Spring 2023 Premier Pioneer

Photo: Heifers enjoying

WHAT IS PREMIER SELECT SIRES?

Mark Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer

In the previous newsletter we explained what Select Sires is and how it exists for the mutual benefit of the six U.S. farmer-owned A.I. cooperatives in the United States. In this article we will zoom in on Premier, one of those six member cooperatives—YOUR member cooperative—and how it is designed to benefit you as a farmer owner.

As you know, a cooperative is an organization owned and governed by its members. But what does that look like practically for your local A.I. cooperative, Premier Select Sires?

Premier provides a truly grassroots approach to its governance and direction. Farmer members of Premier have the responsibility of electing delegates from their geographical region to establish the governing foundation of the cooperative. One of the most important tasks of the elected delegates is to nominate and seat a board of directors to oversee and carry out the mission of the cooperative. That board employs a team of staff members to complete the daily functions of the organization and provide service to member owners.

Premier, like the other member cooperatives, provides marketplace protection for its members through many strategic methods.

PREMIER BOARD MEMBERS

One advantage of Premier is its shared ownership position in Select Sires, Inc. This includes exclusive access to the family of genetic brands, involvement on committees to present local guidance on strategies for the future of the stud, and investment in new research and technologies designed to enhance our offerings to member producers.

Premier also negotiates terms and programs with dozens of other providers of products, technologies, and services to create a robust offering of additive and supportive items that we deliver directly to your farm. Many of these offerings are very intentional to help our producers maximize profit by enhancing and protecting your genetic investments in your herd. Examples are Zoetis™, CowManager®, Agrarian Solutions®, SimVitro® Herdflex™, and many others.

Premier employs the highly talented resources to make sure our members receive industry leading support, services, and consultation to help assess how the products and services we offer can be tailored to each member producer’s specific herd and goals.

We are 100% owned by the members who use our services and buy our products. That means we have a very clear purpose in all that we do, and any excess generated is evaluated annually by the board to either distribute patronage dividends and/or invest in the cooperative to better serve our members.

We would like to thank you, our members, for being the most important part of the Premier cooperative!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kenny Taylor, President, District 4, Fayetteville TN

James Cook, 1st Vice President, District 3, Penhook VA

Jim Houser, 2nd Vice President, District 2, Spring Mills PA

Mike Saylor, Treasurer, District 4, Jonesborough TN

John Edd Harris, Secretary, District 3, Musella GA

Steve Craun, District 3, Bridgewater VA

Bob Cruikshank, District 1, Ogdensburg NY

Kelvin Hatch, District 2, Columbia PA

Jonathan Lamb, District 1, Oakfield NY

PUBLIC DIRECTOR

Tim Riley, Columbia TN

DELEGATES

Pat Ard, District 4, Ruth MS

Vern Buessing, District 4, Baileyville KS

Emma Currie, District 1, Tully NY

Crystal Edwards, District 2, Union Bridge MD

David Harvatine, District 1, King Ferry NY

Johan Heijkoop, District 3, Mayo FL

Joel Krall, District 2, Lebanon PA

2023 ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

The Premier Annual Meeting was held on Tuesday, March 7 in Baltimore, Md. Below are some highlights from that cooperative meeting!

1

2

An audit report of the previous year was given. 2022 resulted in financial performance of $2,131,183 in net income on sales of $39,334,541.

7

The board reviewed 2022, discussing genetic and product offering, services, marketing, performance, members, employees, and more.

3

The board discussed Premier’s investment in Agrarian Solutions.

4 2023 Premier Future Ag Leaders Scholarship recipients were announced. Please see newsletter pages 8-9 for more information on these exceptional students!

5 Please join us in thanking two retiring directors for their many years of service on the Premier Select Sires Board of Directors!

• Gary Dell of Westminster, Md. retired with 15 years of service.

• Paul Gingue of Waterford, Vt. retired with 16 years of service.

6

The Premier board elected Select Sires Board Representatives. These individuals are: Kenny Taylor, James Cook, and Steve Craun.

Please join us in welcoming six new delegates to the Premier Select Sires Board of Directors!

• Emma Currie is from Currie Valley Dairy, LLC, a registered Holstein operation milking 1,100 cows in Tully, N.Y. “I served on the Premier Select Sires advisory board, Premier Owner’s Voice, for two years and look forward to continuing to serve this organization. I believe I can bring a valuable perspective to this board as a young farmer who utilizes many of the great services offered by Premier Select Sires.”

