Fall 2018 Selections

FALL 2018

Selections IN THIS ISSUE

The Best Place to Be a Bull

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The FRAZZLED Influence

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Reproductive Efficiency

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Cooperative Benefits

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YOUR SUCCESS

Our Passion.

THE POWER OF COOPERATIVES

by David C. Thorbahn, president and C.E.O. In talking with my family, friends and cooperative owners, it is abundantly clear that the agriculture and dairy economies are difficult and are taking both a physical and emotional toll on producers now more than ever. The value of cooperatives is more evident in these challenging times. Cooperatives provide continuous and reliable service, a strong and honest voice for producers and an investment in research to provide the highest quality products to ensure competition for you–Select Sires' customer-owners.

Dedication to serve In the 1970’s, working with my father and brothers, I would ask my father why we sold our milk to the Milk Marketing Inc. cooperative when a private dairy processor would try to lure us away with higher initial payments.

All my dad would say was, “When times get tough, I trust my cooperative will not cancel the milk contract.” I used to think that would never happen, but we have all read enough horror stories to know that he was right.

Select Sires’ federated cooperatives have this same attitude. A few days ago, I was talking with Mark Carpenter, general manager of Select Sire Power, a Select Sires member cooperative on the eastern seaboard. Mark shared how pleased he was in the quality of genetics available to support his customers. He also mentioned that as the average price for semen declines and profits get tighter, he reviews all costs in their cooperative. In this review, he noted that in regard to serving customers in outlying areas, it

was a breakeven proposition at best. When he shared this with his farmer board, he was relieved with their simple instruction to continue serving.

In true cooperative form, we serve everyone and provide support in difficult times.

Your data The data developed on your farm has huge value. The Select Sires board of directors states on record that the data produced on farms is owned and controlled by producers. You might be thinking, “Well, of course it’s mine!” but not every company who provides you with on-farm software, management devices or animal identification equipment agrees with this position. Many, but not all, data software storage providers, devices and milking equipment manufacturers claim that they own the data your animals provide. Most will hide this language in the contract in small print. Read the fine print and be sure your control and ownership of this data is clear when you buy these management support devices.

Select Sires will focus on working with companies who support the fact that data produced on farms is owned and controlled by producers. Farmers should choose who they share their data with, and for what purpose.

Protecting and developing your investments In this issue of Selections, you will learn about the stewardship and sustainability efforts Select Sires carries forward. You will see the lengths in which Select Sires goes to ensure you, and the processors who purchase your milk, that your genetic supplier understands and accepts our ethical animal welfare responsibilities.

Select Sires is proud to have received a perfect score from Validus Verification Services, LLC, an independent third-party veterinary animal welfare group, ensuring that your bulls are receiving the finest animal care.

Another area of sustainability is to provide competition in research and product development. For this charge of responsibility, I have to look

no further than my own farming experience. I farmed in 1981 to put myself through college and I paid $68 per bag for the best seed corn I could buy, and $31 a unit for semen for my 18 Holsteins.

Today, you pay the same price or less for the finest bulls in the lineup, whereas seed corn is $275 or more a bag. This difference comes from competition.

Select Sires’ investment in new technologies and genetics sparks competition. This competition keeps the industry’s semen price at a reasonable value compared to other inputs on your dairy.

As we look to the future, Select Sires will continue to invest in new technologies to protect your interests. We appreciate the industry leadership position that you, our member-owners, have provided in guidance and support.

For more information about our industry-leading genetics, services and programs, please contact your local Select Sires member cooperative. u

“In true cooperative form, we serve everyone and provide support in difficult times.”

Farmer-Owned u Farmer-Controlled

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S-S-I Marty 10731 11645-ET (VG-86) Photo by Herges

Pen-Col MARTY-ET (VG-88) SUPERSIRE x (EX-90-EX-MS) BOOKEM

+2595GTPI® +2,310M +172CFP 7.0%CE

This new graduate is siring pure performance. MARTY offers an elite package—huge milk production and components coupled with attractive calving ease and sire fertility. MARTY daughters are mastering success from coast to coast. Call your Select Sires representative today to add MARTY to your program.

