MADISON, WIS. – World Dairy Expo® is delighted to
announce the recipients of the 2023 Expo Recognition Awards. Nominated and
selected by their peers, these individuals have made remarkable contributions
to the dairy industry and their communities. Honorees will be formally honored
during the Recognition Awards Banquet at World Dairy Expo on Wednesday, October
4, 2023. Banquet tickets will be available at www.worlddairyexpo.com beginning on July 1.
The 2023 Expo Recognition Award honorees are as follows:
Dairy Producer of the Year
Randy Kortus, Lynden, Wash., Mainstream Holsteins, Jerseys and
Ayrshires
Randy Kortus, Lynden, Wash., 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 the opportunity to express
her genetic potential, and it shows, as Kortus has developed 22 Dam of Merit
cows, 41 Gold Medal Dam cows, and 13 cows achieving individual lifetime
productions over 300,000 pounds of milk. He has also developed prominent sires
in the Holstein and Jersey breeds, such as Mainstream Manifold and Mainstream
Iatola Sparky. Beyond impacting the dairy industry through elite genetics,
Kortus has committed over 25 years of service and leadership to Holstein
Association USA and Select Sires, providing consultant services for herd owners
and presenting seminars on a variety of dairy industry topics. Kortus has
traveled to 27 countries on over 50 different trips, serving as a welcomed
ambassador for the US dairy industry.
Industry Person of the Year
Tom Morris, Amery, Wis., Deronda Farm, Tom Morris Ltd., Cattle
CONNECTION
A successful Registered Holstein breeder, educator,
auctioneer/sale manager, publisher and industry leader, Tom Morris’ pedigree is
as storied as any sale topper he’s sold. Morris and his wife Sandy, owners of
Deronda Farm, developed more than 200 Excellent cows and held three 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. Always an innovator, Morris helped launch the first 9-month Dairy
Herdsman Technical College Program in the country, serving as an instructor for
ten years. As owner/publisher of the Cattle CONNECTION, he connected buyers and
sellers with the monthly dairy publication for 32 years. Morris is also a
valued industry leader, 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 of North York, Ontario, Canada, is a well-known,
highly respected and trail-blazing journalist who has dedicated her
distinguished career of over 45 years to chronicling Canada’s dairy cattle
industry as Editor of Holstein Journal. Throughout her time at Holstein Journal,
Cooper devoted her way with words to telling meaningful stories about 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 her passion
for writing about the dairy industry as a freelance journalist for a variety of
publications, both in Canada and around the world. Most notably, she wrote
“Holstein Milestones at the Royal” in honor of the Royal Agricultural Winter
Fair’s 100th anniversary for Holstein Canada’s Info Holstein
publication last fall. Cooper also continues to write and distribute throughout
Canada a free, monthly Holstein Coming Events column called “Bonnie’s Holstein Dairy
Events Listing”.