• Crystal Edwards has been the Herd Manager at Pheasant Echos Farm for 24 years. Pheasant Echos is a Holstein and Jersey operation milking 150 cows in Westminster, MD. “I’m looking forward to serving on the Premier Select Sires Board of Directors to further my knowledge of the business end of things, possibly to help me form better breeding management decisions as well as other management areas for our herd.”

• David Harvatine is a partner and Dairy Herd Manager at Aurora Ridge Dairy LLC in Aurora, N.Y. (milking 2,300 registered Holsteins) and AuroraOakwood Dairy LLC in Auburn, N.Y. (milking 2,000 Holsteins). “I am excited to participate as a delegate for Premier Select Sires to help the business continue to be successful and move forward.”

• Johan Heijkoop is a partner at Milk-A-Way Dairy and K & H Dairy, Inc., two dairy operations milking 2,000 cows in North Florida. “I believe in the business concept and strategy of a cooperative, and am very interested in contributing to the business success of Premier Select Sires and Select Sires Inc.”

• Joel Krall operates Furnace Hill Holsteins, a 500-cow dairy farm with two locations, one in Lebanon, Pa. and one in Lancaster, Pa. “I have been a member owner of Select since I began dairying in 2006. The value of being a cooperative, with members having a voice, is an aspect of Select that I appreciate…and I believe Select is best positioned to help take the industry and specifically their member owners to the next level.”

• Frederic Simon is from a 200-cow dairy operation in Conway, Ark. “Our farm has been artificially inseminating cattle all of my dad’s career and I am continuing the practice and teaching A.I. techniques to the next generation. With 30 years of dairy farm experience, I have had the opportunity to travel to lots of other farms across the U.S. and see how other dairymen operation in all size operations.”

WEARING MANY HATS

Farmers wear many hats, and Kevin Satterwhite of Satterwhite Farms in Newberry, SC is no exception. Kevin farms with his father, uncle, and cousin on their diversified operation with 1600 milking cows, 500 head of beef cattle, and 3500 acres of row crops. In addition, Kevin serves as a delegate of the Premier Select Sires board of directors. Learn more about his experience as a producer and delegate!

“Our goal is to produce high quality milk while making sure our animals and the environment are taken care of,” said Kevin Satterwhite.

Kevin and his father, Wayne Satterwhite, primarily manage the dairy, while his uncle, William Satterwhite, and cousin, Steve Satterwhite, manage the beef herd and crops. Thirty-five employees also work on the farm to carry out day-to-day duties.

Kevin’s great grandfather started the farm in 1935 with 100 acres and just a few cows. Kevin is now part of the fourth generation on the farm. Advancements in recent years have included the 2014 installation of a 60-stall DeLaval rotary milking parlor, and the 2019 installation of a TSR teat spray robot for post dipping. The Satterwhites have also placed a large emphasis on the operation’s environmental impact.

“We’re doing our part to contribute to sustainability,” said Kevin.

“We recently built a new ninemillion-gallon lagoon waste storage pond, and we flush our pens with recycled water. Among other efforts, we practice no-till farming, we routinely take and evaluate soil samples, we keep careful records for waste management, and we are looking in to grants to improve sustainability.”

The Satterwhites milk three times per day and their production is averaging around 90 pounds. They are the only farm in South Carolina that direct loads milk, and they ship it to Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association.

“We meet with our Premier service rep weekly, and Premier has been important to our operation and improving our herd,” said Kevin.

Milk production, fertility, and longevity are among the operation’s top breeding goals, and they rely on their Premier representatives to help them reach those goals.

Satterwhite Farms uses several programs and services in Premier’s portfolio including the Select Reproductive Solutions®, or SRS® program (administered by Premier Reproductive Specialist Justin Edwards), and the Select Mating Service®, or SMS® program (administered by Premier Dairy Coordinator Todd Gaby). Henry Mitchell serves as the Area Sales Manager, and Brad Barham serves as the Regional Sales Manager.

“I truly enjoy working with Satterwhites due to the people that work there,” said Henry Mitchell. “I have worked with Karen Long, the herdswoman, Jesus Martinez, the technician, and Meg Long, the heifer technician, for five years now. We have become very close. I’ve also enjoyed watching them grow their herd over the last five years. They have a very good operation and I look forward to continuing servicing the Satterwhite family for years to come. There’s something about walking into the parlor and seeing cows on the rotary carrousel!”

