Summer 2014 Selections

SUMMER 2014 FeedPRO—For the Best and Worst of Times

3

A Long-Term Partnership Leads to Results at Autumn-Vista Dairy

6

OCD Planet Danica—One of PLANET's Best

8

Selections YOUR SUCCESS Our Passion.

Select Sires recently purchased GenerVations Inc., which is well known for their sires including 250HO1002 Genervations EPIC-ET, pictured here. Learn more about GenerVations on page 5. Jones photo.

Surrounding You With Solutions

I

n this issue of Selections you will find articles on a wide variety of Select Sires programs and services. We offer these to save you time, solve problems and help you be more profitable. At Select Sires it is all about helping you succeed and we provide you with the tools that can help you do just that.

Proud to be Farmer-Owned and Farmer-Driven!

by David C. Thorbahn, president and C.E.O. In our 49th year of service as a federation, Select Sires continues to differentiate itself with exemplary customer service delivered by more than 1,000 dedicated employees in the U.S. “Your Success Our Passion” is our promise!

Based on the most recent data available from National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB), Select Sires is the nation’s largest and fastest-growing bovine breeding company. So what is the secret? How does Select Sires continue to set itself apart from the rest? We are proud of who we are, a farmer-owned cooperative!

I continually hear delegates and customer-owners say they are proud that we act like a modern cooperative. As the leading North American A.I. program and one of the largest in the world, it allows us to provide the highest quality product offering available. Whether it’s FeedPRO®, Net Merit, TPISM or another selection criteria, no company can provide a greater selection of industry-leading sires or more pedigree diversity than we can. Select Sires serves our customers with world-leading genetics and research-

based programs tailored for each operation.

Our delegates and board members direct Select’s efforts to develop and offer innovative products and technology. Our elected board and delegates directed us to provide better tools for heat detection, mating programs, inbreeding protection and income over feed costs and we developed Select Detect™, StrataGEN®, FeedPRO, began marketing Heatime® and made other improvements to existing programs in response to their directive. Delegates

We are proud to be farmer-directed. The development of many Select Sires products and services can be directly traced back to this group, our board of directors. asked for all these things, and Select Sires delivered. If you wonder, “Why?,” our bosses who represent you demanded it!

What is Select Sires’ secret to being the leader? We listen to our customers and are proud of that.

However, the part that I am most proud of is that while continuing to offer the strongest lineup of sires, extensive service and investing in new technology, Select Sires is a modern cooperative that returns

dividends to you, it’s owners, averaging over 5 million dollars per year during the last 10 years. How many of our competitors can say that, especially during those difficult times from 2009 through 2013? On behalf of the entire Select Sires organization, thank you for making us your supplier and the industry leader. If you want to become an owner of the largest and fastest growing cooperative in America, call your Select Sires member sales representative!

Top-50 TPISM sires, YANCE and MCNUGGETS, offer outcross genetics and greater income over feed cost for your PLANET bloodlines.

Contact your sales representative to order them today!

7HO9925 Coyne-Farms Shotle YANCE-ET (EX-91-GM) Shottle x (VG-86-GMD-DOM) Manfred +1,936M +136CFP +582NM$ 6.7%CE +2.10UDC +2154GTPI 7HO10297 Foxberry Bax MCNUGGETS-ET (GM) Baxter x (EX-92-2E-EX-MS-GMD-DOM) Outside +1,162M +76F +.13%F +661NM$ +2.03FLC 2.53SCS +6.0PL +2117GTPI Photos: Mountfield Ync Michigan-ET (VG-85), Walt, Brent and Jason Wessel, Greeley, Iowa and Van-Fel-JM FM Teal 894 (VG-86), Joe Vanderfeltz, Lawton, Pa. SMTotal Performance Index and TPI are servicemarks of Holstein Association USA. ®FeedPRO is a registered trademark of Select Sires Inc.

04/14 USDA/CDCB Genomic Evaluation. %Rel.: YANCE Yield 94, NM$ 89, Type 92, PL 84; MCNUGGETS Yield 97, NM$ 91, Type 94, SCS 94, PL 85.

FeedPRO—For the Best and Worst of Times

by Chuck Sattler, vice president and manager of genetic programs The FeedPRO® designation is an easy way to select sires whose daughters are superior for generating more income over feed costs. Its focus is to identify bulls that improve production, moderate body size and maintain important fitness traits.