0818 CDCB/HA Genomic Evaluation Rel: Yield 97; SCE 99; PTAT 92. MARTY semen is eligible for export to Canada.

THE BEST PLACE TO BE A BULL “As every farmer around the world knows, the better you take care of your animals, the better they will take care of you.” – Dr. Tony Good, vice president of production operations, Select Sires Take a drive past Select Sires’ headquarters on State Route 42 in Plain City, Ohio and you’ll see office buildings, Select Sires signage and the iconic pond in front of the Chichester Center. If you were unfamiliar with Select Sires, you’d never know that this peaceful location is home to more than 1,600 of the world’s most valuable beef and dairy bulls.

Biosecurity and industry regulations require that these

bulls be housed and maintained in state-of-the-art facilities. Inside these walls, the industry’s most skilled livestock technicians and veterinarians provide top-notch care to protect your investment.

There is an industry-wide understanding that animal health and wellbeing determines individual success. As a farmerowned cooperative, Select Sires is dedicated to the success of customer-owners and maintains

a steadfast commitment to animal care.

As consumers become increasingly concerned with animal agriculture and food production, Select Sires will need to provide evidence of this commitment. Documentation of daily care and employee training will play an important role in this initiative.

Validus Many years ago, Select Sires developed a very progressive, self-auditing system specific to the unique production model.

To be the absolute best, Select Sires enlisted the help of Validus Verification Services, LLC.

“One of the main reasons we picked Validus is because the people involved in creating the audit tool were world-renowned when it came to animal welfare.

We wanted to be scrutinized by the best,” explains Dr. Good.

The Validus on-farm animal welfare audit begins with a review of documentation including standard operating procedures, check-lists and employee training that focuses on animal care.

The audit goes beyond just written principles and includes discussions with employees.

Validus’ auditors observe animal handling, environment and facilities. Animal observation

Validus provides third-party audits and certifications in the agriculture and food production industries. They review on-farm practices in regard to animal welfare, environment, biosecurity, safety and employee practices.

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“Our mission at Validus has been to provide on-farm assessments and audits ensuring that production practices meet or exceed brand expectations in the marketplace – which dovetails nicely with the service base and philosophy of Where Food Comes From,” said Earl Dotson, former CEO of Validus. “By combining our resources, we believe we can deliver an enhanced set of services that add greater value to our customers and further our goal of bringing true transparency to the food industry that consumers are demanding.”

occurs over a day and a half. Auditors observe every animal at Select Sires’ facilities and analyze parameters like Body Condition Score (BCS), locomotion scores and overall hygiene.

Protecting your investment u Facilities: Facilities play a vital role in the wellbeing and productivity of cattle. With more than 50 years in business, Select Sires’ bull facilities range in style and construction. To accommodate the bulls of today, Select Sires has retrofitted facilities to better handle animals and has also discontinued facilities that fail to meet modern-day requirements in animal and human safety. New facilities are purposefully built with industry research in mind and include amenities like temperature-controlled curtains and fans as well as rubber mats for good traction and foot placement.

u Bull Care: Highly-trained and skilled livestock technicians monitor daily feed intake of individual animals and ensure that free-choice fresh water is available. They change bedding daily and ensure that comfort level is as high as possible.

THRIVING PRODUCTION PERFORMERS

The Validus certification is a testament to the quality of care from the heart of Select Sires' livestock team. With standards and initiatives like these, it is no wonder Select Sires semen production is second to none.

Today, Select Sires is home to 13 active sires who have sold more than 500,000 units of semen. At 15-years-old, customer-favorite 7HO8081 PLANET continues to produce semen at Select Sires' facilities. All standouts in their own right, these bulls continue to make an impact on the Holstein breed.

