WHAT MAKES A GOOD REPRODUCTIVE

A Reproductive Services Specialist (RSS, or sometimes also called a technician) is a Premier professional who travels to dairy and beef operations to provide artificial insemination services. As you might expect, the primary role of this person is breeding cattle, but an RSS’s responsibilities reach beyond just arm service. These highly trained individuals also monitor estrus activity, train farm staff in heat detection, provide daily input on cow health and condition, monitor and execute timed-A.I. protocols, coordinate reproductive analysis activities with Select Reproductive Solutions® specialists, connect farmers with other Premier products and services, manage semen inventory to ensure that the farm’s genetic program stays on track and up to date, and more.

Meet Emily Lewis, a Reproductive Services Specialist in Southern Lebanon and Northwestern Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania. She’s been serving Premier customers as an RSS since February of 2020. Emily chose her career path because she was drawn to the opportunity to help farmers make genetic decisions for their herds that can continue to improve their operations for generations to come and help them reach their full potential.

Here’s how Emily and other Premier RSSs across our territory serve customers to the best of their ability!

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

Upon their hiring, Premier RSSs undergo a training process to ensure they are prepared to meet customer expectations for breeding, heat detection, communication, and more. Many of our RSSs bring experience and/or education with them when they are hired, and all RSSs are offered opportunities within the cooperative to continue learning about modern practices and technologies as the A.I. industry evolves.

Emily: I grew up involved in agriculture through my grandfather’s dairy farm, and I was very active in 4-H and FFA. I then attended Delaware Valley University and took part in things like Dairy Challenge and Center for Dairy Excellence internships before graduating with my Bachelor’s in Animal Science, specializing in Livestock Science and Management. Now, Premier has been wonderful in allowing me opportunities to learn and develop myself, and I want to continue to develop myself personally and professionally so that I can provide my farmers with the best possible service. I also enjoy having other team members ride along with me, as this serves as a great refresher for me and gives me perspective and knowledge on products, new bulls, or just something in my day-to-day.

INDUSTRY-LEADING GENETICS

The Sire Development Team at Select Sires works tirelessly to develop the best genetics for modern herds. The Premier Select Sires team works diligently to help producers in our service area select the best sires for their unique herds.

Emily: My goal with every breeding is to make genetic improvement within the herd. It is good to talk to each producer I serve and