One of the many challenges of the dairy business is dealing with rapid and dramatic swings in milk and feed prices. FeedPRO was developed during a time when feed prices were high and milk prices were low - a fair bit different than the current dairy economy. However, genetic improvement is a longterm process and it’s important to use a sire selection program that works well in all situations.

The Net Merit (NM$) index developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and provided by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) is a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to sire selection. It is recommended by many across the industry. Because of this, it serves as a useful reference point for demonstrating the value of the FeedPRO program.

FeedPRO’s focus is improving income over feed costs and because of this, it puts a heavy emphasis on the production traits.

In the comparison presented in the table, FeedPRO sires will have daughters that produce 146 pounds more milk, two pounds more fat and two pounds more protein each lactation than the top-30 NM$ sires. At today’s milk

prices, this additional production has a value of about $15 per cow per year.

The other key feature of FeedPRO is moderation of body size. The table shows that FeedPRO does a better job at slowing growth in body size than NM$ does. Each 100 pounds of body weight requires $0.13 per day of feed to maintain, assuming a feed cost of $0.10 per pound of dry matter. Sires in the FeedPRO lineup transmit less body size than the NM$ bulls but the difference is small. The Body Size Composite difference between the two groups translates to a difference of about two pounds.

Right now the extra production from the FeedPRO bulls appears very valuable. If prices change and margins get tighter, then the value of more production becomes a little less significant and the value of savings from smaller body size becomes greater. Either way, FeedPRO sires deliver an advantage by transmitting both higher production and slightly less body size. Investing in FeedPRO sires is well worth it, no matter the economic conditions.

Comparing FeedPRO and Net Merit Index

PTA Milk

PTA Fat

PTA Protein

PTA DPR

PTA PL

PTA Stature

Body Size Composite

Udder Composite

Top 30 FeedPRO sires in Select's lineup Top 30 NM$ sires in Select's lineup

+1,468 +1,324

+62 +60

+48 +46

-0.2 +0.2

+4.3 +4.7

+0.72 +0.84

+0.69 +0.77

+1.72 +1.76

3

A New Chapter at Select Sires: GenerVations Recently, Select Sires Inc. reached an agreement to purchase GenerVations and their bull housing and production facility, Sire Lodge Inc. This procurement will expand Select Sires' genetic offering by adding a world-class product line as well as growing our international semen production and processing facilities. Additionally, Select Sires Canada and GenerVations Inc. staff merged to form an outstanding staff to serve customers across all of Canada.

GenerVations is a successful A.I. organization with a storied history. By investing in cow families and timetested genetics, GenerVations has been able to prove elite sires like 250HO803 Calbrett-I H H CHAMPION (GM), a millionaire sire, and three brothers who earned “Class Extra” status in Canada: 250HO914 Gillette WINDHAMMER, 250HO903 Gillette WILDTHING and 250HO902 Gillete WILLROCK. They invested heavily in genomics from the start and their current lineup includes sires with household names like 250HO1002 GenerVations EPIC-ET, 250HO1010 GenerVations LEXOR, 250HO1049 GenerVations LIQUID GOLD and 250HO1127 Stantons MAIN EVENT. Proven sires, 250HO928 Freurehaven NIAGARA and 250HO954 Fleury Gen LE PLAN will join 7HO9264 Lirr Drew DEMPSEY (VG-86) and 7HO10506 Maple-Downs-I G W ATWOOD-ET (EX90) as 11 of the industry-leading top40 LPI proven sires in the new Select

Sires GenerVations Inc. lineup.

“We are very excited about the growth opportunities for the GenerVations product lines through Select Sires’ large distribution networks in both North America and internationally,” says Dave Eastman, CEO of GenerVations. “Both organizations share a very similar sire selection philosophy which was a key factor in the decision to move forward.”

This will not only grow Select Sires' product offering, it will provide a larger number of genetically diverse and elite sires for Select's customer-owners and customers around the world.

Sire Lodge Inc. Along with the elite genetic offering of GenerVations, Select Sires acquired Sire Lodge Inc., a bull housing and production facility in southern Alberta.

With over 100 individual box stalls, Sire Lodge will grow Select Sires’ production capacity by 20 percent.

