Fall 2025 Premier Pioneer

FALL 2025

IN THIS EDITION: Message from the CEO...................................... 2 Milking Speed Trait............................................ 3 Meet your Board Members................................ 4 CowManager® Sort My Cow.............................. 5 Member Feature: Millwork Farm...................... 6 Product Talk: Cow StartTM Complete................. 8

Rumen Genetics: GalaxisTM Frontier.................. 9 2025 Summer Intern Spotlight.......................... 10 Jersey Proven Power......................................... 12 ProfitSOURCE®................................................... 13 Beef Briefs: Elliott and Sons Herd Feature...... 14 NxGEN®.............................................................. 16

Photo: A beautiful pasture shot from Robert Elliott and Sons ranch in Adams, TN. To read about the Elliotts, turn to page 14!

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YOUR COOPERATIVE Mark Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer Dear Valued Member, Welcome to the latest edition of the Premier Pioneer Newsletter!

We have included a lot of important and valuable information for you.

Your cooperative consistently supports your operation by providing breeding genetics, reproductive services, monitoring systems, and highquality products.

As of the August dairy proofs, we are proud to offer an excellent selection of industryleading genetics. 36 percent of the top 50 proven Holstein sires in the industry are available through Premier, and have a GTPI® of +3160 or greater with 85 percent reliability. Our genomic young sires are equally impressive, boasting a +3433 or greater GTPI and accounting for over 32 percent of the industry’s top 50 Holstein sires. Our Jersey sires also performed exceptionally well. If you are looking for differentiation with terminal crosses, our ProfitSOURCE® beef-on-dairy program continues to deliver strong results where it matters most. Consistency, quality, and reliability are hallmarks of the genetic lines from Select Sires, Inc.

At Premier, we understand that breeding for generational gain is just the beginning.

Often, despite your genetic investment, other challenges can prevent optimal conception or the ability of offspring to reach their full genetic potential. As your cooperative, we are committed to advancing and identifying new technologies, products, and applications that enhance your return on investment.

We exist because of our farmer-owners’ support. Your feedback drives the efforts we make to propel advancements in the industry. Our number one goal is to help our farmer-owners succeed. We do not promote unproven “me-too” products; instead, we are dedicated to offering only trustworthy, innovative, and proven solutions that truly benefit your operation.

Please remember that we offer more than just semen. Our premier monitoring system, CowManager®, is unparalleled, and our ongoing collaboration ensures continuous innovation and technological enhancements to support you. We are also invested in various herd health products that not only provide proven solutions, but also strengthen your cooperative’s ability to maintain services and ensure that highlytrained personnel are available to serve you on your farm.

We hope you participated in our calf product member incentive from July through September, which was designed to help you stretch your dollars further and protect your valuable animals. This is another way your cooperative rewards membership and expresses appreciation for your support.

In other cooperative news, I am thrilled to announce that the Board of Directors has established a new committee dedicated to the future development of leadership at both the delegate and board levels. The charter for this committee is currently being finalized for board adoption. We are excited to involve our farmer leadership in member outreach to cultivate a strong pipeline of dedicated members interested in helping guide the cooperative. In the future, this committee will offer updates through a dedicated section in upcoming newsletters.

If you are interested in becoming more active in your cooperative, please reach out to me at mcarpenter@premierselect.com.

Sincerely,

Mark Carpenter

FIND THE SEMEN STRAW for a chance to WIN a special Premier Select Sires prize!

1. Find this semen straw hidden somewhere in the newsletter (hidden straw may be smaller than the one shown here).

2. Go to www.premierselectsires.com and click the“Newsletter Contest” button on the home page.

3. Tell us where you found the straw to enter the drawing!

You may also send your submission in the mail. Write us a note including the following information: your name, account #, address, and where you found the semen straw. Mail it to the following address for a chance to WIN!

Premier Newsletter Contest Attn. Communications Dept.

1 Stony Mountain Road Tunkhannock, PA 18657

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Responses must be submitted by December 5, 2025

CONGRATS! Congratulations to John Nolt of PA, winner of the Spring 2025 semen straw contest!

