00:07:49.490 --> 00:07:52.110 nothing if your cattle can't physically handle 00:07:52.110 --> 00:07:54.430 the environment they're living in. Right. Survival 00:07:54.430 --> 00:07:57.269 first, then production. Precisely. This historical 00:07:57.269 --> 00:07:59.629 adaptation strategy is proving to be a sudden 00:07:59.629 --> 00:08:02.189 blueprint for modern challenges. It underscores 00:08:02.189 --> 00:08:04.589 the vital need to breed for environmental resilience, 00:08:04.709 --> 00:08:07.569 not just peak production. It's a powerful lesson 00:08:07.569 --> 00:08:09.949 from the past that's directly applicable to your 00:08:09.949 --> 00:08:12.910 bottom line today. It urges us to think beyond 00:08:12.910 --> 00:08:15.589 just milk per cow and consider milk per acre 00:08:15.589 --> 00:08:18.910 in our specific climate. So with that foundational 00:08:18.910 --> 00:08:21.910 understanding of their, well, audacious beginning 00:08:21.910 --> 00:08:25.189 and remarkable survival against the odds, it's 00:08:25.189 --> 00:08:28.230 striking to realize that by November 1951, which, 00:08:28.310 --> 00:08:31.870 get this, was actually before that historic voyage 00:08:31.870 --> 00:08:35.220 of the MS Elioth. Right. The Sociedad Cooperativa 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:38.100 Castellana was officially formed. This wasn't 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:40.399 some casual reactive grouping after they landed. 00:08:40.440 --> 00:08:43.240 This was deliberate, structured, foundational, 00:08:43.580 --> 00:08:46.620 planned even before they set sail. It just hammers 00:08:46.620 --> 00:08:48.360 home that this wasn't your typical cooperative 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:50.460 structure where maybe everyone's looking out 00:08:50.460 --> 00:08:53.500 for themselves first. These folks were, as the 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:55.659 article says, thinking generationally from day 00:08:55.659 --> 00:08:58.860 one. It was about a collective future. And that 00:08:58.860 --> 00:09:00.980 foresight is truly the bedrock of their long 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:03.549 -term success. It really is. The growth timeline 00:09:03.549 --> 00:09:06.210 of Castrolonda, it reads like a masterclass in 00:09:06.210 --> 00:09:08.470 sustainable agricultural development. It wasn't 00:09:08.470 --> 00:09:10.309 a rapid boom and bust cycle like you sometimes 00:09:10.309 --> 00:09:14.350 see. No quick wins. No. It was methodical, steady, 00:09:14.549 --> 00:09:17.629 and designed for sustainable growth with no rush 00:09:17.629 --> 00:09:21.039 to scale. In 1951, as you noted, the core cooperative 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:23.980 was established. Milk operations began. But think 00:09:23.980 --> 00:09:26.259 about the context. They were literally clearing 00:09:26.259 --> 00:09:28.519 land, building basic shelters, trying to get 00:09:28.519 --> 00:09:31.220 milk to market in a nascent economy. Just surviving. 00:09:31.460 --> 00:09:35.679 Exactly. Yet just three years later, 1954, they 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:38.679 built the Prins Willem Alexander Dutch School, 00:09:38.820 --> 00:09:41.379 a school. Incredible. That's right after housing 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:44.759 and the most basic dairy facilities. That decision. 00:09:45.440 --> 00:09:47.960 It speaks volumes about their priorities. Education 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:50.240 right up there. Absolutely. Then you see this 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:53.340 methodical diversification. 1967, they expanded 00:09:53.340 --> 00:09:55.740 into swine production. Smart move, right? Leverage 00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:57.440 waste, create additional revenue. Makes sense. 00:09:57.620 --> 00:10:00.279 By 1970, they added grain operations. That was 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:03.639 crucial for feed integration. Ensuring self -sufficiency 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:05.840 and quality control in a region where, let's 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:07.440 face it, quality feed might have been inconsistent. 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:10.480 Control your inputs. You got it. And finally, 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:14.399 in 1984, they founded ABC, the Agricultural Business 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:16.960 Center. This wasn't just another division. This 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:19.580 was the pivotal moment. It marked their true 00:10:19.580 --> 00:10:22.799 shift into being, you know, serious agribusiness 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:25.320 players, taking their cooperative model to an 00:10:25.320 --> 00:10:28.120 industrial scale. What truly resonates with me 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:30.720 about that progression, though, is the audacious 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:33.659 prioritization of education. A school coming 00:10:33.659 --> 00:10:36.889 third. Right after establishing basic housing 00:10:36.889 --> 00:10:38.730 and getting the first dairy facilities up and 00:10:38.730 --> 00:10:41.850 running, in year three, they were still grappling 00:10:41.850 --> 00:10:44.529 with fundamental challenges, like figuring out 00:10:44.529 --> 00:10:47.509 how to create viable Brazilian feed rations for 00:10:47.509 --> 00:10:50.029 their specific dairy herd, dealing with tropical 00:10:50.029 --> 00:10:52.929 storms, battling unknown diseases, things completely 00:10:52.929 --> 00:10:55.370 alien to their European experience. Absolutely, 00:10:55.509 --> 00:10:57.610 stuff they'd never seen. Yet, amidst all those 00:10:57.610 --> 00:10:59.929 immediate struggles for survival, they dedicated 00:10:59.929 --> 00:11:02.860 resources to building a school. What does that 00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:04.399 tell you about their dedication to knowledge 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:06.360 transfer for future generations? It tells you 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:08.320 everything, doesn't it? They understood that 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:10.500 their long -term success wasn't just about the 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:13.440 cattle or the land. It was about investing in 00:11:13.440 --> 00:11:15.820 human capital, in the minds of their children 00:11:15.820 --> 00:11:18.460 and grandchildren, ensuring the perpetuation 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:20.919 of their vision, not just their immediate survival. 