“This international facility will help us provide semen to our worldwide customers in case of a distribution disruption,” explains Dr. Don Monke, vice president of production operations at Select Sires. “Additionally, the climate in southern Alberta is cooler and drier than central Ohio which should be favorable to good semen production.”

Select Sires GenerVations Inc. Select Sires GenerVations will market semen across all of Canada including western Canada, which was formerly served by All West/Select Sires.

Previous employees of GenerVations, Select Sires Canada and All West/ Select Sires in Canada will form an elite staff of service specialists and sales representatives to serve Canadian dairy and beef producers.

GenerVations will continue to develop and market sires with the 250 stud code with emphasis on sires that excel on the Canadian evaluation system for LPI, Conformation and other traits. Over 40 young Holsteins and a handful of Jersey sires will be progeny tested per year by this new organization.

GenerVations genetics will be available in the United States from your Select Sires sales representative and around the world through GenerVations distributors as well as World Wide Sires.

1990

Albert Cormier and his A.I. company, Modern Sires, partners with OGER, a French A.I. company, to simultaneously prove young sires in Canada and France.

1998

Cormier decides to split his semen sales and export companies and offers shares to two of his employees. He also discontinues the Modern Sires sampling program.

1999

In January, GenerVations Inc. is formed with Dave Eastman joining Cormier as a partner.

Eastman was hired by Cormdale Genetics in 1993 as an A.I. sales representative.

2002

250HO803 Calbrett-I H H CHAMPION (GM) is the No. 1 LPI sire in Canada in November. In 2007, CHAMPION would become a millionaire sire.

2004

Eastman becomes the sole owner of GenerVations Inc. Later that year, GenverVations and Cormdale Genetics purchased Sire Lodge Inc. in southern Alberta. It has since been home to GenerVations Inc. sires.

2011

In August, GenerVations sires held the top spot on the GTPI and LPI lists simultaneously: 250HO1002 Genervations EPIC-ET and 250HO1010 Genervations LEXOR, respectively.

2014

Select Sires Inc. acquires GenerVations Inc. and Sire Lodge Inc.

5

A Long-Term Partnership Leads to Results at Autumn Vista Dairy Located in McBain, Mich., Autumn Vista Dairy has been a longtime partner of Select Sires and NorthStar Cooperative. A relationship that began in the 1980s has now blossomed into a team that works together to constantly improve herd genetics and reproduction. Autumn Vista’s management includes Chad and Tonia Gernaat and Lori Van Haitsma. The farm, which started with one cow and 40 acres, now milks 2,000 cows and employs 30 people.

A simple solution In the 1980s, Gerry Gernaat (Chad’s father) was looking for a straightforward solution because he did not have the time to manage a genetics program. He reached out to several A.I. companies and Jim Morgan, retired NorthStar sales representative, was the first to respond with a plan that fit the dairy's needs, which included Select Mating Service™ (SMS™).

“Jim had an astronomical effect on the genetics of the herd,” explains Van Haitsma.

Today, Autumn Vista works with a team of NorthStar Cooperative employees: Julie Ainsworth, SMS genetic consultant and Select Reproductive Solutions™ (SRS™) specialist, Doug Moyer, account team leader, Lynnae Dick, sales

representative and Jill Kobza, DHI technician.

“Julie is the backbone of our genetic program,” says Van Haitsma.

“We want a cow that milks well and is profitable and we leave the rest up to Julie.”

“Autumn Vista uses sires that are high for Net Merit with good feet and legs and udders,” explains Ainsworth.

“Sires that also transmit a balance of strength and dairyness and with enough pedigree diversity to avoid inbreeding are used as well.”

Autumn Vista has been a Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™) cooperator since 1992 and in 2008 became a PGA Elite herd. They enjoy the opportunity to be a part of the sire proving process.

“The price is less for PGA semen which really helped pull us through People are key at Autumn Vista, including the Select Sires and NorthStar personnel that work there on a regular basis. Lynnae Dick looks over records on the computer with Lori Van Haitsma.

6

the hard times of 2009, when milk prices were so bad,” says Van Haitsma. “We could still use good genetics, but not have to pay top price. It’s been a good program for us.”

Because of their participation in PGA, Autumn Vista is home to some of the oldest 7HO10297 Foxberry Bax MCNUGGETS-ET (GM) and 7HO10356 De-Su WATSON (EX-90-GM) daughters, which are especially good cows.