The semen straw was on page 6, on the barn roof in the Cresthaven Farms photo.

TPI is a registered trademark of Holstein Association USA. CowManager is a registered trademark of Agis Automatisering. ProfitSOURCE and Your Success Our Passion. are registered trademarks of Select Sires Inc. ®

CDCB

MILKING SPEED (MSPD) The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding has released a new trait to help producers maximize parlor efficiency through genetic improvement.

Evaluations are expressed on a phenotypic scale (pounds per minute) with a Holstein breed average of roughly 7 pounds per minute.

Asha Miles, director of dairy record management and chair of the milking speed evaluation task force at the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding joins Select Sires’ podcast host, Ethan Haywood, to discuss how the Milking Speed trait was defined, the data behind the trait and what the trait means for herd efficiency. Scan the QR code to listen and learn more.

Proven Sires | CDCB Milking Speed (MSPD) 7HO14320 ALPHABET 7HO15830 WATNE 7HO16103 CHEW-P 7HO14985 RUPERT 14HO14629 SERTOLI 7HO15112 TAOS

7.79 7.70 7.51 7.49 7.46 7.43

14HO15301 GORDY 7HO15085 PARFECT 7HO15204 MELLENCAMP 250HO14134 RENEGADE 7HO15471 ZZ TOP 7HO15915 CASHBACK

7.41 7.40 7.38 7.29 7.22 7.22

250HO16115 PAZZLE 14HO15179 TROOPER 14HO15932 CUMULUS 7HO15975 DIGITAL 7HO15825 REBEL-RED 7HO15396 HUCK

7.21 7.20 7.20 7.20 7.18 7.17

7.28 7.27 7.26 7.25 7.21 7.21

7HO17695 PAPAYA-RED 14HO17393 OZARK 7HO17807 LEDGER 14HO17539 ROONIE 250HO17347 CABARE 250HO17653 BONAPPETIT

7.17 7.14 7.12 7.11 7.10 7.08

7.54 7.54 7.54 7.54 7.52 7.48

7HO17220 ROSEMARY 250HO17297 HANTASTIC-P 7HO17376 TUSK 7HO17537 SHIMMY 7HO15927 BOLT ACTION 7HO17380 DIJON

7.47 7.47 7.45 7.44 7.43 7.42

NxGEN ® Sires | CDCB Milking Speed (MSPD) 7HO17330 CLAVICLE 7HO17648 BLACKROCK 7HO17542 WANTUCKER 14HO17486 COBOT 7HO17191 MICAN 7HO17383 SKEET

7.49 7.48 7.46 7.41 7.32 7.31

7HO17639 SOUSAPHONE 7HO17540 GOOD VIBE 614HO17415 THRILLER 7HO17706 LYON 7HO17406 FLABBERGAST 7HO17568 WHIPPET

GForce Sires™ | CDCB Milking Speed (MSPD) 7HO16315 TAMBORINE 14HO17672 SEWARD 7HO17315 SAGE-P 250HO17013 LONGPOINT 7HO17682 COMPLETE 250HO17196 CANNONBALL

7.64 7.61 7.61 7.60 7.55 7.54

7HO17680 FIERCE 7HO17416 FETA 14HO17133 MADRID-P 250HO17152 CRUZ-PP 250HO17435 KICKSTART 585HO17128 HIBISCUS

08/25 CDCB-S Genomic Evaluations. ®NxGEN is a registered trademark of Select Sires Inc. ™GForce is a trademark of Select Sires Inc. 7 = Select Sires, 14 and 614 = Accelerated Genetics, 250 = GenerVations, 585 = Very High Purity

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MEET YOUR BOARD MEMBERS JAMES COOK

District 3 Office: First Vice President Farm Name: Jareco Farms, LLC Location: Penhook, VA Size: 500 head of brood cows & background cattle

EDD HARRIS

James Cook was raised on a general farm with a small herd of dairy cattle. After graduating from NC State with a dairy/ animal science degree, he started his own dairy farm.