7HO11419 HEADLINER

502,494 7HO12198 KINGBOY

510,207 7HO9264 DEMPSEY

559,943

250HO1002 EPIC

562,995

7HO11525 DONATELLO

567,728

7HO10506 G W ATWOOD

571,879

7HO12111 DRAGONHEART

582,176

7HO11169 PETRONE

602,200 7HO11621 MAYFLOWER

602,476

7HO12165 MONTROSS

757,099

7HO11351 SUPERSIRE

976,324 7HO11314 MOGUL

1,177,092

7HO8081 PLANET

1,473,449 *photos provided by Herdmark Media

*represents sales data through August 31, 2018

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THE FRAZZLED INFLUENCE At +2,426 Milk, +$969 Net Merit (NM$), +$1,205 Dairy Wellness Profit Index® (DWP$®) and +$151 Wellness Trait Index® (WT$®), 7HO12788 Melarry Josuper FRAZZLED-ET is the premier sire for the modern dairyman, checking all of the boxes for high-producing, efficient, trouble-free cows. His genetic strength continues with high fertility with a +1.3 Sire Conception Rate (SCR) and Elite Sexed Fertility™ status.

Photo by Erbsen

Melarry Shotglass Frazzle (VG-85), dam of FRAZZLED 3-7 365d 34,580M 4.0% 1,392F 3.1% 1,086P

Melarry Damaris Whilma-ET (VG-85), dam of WHINO 2-3 365d 33,200M 3.7% 1,233F 3.2% 1,077P

NAAB Name 507HO14194 MOOLA

TAHITI leads with huge milk volume at +2,117 Milk and +178 combined Fat and Protein (CFP).

While each offer superb functional type designed for modern production environments, HUEY will impress at +2888 GTPI®, +1.88 PTAT and +2.00 UDC. From the Accelerated Genetics lineup Also +1,000 NM$, from the Accelerated Genetics lineup is FRAZZLED son 614HO14085 SOLUTION from Fustead Rubicon Lavon-ET (VG-85). He is another big-time milk bull with favorable Type (+2.07), wellness and fitness.

At +2.66 UDC, 14HO14129 BASIC showcases himself as an extreme mammary improver and is expected to sire cows with an increased resistance to mastitis.

From a Very Good 7HO13093 DAMARIS dam, 14HO14193 WHINO will sire healthy cows to improve your bottom line. At +1,251 DWP$, he is the No. 1 sire in the breed.

Contact your Select Sires representative for the FRAZZLED influence today! u

FRAZZLED SONS DOMINATING LINEUPS

Sire Stack

NM$

DWP$ PTAM

CFP PTAT UDC

FRAZZLED x Josuper x DONATELLO

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WT$ CW$ MAST PL CE%

1,025

1,275

1,829

162

1.00 1.38 -0.26

185

56

3.3

8.1

7.9

614HO14085 SOLUTION FRAZZLED x Rubicon x Oak

1,024

1,283

2,130

179

2.07 1.92

0.94

171

60

2.3

6.4

8.2

507HO14229 TAHITI

FRAZZLED x Delta x SUPERSIRE

1,004

1,070

2,117

178

1.85 1.85

0.71

-14

44

1.3

6.0

6.9

507HO14125 HUEY

FRAZZLED x Silver x Liquid Gold

1,002

1,162

1,603

168

1.88 2.00

1.50

137

10

2.1

7.1

7.5

7HO14333 FUTURE

FRAZZLED x Balisto x MOGUL

990

1,202

2,080

175

1.49 1.38

0.49

132

46

2.4

6.7

7.6

7HO14264 SPEEDY

FRAZZLED x MARTY x MONTROSS

970

1,206

2,501

172

1.26 1.31

0.66

156

28

1.4

7.3

6.9

FRAZZLED x Spring x HEADLINER

945

1,124

1,887

147

2.40 2.66

1.20

138

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2.7

7.6

7.6

FRAZZLED x Delta x Saleen

936

1,111

1,685

138

1.57 1.57

0.40

136

32

2.9

7.6

6.0

7HO14455 FREEDOM FRAZZLED x PROFIT x Jacey

935

1,220

2,145

149

1.16 1.96

0.69

227

23

3.1

7.5

7.2

7HO14307 NEWSTAR FRAZZLED x Missouri x Numero Uno

935

1,247

2,144

148

1.51 1.61

0.92

237

43

2.4

7.6

7.3

FRAZZLED x DAMARIS x Shan

920

1,251

1,604

126

1.35 1.70 -0.38

265

53

2.5

8.9

7.2

FRAZZLED x MONTROSS x Jackman

905

1,090

2,400

171

1.84 1.90

87

43

1.6

5.2

8.2

14HO14129 BASIC 7HO14293 DUPRE

14HO14193 WHINO

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Bred by Melarry Farms in Rice, Minn., FRAZZLED is a Josuper son from Melarry Shotglass Frazzle (VG-85). This impressive young sire and his progeny are set to make a noticeably positive impact on the Holstein breed.