7HO8081 Ensenada Taboo PLANET-ET (EX-90-GM) and 7HO9222 Lincoln-Hill SHOT Laser-ET (EX-91) daughters are also standouts in the herd.

Autumn Vista has taken another step by using genetics as a tool to manage herd size. About one year ago they began genomically testing all heifers to identify the bottom section of the herd. All heifers that make the cut are then raised by Chad’s brother and sister-in-law, Kerry and Lavonne Gernaat, in Texas. The NorthStar team works closely to communicate heifer matings to COBA/Select Sires technicians who perform the breeding in Texas.

“We have figured out that we need approximately 73 heifers a month to keep our herd numbers in line,” explains Van Haitsma. “We sell the lowest portion of the animals, based on their genomic test results. We know some of those animals may be good cattle, but we need to keep our numbers steady so we aren’t feeding David Judah (left) and Dan Zuiderveen take care of the fresh cows and are part of the successful team at Autumn Vista.

more heifers than we need to. Some months we sell 50 heifers, some months we sell 20 depending on the number of heifers we have.”

Expertise and knowledge make a difference “We rely a lot on our consultants, like Select Sires,” says Van Haitsma.

“We don’t have the time to figure out what they are able to figure out. We rely on their expertise and trust their judgment, which saves us time and money.”

Van Haitsma values the problemsolving skills of the Select Sires and NorthStar Cooperative personnel she works with on a regular basis.

“Select Sires has always been there for us,” she says. “Whenever we’ve wanted to try something to benefit the dairy, they were there with the answer.

For example, Julie was instrumental in setting up our timed A.I. program. It has been a huge asset to our farm to have the Select Sires team involved.”

Now that Autumn Vista is no longer in expansion mode, they are focusing on managing what they have.

They credit their relationship with consultants and their employees with where they are today.

“Our team of people is what makes us successful today,” says Van Haitsma. “We have wonderful people. It’s a team effort and they’re all in! They like to do a good job and it shows.”

About Autumn Vista Dairy

Autumn Vista Dairy was started in 1893 by Chad Gernaat’s great-grandfather with one cow and 40 acres of land cleared by hand. Today, the farm is managed by Chad and Tonia Gernaat and Lori Van Haitsma. Chad and Tonia are charged with overall management and financial administration while Lori is primarily in charge of the reproductive program.

About 40 years ago, Autumn Vista added their first parlor, a double-four herringbone, for their 90-cow herd. The herd continued to grow and reached 600 cows in the 1980s, prompting a new double-ten parlor to be built. The existing parlor is a double-30 parallel parlor that was built in 2005. That year, they also built their current freestall barns and combined several satellite farms to reach their current herd size of 2,000 cows.

The farm employs 30 people including Jason Towers, farm manager, and David Judah and his assistant, Dan Zuiderveen, who manage fresh cows and hospital cows. Hands-on reproductive work is handled by Miguel Tinajero and Rob Harrington. Phil Hoekwater is in charge of field work. Providing quality jobs for their employees is one of Autumn Vista’s main goals.

Although all cows are on an A.I. synchronization program, Miguel and Rob watch cows for heats twice a day. All cows are bred to timed-A.I. for first service, but after are bred on standing heats. In 2009, Autumn Vista received a Gold reproduction award from the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council.

Autumn Vista has received many quality awards from Dairy Farmers of America, including a Gold honor this year. The farm supports Friends Ministry’s calf project and the Northern Michigan Christian School.

Mission Statement: Autumn Vista Dairy exists to provide quality milk, meat, animals and superior service while being aware of opportunities in an everchanging and demanding market. We will never knowingly offer for sale an inferior product. Our goal is to provide an above average living for those who partner with us in utilizing the natural resources God has entrusted us with. We will do this in such a way that by our actions there can be no doubt of our concern for the environment and our neighbors. Our prayer is that by all of our actions, our faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be evident and that we will always put His kingdom ahead of our own.

Total Cows: 2,000 Facilities: Double-30 parallel parlor and four-row, sand-bedded freestall barns Acres Farmed: 2,200 acres with 1,100 owned and 1,100 rented acres. Primary crops include corn and alfalfa for corn silage and haylage.