Over the years his herd grew to 600 milking cows and 600 heifers. The farm was dispersed a couple years ago, and the Cooks converted to raising dairy replacements and beef cattle.

Now, the farm focuses solely on beef.

James has served our cooperative for a total of 37 years. He began his service to the Virginia ABA board in 1976 in North Carolina (through mergers, Virginia ABA would James’ various experiences have eventually become Premier provided him with an informed Select Sires). He now resides perspective as a board member. in Virginia, where he has lived for the past 30 years. He has “The dynamic of the industry served many executive offices is ever-changing, and we have throughout his time on the a very diverse membership by board. geography, the size of herds, and more. We, as the board, “I am a strong believer in want to be sure our members cooperatives,” said James. “I have their voices heard, and we value how members have a are challenged to be adaptive to voice and a vote in what is going

Edd grew up on his grandfather’s and father’s dairy farm. After graduating college in 1980, Edd returned home and became a partner with his father. He began purchasing registered Holsteins as his part of the herd. In 1997, the Harris’ sold the dairy cows and bought commercial beef cattle.

Purchasing 60 registered bred cows and bred heifers, Edd started with the best seed stock he could afford and then built a better herd by using A.I. Edd has been serving our cooperative for 40 years.

Public Director Office: Second Vice President Farm Name: Southern Starr Angus Location: Musella, GA Size: 135 black angus brood cows plus replacement heifers & calves

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the needs of all. It is important to me to help facilitate a dialogue with members. While we can’t always satisfy every last person, we prioritize knowing our members’ needs so we can do our very best to address them.”

“I wanted to be on the Board of Directors to help guide the organization to be the best in the industry and give our members the best service available,” he said.

In 1985, Edd was elected

a board member of East TN Select Sires. A few years later he became President, and during his tenure as President he oversaw the merger of East TN Select Sires with Middle TN ABA to form Southeast Select Sires. Another merger and a few years later he would also oversee as President the merger of Southeast Select Sires and Select Sire Power to become Premier Select Sires.

Edd has also served many other executive offices for the cooperative over the years.

“The most rewarding part of serving on the board is that we provide the best genetics available to our members at a reasonable price,” said Edd. “We also have a strong cooperative that is financially sound. It’s rewarding to work with other board members and delegates who have the same

on, and that is what has led me to participate in the ways I have.”

James is proud to continue serving the member-owners of Premier and is optimistic about the future. He hopes that members will continue to engage with the cooperative in a way that allows the organization to continue rich traditions and reach for new innovations.

“I feel that as an organization we are stronger and more vibrant and vigorous than ever.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to the board members and delegates from your area for information or conversation! Let them know your desires. I’ve had producers over the years be very straightforward with me and voice their opinions, and that’s what it’s all about.”

goals in mind. Having dedicated employees who believe in our company, as well as member owners who believe in our leadership ability makes the board of directors’ job easier.”

Edd says he has seen many changes in the A.I. industry over the years.

“I have spent many days learning, promoting our business, and helping to make decisions to the best of my ability that will carry our industry into the future. I would encourage our Premier member owners to become involved and get to know their delegates and directors. This is their company and their opinions matter!”

SORT MY COW

SORT MY COW

CowManager’s unique ear sensor measures ear temperature combined with behavior, resulting in accurate and early alerts related to health, fertility, transition and nutrition. Producers can catch sick cows days before they show clinical signs, avoid missing heats, identify at-risk cows in the dry period, and make fact-based decisions to improve overall herd health and performance.

Now, producers can combine CowManager’s ear sensor technology with the new SORT MY COW. This innovative sort gate allows producers to divert cows based on CowManager alerts without having to touch them. It helps to reduce labor and lock-up times, thus leading to improved cow welfare and increased efficiency and profits.

The most sophisticated ear sensor monitoring technology now can be used with the newest sorting technology ­— exceeding your need for labor savings, technology integration and operational efficiency.

