The Bullvine Daily Brief ·Oct 8, 2026 ·48 min

E665 Hank Van Exel’s Parents Milked Grade Cows by Hand. He’s the 84th Klussendorf Winner

Evaluation and Summary

8.3/10

The Bullvine Daily Brief profiles Hank Van Exel, the 84th recipient of the prestigious Klussendorf Award, one of dairy farming's highest honors. The episode traces Van Exel's unlikely path to prominence: his Dutch immigrant parents milked grade cows by hand starting in 1954 with nothing, and Hank inherited not an empire but a foundation requiring decades of relentless work to transform into a recognized powerhouse. The narrative centers on several pivotal moments: a family medical crisis during his Cal Poly years that forced him to abandon college and take over herd management; his struggle to convince his old-school father that registered genetics and papered bloodlines were worth the financial risk; a controversial 1992 decision by a county show judge to purchase five Jerseys immediately after placing them, which drew criticism for milking a mixed herd before component pricing made it standard practice; and thirty-five consecutive years of grueling 40-hour hauls from Lodi to Madison for the World Dairy Expo. The episode emphasizes the emotional and physical toll of this commitment, including the loss of an intermediate champion just before his award-winning trip. Central to the story is the partnership behind Rosiers Blexy Goldwyn-ET, an Expo legend, and the grief of an empty stall that follows. Van Exel's philosophy on farm succession—that fairness is never equality, and sentimentality ruins generational transfer—frames his approach to bringing the next generation into the business. The episode positions Van Exel as a bridge between commercial dairy reality and the romance of registered cattle breeding, presenting his story as a masterclass in human longevity, resilience, and operational discipline rather than a simple victory lap. Takeaways include five core business lessons for breeders, the importance of pursuing breeding choices ahead of market trends, and Doug Maddox's mentorship advice on what handing a calf to a young person represents for the industry's future. The episode is supported by a written feature with archival photos, production records, and additional context available on The Bullvine's website.

Verdict: A richly detailed, well-sourced profile of a dairy farming legend that delivers fully on its promise, combines personal narrative with industry insight, and offers genuine substance for its target audience.

News rubric

Accuracy and sourcing 4/5 20%

Specific names, dates, places, and achievements are cited (Klussendorf Award, 1954, Cal Poly, 1992 county show, 35 years, 15 countries); supported by archival photos and production records referenced in the written feature, though the podca
Balance and context 4/5 20%

Presents Van Exel's perspective with nuance—acknowledges friction with his father, controversy over mixed herds, grief over lost cattle, and the non-sentimental realities of farm succession; includes external voices (judge, mentor Doug Madd
Timeliness and relevance 4/5 15%

The Klussendorf Award is a current honor (84th recipient suggests ongoing recognition), and the episode addresses evergreen agricultural challenges—generational transfer, breeding philosophy, commercial viability—that remain relevant to dai
Substance 5/5 15%

Dense with specific stories, decisions, and lessons: college interruption, father's resistance, judge's controversial purchase, 35-year commitment, champion loss, succession philosophy, mentorship advice, and five core business lessons; no
Delivers on its title 5/5 15%

Title promises Hank Van Exel's story as the 84th Klussendorf winner with roots in hand-milked grade cows; the episode fully delivers this narrative arc from immigrant parents to award-winning breeder, with the hand-milking detail and award
Value for time 4/5 15%

48 minutes for a deep biographical narrative with multiple story threads, emotional arcs, and business lessons appears well-paced; the scope and detail suggest tight editing, though without hearing the audio, some stretches cannot be ruled

How we score News

Worth it if you're involved in dairy farming, interested in agricultural business succession, or drawn to stories of multi-generational resilience and the pursuit of excellence in a niche industry.

#dairy farming #agriculture #family business #generational succession #livestock breeding #rural life

Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.

Show notes

Brenda Lee, the World Dairy Expo Holstein show announcer, began reading the citation before the crowd heard his name. But behind the applause and the silver Tiffany trophy waiting on the table was a reality most showmen never have to face: thirty-five years of forty-hour hauls across the desert, building a legacy from a grade herd his Dutch immigrant parents milked by hand in 1954, and loading the trailer this fall without the intermediate champion he lost just days before the trip. In the registered dairy business, greatness isn’t handed down—it is argued into existence, proven in the bulk tank, and paid for in sweat, highway lines, and heartbreak. This is the story of Hank Van Exel, the 84th Klussendorf winner, and it will fundamentally challenge how you view the sacrifices you make, the cattle in your barns, and the next generation standing beside you. The Story You'll Hear The phone call that ended college: How a sudden family medical crisis cut his Cal Poly days short and dropped him straight into a trial-by-fire herd takeover. One argument at a time: What it took to convince an old-school, progressive father that papered genetics were worth betting the farm on. The judge who bought the ring: Why he stunned exhibitors at a 1992 county show by buying the five Jerseys he had just finished placing—and the heat he took for milking a mixed herd long before component pricing made it standard. Four months on the blacktop: The physical and mental toll of 35 consecutive years making the grueling drive from Lodi to Madison, sharing the cab with fellow show-ring royalty. Supreme highs, quiet grief: The partnership behind Expo legend Rosiers Blexy Goldwyn-ET, and the devastating empty stall that every true cowman understands. Why "fair" is never "equal": The unvarnished, non-negotiable rule he gave his children about coming home, and why sentimentality ruins farm succession. The mentor's gift: A timeless piece of advice from Doug Maddox on what handing a calf to a kid actually does for the future of our industry. Hank Van Exel represents the rare, vital bridge between relentless commercial reality and the romance of the registered cow. He didn't inherit an empire; his parents arrived with empty hands and milked cows into buckets. Over five decades, Hank built Exels Holsteins and Jerseys into a powerhouse recognized across 15 countries. Yet this conversation isn’t a victory lap of ribbons and credentials. It is a masterclass in human longevity, resilience, and operational discipline. Hank speaks with startling candor about the friction of generational transfer, the grueling depression of the post-show load-out, and the courage it takes to pursue breeding choices before the market catches up. Whether you are milking 50 cows in a tie-stall barn or managing thousands on a Western commercial dairy, Hank’s story strikes at the universal heart of why we stay in agriculture: the pursuit of excellence, the pride of doing things right, and the profound responsibility of lifting up the young people who come after us. Read the complete written feature on Hank Van Exel—featuring archival photos of the early Lodi dairy, complete production records, and his five core business lessons for breeders—at https://www.thebullvine.com/people-legacy/hank-van-exel-klussendorf-award/ Subscribe to The Bullvine Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform to ensure you never miss an industry-defining story.

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