00:11:21.320 --> 00:11:24.000 It's an incredibly powerful statement about their 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:26.940 foresight, and one that frankly... Many modern 00:11:26.940 --> 00:11:29.700 operations could learn a thing or two from, and 00:11:29.700 --> 00:11:32.500 this idea of integration matters just permeates 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:35.080 their entire approach, their methodical expansion 00:11:35.080 --> 00:11:38.039 into swine, and especially those grain operations. 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:41.840 It shows they grasped early on that feed production, 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:44.700 genetics, and management all needed to work as 00:11:44.700 --> 00:11:47.509 a cohesive... interdependent system. Not just 00:11:47.509 --> 00:11:49.909 separate silos. Exactly. This wasn't just about 00:11:49.909 --> 00:11:52.389 getting more milk. It was about creating a resilient, 00:11:52.549 --> 00:11:54.769 self -sustaining ecosystem that could weather 00:11:54.769 --> 00:11:57.590 economic shocks and environmental shifts. That 00:11:57.590 --> 00:12:00.509 foresight, that deep understanding of interconnectedness 00:12:00.509 --> 00:12:03.049 is precisely what prepared them for future growth. 00:12:03.210 --> 00:12:05.330 It allowed them to navigate challenges that would 00:12:05.330 --> 00:12:07.529 have absolutely crippled less integrated operations. 00:12:07.809 --> 00:12:09.870 They weren't just building individual farms. 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:12.419 They were constructing an entire interconnected 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:15.840 agricultural economy from the ground up. A local 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:18.220 food system before that term was even popular. 00:12:18.519 --> 00:12:21.159 And this methodical, community -driven approach 00:12:21.159 --> 00:12:23.679 eventually led to something truly spectacular. 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:27.240 AgriLite. As Castro -Landa's reputation grew, 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:31.000 their leaders recognized a powerful truth. One 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:33.399 we're seeing play out more and more today. That 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:37.600 sharing excellence elevates entire regions. That's 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:39.960 a great phrase. AgriLite evolved from what was 00:12:39.960 --> 00:12:42.259 originally just a local agricultural gathering 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:45.440 into what is now widely considered Latin America's 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:48.529 premier dairy showcase. It's a brilliant example 00:12:48.529 --> 00:12:50.789 of how internal success can become an external 00:12:50.789 --> 00:12:53.529 beacon, right? Attracting attention, fostering 00:12:53.529 --> 00:12:55.549 development, raising standards far beyond the 00:12:55.549 --> 00:12:57.610 cooperative's immediate borders. And the strategic 00:12:57.610 --> 00:13:00.169 timing of AgriLight is just, well, it's brilliant. 00:13:00.269 --> 00:13:03.149 Holding it every August, which is Brazil's winter. 00:13:03.309 --> 00:13:05.570 Right, cooler weather. Exactly. This means the 00:13:05.570 --> 00:13:08.159 cattle are in peak condition. They're avoiding 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:10.500 that debilitating summer heat stress that just 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:12.980 crushes milk production during warmer months. 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:15.700 It allows the animals to truly shine to show 00:13:15.700 --> 00:13:17.620 their genetic potential. Makes perfect sense. 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:19.559 And the comprehensive nature of the event is 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:22.200 genuinely impressive. You've got the dairy tournament 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:25.179 that's a production competition. Alongside that, 00:13:25.320 --> 00:13:28.139 the fodder park showcasing the latest in feed 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:30.879 tech, machine dynamics for equipment exhibitions. 00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:33.299 And then there are the milk trail educational 00:13:33.299 --> 00:13:36.399 programs for consumers and the public. Covering 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:38.700 all the basis? It's an immersive, educational, 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:41.899 and business -focused event that, honestly, with 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:44.860 its breadth and integration, it really sets a 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:47.679 new bar for agricultural shows globally. Puts 00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:49.659 some others to shame, you could argue. What's 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:51.820 particularly noteworthy, too, is their unwavering 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:54.360 focus on genetic diversity. AgriLite doesn't 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:57.000 just showcase one breed. They highlight both 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:59.200 Holstein breeds, the classic black and white, 00:13:59.299 --> 00:14:02.379 and the increasingly popular red and white Holsteins, 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:06.029 alongside Jersey cattle. This isn't about promoting 00:14:06.029 --> 00:14:08.970 one breed over another. It feels like a strategic 00:14:08.970 --> 00:14:12.250 decision to showcase the full spectrum of genetic 00:14:12.250 --> 00:14:15.789 excellence and to cater to diverse market demands. 