ACCURATE SORTING A dvanced double identification technology M inimal noise during operation, reducing stress on your herd I ngenious patented separation mechanism S eparating and sorting in one action

More than just a gate, Sort my Cow is a service that seamlessly integrates with the CowManager monitoring system. It works by receiving alerts from CowManager ear sensors, allowing producers to easily divert cows that signal an alert and need attention, all while maintaining smooth cow flow and minimizing stress and disruption to the rest of the herd. Is she in heat? Does she need to be moved to a different pen? Is she on the hoof trimmer’s list? Is she sick?

Has there been a deviation in behavior? Is it time for dry off or herd check? The cows on the designated list head one direction while the rest of the herd goes the other, walking back to their pens.

SCAN QR

The sort gate is crafted from premium U.S.-made stainless steel and uses electromagnets for locking, eliminating the need for a compressor. It is built to withstand extreme temperatures and is designed with minimal points of mechanical wear and tear, ensuring longlasting durability and reliable performance.

ROBUST DESIGN E lectromagnets for locking, no compressor needed C an operate in extreme temperatures P remium U.S.-made stainless steel M inimal points of mechanical wear and tear

“What if searching for and sorting cows didn’t have to be such a headache?

CowManager is excited to launch our new sorting technology, aimed at improving efficiency and giving you more control,” said Gerard Griffioen, CowManager founder.

INTEGRATED S tandard RFID compatible H erd management integrations E asy sorting via user-friendly CowManager app

For more information about SORT MY COW, contact your local Premier Select Sires representative!

CowManager is a registered trademark of Agis Automatisering.

®

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The Mills Family

MEMBER FEATURE: MILLWORK FARM “The most reliable way to predict the future is to create it.” Coined by Abraham Lincoln,

this famous quote seems to sum up the approach of Millwork Farm. The 130-cow dairy farm in Thompsontown, PA was built from the ground up by first generation farmer Joel Mills, his wife Sara, and their children Bryanna, Tabitha (husband Eli), and Isaac.

History “My parents lived in a rented house on a farm, so I’ve lived on a farm my whole life,” said Joel. “I became the farm’s first employee when I started working with calves. I then moved to milking, did fieldwork, learned animal health, worked with the hoof trimmer, and learned fitting cows. I also really enjoyed showing cows.”

In 2003, Joel and Sara began renting a dairy operation in

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Chambersburg, PA. He worked there for almost five years—for the first two years the farmer provided the crops, and Joel worked to take over from there.

In 2007, the Mills discovered their current location for sale.

“It had potential, but it needed a lot of TLC. It needed a vision for it,” said Joel. “Our goal was to be a profitable family-run dairy not funded by outside money. Some years were hard, but it’s always been a forward movement. It is, and always has been, about efficiency. We built the farm around the resources and layout of the property, and around the skills and abilities of the members of our family.”

Over the years, the Mills have grown, expanded, improved, invested, and reinvested to build the now highly successful dairy. Joel says they started with 90 milking and dry cows and have since grown to fill their workload. The Mills run the dairy as a family effort with no outside

employees.

Production Currently, the Mills milk two times per day in a double seven parlor and achieve a herd average of 25,376 lbs.

“I feel this is a balanced and profitable area to be at,” said Joel. “I’m not really a benchmark guy…I want to do the best job we can in every area, and everything else falls into line. Consistency is important.”

Even in summer months, Millwork has been achieving at least 4.2 butterfat and 3.2 protein. Their Somatic Cell Count averages 41,000 for the year, and Millwork achieves a 12-month calving interval.

Genetics With 79 homebred excellent cows with the Millwork prefix, and 20 other excellent cows, it is obvious that genetics are important to Millwork Holsteins.

NxGEN is a registered trademark of Select Sires Inc. TPI is a registered trademark of Holstein Association USA. Karen photo by Cowsmo.

®

Balance is key to Joel—he pays close attention to Type and TPI®, but he does not seek extremes in any area.

“We always want to be improving something about the cow—udders, feet and legs, etc. Components are obviously important as well. When selecting bulls, I look at the numbers first and then look back at the cow families. I like to use cow families that are almost ‘proven’ in the commercial world. You can benefit from looking at the male family side too.” said Joel.

