World Dairy Expo honours global leaders

The honourees listed below will be formally honoured at the event during a banquet on 4 October 2023.

Dairy Producer of the Year

Randy Kortus, Lynden, Washington, Mainstream Holsteins, Jerseys and Ayrshires

Randy has built a dynasty of elite cattle genetics with his family’s herd, focusing on solid production cows while encompassing multiple breeds. Kortus and his family’s commitment to detailed and consistent herd management has provided each cow with the opportunity to express her genetic potential, as Kortus has developed 22 Dam of Merit cows, 41 Gold Medal Dam cows, and 13 cows achieving individual lifetime production of over 300,000 pounds (136,078 litres) of milk.

He has also developed prominent sires in the Holstein and Jersey breeds, such as Mainstream Manifold and Mainstream Iatola Sparky. Kortus has committed over 25 years of service and leadership to the Holstein Association USA and Select Sires and serves as an ambassador for the US dairy industry.

Industry Person of the Year

Tom Morris, Amery, Wisconsin, Deronda Farm, Tom Morris Ltd., Cattle Connection

A successful registered Holstein breeder, Tom Morris and his wife Sandy, owners of Deronda Farm, developed more than 200 Excellent cows and held 3 complete dispersals during the 1980s, each boasting the highest average in the USA for the year. Owners and operators of Tom Morris Ltd., the couple has managed over 500 dispersals and consignment sales, including the World Classic at World Dairy Expo.

Morris helped launch the first 9-month Dairy Herdsman Technical College Programme in the country, serving as an instructor for 10 years. As owner/publisher of the Cattle Connection, he connected buyers and sellers with the monthly dairy publication for 32 years. Morris is currently serving as World Dairy Expo’s Dairy Cattle Exhibitor Committee chair and as vice president of the Executive Committee.

International Person of the Year

Bonnie Cooper, North York, Ontario, Canada, Holstein Journal 

Bonnie Cooper is a well-known journalist who has dedicated her career of over 45 years to chronicling Canada’s dairy cattle industry as Editor of the Holstein Journal. She has covered industry challenges and successes, genetic advancements, cow families and shows and sales. Cooper also managed the distinguished All-Canadian contest.

Although Holstein Journal ceased publication in March 2019, Cooper continues to express her passion for writing about the dairy industry. Most notably, she wrote ’Holstein Milestones at the Royal’ in honour of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair’s 100th anniversary for Holstein Canada’s Info Holstein publication last autumn. Cooper also continues to write and distribute throughout Canada a free, monthly Holstein Coming Events column called ‘Bonnie’s Holstein Dairy Events Listing’.

The World Dairy Expo will return to Madison, Wisconsin, for the 56th event from 1-6 October 2023.