00:14:16.070 --> 00:14:19.210 Exactly. Responsive. And right now, with feed 00:14:19.210 --> 00:14:22.149 costs being what they are, that jurys the efficiency 00:14:22.149 --> 00:14:26.080 with our higher butter, fat, and protein. It's 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:28.259 looking pretty attractive, isn't it? It certainly 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:30.440 is. A lot of people are looking hard at jerseys. 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:32.440 It shows they're responsive to market signals 00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:34.580 while maintaining genetic integrity across the 00:14:34.580 --> 00:14:37.340 board. That's a rare feat. Absolutely. And the 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:40.279 economic impact. Wow. Wow. It underscores just 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:42.940 how significant this event has become. The 2024 00:14:42.940 --> 00:14:47.059 numbers are staggering. $520 million. It's Brazilian 00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:49.679 reels and business deals transacted. 520 million 00:14:49.679 --> 00:14:52.860 reels. That's huge. And an estimated 150 ,000 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:55.379 visitors flowing through over just four days. 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:58.659 Wow. That's a serious economic jolt for any agricultural 00:14:58.659 --> 00:15:01.360 region. A huge boost. But as you implied, it's 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:03.139 not just about the money. Right. There's more 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:05.990 to it. It's about the exchange of ideas, the 00:15:05.990 --> 00:15:09.210 networking, the raising of standards, the collective 00:15:09.210 --> 00:15:11.450 progress that comes from bringing the industry 00:15:11.450 --> 00:15:14.769 together on such a grand scale. It's a true barometer 00:15:14.769 --> 00:15:18.490 of the region's agricultural vitality and a testament 00:15:18.490 --> 00:15:21.090 to the power of a well -organized event to drive 00:15:21.090 --> 00:15:23.830 an entire sector forward. And here's where the 00:15:23.830 --> 00:15:25.870 story takes an interesting turn for us, I suppose, 00:15:26.029 --> 00:15:29.000 because... Our source material highlights a crucial 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:31.860 role in amplifying this success. It says our 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:33.940 partnership with AgriLight hasn't just told the 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:35.879 world what's happening. It's helped turn this 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:38.240 once local event into the greatest dairy show 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:40.179 in the southern hemisphere. So we're not just 00:15:40.179 --> 00:15:42.940 observers. We've actively been a catalyst connecting 00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:45.559 this unique Brazilian success story with a global 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:48.190 audience. And that's not just, you know. promotional 00:15:48.190 --> 00:15:51.350 fluff. The concrete evidence is undeniable. With 00:15:51.350 --> 00:15:53.250 the detailed coverage that reaches breeders, 00:15:53.330 --> 00:15:56.190 AI companies, genetics buyers across six continents, 00:15:56.649 --> 00:15:58.990 AgriLite has demonstrably surpassed International 00:15:58.990 --> 00:16:01.970 Dairy Week. And that's a big statement. It is. 00:16:02.049 --> 00:16:04.789 It's not just in size, but critically, in the 00:16:04.789 --> 00:16:07.490 sheer quality and depth of competition in the 00:16:07.490 --> 00:16:10.750 show ring. If you followed the reports or watched 00:16:10.750 --> 00:16:13.210 the Holstein, Jersey, and Red and White lineups 00:16:13.210 --> 00:16:16.659 from this past year, You're seeing elite genetics. 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:19.919 Animals that would absolutely stand out at Madison 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:23.159 or the Royal. No question. Top here. Agrilite 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:25.919 has become the benchmark. The measuring stick 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:27.980 people talk about when they want to see how Southern 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:30.519 Hemisphere breeding programs stack up. Frankly, 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:32.799 it's become the standard for next level cows 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:35.320 below the equator. And the ripple effect. Oh, 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:37.419 the ripple effect of these detailed show reports 00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:39.659 and comprehensive results reaching dairy professionals 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:43.000 worldwide is immense. This coverage directly 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:45.639 leads to export inquiries for Brazilian genetics, 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:49.080 to new AI contracts for their top sires, and 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:50.960 to the kind of breeder recognition that simply 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:53.320 never happened on this scale before. It puts 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:55.559 them on the global map. That ripple effect is 00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:57.840 precisely what makes it so exciting. And the 00:16:57.840 --> 00:17:00.360 caliber of international judges lining up to 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:03.409 officiate at AgriLite. That really validates 00:17:03.409 --> 00:17:04.750 this global status, doesn't it? It absolutely 00:17:04.750 --> 00:17:08.569 does. For 2024, Pierre Boulet from Quebec, Canada. 00:17:08.809 --> 00:17:11.190 This is someone who has personally bred and owned 00:17:11.190 --> 00:17:15.049 over 175 all -Canadian and all -American nominated 00:17:15.049 --> 00:17:17.470 animals. Incredible record. He officiated the 00:17:17.470 --> 00:17:20.630 Holstein competitions. And for Agrolite 2025, 00:17:21.269 --> 00:17:23.670 they've already secured Ryan Crollo for jerseys 00:17:23.670 --> 00:17:26.730 and Jamie Black for Holsteins. These are individuals 00:17:26.730 --> 00:17:28.789 whose evaluations carry significant weight in 00:17:28.789 --> 00:17:31.170 genetics markets from Auckland all the way to 00:17:31.170 --> 00:17:33.710 Amsterdam. Heavy hitters. Their opinion matters. 