The Mills’ Area Sales Manager, Mike Kline, adds, “Millwork has also embraced health traits.

They emphasize Type without sacrificing health, and Joel does a great job at balancing strength and dairy.”

Mike added that the Mills’ were early to adopt genomics, and every animal on the farm is now genomically tested. Millwork is also a member of the NxGEN® program. Joel joined the

program soon after its creation, and he enjoys that it gives him early access to elite young bulls.

“I do not use clean-up bulls, only better semen,” said Joel.

Joel’s breeding strategy uses 98% conventional semen.

He sells close to 50 dairy replacements each year, and last year also sold 20 bred or open heifers.

When asked about favorite Select Sires bulls, Joel said one of his recent top picks is 250HO16290 BLAKELY because his daughters are “lights out good.” He also mentioned 7HO15085 PARFECT, 7HO17700 HINGE, 744HO17425 HELLION, 7HO17191 MICAN, 7HO17200 GOLLEY, and 250HO17817 DANN. Historically he’s also appreciated 250HO14579 HANCOCK, 250HO16115 PAZZLE, 250HO13743 CASPER, 7HO15325 HANANS, and 250HO12975 PHARO. Joel noted that he feels the polled sires available through Premier are “better than they’ve ever been,” and he looks forward to opportunities to incorporate more polled sires into his breeding lineup as well.

Success and Future Goals The Mills’ dedication has been esteemed across the industry.

Joel was recognized as the 2015 National Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder. Millwork Holsteins was also a 2016 Dairy of Distinction. The Mills plan to continue pushing forward to improve for the future. They’ve also excelled in the showring and are known for making their way to the winner’s circle with stylish cows that also perform well in the herd.

“We will continue to strive for efficiency,” said Joel. “We hope to improve our dry cow facilities, a project that will kind of complete the cycle we’ve been developing to create the best possible environment for our animals. We want to get the best and most potential out of our genetics.”

Joel Mills and Premier Area Sales Manager Mike Kline

To learn more about Millwork Farm from Joel Mills himself, scan this QR code for a brief video!

Millwork Hancock Karen (EX-92) Daughter of 250HO14579 HANCOCK

PRODUCER PRODUCT PICKS: Tri-Start “We’ve always used Tri-Start Bolus in cows that are off feed. We’ll do anything to help the cow rebuild that rumen. We’ve found that Tri-Start Jr. makes a big difference for calves with digestive issues. It makes them bounce back significantly faster!”

– Joel Mills

Millwork Parfect Dollop (EX-92) Daughter of 7HO15085 PARFECT

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PRODUCT TALK GETTING TO THE ROOT OF THE CHALLENGE by Jeff Hostetter, Product Manager For years the dairy industry has invested many resources into understanding the challenges of the transition period. We’ve known that feed intake drops in the days leading up to calving while her need for energy, calcium, and immune activation increases greatly.

It was Dr. Lance Baumgard of Iowa State who first presented the idea that many transition cow metabolic issues (ketosis, milk fever, and metritis) are actually symptoms of excessive unresolved inflammation. A good calcium bolus can prevent the symptom of milk fever, but calcium alone does not get to the root cause – inflammation.

This is where Premier Select Sires and our partner Agrarian Solutions saw an opportunity to offer a cutting edge solution that addresses excessive inflammation after calving – Cow StartTM Complete!

How does it work?

• Fuels the immune system with Vit E, Selenium, and over 70 seaweed derived minerals (including Ca and Mg) to quickly resolve post-calving inflammation

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• Pressed boluses slowly release these ingredients over a 48 hour period to avoid the typical drop that occurs in poured boluses after 12 hours • Two boluses are given once at calving to reduce labor needs

What are the results based on numerous peer-reviewed published studies and a field trial on a 5,000head dairy?

• Milk production increases 4.5 percent over the full lactation • Reduces incidence of common post-calving metabolic issues • Keeps calcium elevated for the first 48 hours after calving • Reduces body condition loss over the first 12 weeks of lactation • Improves fertility performance Cow Start Complete is truly the next generation in fresh cow transition. It allows us to resolve the underlying root cause of transition challenges. Contact your local Premier sales representative to learn more about this game-changing technology.

