Creeping across the pasture land. Got dirt on
the boots and a working hand. From the milk house
home to the auction call. These are the folks
standing strong and tall. Yeah, this is... Welcome
to the Bullvine Podcast, where today I have an
incredible story about a man many in the dairy
industry admire and respect, Alberto Medina.
Now, Alberto is not your average cattle fitter.
Far from it. Imagine traveling to over a dozen
countries each year, participating in more than
30 dairy shows worldwide, and somehow managing
to sleep fewer than 100 nights in your own bed
annually. Sounds exhausting, right? Well, for
Alberto, it's just part of the journey. a journey
that began in the fields of his family's farm,
Argomota Holsteins. From a very young age, Alberto
was steeped in the love of showing, clipping
cattle since his teenage years, initially on
his family's farm and later for friends. Early
in his career, he spent a decade with the Cemex
Spain team, combining fitting and customer support.
About 13 years ago, Alberto decided to take a
leap and became a full -time fitter. That's when
his life truly took flight. He now traverses
Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Australia,
you name it. But what truly sets Alberto apart
is his warm, magnetic personality. Imagine landing
alone in a distant country, jet -lagged and exhausted,
only to be welcomed by his infectious enthusiasm
and genuine humility. The logistics of such constant
travel are staggering, juggling different electrical
systems, varied feeding programs, fluctuating
climates, and ever -shifting cultural nuances.
Sometimes Alberto has to fly home for just one
day to change luggage and sharpen blades, then
catch another flight the very next morning. Add
language barriers to the mix. Alberto speaks
Spanish, Italian, and English fluently, and when
needed, turns to technology for communication
assistance. Among the many remarkable cattle
Alberto has worked with, one star shines brightest,
Linde Ariel Jordan. When Alberto first encountered
her as a two -year -old, she was small, narrow,
with straight legs and soft pastures. But through
his expertise and patience, she transformed into
one of the best show cows in the world. At 14
years old, she's still competing and getting
better every year. Alberto's keen eye for potential
is legendary. He spotted future champions like
Tobias Sid Silvi and Muri McCutcheon -Urigan
early on, predictions that were sometimes met
with skepticism from breeders who had a hard
time believing him at the time. Not all cattle
are angels. King Boy Birdie is notorious for
being one of the hardest cows Alberto has ever
walked into a ring with, yet he approaches such
spirited personalities with patience and respect.
One of Alberto's most meaningful victories came
from a cow he bought with friends back in 2006.
She went on to become Grand Champion at European
Dairy Show in Italy in both 2008 and 2009, and
later Junior Champion at Swiss Expo. in 2020
it perfectly captures his collaborative spirit
despite worldwide acclaim alberto remains refreshingly
grounded he candidly admits that one elusive
crown remains conquering the world dairy expo
he's been in the middle of the ring at the end
of the day at almost every show he's been to
around the world but expo still awaits his success
is no accident alberto embraces the philosophy
that great achievements require collaborative
effort as he puts it You can't be in two places
at the same time, so you always depend on a good
team. Success is about teamwork. His preparation
philosophy is equally thoughtful. Every animal
is different, but the best results come from
those who have their animals ready all year round,
not just scrambling at the last minute. There
are moments of levity too. Like the time a goat
ran into a ring full of cows. Alberto calls it
priceless. Or when a prized cow escaped during
a milking stop on a trip from Spain to Italy
and was dangerously close to jumping onto the
highway. But perhaps the strangest situation
Alberto has encountered. People trying to ban
him from doing his job at shows because they
think he's too good at it. Yes, this actually
happened. When asked about maintaining his reputation
as one of the nicest people in the industry,
Alberto's response is refreshingly honest. I
don't think so. There are people that love me,
but also many on the other way. That candor is
part of his charm. Alberto's insights about cattle
confirmation challenge conventional thinking.
He believes wideness is the true type of cow.
Modern cows need wide chest, wide open rib, wide
rumps much more than being long and tall. His
advice to young people interested in the dairy
cattle exhibition world is simple but profound.
Travel and see other ways of showing, because
every country is different, and there are so
many ways to do the same thing. Alberto's story
transcends the world of cattle fitting. It's
about passion, resilience, adaptability, and
above all, the power of genuine human connection.
In an industry that can sometimes reward sharp
elbows over generous hearts, he's proven that
excellence and kindness aren't mutually exclusive.
Whether you're a breeder dreaming of championships,
a fitter honing your craft, or simply someone
who appreciates a story about dedication and
character, Alberto Medina's journey offers profound
inspiration. His greatest achievement isn't any
single championship or distance record. It's
demonstrating that the most effective way to
succeed globally is through authentic relationships,
one genuine connection at a time. Thanks for
listening to the Bullvine Podcast. Stay inspired.
Keep pushing boundaries and remember, sometimes
the best way to conquer the world is to make
friends with it, one conversation at a time.
We'll see you next episode.