Perhaps the most exciting quality in FRAZZLED is his ability to transmit his elite genetic strengths to offspring. As a sire father at Select Sires, he is consistently siring sons with genetic qualities as good as or better than himself.

With twelve active sons available in A.I., FRAZZLED’s sons are exceptional choices for today’s dairy producers.

NM$ Leaders 507HO14194 MOOLA, 507HO14229 TAHITI and 507HO14125 HUEY are standout sires at more than +1,000 NM$; each are remarkably well-rounded yet excel in specific areas.

Of the three, MOOLA stands out as the fitness leader at +8.1 Productive Life (PL), +4.5 Livability and more than +2.0 for Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR), Heifer Conception Rate (HCR) and Cow Conception Rate (CCR).

7HO14127 LOUIE

1.26

®

As the mercury rises this summer, looking at all available fertility values of individual sires can help improve pregnancy rates.

And we know you demand more than just a pregnancy! Through evaluation of the Composite Fertility Index™ (CFI™) and Sire Conception Rate (SCR), along with intense semen quality

evaluations the Superior Settler sires are determined. The group listed here contains sires who are all over +2000GTPI, +1,300M and +2.5SCR. Turn to these elite Select sires for fertility without

compromise when you need to produce quality pregnancies. Talk to your Select Sires representative or visit www.selectsires.com to see the complete list of 21 daughter-proven sires that carry the Superior Settler designation.

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REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY

by Dr. Matthew D. Utt, director of data innovation What happens when things start to get tight financially? Most of us would make a list of expenditures and prioritize what to cut back on or cut completely out.

1. Luxuries – cable or satellite TV, eating out, mobile device expenditures 2. Secondary needs – health care expenses, retirement contributions, savings 3. Primary needs – transportation, food and shelter

Profit gained (US$/cow per year)

Even with primary needs, there are likely some opportunities for cost savings. Perhaps you avoid servicing vehicles and put off roof repairs on the house for several years. Which expenses should you cut? The important question to ask is what unforeseen financial liabilities will these decisions have on your life both short- and long-term? When it comes to reproductive management of dairy cattle, the same approach applies.

It is important to understand that certain cost reduction decisions could create more financial liabilities.

The purpose of reproductive management is to achieve an economically-optimum time of conception for an animal.

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Reproductive efficiency is how well that goal is achieved and is commonly measured as pregnancy rate (per 21-day period).

Pregnancy rate is controlled by: u Voluntary waiting period – days post-fresh that an animal is eligible for insemination u Submission rate – the likelihood that the animal will be inseminated when eligible u Conception rate - the likelihood that an animal will conceive when inseminated Costs directly related to reproductive management are considerably less than feed and labor costs, the greatest expenditures of a dairy. Estimating the economics of reproductive efficiency is complex and varies based on cost and revenue inputs

21-day pregnancy rate (%)

unique to each dairy. In general, costs associated with reproductive efficiency can be divided into direct and indirect costs.

Direct costs such as pharmaceuticals, technician service, semen cost, pregnancy diagnoses and so on add up each time an animal fails to conceive and is submitted for another service; therefore, improved conception rates directly reduce these costs.

Indirect costs, the financial liabilities of pregnancy not occurring in a timely manner, are typically greater and less straightforward than direct costs or liabilities. Most people are familiar with the cost of extra days open and the liability thereof ranging from -$2 to -$5 per head per day depending on the source

and data inputs. This metric is influenced primarily by indirect costs associated with milk production, milk price, feed costs, sale of animals, and especially by culling and replacement actions and needs.

Overton and Cabrera (2017) provide a comprehensive look at the economics of reproductive efficiency. In general, profitability per cow increases as pregnancy rate increases (Figure 1).