™Cow Start Complete is a trademark of Anchor Life Sciences, Ltd. Buyer assumes all responsibility for use, storage and handling of this product. All claims, representations and warranties, expressed or implied, are made only by the company responsible for manufacturing and not by Premier Select Sires Inc., its agents or employees.

RUMEN GENETICS THE NEXT FRONTIER IN UNLOCKING YOUR HERD’S POTENTIAL

by Jeff Hostetter, Product Manager

If we all take a moment to stop and consider the progress that we’ve made in dairy and beef genetics over the last several decades – it is amazing! Average daily milk production for dairy and average daily gains for beef have doubled in the last 50 years. Many management and nutritional improvement have no doubt contributed to these gains, but genetics are what sets the potential. According to CDCB, genetic improvements accounted for 62 percent of the fat and protein increases in U.S. Holsteins over the last 50 years.

The bovine genome contains over 22,000 genes. Meanwhile the microbial population in the cow’s rumen (microbiome) contains over 35,000,000 genes. While we’ve made incredible strides in bovine genetics, we haven’t yet been able to directly influence rumen genetics – until now!

By partnering with Native Microbials, we are proud to offer GALAXIS FRONTIER. Galaxis Frontier contains four unique microbial strains that were: • Isolated from thousands of rumen samples of healthy, high producing cows across may different environments • Grown in large scale • Encapsulated and packaged to effectively deliver daily to cows We take what is already present in cows’ rumens, multiply it, protect it, and deliver it back to them in their daily ration. This changes the genetics of the rumen and the results are consistent and fantastic.

According to 10 completed academic trials and over 50,000 cows in 28 controlled field trails, Galaxis Frontier use showed: • 4.09 lbs increase in Milk Production • 4.54 lbs increase in Energy Corrected Milk • 0.08 increase in fat % • 28% decrease in culling rate >60 days in milk • 0.02 to 0.06 increase in feed efficiency • 2 to 4 lbs increase in colostrum quantity when fed to close-ups

We’re excited about this partnership and we can’t wait to show you how this awesome technology could benefit your herd. Please contact your Premier Select Sires Sales Representative for more details!

Galaxis Frontier is a trademark of Native Microbials, Inc. Buyer assumes all responsibility for use, storage and handling of this product. All claims, representations and warranties, expressed or implied, are made only by the company responsible for manufacturing and not by Premier Select Sires Inc., its agents or employees.

TM

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CULTIVATING CONFIDENCE AND CAREER PATHS: INTERNS REFLECT ON THEIR PREMIER SUMMER EXPERIENCE

Photo: 2025 summer interns Mulligan Palmerton and Allison Michel (L to R) with an early 7HO16276 SHEEPSTER daughter. Mulligan and Allison had the opportunity to help with professional cow photos at Aurora Ridge Dairy and Oakfield Corners Dairy in New York.

From breeding barns to design projects, Premier Select Sires interns spent their summer gaining hands-on experience and valuable insights into the cattle genetics industry. As their internship program drew to a close, interns Mulligan Palmerton, Morgan Fultz, Allison Michel, and Ava Neville reflected on what made their 2025 summer meaningful and how their experiences shaped their future goals in agriculture.

New Skills and Lasting Connections For many interns, the most rewarding aspect of the internship was the opportunity to work with a wide variety of people and departments across the company.

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“I enjoyed traveling around the state and working with different people in all aspects of the company,” said Allison Michel.

Mulligan Palmerton echoed that sentiment, sharing that the best part of the experience was “meeting new people and making so many new connections.”

company,” she said. “It gave me a wellrounded perspective of Premier—especially valuable since I’ve worked with the organization in the past.”

Hands-On Growth in the Field and Behind the Scenes

employees on breeding programs, saying, “It was interesting to see how they use linear traits and pedigree information to breed cows to improve the next generation.”

Whether in the barn or behind a camera, the interns gained skills they’ll carry into future roles. Several focused on improving their artificial insemination (A.I.) techniques, while others expanded into communications and editing.