“I’ve been with Premier [or a preceding cooperative] for 20 or more years. We discuss goals and progress with our reps and lean on them heavily,” said Kevin. “I’ve got a lot on my plate and I trust the evaluations and team at Premier to make decisions and suggestions.”

Kevin and the Satterwhite family are active members of their local community and the agricultural community. In addition to his service as a Premier delegate, Kevin’s involvement includes: board member of Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, member of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Dairy Committee, board member of his local church, volunteer fireman for his hometown, and more.

“Our farm has been here since the 1930s and we try to be a courteous neighbor to those around us, and we want to educate new neighbors,” said Kevin. “We are willing to try and accommodate if someone wants to see the farm to learn more!”

Q&A WITH PREMIER DELEGATE KEVIN SATTERWHITE

Q: How long have you served as a delegate for Premier, and why did you get involved in the first place?

A: I am in my eleventh year as a delegate. I served on the Southeast Select Sires board for six years. During my service on that board, we began discussing the 2019 merger with Select Sire Power to form Premier Select Sires. Once I got to know the Select Sire Power directors I was interested in and excited about the direction Premier was headed and I wanted to be a part of it!

Q: What are your responsibilities as a delegate on the Premier Board?

A: Delegates serve as liaisons to the board. We help carry the voice of the farmer owners to the board so we can make good decisions for our members. It’s unique to me that the delegates are as involved as they are with decisions at Premier, as we play a bigger role in the cooperative than some other organizations allow. We decide who of the delegates will sit on the board of directors. Aside from electing board members, delegates are involved in making many other decisions—some decisions are just for the board of directors, and some include both the board and delegates. We work closely with the board and CEO Mark Carpenter and the management team to help manage and run the cooperative.

Q: How do you feel your position as a delegate impacts the farmers who are member owners of the cooperative?

A: I am able to provide a voice for the membership. I can take comments—the voice of the farmers—back to the board to represent the members. There are delegates from the different regions within Premier to represent our diverse membership.

Q: Why do you feel cooperatives are beneficial or important?

A: I think it goes back to the owners. The member farmers own it. We as elected delegates and board members run it and we have the members in mind, so the members always have a voice. It’s more like a family, and we’re able to offer semen and other products at the best price we can because a larger organization is able to be more cost efficient.

Q: How would you encourage other members to be involved with their cooperative?

A: Read the publications and emails that come from your cooperative. There are a lot of ways to learn more on what we’re about. Take part in delegate elections, attend the annual meeting (whether live or virtual) and get involved by interacting with your cooperative. I encourage as many people as possible to be in cooperatives. I think we’re able to do a lot of things together, and I think our voice is very important with decisions and being able to provide services and quality products.

To learn more about Kevin and Satterwhite Farms, scan this QR code to watch a video interview!

WeightingsreflecttheHolsteinHHP$formulaasofApril2023.®Select MatingServiceandSMSareregisteredtrademarksofSelectSiresInc.™Herd HealthProfitDollars,HHP$,andGForcearetrademarksofSelectSiresInc. Sources:Mostertetal.,2019;Briggs,2022;Cabrera&Cordoba,2022.

INDUSTRY UPDATE: HOLSTEIN CALFHOOD RECUMBENCY

As many Holstein breeders have likely heard, the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, Holstein Association USA, Inc., and the National Association of Animal Breeders released an April statement regarding recumbency in Holstein Calves. This defect is characterized by otherwise healthy animals that are unable to stand. Select Sires is aggressively testing all sires, and test results will be updated regularly.

At this time, you will not see an indication of carriers or non-carriers on bull pages in the sire directory or on our websites. As a member cooperative we want to be transparent with our farmer-owners and quickly provide what information we have with you so that you can make the best decisions for your herd. You can find an up-to-date list of defect carriers using this QR code or by talking with your local Premier representative.

Genetic conditions of economic loss are not new to our industry. Public testing is readily available within the labs described in a statement from NAAB and more labs will soon also perform this service. If you are concerned about potential matings, testing your herd’s most valuable females for this condition will help ease your mind. If females are not tested, making strategic decisions about all matings based on known sire stacked pedigrees will provide another level of safeguards, and your Premier representatives can help you with this. These methods will allow the use of carrier sires that have extreme economic values, like those ranking high for Select Sires’ Herd Health Profit Dollars (HHP$) index, to drive more dollars into your genetic portfolio.