00:17:33.990 --> 00:17:35.750 This isn't just a regional show anymore. It's 00:17:35.750 --> 00:17:37.940 a global proving ground. And the results from 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:41.559 2024 truly speak volumes about the depth of Brazilian 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:43.920 genetics now. Take the Holstein competitions, 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:47.619 for example. The grand champion, RMM Robina Lambier 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:50.980 887, owned by Armando Rabbers. Just breathtaking. 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:53.579 A picture of balance and power. A standout count. 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:55.720 And the intermediate champion, CRA Alligator 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:59.740 Mayock 2197TE, owned by Robert Salomons, showed 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:02.079 incredible promise and that desirable functional 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:04.390 type everyone's looking for. These aren't just 00:18:04.390 --> 00:18:06.670 local champions. These are animals with genetics 00:18:06.670 --> 00:18:09.309 competing on a global stage, proving the quality 00:18:09.309 --> 00:18:11.190 and foresight of Brazilian breeding programs, 00:18:11.490 --> 00:18:13.990 validating years and years of dedicated work. 00:18:14.170 --> 00:18:16.650 These victories are a direct reflection of the 00:18:16.650 --> 00:18:18.329 dedicated breeders behind them, aren't they? 00:18:18.410 --> 00:18:20.809 Absolutely. The people make the difference. Armando 00:18:20.809 --> 00:18:23.190 Rabras, for instance. That name is synonymous 00:18:23.190 --> 00:18:27.349 with excellence at agrolyte. In 2024, he didn't 00:18:27.349 --> 00:18:30.700 just win. He swept the Best Breeder, Exhibitor, 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:33.059 and Adult Ethics honors for the Holstein black 00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:36.079 and white breed. A clean sweep. That's dominance. 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:38.240 That's not just a lucky streak. That's the payoff, 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:40.940 right? Yeah. For years of systematic genetic 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:44.180 decisions, careful selection, meticulous management, 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:48.039 all culminating in show ring dominance and, more 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:50.319 importantly, high -performing herds that thrive 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:52.460 under commercial conditions. That's the key they 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:54.759 perform, too. And Robert Solomons consistently 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:58.200 places champions year after year. It further 00:18:58.200 --> 00:19:00.559 proves that Brazilian Holstein genetics are not 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:03.319 only competitive, but consistently at the forefront 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:06.579 globally. They keep bringing the goods. Consistency 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:09.480 is huge. And you simply cannot talk about Holstein 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:11.420 excellence in Brazil without mentioning the de 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:13.960 Boer family. You just can't. Hendrik and Reinaldo 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:17.019 de Boer, with their Analandia prefix, they represent 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:19.519 a multi -generational dynasty in the Castelland 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:22.039 region. Analandia. That's a name you hear a lot. 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:24.500 Their name is synonymous with Holstein success. 00:19:25.230 --> 00:19:28.190 They've graced champion after champion in agrolytes' 00:19:28.230 --> 00:19:31.230 show rings, embodying decades of careful genetic 00:19:31.230 --> 00:19:34.289 selection and an unwavering commitment to breeding 00:19:34.289 --> 00:19:37.470 excellence. Their success truly stems from a 00:19:37.470 --> 00:19:40.750 profound, almost intuitive understanding of Holstein 00:19:40.750 --> 00:19:42.970 type and production. It's like they just know. 00:19:43.170 --> 00:19:45.799 That feel for the cattle. Exactly. They possess 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:48.759 an innate ability to match bloodlines that consistently 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:51.799 produce show -quality offspring that also perform 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:54.440 exceptionally in the milk tank, marrying form 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:57.160 and function. The Holy Grail. Analandia genetics 00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:59.279 aren't just dominating locally. They've gained 00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:01.240 recognition throughout South America, appearing 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:03.900 in herds from Argentina to Colombia. And they're 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:06.019 catching the eye of global geneticists, too. 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:08.240 So their philosophy. Their breeding philosophy 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:11.710 mirrors those original Dutch settlers. Patient, 00:20:11.710 --> 00:20:14.369 methodical, and always focused on long -term 00:20:14.369 --> 00:20:16.950 genetic improvement, rather than chasing short 00:20:16.950 --> 00:20:19.269 -term trends or fads. Resisting the flavor of 00:20:19.269 --> 00:20:22.910 the month. Exactly. Every year at AgriLite, the 00:20:22.910 --> 00:20:25.329 appearance of cattle bearing the Analandia name 00:20:25.329 --> 00:20:28.369 generates this palpable anticipation. You can 00:20:28.369 --> 00:20:31.269 feel it. Because their reputation for producing 00:20:31.269 --> 00:20:34.269 champions has become as reliable as the changing 00:20:34.269 --> 00:20:37.339 of seasons. Wow. If you're wondering how to build 00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:39.099 that kind of multi -generational reputation, 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:42.079 