Consider that management decisions to reduce cost may affect reproductive efficiency and consequently decrease profitability. The pointers on the next page, based on some examples reported from the field, speak to some opportunities or liabilities when making management decisions to reduce costs.

Figure 1. Relationship between profitability and pregnancy rate (adapted from Cabrera, 2014)

TAKE-AWAY MESSAGE

y = -0.19x2 + 16.8x - 143

The goal is not to cut costs, but instead to become more efficient!

References Cabrera, V. E. 2014. Economics of fertility in high-yielding dairy cows on confined TMR systems. Animal 8(Suppl.1):2 11-221.

Dechow, C.D. 2016. How much can we pay for high-end bulls? Hoard’s Dairyman. Feb. 25: 130.

21-day pregnancy rate (%)

4 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN KEEPING COSTS LEAN RATION

Be careful playing around with the ration.

Feed is the greatest expense of a dairy. The Total Mixed Ration (TMR) should be formulated to meet all macro- and micronutrient requirements of an animal based on their maintenance requirements and production needs. Deletion or substitution of ration ingredients may result in decreased conception rates. During low milk prices ten years ago, one of our customers completely removed the mineral premix from his TMR. Conception rate was reduced by 50 percent as a result. More recently, conception rate crashed when a customer substituted one feedstuff for an inexpensive and unusual feedstuff. Cutting corners with nutrition may lead to a reduction in reproductive efficiency by reducing conception rate and potentially submission rate.

Don’t neglect your heifers.

Most dairymen have plenty of heifers standing around, eating and waiting to become pregnant without generating any income until either entering the lactating herd or by sale. When times are tight, one might be tempted to divert resources away from heifers. Nutritional neglect might occur by, but not limited to, underfeeding, cutting or substituting feedstuffs as described above, feeding refusals from the lactating herd, all of which could result in reduced conception rates and/ or delayed reproductive maturity. Neglect might also occur in the timeliness that heifers are moved into the A.I. pen or other reasons for delay of insemination. Optimize pregnancy rate to hit a target of 23-24 months of age at first calving.

GENETICS

HEIFER CARE

Don’t be penny-wise but pound-foolish when it comes to purchasing semen.

A straw of semen is relatively inexpensive compared to other costs on the dairy. Differences in semen cost among bulls are likely surpassed by the difference in value of genetics and fertility.

Purchasing semen from a reputable A.I. organization in addition to realistic use of sire fertility data can stack the odds of conception in your favor and increase reproductive efficiency. Remember, reducing the number of services per conception reduces the number of straws purchased. Value of the pregnancy is another important aspect to consider. Remember, the genetic investments made today will be your herd replacements in three years. Are the extra dollars spent on semen today worth it? In general, the value of semen increases as sire genetic merit (NM$) and fertility (herd + sire) increase (Dechow, 2016).

Make data-driven decisions and ask for help.

There are many calculators available from academic and industry sources to estimate the costs associated with reproductive efficiency and the profitability thereof. Do not use the “standard” approximations for costs and revenue. Use your own data. Calculators can range from simple to quite complex and knowing what and where to find the appropriate input data might appear daunting.

Keep in mind that you do not have to do this alone! Hopefully, you are surrounded by a group of trusted advisors who can provide recommendations about ration changes, animal health and more.

For genetics and reproductive management, turn to a Select Sires Reproductive Specialist® (SRS®) for guidance.

DATA

MAXIMIZE PREMIUMS ON VALUE-ADDED CALVES In the Summer 2018 edition of Selections, we launched information on Select Sires' ProfitMAX™ program. You can refer to the box on the right for a refresher on this exciting and innovative program.

Through this program, many dairies are working with genetic and reproductive consultants to analyze herd records and identify females of the lowest genetic value. Semen from elite sires in conventional semen, sex-sorted semen and beef semen are all strategies outlined in ProfitMAX to increase profit potential. Here, we dive into crossbreeding and details on ProfitMAX's beef sire selection process.

Beef crossbreeding has long been identified as a way to improve a dairy herd's bottom line and is a critical opportunity for added profits.