Select Sires is working to include carrier/non-carrier information within the Select Mating Service® (SMS®) program to assist our farmer owners in avoiding matings that may result in a calf affected with recumbency. As a federation, we stand prepared to assist you through this situation. Our goal remains to provide you with genetic advice to meet your breeding goals and to maximize herd improvement.

PREMIER FUTURE AG LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Premier Select Sires awarded a total of $25,950 to students through the 2023 Premier Future Ag Leaders Scholarship Program. Two students received $2,500 scholarships through the Johnny Daniel Memorial Scholarship and the Wayne Dudley Scholarship. Fourteen other students received scholarships of $750 to $1,250 in value.

William Coltrane of Pleasant Garden, N.C. is the son of David and Amy Coltrane. William received the Johnny Daniel Memorial Scholarship. William is from Coltrane Dairy LLC, a Holstein operation milking 5,500 cows. He is a student at the University of Mount Olive studying Ag Business and Animal Science. After graduation, William plans to return to his family’s fourth generation farm. He says that although today’s farmer faces many challenges, the future looks better, and he plans to play a

part in helping farmers gain the respect they deserve for their dedication and work ethic.

Julia Heijkoop of Gainesville, Fla. is the daughter of Johan and Trisha Heijkoop. Julia received the Wayne Dudley Scholarship. Julia is from Milk A Way Dairy (1,070 milking cows) and K&H Dairy (760 milking cows, 315 dry cows and springers). She is a student at Santa Fe College studying Agriculture Operations Management with a minor in Agriculture and Natural Resource Law. After graduation, Julia hopes to work in policy and become a lobbyist for an agriculture-related company. She wants to work with lawmakers to pass legislation that will support farmers and ranchers while promoting the sustainability of the agriculture industry.

Jordan Anderson of Centre Hall, Pa. is the daughter of Don and Angela Anderson. Jordan is from Locust Rock Farm (home of

Cabaret Cattle Company), an operation with 20 head of cattle. She is a student at the University of Wyoming studying Agriculture Communications. After graduation, Jordan plans to pursue a career that allows her to advocate for the agriculture industry and help give hardworking farmers a voice that reaches consumers. She is also considering working in the marketing and communications department of an agriculture company.

Elise Balmer of Lititz, Pa. is the daughter of Jeffrey and Jesslyn Balmer. Elise is from Stoney Path Farm, a dairy operation with 120 milking cows and a total of 240 head. She is a student at Lebanon Valley College studying Exercise Science. After graduation, Elise plans to become a physical therapist. In her role, she hopes to connect with farmers who may need physical therapy for various injuries that can occur on-farm and educate patients without an agricultural background on the benefits of agriculture.

Hayley Daubert of Dayton, Va. is the daughter of Jeremy and Rebecca Daubert. Hayley is from Stox Dairy, a dairy operation with 30 head of cattle. She is a student at South Dakota State University studying Dairy Manufacturing with a Microbiology Focus. After graduation, Hayley plans to become a physician assistant. She hopes to work in the emergency room of a rural hospital. She believes the medical profession needs more people with a farming background to understand how to best treat those with a farming lifestyle, and to help farmers through difficult times when farming accidents occur. She also hopes to start a farmstead cheese business.

Brooklyn Drake of Marathon, N.Y. is the daughter of Richard and Susan Drake. Brooklyn is from Drake Farms, a Holstein operation with 600 head of cattle, milking 320 head. She is a student at SUNY Cobleskill studying Agriculture Business. After graduation, Brooklyn hopes to pursue a career as a middle school agriculture educator, work part-time at a local dairy processing plant, and run her own business selling vegetables, cut flowers, pumpkins, mums, wreaths, etc. Through her ventures, she hopes to promote the dairy industry in numerous ways.

Laurel Gray of Stony Point, N.C. is the daughter of Andy and Amy Gray. Laurel is from Grayhouse Farms, a dairy operation with a 1,200-cow milking herd. She is a student at North Carolina State University studying Agricultural Business Management. After graduation, Laurel plans to return to her family’s dairy farm to assist with the financial aspects of the business including payroll, bills, and accounting. She also enjoys field work and working with calves and heifers. In addition, she plans to raise and sell beef direct to consumer and play a role in her family’s hunting business.

