Annual Meeting Highlights

The 2021 Virtual Premier Select Sires Annual Meeting was held on Wednesday, February 24. Although the traditional in-person gathering was greatly missed, the board was able to safely convene for an efficient, effective meeting to keep our cooperative gears turning!

Following are a few highlights from the meeting:

• The election of directors and delegates took place. The board thanked retiring delegate Alvin Herman for his years of service, and welcomed Jessica Slaymaker as a new delegate (see page 11).

• James R. Fries, Certified Public Accountant, presented a 2020 financial review. A recent audit of 2020 financial statements revealed that despite a challenging environment this past year, Premier effectively controlled costs, earned profits, and returned benefits to Premier member-owners.

• In May 2020, the Premier Board of Directors held a special vote approving the implementation of the May, June, and July 7 Percent Semen Credit Program, combined with early retirement of equity that accelerated the return to member-owners during a time that was difficult for many producers. This action returned nearly $1 million to member-owners.

• Throughout 2020, Premier totaled nearly $58,000 in donations to youth organizations such as 4-H and FFA, local shows and sales, agricultural events across the Premier territory, and more.

• The 2021 Premier Future Ag Leaders Scholarship recipients were recognized (see pages 8-9)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

James Cook, President, District 3 Steve Craun, District 3 Bob Cruikshank, District 1

Gary Dell, District 2 Paul Gingue, 2nd Vice-President, District 1 John Edd Harris, 1st Vice-President, District 3 Kelvin Hatch, District 2

Jim Houser, District 2

Barbara Nedrow, District 1

Mike Saylor, Treasurer, District 4 Kenny Taylor, Secretary, District 4

PUBLIC DIRECTOR

Tim Riley DELEGATES

Pat Ard, District 4 Vern Buessing, District 4 Jonathan Lamb, District 1 Kevin Satterwhite, District 3 Jessica Slaymaker, District 2

EMPLOYED OFFICERS

Mark Carpenter, CEO/Executive Vice-President Beverly Barnes, Assistant Board Meeting Secretary Ryan Visneski, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer

PREMIER THANKS ALVIN HERMAN FOR SERVICE, WELCOMES JESSICA SLAYMAKER

Alvin Herman of Albavale Farms in Bradford County, Pa. retired his position as a District 2 delegate for Premier. Herman has been a delegate since 2006, and also served as a director from 2017 to 2020.

Herman brought a well-rounded background to the board. He and his family milked registered Holsteins until 2018, and he now raises beef and grows hay alongside his brother, Mike, and Mike’s family. “Premier is a great cooperative and I have been with them for a long time…I was a member from NEBA to Sire Power to Select Sire Power to Premier,” said Herman. “It’s been exciting to watch our cooperative grow and still provide quality products and services to our members. Our board and management team always stressed this and was proud of it. We now serve 23 states and work hard to provide the outstanding products and services we have always had.” Herman emphasizes what a great experience it was meeting and working with all of the hardworking, wonderful people of Premier, from the members, employees, management, and the fellow board members he has served with. “It has been an honor and a blessing to serve as a delegate and member of the Board of Directors,” said Herman. “Having us represent the other producers in our cooperative means a lot. We always put the best interests of the members first. I will miss everyone I have worked with, and I wish Premier the best. I would like to thank our Premier members and Board for the opportunity to serve.” Herman and his wife, Mary, have two adult daughters, a son-in-law, and two grandchildren. Please join Premier in thanking Alvin and his family for the time and service they have committed to our cooperative!

Jessica Slaymaker of Slaymaker Farm in Tioga County, Pa. joined the board as the new District 2 delegate. She represents Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware. “I am honored and excited to become a Premier Select Sires delegate,” said Slaymaker. “I was previously a delegate for Select Sire Power before the merger. I enjoy learning about what the cooperative is doing for us, and being able to represent the dairy farmers of my area!” Slaymaker also currently serves as a member of the Premier Owners’ Voice (POV) customer advisory board. She, her husband, and their two daughters milk 150 cows. The herd is primarily Holsteins, but Jess and her daughters are slowly growing their Jersey and Brown Swiss numbers. Slaymaker Farm actively uses many Premier services and resources. Please join us in welcoming Jessica to the board!

JESSICA SLAYMAKER