Select Sires has designated a lineup of sires specifically for the ProfitMAX program. By hand-picking sires for these lineups, customer-owners can expect the best return on their investment. Additionally, these sires are strategically selected to protect the integrity of the end-product market.

Specifically selected for crossbreeding on Holsteins and Jerseys, Select Sires' ProfitMAX beef sire lineup excels in calving ease, growth performance and carcass merit. Most importantly, these sires offer elite fertility to maximize the reproductive performance in your herd.

1. A ProfitMAX sire’s semen has been produced by Select Sires and has met the rigorous health and quality standards we demand for our customers.

Subsequent field testing will earn a sire a Fertility Verified designation, which combines semen quality evaluations with conception data.

2. A ProfitMAX Sire ranks in the top ½ of his respective breed for both Calving Ease and for Terminal Index.

Using above-average Calving Ease bulls helps to reduce dystocia, results in more live calves and ultimately improves future reproductive performance for both cows and heifers.

The Terminal Index combines traits for growth, gain and end-product merit into one index. Using above-average sires for Terminal Index means your resulting calves will perform well on feed and earn premiums at harvest.

7AN341 G A R INGENUITY

REFRESHER COURSE: WHAT IS ProfitMAX? ProfitMAX helps customers better achieve long-term profitability from future herd replacements and improve short-term cash flow by increasing the value of extra calves to be sold to the beef market.

The goal of this program is to increase your herd's profitability: u Identify areas to increase profit u Determine proper herd inventories u Increase profits from lower-value genetics u Create elite replacements from your best genetics u Improve short-term cash flow Through a comprehensive reproductive and genetic audit utilizing your dairy operation’s herd management records, you will gain a better understanding of the current cow and heifer benchmarks for reproductive efficiency as well as the genetic value of each individual animal in your herd inventory. The assessment will also provide a better understanding of the performance impact from previous genetic inputs and provide a basis to examine future operation goals.

Based on each individual dairy operation’s future goals for the milking herd inventory, Select Sires’ reproductive and genetic specialists will provide an audit of current cow and heifer inventory levels using the Optimal Genetic Pathways calculator. This audit will provide projections for the number of replacement heifers needed to meet future herd size goals.

For more information, visit www.selectsires.com, click on Programs and then select the ProfitMAX icon.

Breed-specific traits and indexes u Angus - Beef Value ($B): an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for post weaning and carcass value compared to progeny of other sires.

Continue reading about ProfitMAX sire selection on page 14.

7AN363 MCR HORIZON 081

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IT'S YOUR COOPERATIVE; REAP THE BENEFITS How do you know Select Sires? Many dairy and beef producers identify Select Sires as a semen supplier–simple fact.

Some associate Select Sires with a service professional or consultant. We pride ourselves on our genetic strength and highly skilled professional service team, but at our core, we are a cooperative.

Select Sires works for you, our customer-owners. We know that operating efficiency and genetic value become increasingly important in challenging times. Let Select Sires provide you guidance in your management decisions and resources to secure your bottom line.

As a cooperative, Select Sires is unique in structure, leadership and principles. Check out our top seven reasons to choose stud code 7 and get to know Select Sires as a cooperative, as your cooperative.

1. COOPERATIVE STRUCTURE

By definition, a cooperative is a collaborative group united to meet a common goal. The workings of a cooperative are founded on common goals and passions, just like Select Sires Inc. and your local membercooperative.

As a cooperative, Select Sires operates as a democracy, lead by a 23-member board of directors who are nominated and selected by customer-owners. These directors and delagates are farmers and ranchers with real-life experience and an understanding of the genetic and reproductive service needs of today's dairy and beef producers.

2. PATRONAGE

As a customer of Select Sires, you are an owner of the company and the company’s profits are returned to you as patronage. No other company structure or privately-owned business in the A.I. industry returns profits to farmers.

3. GENETICS

Farmer-owned and farmer-controlled, Select Sires’ initiatives are governed by customer-owners, including genetic selection. The direction of the sire program and sire selection is guided by dairy and beef producers through input from Select Sires’ board of directors and sire committees.

Whether it be outcross options, high-fertility, wellness leaders or elite production sires, Select Sires develops and procures breed-leading genetics to meet the specific need of our customer-owners.