Rolling Herd Average: 29,875M 3.6% 1,076F 3.0% 896P Somatic Cell Count: 87,000 Pregnancy Rate: 33 percent Calving Interval: 13.2 months Service Sires in Use: 7HO9900 ABRAM, 7HO10228 GULF, 7HO10297 MCNUGGETS, 7HO10582 PAUL, 7HO10606 OBSERVER, 7HO10624 TEMPO, 7HO10643 DWAYNE, 7HO10725 HOORAY, 7HO10818 CALIBRATE, 7HO10849 SHAMROCK, 7HO9925 YANCE, 7HO10356 WATSON, 7HO10412 ENID, 7HO10429 MONTNEY, 7HO10702 EXCEL, 7HO10709 HUSKY and 7HO10721 BOOKEM.

“Select Sires has always been there for us. Whenever we’ve wanted to try something to benefit the dairy they were there with the answer. It has been a huge asset to our farm to have the Select Sires team involved.”

Lori Van Haitsma, Autumn Vista Dairy

Rob Harrington, Tyler Gernaat and Lori Van Haitsma (left to right) are just a part of the farm's team.

7

OCD Planet Danica—One of PLANET's Best OCD Planet Danica-ET (EX-93-EX-MS-DOM) is a unique combination of an established, well-known cow family, the Rud Zips, and an elite production sire, 7HO8081 Ensenada Taboo PLANET-ET (EX-90-GM). But, it’s Danica’s performance as a brood cow that has allowed her to make her mark on the breed and at Select Sires.

Danica, the highest classifed PLANET daughter, is a greatgranddaughter of Windsor-Manor Rud Zip (EX-95-4E-GMD-DOM). The Zip family has produced several outstanding cows and bulls and is known for tremendous udders, outstanding longevity and very low somatic cell scores.

Select Sires Sire Analyst, Rick VerBeek, first took notice of Danica as a heifer with an unusual pedigree.

“At the time, being a PLANET from a 7HO7156 Honeycrest ELEGANT-ET (GM) dam, she was considered to be a little different,” says VerBeek. “When her genomic results came back, she found herself near the top of the breed for genetic ranking as well. Not only

was she a high heifer genomically, she was sired by something different, from a deep cow family.”

When Danica calved for the first time, she encountered some trouble.

She calved a month early and suffered a minor leg injury.

“Those that saw her after calving were amazed at how she first survived, and ultimately thrived to become one of PLANET’s best daughters,” explains VerBeek. “One of the unique aspects of this family is that it has performed in all environments and when family members face some adversity they have the toughness to survive.”

Out-of-this-World Offspring Danica’s mating to 7HO10524

Roylane Socra ROBUST-ET (VG88-GM) resulted in several elite offspring including the No. 1 GTPI cow of the breed, Miss OCD Robst Delicious-ET (VG-86-DOM) and her full sister Miss OCD Robust Deja Vu-ET (VG-87). Another result of that flush was 7HO11525 Mr OCD Robust DONATELLO-ET, the leading GTPI ROBUST son at +2438 and the No. 2 ROBUST son for Sire Conception Rate (SCR) at +3.4.

Danica’s son by 250HO1002 Genervations EPIC-ET, 7HO12111 Mr OCD Epic DRAGONHEART-ET is a recent Super Sampler™ release. Very much like DONATELLO, he transmits a balance of production and type.

Other Danica sons at Select Sires include 7HO12317 Mr OCD Day Deion SANDERS-ET, 7HO11524 Mr OCD Robust DANTE-ET, 7HO11735 Mr OCD Snowman DOWNTOWN-ET with more sons due this summer.

Miss OCD Iota Damsel-ET (GP-84), is one of Danica’s daughters still at Oakfield Corners Dairy. Currently in her first lactation, she has two sons

that have entered the Select Sires program: 7HO12440 Mr OCD Johnson THE DUDE-ET (+2473 GTPI) and Mr OCD Halogen DERBY-ET (+2532 GTPI).

“The sons and grandsons of Danica are designed to produce profitable daughters with pleasing type and udders,” says VerBeek.

This branch of the Rud Zips is not the only one to include “7H” sires.

