Tom Cull of Lomira, Wis., was presented the 82nd Klussendorf Award, the highest recognition given to a dairy cattle showman in the United States, on Thursday of the 57th World Dairy Expo. Cull certainly has all the attributes of previous Klussendorf winners with the qualities of character, sportsmanship, ability, and endeavor.

The award is given in memory of Arthur B. Klussendorf, considered an outstanding showman of his time and a model for all those who have followed him. This year’s selection was made by members of the Klussendorf Memorial Association, which was formed in 1937, at its annual meeting held earlier this week in Madison, Wis. Cull received the silver trophy designed by Tiffany Jewelers of New York City.

The legendary Vince Lombardi and John Wooden were successful coaches because, as leaders, they mastered the fundamentals and paid attention to every detail. As a result, their teams went on to win many championships and team members won countless accolades. Just like Lombardi and Wooden, being CEO of a dairy farm, managing a facility, and overseeing the showstring takes a special person. Cull is the definition of attention to detail and of having a vision for what he wants to achieve in the showring.

Also, to be a successful coach and to develop a winning team, one must develop great players. To that end, Cull has hired and trained many people who have gone on and done well learning from his program that often showcases upwards of 40 to 50 head of cattle at major dairy shows. All teammates are on the same playbook to have a successful show.

With the Klussendorf Association being the Hall of Fame of the dairy cattle show industry, Cull’s Hall of Fame credentials speak for themselves. When dairy enthusiasts hear the names Elegance, Desire, Blexy, and Subliminal, they think of Expo. They think of some of the best cows in the country. They also think of Budjon Farms and Tom Cull.

For the past two decades, Budjon Farms has been a dominant force in the showring. Cull earned the Premier Breeder banner at World Dairy Expo six times with offspring from Krull Broker Elegance. His homebred cow Budjon Redmarker Desire was the 2005 Grand Champion of the Holstein Show at Expo. Rosiers Blexy Goldwyn-ET was Supreme Champion at the 2017 Expo.

Cull has exhibited four National Supreme Champions, four Expo Grand Champions, four Royal Winter Fair Grand Champions, three North American International Livestock Show Grand Champions, over 180 All-American nominations, and over 80 All-Canadian nominations. Cull would be quick to recognize it takes a team to bring about this success, and two key team members include his wife Kelli Cull, who works side-by-side with him every day, and his father, John Cull, who has played a pivotal role in Budjon Farms for many years.

Beyond Budjon Farms, Cull also gives back, having been a member of the Wisconsin Holstein Association Executive Show Committee for a number of years. He also was a significant contributor to Expo’s Five-Year Strategic Planning Committee that convened just two years ago.