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COOP MONTH OCTOBER 2018

u In 1964, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Orville Freeman, dubbed October as National Co-op Month. The principles and ideals of which cooperatives were founded on are very similar today. u With a democratic operating structure lead by dairy and beef producers, farmer success is truly at the heart of Select Sires.

SELECT SIRES HISTORY & PROMISE

More than 50 years ago, four farmer-owned cooperatives joined forces in pursuit of elite genetics. Today, Select Sires Inc. is a federation of nine farmer-owned and farmer-controlled cooperatives providing breed-leading genetics and superior programs.

Amid Select Sires’ growth in the United States and abroad, our commitment to you, the customer-owners remains. Select Sires works to protect your assets by focusing on efficiency while delivering the products and services that you count on for the success or your business. At Select Sires, your success is not only our passion, but as a federated cooperative, it is our purpose. Every product, program and service is designed to increase the performance and profitability potential of customer-owner herds.

4. FERTILITY

Select Sires’ semen quality control program is based on parameters of semen quality that are scientifically proven to have the highest correlations with field fertility. Only the highest quality, most fertile semen is retained for inventory.

Time after time, Select Sires offers more sires that are above breed average for fertility than compared to any stud in the industry. Sire Conception Rate (SCR), which is the USDA index for service sire fertility, has a high correlation with the Composite Fertility Index™ (CFI™) developed by Select Sires. Select’s CFI was the first national sire fertility index; this combined with SCR data only validates our approach to estimating sire fertility.

5. SELECT MATING SERVICE® (SMS®)

Offered at no additional charge, Select Mating Service provides customer-owners inbreeding and genetic management. Developing a herd of cows with the type and production you demand—that's the goal of the world’s most trusted mating program.

Professional SMS consultants use research, computerized analysis and cow knowledge to build better herds throughout the world, one mating at a time. These consultants manage the mass amount of sire information and the constant updates from genetic research. They are your genetic advisors on everything from genomics to the latest index changes.

Dairy producers report that the SMS program saves time in daily herd management, keeping your breeding program and genetic progress moving forward 365 days a year. SMS matings result in more consistency in the type traits that correlate to longer-lived cows and the traits that have economic importance for your herd.

6. SELECT REPRODUCTIVE SOLUTIONS® (SRS®)

Select Sires offers a portfolio of reproductive services, products, programs and consultation that can be used to help troubleshoot reproductive issues in your herd. You can trust Select's highly trained reproductive specialists to help you design a customized reproductive program that's right for your needs.

The first step to implementing the SRS program is to provide a backup of your dairy management software files. Your SRS specialist will enter this information into Select RePRO Analysis™ to be analyzed. If you are in need of a technician, one of our member cooperatives may be able to provide a professionally trained technician.

From here, your SRS specialist will sit down with you and discuss the reproductive goals for your herd and how that compares to the actual values from your farm information. They will identify the strengths and opportunities for your herd and troubleshoot any issues and explain why you may be experiencing them. They will work with a team of Select Sires professionals to ensure your reproductive program is working at peak performance.

7. INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH

Throughout the years, Select Sires has provided you with cutting-edge technologies and innovations like gender SELECTed semen, programs like StrataGEN™ for inbreeding management and fertility research through the Program for Fertility Advancement™ (PFA™).

As a cooperative, and by guidance from our board of directors, Select Sires continues to invest in industry research regarding reproduction, semen quality, bull health and much more. In recent months, Select Sires was the first organization to identify high fertility sex-sorted 2M and 4M semen with the launch of the Elite Sexed Fertility™ designation.

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MAXIMIZING PREMIUMS Continued from page 11.

7SM84 LMF MADISON B752 u Simmental - Terminal Index (TI): evaluates sires for use on mature Angus cows with all offspring put on feed and sold grade and yield.

7CH95 FTJ CASCADE 1508 u Charolais - Terminal Sire Index (TSI): represents a dollar index per terminal progeny produced from a bull in the Charolais database, ranking them for profit potential.