Darcy Heltzel of Martinsburg, Pa. is the daughter of Andrew and Jennifer Heltzel. Darcy is from Piney-Mar Farm, a dairy farm with150 milking and dry cows and 120 heifers. She is currently a senior at Central High School and plans to pursue a degree in Food Science with a minor in Animal Science. With her education, she hopes to impact both her family’s heritage of farming and the lives of others by advocating for dairy’s story in food production.

Madelynn Hoffman of Manheim, Pa. is the daughter of Curt and Psuche Hoffman. Madelynn is from Tui Genetics where they milk 65 cows with a robot and have about 200 animals in total. She is a student at Cornell University studying Animal Science. Madelynn is currently in a pre-vet track in school and is thinking of becoming a veterinarian. She has considered specializing in reproduction or

genetics. Madelynn would like to someday have her own business, either a veterinary practice, dairy farm, or both.

Regan Jackson of Boyce, Va. is the daughter of Kevin and Laura Jackson. Regan is from Waverly Farm, a Jersey operation in Clearbrook VA. She is a student at Louisiana State University studying Food and Nutrition with a minor in Biology. After graduation, Regan plans to attend medical school and become a doctor. She will use her position to advocate for production agriculture among doctors and patients. She also plans to volunteer with many of the youth organizations that molded her and guided her to many opportunities.

Kendal Jenkins of Columbia Crossroads, Pa. is the daughter of James and Tracy Jenkins. Kendal is from Leona-View Holsteins, a dairy operation milking 60 registered Holsteins. She is a student at Penn State University studying Animal Science, and she will also graduate with a Smeal College of Business Certificate. After graduation, Kendal plans to pursue a career as a dairy nutritionist. She feels that this career path will allow her to be involved in multiple agricultural areas such as animal science, cow care, agronomy, forage crop management, and more.

Lainey Koval of Stillwater, N.Y. is the daughter of Christopher and Jennifer Koval. Lainey is from Koval Brothers Dairy, LLC, a dairy operation milking 500 Holsteins. She is a student at Cornell University studying Agricultural Science. After graduation, Lainey plans to pursue a career where she can work alongside farmers, either in agricultural sustainability or financial and business management. She hopes to assist farmers in ensuring their farms remain viable and able to feed communities while also protecting their land and earning a living.

Katheryn Longenecker of Williamsburg, Pa. is the daughter of Doug and Yvette Longenecker. Katheryn is from Penn England LLC, a dairy operation with 2,010 milk cows and 1,850 heifers. She is a student at Penn State University studying Animal Science. After graduation, Katheryn plans to obtain a job as a sales representative or nutritionist for a feed company. As she grew up on the farm and showed animals, she enjoyed the advice of others serving in those positions and hopes to help other producers raise animals that grow and produce to their best ability.

Constance Maxwell of Shady Dale, Ga. is the daughter of Cuyler Johnson. Constance is from Godfrey Dairy Farm LLC, a Holstein operation milking 1,100 cows. She is a student at Georgia Military College and the University of Georgia studying Agriculture Business with a minor in Dairy Science. After

graduation, Constance hopes to pursue a career in which she can serve as a bridge between dairy producers, consumers, and agricultural companies. She is passionate about creating opportunities to help shape and heal the dairy industry and other agriculture industries.

Charles Patterson, V of Chestertown, Md. is the son of Charlie and Sherry Patterson. Charles is from Patterson Farms Inc., a Holstein operation milking 300 cows. He is a student at Purdue University studying Ag Systems Management. After graduation, Charles plans to return to his family’s dairy farm and use what he learned in college to make the farm more efficient and profitable. He also hopes to expand the farm in the future.

Danae Ranck of Ronks, Pa. is the daughter of Darrell and Tina Ranck. Danae is from Walnut Hollow Farm, a dairy operation milking 65 cows. She is a student at the University of Arkansas studying Agricultural Communications. After graduation, Danae hopes to work for an organization that is educating consumers about the truth behind food and farmers. She has special interest in working strategically with children and low-income families to make sure they are educated about nutrition and food.

Honorable Mentions for the scholarship program include:

• Joseph Coltrane of Pleasant Garden, N.C.

• Lemuel Coltrane of Pleasant Garden, N.C.

• Alex Empet of Kingsley, Pa.

• Rachel Featherstone of Manhattan, Kan.

• Katelyn Poitras of Brimfield, Mass.

• Madison Sifford of Goldvein, Va.

• Cole Verano of Okeechobee, Fla.