7HO11926 S-S-I Mogul DEFENDER-ET is a grandson of Danica’s grandam, Windsor-Manor Z-Delight-ET (EX-93EX-MS-2E-GMD-DOM). A popular sirein-waiting, 7HO11132 Windsor-Manor ZDESTINY is a grandson of Rud Zip. Danica’s influence is far from over. Her granddaughter, Ms Delicous Nightout-ET, a Numero Uno from Miss OCD Robst Delicious-ET, is the No. 1 GTPI heifer in the breed.

“Adding PLANET, one of the all-time great production sires, to this great family produced a cow that had the necessary balance of production, fitness and type to become one of the breed’s great brood cows.”

The Pedigree

OCD Planet Danica-ET (EX-93-DOM) is just beginning to make her mark on the breed through her elite offspring.

OCD Planet Danica-ET (EX-93-EX-MS-DOM) sired by 7HO8081 Ensenada Taboo PLANET-ET (EX-90-GM) Dam: Miss Elegant DelightET (VG-88-EX-MS-DOM) sired by 7HO7156 Honeycrest ELEGANT-ET (GM) 2nd Dam: Windsor-Manor Z-Delight-ET (EX-93-2EGMD-DOM) sired by 7HO5157 Regancrest Elton DURHAM-ET (EX-90-GM) Sold for $94,000 in the 2008 Regancrest Command Performance Sale 3rd Dam: Windsor-Manor Rud Zip (EX-95-4E-GMD-DOM) sired by Rudolph

8

Bellwood Golda Savoy (VG-82%), Jim and Jessica Engel, Kewaunee, Wis.

Her-Man/SAR Valentino Sunlight-ET (VG-88%), Amanda Lutz and Clifford Stiles, Chester, S.C.

W

Ahlem Brothers Magnum 22849 (E-90%), Sexing Technologies, Navasota, Texas

Jersey Acres Zipper Nanci (VG-84%), Jersey Acres Farms Inc, Pine Grove, Pa.

ith four of the top five GJPI daughter-proven sires, Select Sires is the only place to go when looking for top Jersey sires. GOLDA, MAGNUM, ZIPPER and VALENTINO offer different pedigrees and extremes for production,

Type and fitness traits. Call your Select Sires representative to join the Jersey Revolution™ and add these elite Jersey genetics to your herd!

04/14 USDA/CDCB/AJCA Genomic Evaluation. ™JPI is a trademark of the American Jersey Cattle Association. Jersey Revolution is a trademark of Select Sires Inc.

9

Genetic Consultants Gather in Michigan Select Mating Service™ (SMS™) genetic consultants from Select Sires' member organizations, international guests and other Select Sires staff met at the 39th annual SMS Evaluator's Conference in Michigan during early May. While at the conference, genetic consultants participated in a day of continuing education. The group discussed the latest Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™) developments, talked about on-farm observations and was updated about the strengths of the Select Sires lineup and exciting sires waiting for their first daughter proofs. They learned about enhancements to the SMS program, innovative technologies and recent trends.

The next three days, consultants visited farms across the state, viewing progeny of Select Sires' current lineup and potential graduates. The time spent viewing a large number of cattle allows consultants to make more accurate sire recommendations, identify

type patterns of sires and see early progeny from future graduates.

“The herds we toured and the Select–sired daughters we saw demonstrated the value–added advantage of Select Sires' genetics and services,” stated Lon Peters, vice president of dairy sire product services for Select Sires. “Highly productive cows with near–perfect udders and feet and legs were the consistent message from these visits. The tour served as a testimonial to what SMS and Select Sires genetics can do for our customer–owners.”

Van Hout honored as SMS Evaluator of the Year Each year, Select Sires honors a SMS evaluator who exemplifies the qualities that make SMS known

Above: SMS genetic consultants from across the country, Canada and South America spent the conference learning from each other and identifying the type patterns of Select sires.

Right: Hugh Van Hout (right) receives his SMS Evaluator of the Year award from Lon Peters.

10

throughout the world as the premier mating program in the industry.

The recipient must have years of superior service, a history of high− quality evaluations and the ability to build and maintain successful relationships with dairy producers.

This year’s honoree, Hugh Van Hout of Select Sires Canada, is the first international person to receive this honor from Select Sires Inc. Van Hout was born in Holland, but immigrated to Canada with his parents and sisters as a young child. His father worked on several farms until purchasing the family farm in 1968. Located in Arthur, Ontario, Woodbroek Holsteins earned many awards for production and type. Van Hout took over management of the farm from 1979 to 1989. After operating the farm he worked in the A.I. industry before becoming one of the initial employees of Select Sires Canada in 2000. Van Hout was instrumental in the start−up and development of Select Sires Canada. Currently he serves as a SMS genetic consultant and district manager in western Ontario and Manitoba.