the DeBoer approach teaches us a fundamental 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:45.579 truth. Consistency, deeply rooted in knowledge 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:48.279 and long -term vision, beats flash -in -the -pan 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:51.000 brilliance every single time. And it's not just 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:52.960 the Holsteins getting all the glory, is it? The 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:54.680 red and white division is thriving, too. Oh, 00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:58.259 yeah. Kerstin Bronkhorst. Bronchorus gabriella 00:20:58.259 --> 00:21:01.559 461 journey red claimed grand champion honors 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:04.940 in 2024, a stunning example of the breed's potential 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:07.059 for both type and production. Beautiful cow. 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:10.200 And Raphael Cornelis hoogerhide with RCH Malhutta 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:13.680 2279 altitude red continues to push red and white 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:15.779 genetics forward, proving their adaptability 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:18.279 and quality in the Brazilian environment, showcasing 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:20.380 that genetic excellence isn't confined to a single 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:22.960 color or breed. That's right. Quality comes in 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:25.529 all colors. So when you look at all these show 00:21:25.529 --> 00:21:28.130 ring victories, from the black and white Holsteins 00:21:28.130 --> 00:21:30.710 to the red and whites in the jerseys, it's essential 00:21:30.710 --> 00:21:33.809 to understand they're far more than just ribbons 00:21:33.809 --> 00:21:36.289 and trophies. More than just a pretty face. Exactly. 00:21:36.609 --> 00:21:39.210 They are powerful validations of breeding decisions 00:21:39.210 --> 00:21:42.170 made not just months, but often years earlier. 00:21:42.690 --> 00:21:45.529 They are concrete confirmations of genetic theories 00:21:45.529 --> 00:21:48.450 meticulously tested and refined across generations 00:21:48.450 --> 00:21:51.920 of cattle. The proof is in the progeny. Precisely. 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:54.319 This isn't about fleeting trends. It's about 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:57.339 a sustained, long -term commitment to genetic 00:21:57.339 --> 00:22:00.539 improvement that yields tangible, undeniable 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:03.440 results. Results you can see both in the show 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:06.579 ring and, crucially, in the milk parlor. It speaks 00:22:06.579 --> 00:22:09.259 to a deep, inherent understanding of genetics 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:12.460 as a long game, a continuous process of refinement. 00:22:12.829 --> 00:22:14.809 Okay, shifting gears now just a bit, let's talk 00:22:14.809 --> 00:22:16.730 about how these enduring principles translate 00:22:16.730 --> 00:22:19.450 into the modern reality of Castrolanda. Because 00:22:19.450 --> 00:22:20.869 when you walk through their facilities today, 00:22:21.069 --> 00:22:24.289 you might assume maybe that technology has erased 00:22:24.289 --> 00:22:26.710 the past. You might think that. But those original 00:22:26.710 --> 00:22:28.990 values are still everywhere, aren't they? If 00:22:28.990 --> 00:22:31.430 you know what to look for. Castrolanda is now 00:22:31.430 --> 00:22:34.170 a massive enterprise, part of the Unium Cooperative 00:22:34.170 --> 00:22:36.730 Network, operating as a major dairy and feed 00:22:36.730 --> 00:22:39.289 processing operation, with facilities spanning 00:22:39.289 --> 00:22:42.150 multiple locations in southern Brazil. The operation 00:22:42.150 --> 00:22:44.769 now. Their production numbers today, driven by 00:22:44.769 --> 00:22:47.769 100 % mechanical milking and cooling across member 00:22:47.769 --> 00:22:50.589 farms, they would probably blow away those original 00:22:50.589 --> 00:22:53.769 50 families. Just the scale and efficiency. Oh, 00:22:53.809 --> 00:22:55.690 absolutely. They wouldn't recognize the scale. 00:22:55.930 --> 00:22:58.630 And yet, what's truly remarkable is how those 00:22:58.630 --> 00:23:01.390 original values remain so visible, woven into 00:23:01.390 --> 00:23:04.329 the fabric of daily life. Church services still 00:23:04.329 --> 00:23:07.029 happen in both Portuguese and Dutch. That's a 00:23:07.029 --> 00:23:09.230 powerful symbol, isn't it, of their cultural 00:23:09.230 --> 00:23:11.509 commitment and preserving identity. It really 00:23:11.509 --> 00:23:13.569 is, keeping the language alive. And the cooperative's 00:23:13.569 --> 00:23:16.329 deep commitment to education, which started with 00:23:16.329 --> 00:23:18.309 that original Prince William Alexander School. 00:23:18.490 --> 00:23:20.970 It continues through current agricultural extension 00:23:20.970 --> 00:23:23.750 programs, vocational training, youth development 00:23:23.750 --> 00:23:26.549 initiatives. These programs aren't just about 00:23:26.549 --> 00:23:28.890 teaching skills. They are, you could say, cultural 00:23:28.890 --> 00:23:31.950 transmission mechanisms. Passing it down. Ensuring 00:23:31.950 --> 00:23:33.950 the cooperative spirit and the commitment to 00:23:33.950 --> 00:23:36.480 excellence are passed down. These initiatives 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:39.259 reflect the very same values that those three 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:42.160 founding leaders, Jan De Jager, Geert Leffers, 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:45.400 Fike, Dykstra, would absolutely recognize and 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:48.539 champion today. That's continuity. It's a clear 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:51.420 demonstration that for them, individual success 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:53.839 means nothing if the community doesn't prosper. 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:57.339 That philosophy is just baked into their DNA. 00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:59.619 You see it in every new facility, every training 00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:01.880 program, every board meeting. It's fundamental. 