Select Sires Inc.

"We have the tools to do something really positive in the dairy industry,” says John Burket, the current president of Holstein Association USA. “I have no doubt, in time, the Holstein breed is going to be 100% Polled. There’s money to be made in Polled genetics." Read the full article below!

The CentralStar Cooperative Board of Directors has announced now-retired Select Sires Inc. Holstein Sire Program Manager Charlie Will as the 2024 Pioneer Award winner. Congratulations Charlie! ✅ “For more than four decades, Charlie’s passion and leadership elevated the genetics available to dairy producers across the globe,” shared CentralStar Board of Directors President Paul Trierweiler, Westphalia, Mich. ✅ Read more about Charlie: https://lnkd.in/gEu6jc5u.

After more than four decades at Select Sires, Larry Ropp has a storied and impactful tenure at Select Sires. Filled with dedication and excellence, his incredible journey is being celebrated as he plans to retire at the end of the year. Larry Ropp began working part time at Select Sires in 1977 as a senior in high school. Upon graduation in 1978, he joined the team full time, working in maintenance. After a year he began transporting bulls and performing maintenance on livestock trailers. After the birth of his first child in 1981, Ropp sought to be on the road less and transferred to the Hoyt (Darby Creek) facility. He was promoted to assistant supervisor in 1990 and supervisor in 1994, and remains there today. Larry has seen significant changes in his 47 years at Select Sires. The number of staff at Darby Creek has more than quadrupled, the acreage has doubled and two new barns have been constructed. Those two barns are a feather in Larry's cap as he oversaw their construction, as well as overseeing several other building projects and facility improvements. Growing up on a farm, Larry has always appreciated that his career allowed him to remain in the agriculture industry and work outdoors. Congratulations, Larry, on your remarkable career! You have truly shared the success of Select Sires.

Select Sires’ employees have been getting into the holiday spirit! From “dress like your boss day” to sharing delicious treats, celebrating career accomplishments and enjoying cheerful fellowship at the staff Christmas party, we hope this season brings you joy.

After 34 years at Select Sires, one of the organization’s most respected and tenured employees is retiring at the end of this year. Mel DeJarnette joined Select Sires as a reproduction specialist in 1990. In this role, he coordinated federation reproductive technical support and A.I. training, as well as conducted research to enhance fertility of both bulls and cows. These research efforts led to advancements in estrous synchronization, proprietary semen extender formulations, and assisted in the commercialization of sex-sorted semen. In 2012 Mel accepted his current role overseeing semen processing and quality control. Looking back at his time at Select Sires, Mel says, “It's humbling to realize how many livelihoods are impacted by the work carried out by our teams. It is rewarding to know what we do makes a difference by enhancing farmer confidence in our product, which in turn translates into more sales and income for our sales representatives and their families.” Thank you, Mel, for your exceptional leadership and the profound impact you’ve made on the industry.

Read how 7JE1939 GRADUATE is influencing Jersey genetics and youth programs.

The December 2024 sire directories are now available! Holstein: https://bit.ly/3ZFaTML High-Components: https://bit.ly/3ZEbpKZ

“Returning dollars to the dairy is a top priority,” said Jeff Ziegler, vice president of dairy cattle breeding, Select Sires Inc. The newly proven sires are designed to deliver the most important traits linked to economic success, including standouts for the Herd Health Profit Dollars (HHP$) index. Read more: https://bit.ly/3OGXltM

Are you looking to kickstart your career, gain hands-on experience and learn from industry experts? Select Sires Inc. has a variety of internship opportunities available! Apply today ➡️ https://bit.ly/3PEwwXe

Happy Thanksgiving from Select Sires! We asked our Select Sires family about some of their favorite holiday traditions and here's what they had to say. Which of these are your favorite?