Besides cows, sports are a large part of Van Hout’s life. In high school and college he played basketball, broomball and softball. He coached softball for over 20 years winning a vast array of titles, championships and medals and during the winter months coached basketball at local elementary and high schools. He served as president of the Arthur Minor Softball League and the Intercounty Fastball League. Van Hout was an active 4-H leader and served as a chaperone for Wellington 4-H for many years. He and his wife of 42 years, Gail, reside in Arthur, Ontario. They have two sons, Jonathon and Bob. “Hugh has three passions in life: cows, sports and family,” says Bill Young, general manager of Select Sires Canada. “He loves his job and whenever someone loves what they are doing, it is never considered work. His job has given him much personal growth and he has traveled thousands of miles and met thousands of people. No matter where he goes, he is never far from a cow.”

“

Of the daughters of proven bulls we saw, I was very impressed with the second and third lactation 7HO8081 PLANETs. They were medium stature cows, but carried excellent width throughout, and had well-attached high and wide rear udders. I was also very happy with the 7HO10375 MR MUDD daughters. He is a no-holes bull with good production, components, health traits and solid type and his daughters fit the bill. We saw nice daughters of the PLANET sons 7HO10575 DOLCE, 7HO10606 OBSERVER, 7HO10624 TEMPO, 7HO10690 PLAN and 7HO10709 HUSKY. They were nice dairy cows with excellent udders. The 7HO9420 GUTHRIE daughters have excellent udders with extremely high and wide rear udders.

We saw a few 7HO10297 MCNUGGETS daughters which were very strong, powerful cows. We also viewed a couple fairly fresh 7HO10848 GRAFEETI daughters that had very well-attached udders and nice legs and should develop into excellent commercial cows.

“

Frédéric Fillion and Stéphane Tardif, Quebec, Canada, Select Sires GenerVations

“

“

“

During our stay in Michigan, we had the opportunity to visit 14 farms of different sizes and breeding philosophies, from 60-cow tie-stalls to 3,700 cow freestalls. Of all the daughters of sires that we saw, those that attracted the most attention are the 7HO10356 WATSON, 7HO9420 GUTHRIE, 7HO8190 SANCHEZ and 7HO9893 ATLANTIC daughters. This trip made us realize that we need to use more 7HO8081 PLANET blood in our herds.

We saw several PLANET daughters along with daughters of 7HO10721 BOOKEM, 7HO10606 OBSERVER, 7HO10849 SHAMROCK and many of his other sons. They stood out for their exceptional dairy qualities, supported by excellent mammary systems and feet and legs sometimes well above what their proof would indicate!

Eric Schultz, Cato, N.Y., Select Sire Power

The farm tours took us to varied herd sizes from the likes of Long-Haven to Green Meadow Farms and many in between. This allowed us to see a large number of daughters of bulls from second-crop daughters to new lineup bulls’ daughters as well as daughters of sires-in-waiting. It was very evident the relationships and loyalty that had been developed by the Select Sires personnel on each dairy.

Second-crop daughters that continue to please our customer-owners as well as the Evaluators were 7HO9222 SHOT, 7HO9357 MAXUM, 7HO9420 GUTHRIE and 7HO10176 AL. The 7HO10920 GOLD CHIP daughters were consistent with length and stretch of body and well-attached udders. Very consistent as well were the 7HO10550 MACGUINESS daughters.

They were extremely balanced with good width from muzzle to rump yet moderate in size. The 7HO10624 TEMPO, 7HO10375 MR MUDD and 7HO10297 MCNUGGETS were favorites also. It was exciting to see some daughters of 7HO8190 SANCHEZ sons that are in-waiting as well as April release 7HO10811 TIAGO daughters. Overall they had ideal rear teat placement with great dairy strength. Daughters of PLANET sons continue to impress with 7HO10575 DOLCE being a favorite of mine and other evaluators.

David Sarbacker, Edgerton, Wis., East Central/Select Sires

Thank You to the following farms

for their hospitality and high-quality cattle: Bebow Dairy Farms Inc., St Louis, Mich.