00:24:02.670 --> 00:24:04.130 And that's the kind of thinking that creates 00:24:04.130 --> 00:24:06.190 incredible staying power in this industry, isn't 00:24:06.190 --> 00:24:09.089 it? Yeah. Especially now, with heat stress becoming 00:24:09.089 --> 00:24:11.349 a bigger and bigger issue across North America. 00:24:11.430 --> 00:24:13.470 It's on everyone's mind. The resilient adaptations 00:24:13.470 --> 00:24:16.029 these families developed decades ago, from their 00:24:16.029 --> 00:24:18.730 facility design, optimizing airflow and shade, 00:24:18.910 --> 00:24:21.450 to their genetic selection focusing on heat tolerance 00:24:21.450 --> 00:24:24.359 and resilience. to their daily management practices 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:26.740 accommodating warmer climates. They are suddenly 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:29.900 very, very relevant. Incredibly relevant. They've 00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:32.099 been dealing with those 90 -degree days and high 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:34.720 humidity for generations, refining their systems 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:37.799 out of sheer necessity. Frankly, for many of 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:40.279 us in traditional dairy regions, we're just now 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:42.400 catching up to challenges they mastered decades 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:44.839 ago. It's true. We're playing catch -up in some 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:47.779 ways. Their experience offers invaluable blueprints 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:49.880 for today's climate -conscious dairy farmer. 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:52.960 Proving that proactive adaptation isn't a luxury, 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:55.720 it's a fundamental necessity. Looking ahead, 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:59.440 AgriLight 2025 is scheduled for August 5th through 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:02.039 8th. That marks the event's 25th anniversary, 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:05.480 a big milestone. Quarter century. Wow. And the 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:07.579 continued commitment to international expertise 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:10.339 is clear with the selection of Ryan Crollo and 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:13.259 Jamie Black as judges, bringing fresh perspectives 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:16.920 to Brazilian genetic evaluation and further solidifying 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:19.519 Agrilet's global standing. Keeping that international 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:22.119 connection strong. And this story, it extends 00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:25.180 far beyond just another successful dairy region. 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:27.680 Castro has officially earned the designation 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:31.420 as Brazil's National Milk Capital. National Milk 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:33.619 Capital. That's quite a title. Directly because 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:35.980 of the agricultural excellence that started with 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:38.140 those Dutch settlers and gets amplified annually 00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:40.720 through AgriLite. This isn't just local success. 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:43.140 It's a national point of pride. And that ripple 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:45.480 effect you mentioned earlier must be huge locally, 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:48.920 too. Oh, enormous. Castro's dairy basin is now 00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:51.339 recognized as one of Brazil's most productive 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:54.279 in terms of both volume and quality. And the 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:56.940 broader economic impact reaches throughout the 00:25:56.940 --> 00:26:00.640 entire Campos de Reis region. Hotels, restaurants, 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:04.049 transportation services. equipment dealers, countless 00:26:04.049 --> 00:26:06.670 businesses in the area depend on that annual 00:26:06.670 --> 00:26:08.769 August influx. The whole community benefits. 00:26:09.049 --> 00:26:11.490 It creates an entire ecosystem of prosperity, 00:26:11.869 --> 00:26:14.630 a model of how a focused agricultural sector 00:26:14.630 --> 00:26:17.529 can uplift an entire regional economy. What's 00:26:17.529 --> 00:26:19.329 also incredibly interesting is how this connects 00:26:19.329 --> 00:26:21.250 back to what's happening in North American dairy 00:26:21.250 --> 00:26:23.490 right now. You know, with increasing consolidation 00:26:23.490 --> 00:26:26.069 pressure, tightening environmental regulations, 00:26:26.369 --> 00:26:28.490 ongoing labor challenges. All the pressures we 00:26:28.490 --> 00:26:30.980 know well. The cooperative principles that built 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:33.799 Castrolanda's sharing resources, pooling knowledge, 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:36.019 thinking regionally instead of just individually, 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:39.059 these aren't old -fashioned ideas. They're proving 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:42.200 to be powerful survival strategies for the modern 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:45.099 dairy industry. A roadmap for collective resilience. 00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:48.440 Absolutely. Contemporary challenges like... Climate 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:51.279 change, market volatility, evolving consumer 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:54.700 preferences, more stringent environmental regulations. 