Select Sires continues to innovate the use of data to benefit customer-owners as the first organization to identify our highest performing sires for sex-sorted semen in both 2M and 4M products. The addition of the Elite Sexed Fertility designation provides a useful tool to help you maximize success with gender SELECTed™ SexedULTRA™ semen.

Visit www.selectsires.com to access a full listing of Holstein and Jersey sires that qualify for Elite Sexed Fertility status. gender SELECTed and Elite Sexed Fertility Composite Fertility are trademarks of Select Sires Inc., SexedULTRA is a trademark of Inguran LLC. Product of the USA. Limitations and Conditions of Sale: gender SELECTed semen shall be used only for the single insemination of one female bovine during natural ovulation with the intent to produce single offspring unless specifically approved on an individual customer basis by Sexing Technologies in writing. As a condition of purchasing gender SELECTed semen, the purchaser agrees that gender SELECTed semen will not be reverse sorted or re-sorted unless specifically permitted, in advance, on a case-by-case basis by Select Sires in writing. Select Sires intends to monitor the use of the gender SELECTed semen and vigorously enforce these restrictions on use. Please see http://www.selectsires.com/designations/genderselected.html for additional details. ™

14 u

7LM16 WULFS ARGUS 6047A u Limousin - Mainstream Terminal Index ($MTI): measures differences in expected profit per carcass produced on a mainstream grid (yield grade 1 or 2, Select to low-Choice quality grade, and no over- or under-weights or dark cutters).

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Minster, Ohio 45865 Permit No. 2

YOUR SUCCESS Our Passion.

SELECTIONS MISSION

11740 US 42 NORTH • PLAIN CITY • OHIO • 43064-0143

To enhance the productivity and profitability of dairy and beef producers, Select Sires is committed to be the premier provider of highly fertile, superior genetics accompanied by effective reproductive- and herdmanagement products and services.

For more information, visit www.selectsires.com or call (614) 873-4683.

Product of the USA.

TM Super Sampler, gender SELECTed, Aggressive Reproductive Technologies, ART, WellnessPRO, Elite Sexed Fertility, Fertility PRO, ProfitMAX, CalvingPRO, Program for Fertility Advancement, PFA, and Superior Settler are trademarks of Select Sires Inc. Dairy Wellness Profit Index and DWP$ are trademarks of Zoetis Inc., its affiliates and/or its licensors. JPI and Jersey Udder Index (JUI) are trademarks of the American Jersey Cattle Association. ®Select Mating Service, SMS, and Select Reproductive Solutions, SRS StrataGEN® are registered trademarks of Select Sires Inc. CowManager is a registered trademark of Agis Automatisering. CLARIFIDE is a registered trademark of Zoetis Inc., its affiliates and/or its licensors. Total Performance Index (TPI) is a registered trademark of Holstein Association USA. Limitations and Conditions of Sale: gender SELECTed semen shall be used only for the single insemination of one female bovine during natural ovulation with the intent to produce single offspring unless specifically approved on an individual customer basis by Sexing Technologies in writing. As a condition of purchasing gender SELECTed semen, the purchaser agrees that gender SELECTed semen will not be reverse sorted or re-sorted unless specifically permitted, in advance, on a case-by-case basis by Select Sires in writing. Select Sires intends to monitor the use of the gender SELECTed semen and vigorously enforce these restrictions on use. Please see http://www.selectsires.com/ designations/genderselected.html for additional details.

Boost your bulk tank values by selecting elite Cheese Merit sires. With five sires over +600 CM$, Select Sires is your source for component builders!

CodeNo.

Sire

7JE5069

CHEDDAR

7JE1606

JX SHOCK {5}

7JE1604

JX MALDINI {4}

7JE1634

JX DONCIC {4}

7JE1528

DISCO

CM$

+660 CM$ +649 CM$ +618 CM$ +601 CM$ +601CM$

Call your Select Sires representative today to boost your components tomorrow!

Shan-Mar Hilario Charley-ET (VG-87%) dam of CHEDDAR 1-11 3X 305d 21,690M 5.1% 1,106F 3.4% 744P photo by Fisher 08/18 CDCB Genomic Evaluation; All bulls listed are JH1F JH2F, BBR 100 and semen is eligible for export to Canada.