E243 From Hokkaido to Holstein Excellence: Tommy Araki’s 50-Year Journey Transforming Japanese Dairy

From Bull Book Letters to Breeding Breakthroughs: How Tommy Araki Transformed Japan's Dairy Industry

Key Discussion Points

1. The Making of a Dairy Visionary

• Tommy’s childhood "calling" to dairy farming in rural Japan
• 1970s hustle: Writing handwritten letters to North American AI centers for bull books
• Mentorship from Dr. Numata and Mr. Inoshita: "You should go study in the U.S."
• Life-changing 1979 trip to Select Sires in Ohio

2. Genetic Bridge-Building

• Revolutionizing Japan’s Holstein herds: Importing 1,000+ North American embryos annually
• Shift from live animal imports to embryo-based genetic strategies
• Japan’s secret weapon: 100% artificial insemination adoption

3. The Sexed Sem ...