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:57.880 They require the exact same spirit of innovation 00:26:57.880 --> 00:27:00.299 and cooperation that characterized the original 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:03.079 settlement. History repeating, in a way. But 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:05.339 here's the thing. These challenges also represent 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:07.700 profound opportunities for operations willing 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:09.700 to think beyond just the next quarter's results. 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:12.240 Their environmental sustainability initiatives 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:14.680 now reflect modern agricultural consciousness, 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:17.500 sure, but they draw directly on those deeply 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:19.559 rooted Dutch resource management traditions, 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:22.380 like efficient water use and nutrient cycling. 00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:25.039 It's in their heritage. Yolten Sustainability. 00:27:25.549 --> 00:27:27.450 And their youth development programs are more 00:27:27.450 --> 00:27:29.690 than just technical training sessions. As we 00:27:29.690 --> 00:27:32.089 discussed, they're cultural transmission mechanisms, 00:27:32.569 --> 00:27:34.990 ensuring the preservation of that cooperative 00:27:34.990 --> 00:27:37.250 spirit and commitment to excellence for generations 00:27:37.250 --> 00:27:40.250 to come, creating a truly sustainable future, 00:27:40.369 --> 00:27:43.890 both economically and culturally. It's all beautifully 00:27:43.890 --> 00:27:46.829 encapsulated, isn't it, by that 26 -meter Dutch 00:27:46.829 --> 00:27:49.809 windmill, the Immigrant, rising from the Brazilian 00:27:49.809 --> 00:27:52.910 dairy country. Quite a sight. Built in 2001 for 00:27:52.910 --> 00:27:55.710 their 50th anniversary, modeled after the Woldzig 00:27:55.710 --> 00:27:57.569 Mill from Drenth Province, where most of the 00:27:57.569 --> 00:27:59.890 founding families originated. When you stand 00:27:59.890 --> 00:28:02.349 next to it on a humid Brazilian morning, you 00:28:02.349 --> 00:28:04.809 can actually smell the silage from nearby bunkers 00:28:04.809 --> 00:28:07.329 mixing with the scent of tropical flowers. It's 00:28:07.329 --> 00:28:09.269 quite an experience. A real blend of cultures. 00:28:09.670 --> 00:28:12.490 It's not just a tourist attraction, though. The 00:28:12.490 --> 00:28:15.369 windmill houses their library, museum, meeting 00:28:15.369 --> 00:28:18.329 spaces, acting as a living monument to their 00:28:18.329 --> 00:28:20.859 heritage. When you're up on the observation platform 00:28:20.859 --> 00:28:23.640 looking out over these modern dairy facilities 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:26.440 stretching to the horizon, you get this profound 00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:28.940 sense of how they've managed to preserve their 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:31.539 identity while simultaneously embracing cutting 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:34.079 -edge innovation. It's remarkable. It really 00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:36.799 is. Third -generation Brazilian dairy families 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:39.259 are still keeping their ancestral Dutch language 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:42.119 alive, maintaining that deep cultural connection 00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:44.819 to their roots. That cultural commitment is deep, 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:46.920 and it shows up in every aspect of their operation, 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:49.579 right down to the breeding programs. When international 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:52.299 judges like Ryan Crowlow and Jamie Black evaluate 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:55.380 champion Holstein and Jersey cows bred in Brazilian 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:58.180 pastures, according to Dutch principals, they're 00:28:58.180 --> 00:29:00.579 touching the tangible results of one of agriculture's 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:03.319 greatest migration stories. A seamless blend 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:06.519 of heritage and progress. So after this incredible 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:09.039 deep dive, really digging into this story, what's 00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:10.980 the absolute key takeaway for a farmer listening 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:13.779 today? How does this remarkable story directly 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:16.319 impact their operation right now? Well, I think 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:18.240 it boils down to some critical takeaways for 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:20.559 your breeding program, directly inspired by this 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:24.559 Castrolonda cooperative model. First, heat adaptation 00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:27.920 starts with selection. You just have to. Don't 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:30.460 just breed for production. You absolutely must 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:32.599 breed for cattle that can handle your specific 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:35.920 climate stress. Brazilian farmers have proven 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:38.559 this out of necessity over decades. It's non 00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:40.519 -negotiable there. Lesson learned the hard way. 00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:43.200 Second, community knowledge beats individual 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:46.759 expertise. Share what works. Learn from your 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:49.480 neighbors. Collaboratively build regional genetic 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:52.640 strategies. Going it alone, especially in challenging 00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:55.079 times, just makes you vulnerable. Don't reinvent 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:59.039 the wheel alone. Think generationally. Make your 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:01.259 breeding decisions based on where your operation 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:04.400 needs to be 10 or 15 years from now, not just 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:06.579 what's going to maximize the next lactation. 