The Premier Future Ag Leaders Scholarship Program provides financial support to eligible students pursuing agricultural education, and it also provides additional return to the cooperative’s member-owners by supporting the next generation of young people desiring to study and work in the agriculture industry. The Premier Select Sires board of directors has made a commitment to providing money to support this scholarship program on an ongoing annual basis.

Beam Dairy Farm is a 2,000-acre dairy farm milking 1700 cows in Cherryville, N.C. The farm is owned by John Beam, IV and his father, John Beam, III.

For the Beams, farming is a family affair. John IV’s grandfather started the farm in 1952 with only eleven cows. John’s father returned to the farm in 1970, and John himself returned in 2004.

John said his wife, Carly, though not directly involved with the operation, is willing to lend a hand when needed and understands the rigors of owning and managing a dairy farm. John and Carly’s three children enjoy helping out on the operation when possible: Suzanna, age 12; John V, age 10; and Charlie, age 7.

“Our goals now include becoming more efficient and sustainable,” said John. “For example, we’re considering installing a methane digester and have been doing a lot of research for that.”

BEAM DAIRY FARM

John Beam, IV is a thirdgeneration dairy farmer milking 1700 cows in Cherryville, N.C. Learn more about his family’s operation and how the farm uses Premier’s genetics, services, and products to achieve herd goals.

Beam Dairy milks cows three times per day in a double 20-stall parallel parlor. They ship their milk to Cobblestone Milk Cooperative.

John works with his Premier Area Sales Manager (ASM), Kenny Nolen, and Regional Sales Manager, Brad Barham. The farm also uses several herd management products offered by Premier such as Select BioCycle™ Plus and Tri-Start Jr.+ Paste.

“Our Premier representatives listen and are open to my ideas,” said John. “I like when they are honest though, and they come back with a rebuttal if they don’t agree with something I’m considering.”

ASM Kenny Nolen assists Beams with sire selection, and the farm focuses on a crossbreeding strategy.

“We typically select proven sires, and we look for A2A2 sires. Fat and fat percent is very important to us when considering bulls, and our herd averages about a 4.5 percent butterfat. We focus on things like udder

composite and keeping stature in check.” said John.

Beam Dairy Farm employs 23 individuals to help carry out daily tasks on the farm.

“Our employees deserve a lot of credit,” said John. “They are very instrumental in helping carry out my vision for the dairy.”

John said he also appreciates the relationship his Premier representatives have with his farm staff.

“Our Premier representatives have worked with my team and are interactive with my force and that really means something to my employees who do the breeding,” said John.

“John is a pleasure to work with. He is a progressive-minded dairyman who is not afraid to challenge the status quo. He appreciates the loyal service and great products that we deliver,” said Kenny. “I respect John’s attention to detail when it comes to all areas of his dairy.”

Product Testimonial: SELECT BIOCYCLE™ PLUS

John Beam, IV of Beam Dairy Farm

My repro took a hit last summer. I’d been feeding a couple products and Kenny Nolen, my Premier Area Sales Manager (ASM), mentioned Select BioCycle Plus. I knew some people feeding DTX™ [BioCycle Plus is a product that combines the benefits of Select DTX and Select BioCycle], so I decided to try the BioCycle Plus.

Adding the BioCycle Plus, combined with our other efforts on the farm, have led us to seeing some good results. Our last four pregnancy rates were 43 percent or higher!

Select BioCycle Plus is recommended when there is a combination of breeding, production and herd health problems stemming from mold-driven problems. To learn more, talk to your local rep or scan this QR code!

During this process, my ASM Kenny connected me with Dr. Larry Roth of Agrarian Solutions. We took a feed sample and Agrarian Solutions analyzed our feed for free, and we now analyze it monthly. Dr. Roth has helped me understand toxin problems and how we can mitigate them. The Premier and Agrarian teams have been very responsive and accommodating.

PRODUCT TALK

Premier has developed an elite line of two-part Chlorine Dioxide teat dips that deliver tremendous performance at a competitive price. These dips contain time-tested formulas that deliver exceptional teat health and lower mastitis and SCC.

The Integrity line includes the following formulas: Integrity Blue, Integrity Pre-Post, and Integrity Barrier. Compare and contrast them using the table below!

Why Chlorine Dioxide?

1. Kills pathogens quickly and completely

2. Promotes excellent teat health

3. Skyrocketing iodine prices have made Chlorine Dioxide a very cost effective choice

Integrity teat dips contain a secondary germicide, DDBSA, for extra killing power.