Ava Neville brought a different lens to

Mulligan and Morgan were proud to grow their

Morgan Fultz found value in riding along with

the team. “The aspect of the internship I enjoyed the most was the opportunity to work across multiple roles within the

A.I. abilities, while Allison shared, “Prior to this internship I had limited experience breeding cows, which has led to me gaining confidence in this area.”

Ava, working on the communications side, gained a new skill set entirely: “I’m proud to have developed my ability to use Photoshop and edit both photos and videos. It’s an area I had very little experience in, and I’ve built a strong foundation.”

Supportive Mentorship at Every Step A strong theme across all the interns’ stories was the support they received from mentors and supervisors. From patient teaching to encouraging exploration, Premier staff played a critical role in each intern’s success.

“Every mentor I had made sure to help me with whatever I needed,” said Mulligan.

Allison appreciated how her supervisor “sent me with different technicians and provided a variety of experiences.”

Morgan noted, “My supervisor has been very

hurdles. Several interns faced steep learning curves—from heat detection to genetics knowledge to mastering photo editing.

Ava recalled, “It took a lot of practice, trial and error, and more than a few YouTube tutorials—but over time, I became much more comfortable with the tools.”

Morgan struggled to understand bull proofs and traits due to not having cattle at home, but she actively asked questions and studied trait definitions to improve.

Allison found heat detection to be her toughest challenge, especially on unfamiliar farms, and Mulligan pointed to breeding as a task that took time and patience to master.

Internship Influence on Career Aspirations All four interns agreed that this experience helped confirm and refine their career paths.

supportive of giving me a wide variety of ride-along experiences to view the company in multiple ways.”

Mulligan shared, “This internship is a

Ava shared a similar experience: “My

Morgan said it “solidified my passion for

supervisor encouraged me to explore all the different facets of communications within the cooperative and allowed me to take on projects that expanded my skill set and creativity.”

the cattle industry and improving cattle genetics.”

From Challenges to Confidence Of course, growth doesn’t come without

Interns Ava Neville and Morgan Fultz practicing breeding technique at an artificial insemination training school.

stepping-stone toward my career in dairy cattle reproduction.”

in the genetics and communications side of agriculture.”

Industry Insights and Final Advice Each intern walked away with a better understanding of how complex—and collaborative—the agricultural world is.

“I’ve always known how diverse this industry is,” said Ava, “but it was truly put into perspective when working with all the different people within the Premier cooperative.”

Morgan echoed that sentiment: “Not all bulls are created equal. Each herd needs different traits to improve, depending on their goals and management.”

So, what advice do these four interns have for future interns?

• “Be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Learn to be flexible.”

– Morgan • “Take advantage of every opportunity— even if it feels outside your comfort zone.”

– Ava

Allison appreciated the chance to explore one segment of the dairy industry, helping her consider new opportunities.

Ava found clarity through her unique role, stating, “It helped guide me toward a future

• “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and try new things that may seem hard.

– Allison • “You can do whatever you put your mind to. Take every experience and expand on it.”

– Mulligan

2025 communications intern Ava Neville at the Premier Select Sires office in Tunkhannock, PA.

Article by Ava Neville, 2025 Communications Intern

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PROVEN POWER

DRIVE GENETIC PROGRESS WITH ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT TRAITS: DELIVERING JPI ™ LEADERS

9 SIRES

AT OR ABOVE +147 JPI

Our proven lineup is sired by 8 unique sires, and 11 unique maternal grandsires!

BOOSTING TOTAL SOLIDS

9 SIRES ABOVE +50 CFP

PROVEN LINEUP AVERAGES:

+135 +414 +502 +47 JPI

HHP$®

MILK

CFP

+0.7 2.91

-0.4

101

+0.5 +16.0 96%

DPR

MAST

Z MAST

TYPE

SCS

JUI ™

Y REL.

Your Jersey herd demands more than production alone – you need consistency, efficiency and fertility.

Select Sires Jersey genetics are proven to create daughters that are built to perform in progressive Jersey herds.