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:10.160 That long -term vision is crucial for true, enduring 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:12.859 success. Playing the long game. Fourth, integration 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:15.140 matters. Your feed production, genetics, and 00:30:15.140 --> 00:30:17.160 management practices need to work as a seamless 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:19.619 system. It's about synergy across your entire 00:30:19.619 --> 00:30:22.200 operation, not isolated components. Seen the 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:25.200 whole picture. And finally, fifth, education 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:28.279 investment pays. The most successful, resilient 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:30.740 operations invest heavily in knowledge transfer 00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:33.259 to the next generation, ensuring their legacy 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:36.619 isn't just land and cattle, but informed, capable 00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:39.400 people who can carry the vision forward. Investing 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:42.079 in people. Got it. And on a broader business 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:44.619 level, the lessons seem just as profound, right? 00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:46.799 Absolutely. Those cooperative principles that 00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:49.220 build Castrolonda, they offer a truly robust 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:51.299 blueprint for thriving amidst the consolidation 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:53.750 pressure and tight margins we see today. They're 00:30:53.750 --> 00:30:56.190 not some antiquated idea. They are powerful, 00:30:56.230 --> 00:30:58.670 proven survival strategies. Still relevant. Very 00:30:58.670 --> 00:31:01.690 relevant. That half $520 million in business 00:31:01.690 --> 00:31:05.009 deals from AgriLite 2024, that's not just a big 00:31:05.009 --> 00:31:07.130 number. That's a compound interest on a visionary 00:31:07.130 --> 00:31:09.869 investment that prioritized community prosperity 00:31:09.869 --> 00:31:12.890 and industry advancement from day one. Well said. 00:31:13.089 --> 00:31:15.750 Compound interest. It reinforces our core message, 00:31:15.809 --> 00:31:17.670 doesn't it? Genetic excellence without community 00:31:17.670 --> 00:31:21.740 support is just, well, expensive cattle. Environmental 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:23.940 adaptation without long -term thinking is just 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:26.799 crisis management. And individual success without 00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:29.359 shared knowledge is just lucky timing. Lucky 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:33.440 timing, yeah. The Castellanos story is a powerful 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:36.740 reminder that true wealth in agriculture is measured 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:39.660 not just in individual profit, but in collective 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:42.779 well -being and the continuous elevation of the 00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:45.339 entire industry. And that leads me to a final, 00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:47.700 maybe provocative thought for you, our listener, 00:31:47.880 --> 00:31:50.750 to mull over. When we look at this entire story, 00:31:50.890 --> 00:31:54.369 from those 50 families on the MS Alioth to the 00:31:54.369 --> 00:31:57.750 global showcase that is AgriLight today, it seems 00:31:57.750 --> 00:32:00.509 clear. The most powerful force in agriculture 00:32:00.509 --> 00:32:03.029 isn't technology or capital or even genetics, 00:32:03.210 --> 00:32:06.130 as crucial as they are. What is it then? It's 00:32:06.130 --> 00:32:08.509 the unwavering belief that tomorrow can be better 00:32:08.509 --> 00:32:11.049 than today. And the conviction that by working 00:32:11.049 --> 00:32:13.690 together, we can truly make it so. So I challenge 00:32:13.690 --> 00:32:16.200 you to consider. How are you applying these principles 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:18.640 in your own operations, especially when times 00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:20.279 are tough, when the bills are due, when the milk 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:22.180 check is late? Because as the Dutch pioneers 00:32:22.180 --> 00:32:24.740 of Brazil proved, that unwavering belief backed 00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:27.119 by collective action is ultimately what pays 00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:29.240 off. Great points. A lot to think about there. 00:32:29.400 --> 00:32:31.200 And that's all the time we have for this deep 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:33.259 dive. For more articles and insights, be sure 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:36.599 to visit www .thebullvine .com. Don't forget 00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:38.759 to subscribe wherever you get your deep dives. 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:41.160 Thanks for listening. Thanks for tuning in to 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:44.299 The Bullvine Podcast. If you liked what you heard, 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:47.039 Don't forget to subscribe and share. For more 00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:50.039 straight talk on dairying, head over to thebullvine 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:53.440 .com. Until next time, keep pushing the boundaries 00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.200 on your farm.