ASK YOUR LOCAL REP FOR MORE INFO ON INTEGRITY TEAT DIPS AND TO PLACE AN ORDER!

REACHING FOR GENETIC POTENTIAL WITH CONVERT™ BIG CALF POWDER

Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS Vice President

Whatever happens to a calf day one, week one or month one of its life determines if it will live up to its genetic potential. This statement is true for both replacement heifers with tremendous milking potential and steer calves bred for muscling and marbling. Colostrum consumption and the use of CONVERT Day-One Calf Gel or Bolus are critical for initial protection of the calf. However, the calf requires continued protection as it loses its passive immunity from colostrum and then develops its active immune system. (Figure 1). The CONVERT™ BIG Calf Powder is designed to bolster digestive and whole-body health daily from birth through weaning.

Consumption of high-quality colostrum is essential for accomplishing passive immunity in the newborn calf; unfortunately, the blood antibody levels from passive immunity quickly decline (blue line). To compound the problem, the calf’s immune system slowly develops to produce antibodies for selfdefense, commonly referred to as active immunity (red line). The time gap between the peak passive immunity protection and fully active immunity protection is a high-risk period, or I prefer to call it “Death Valley” because this is the time when calves get sick and die.

of Nutrition for Agrarian Solutions

• Egg-based specialized proteins to restrict two E. coli strains, two Bovine Rota virus strains, Bovine Corona virus, two Salmonella species, Cryptosporidium and two Clostridium perfringens strains.

• Enzymes to enhance diet utilization.

The BIG Calf Powder also easily blends into colostrum at a suggested 5 g/calf/feeding to equal the beneficial components of 15 ml of Day-One Calf Gel or one Day-One Calf Bolus. The BIG Calf Powder readily mixes with whole milk or milk replacer at the rate of 1 g/calf/d up to weaning.

Bolstering digestive tract health will also enhance respiratory tract well-being. A NY calf raiser and his veterinarian are recording improved calf lung scores after adopting a program of Day-One Calf Gel at birth and supplementing the BIG Calf Powder via robotic milk replacer feeders. An OH calf raiser adds the BIG Calf Powder to colostrum consumed at birth and then mixes with milk replacer is reporting drastically reduced death loss, while another calf raiser tells of healthy calves more aggressively consuming their starter feed.

The BIG Calf Powder is available in two sizes:

• 2.2-lb jar with a scoop to measure 1 g BIG Calf Powder for a daily calf feeding

• 12.5-lb pail with a scoop to measure 80 g of BIG Calf Powder to feed 80 calves for a day.

Contact your Premier Select Sires representative for more information about protecting your genetic investment with the BIG Calf Powder.

The BIG Calf Powder is designed to protect calves as they successfully journey from birth through Death Valley and on to a healthy weaning process. The BIG Calf Powder features:

• Direct-fed bacteria to protect the small intestine for nutrient absorption by restricting intestinal pathogen growth and enhancing immune function.

• L-form (Cell Wall-deficient) bacteria to enhance immune function and stabilize the small intestine.

BEEF BRIEFS

IT’S BACK! Select Sires has rolled out the 2023 Select Series, and this year’s topics will not disappoint. Hear from Select Sires’ experts on all things BEEF, right in the comfort of your own home.

To view the videos in this series, simply visit selectsiresbeef.com/the-select-series, or scan the QR code. Happy watching!

THIS YEAR’S TOPICS INCLUDE:

• Behind the Scenes at Select Sires Headquarters

• New Angus Leaders v1

• Angus $M Maternal Masters

• New Angus Leaders v2

• SELECTive Breeding Strategies Made Simple

• From Bull Pen to Calving Pen –The Alpha and Omega at Select Sires

• The All-New Select Sires Semen Storage Center

• What’s New at GeneNet?

• Angus Calving Elites v1

• Leading the World in Semen Quality & Conception –How Select Sires Delivers More

FIND THE SEMEN STRAW

• Angus Calving Elites v2

• New Hereford Leaders

• Hair Shedding –What to Know / How to Get Ahead

• New Simmental Leaders

• Better Care for Better Bulls –Behind the Scenes at the Global Leader

• New Red Angus Leaders

• What is Select Sires? How Did We Get Here? Where Are We Headed?

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. Laura Williams CONGRATS!

Responses must be submitted by