Talk with your Premier Select Sires representative today about the most diverse proven lineup in the industry.

08/25 CDCB-S/AJCA Genomic Evaluations. Evaluations in this advertisement are Powered by CDCB™. ™JUI and JPI are trademarks of the American Jersey Cattle Association. ®HHP$ is a registered trademark of Select Sires Inc., Plain City, Ohio.

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BEEF BRIEFS

FAMILY, FERTILITY, & FUNCTION: A CLOSER LOOK AT ROBERT ELLIOTT & SONS ANGUS

William, Robert, and Joe Elliott

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Article by Ava Neville, 2025 Communications Intern

Spanning 750 acres in Adams, Tennessee, Robert Elliott and Sons Angus is a multigenerational operation rooted in purpose and performance. Since its founding in 1935 with just four bred heifers, the farm has grown into a respected seedstock enterprise, now producing approximately 225 head annually— nearly all registered Angus cattle.

At the heart of this family-run farm are brothers Joe and William Elliott, along with Joe’s son Lake.

William’s sons, Will and Robert, also help on the farm during peak work periods. Together, they champion the philosophy that “form follows function,” striving to produce cattle that thrive in their environment and deliver long-term value to their customers.

Genetic selection follows a nocompromise approach, emphasizing fertility, longevity, and structural soundness. Bulls such as 7AN779 RESTORE, 7AN757 SALUDA, and 7AN691 STEP UP are chosen for traits like calving ease, carcass quality, and strong phenotype. Calves are raised without creep feed, weaned through fenceline methods, and evaluated using tools like DNA testing

and group feed efficiency for bull calves.

The Elliotts maintain a closed herd and practice rigorous culling, prioritizing cows that breed back efficiently, maintain structural integrity, and raise productive calves.

With over 70 percent of sales going to repeat buyers, their reputation for transparency and consistency speaks for itself.

Elliott’s annual production sale, held each February, is a hallmark of their program. Each lot includes extensive data—from calving intervals to dam weight—underscoring their commitment to informed decisionmaking. Clean-up bulls are also offered and held through St. Patrick’s Day, helping to add post-sale profitability.

Youth involvement is central to their mission. Joe and his family are proud supporters of the Clarksville Area Better Beef Show, now in its 75th year. The event emphasizes real-world skills, carcass merit, and hands-on education—ensuring the next generation is equipped to lead in agriculture.

The Elliotts’ long-standing

partnership with Premier Select Sires reflects their shared values of loyalty, service, and results. From genetics to breeding supplies, they rely on Premier to help advance their program with integrity and purpose.

Area Sales Manager Anna Sullivan shared, “I look forward to pulling into the Elliotts’ operation every time I make the trip. From Kubota pasture rides with Mr. Joe looking at calves and bulls, EPD selections with Lake, and breeding days with Mr. William and the boys, they make me feel like one of the family. I get to see firsthand—from calving to weaning to sale day—that their values and approach are working. The Elliotts are a great example of the Angus breed and what a strong southern farming family looks like. Premier, and myself, are blessed to play a small part in their story.”

The Elliott family

At Robert Elliott and Sons Angus, it’s not just about raising cattle. It’s about raising the bar.

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PREMIER SELECT SIRES, INC. 1 Stony Mountain Road Tunkhannock, PA 18657

Our Mission

TO SERVE AS A TRUSTED PARTNER WITH BEEF AND DAIRY PRODUCERS, BUILDING THEIR SUCCESS THROUGH INDUSTRY-LEADING GENETICS, EFFECTIVE HERD MANAGEMENT PRODUCTS, VALUABLE SERVICES, AND EXPERIENCE-BASED INSIGHTS FROM KNOWLEDGEABLE, PASSIONATE EMPLOYEES.

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Daughter photos L-R: Lars-Acres Vangogh 29073-ET (GP-80), Larson Acres, Evansville, WI. Photo by Jordan. Wilra S-S-I Shpstr 6114-ET, Wilra Farms, Inc., Nashville, IL. Photo by Erbsen. ®NxGEN is a registered trademark of Select Sires Inc., Plain City, OH.