FALL 2019
Fall 2019
BEEF PROGENY TOUR On Thursday, October 4th, Minnesota/ Select Sires Co-op, Inc. hosted its first Beef Progeny Tour. The first stop was at the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center. This is a Red Angus based cow herd that North Dakota State University uses with various research projects. They are also a test herd for our young sire program, which means that they sample our newest Red Angus bulls,
along with a proven bull or two, so that we can get data back on birth weights, weaning weights, yearling weights, and individual carcass data. Here we saw about 80 A.I. sired calves by 7AR73 CINCH, 7AR79 LIBERTY, 7AR75 PACESETTER, 7AR81 X PORTER, and 7AR78 TESLA. continued on page 2
AFTER 28 YEARS OF SERVICE,
DENNIS KUEHNE TO RETIRE
By Andrew B A d Swanson S Beef Business Manager (507) 829-4133 aswanson@mnss.coop
After 28 years of service, Dennis Kuehne is retiring from his Account Manager position at Minnesota/Select Sires Co-op, Inc. Growing up in Long Prairie, MN, Dennis began breeding cows at a young age of 14 years old. He attended the University of Minnesota Crookston and later, North Dakota State University for a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. Following graduation, he decided to dairy farm with his wife in Clarissa, MN. After years of farming, he was offered a job at Minnesota/Select Sires Co-op, Inc. as an Account Manager in North Dakota, and he has been there ever since.
When asked what he enjoyed most about his career, he answered that it’s the people. “I enjoyed working with people to improve their genetics whether it was dairy or beef. It is fun to see their continual progression throughout the years. I also enjoyed seeing the next generation come onto the farm. With some of my customers I have even seen the third generation start to become involved in the operation.” Dennis states that he will miss his job because of his customers that became friends and because he has gotten to know their families and built a relationship with them over the years.
Through Dennis’ commitment in serving his local cooperative, he has seen many changes in the industry over the past 28 years. “In the beef industry, the largest change is in cow handling,” says Dennis. “We used to crawl over gates and crawl back out to breed animals, but now most people have hydraulic chutes or good sorting systems and alley ways. It’s much easier to breed 200 head now than it was to breed 20 head years ago.”
Dennis is excited to spend time with his children and grandchildren in retirement. He is also hoping to do some golfing, fishing and reading.
Many know Dennis from the numerous A.I. schools he taught, along with Dave Dockter. Ending his career with over 100 A.I. schools, he recalls all the students that walked through the doors each spring and fall. “Many of the students I taught were children of my customers, and a few years later I would see the next generation interested in A.I.,” Dennis comments.
Gordy Keranen will be taking over sales responsibilites in North Dakota. He can be reached at 218-841-0996 or gkeranen@mnss.coop. More information will follow.