Autumn Vista Dairy, McBain, Mich.

End-Road Farm, Falmouth, Mich.

Hidden Hills Dairy LLC, McBain, Mich.

Meekhof Dairy Farm, McBain, Mich.

Benthem Brothers Dairy, McBain, Mich.

Swiss Lane Dairy, Alto, Mich.

Lew-Max Holsteins, Belding, Mich.

Trierweiler Dairy Farm, Portland, Mich.

Green Meadow Farms, Inc., Elsie, Mich.

Long-Haven Farms, Inc., Clayton, Mich.

The Preston Farm, Quincy, Mich.

Westvale-View Dairy and Moo-Ville Creamery, Nashville, Mich.

“

7HO10575 DOLCE daughter at End-Road Farm.

7HO10606 OBSERVER daughter at WestvaleView Dairy.

7HO10176 AL daughter at End-Road Farm.

7HO10624 TEMPO daughter at Meekhof Dairy Farm.

7HO10550 MACGUINESS daughter at Meekhof Dairy Farm.

11

Select Sires has produced a legacy of high type sires. We have provided balanced genetics for decades, proving that type with production never goes out of style. Throughout our history, we have delivered impact type sires like 7HO58 Round Oak Rag Apple ELEVATION (EX-96-GM), 7HO980 Walkway Chief MARK (VG-87-GM), 7HO1897 To-Mar BLACKSTAR-ET (EX-93-GM), 7HO5157 Regancrest Elton DURHAM-ET (EX-90GM), 7HO7004 Erbacres DAMION (EX-96), 7HO7872 KHW Kite ADVENT-RED-ET (EX-94) and now, 7HO10506 Maple-Downs-I G W ATWOOD-ET (EX-90). Our Showcase Selections™ sires have been a mainstay in many type focused breeding programs.

We’ve listened to breeders around the world who exclusively want high-type sires for the show ring and are developing and selecting high genomic young sires that we believe will put you in the winner’s circle early! In 2014 and beyond, Select Sires will offer more of the breed’s best for Type. We are proud to be the source of the top three Type sires in North America: G W ATWOOD, 7HO12353 Pol Butte Mc BEEMER-ET and 7HO11118 Mr Atwood BROKAW-ET (VG86). Look for our ads featuring Showcase Selections sires and testimonials from breeders in the future!

G W ATWOOD (left) is the No. 1 proven sire for Type and sire of many show winners the world over. He earned his first Premier Sire banner at the Midwest National Spring Show earlier this year.

Select Sires MidAmerica’s Rennich Wears Many Hats Darrel Rennich is a jack of all trades for Select Sires MidAmerica, Inc. From his home in Bruce, S.D., Rennich serves as a Select Reproductive Solutions™ (SRS™) specialist, a Select Mating Service™ (SMS™) genetic consultant, a technician supervisor and a sales representative.

Rennich, a seven-year Select Sires MidAmerica employee, grew up on a 150-cow dairy. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in dairy production from South Dakota State University, he worked as a nutritionist for a year before returning to the family farm. After farming for six years, a position opened up at his alma mater which Rennich took advantage of. He spent another six years as farm manager and coaching the dairy cattle judging and Dairy Challenge teams.

“The six years I spent at the university teaching and training students, especially for Dairy Challenge, helped me continue to learn as well,” Rennich explained.

“That knowledge has been useful, especially in my role as a SRS specialist.”

Chris Thue, a Select Sires sales representative, alerted Rennich to an opening with the organization.

Because of Select Sires’ reputation and top-notch lineup, Rennich joined Select Sires in January 2007.

“I really enjoy breeding good cows and always respected the quality of sires that Select Sires had,” said Rennich.

Customer support a priority Rennich spends a majority of his time supporting other MidAmerica staff as well as serving his own customers. That service includes everything from mating cows to working with activity monitoring systems to reproductive troubleshooting.

“Hands down, seeing customer success is my favorite part of

working for Select Sires,” said Rennich. “I like working with dairy farmers and the unique challenges I help them work through. When a customer achieves results you form a lasting bond.”

One of the ways he helps his customers achieve success is through the simple, long-term inbreeding solution, StrataGEN®.

Currently six of Rennich’s customers are using StrataGEN to combat the negative effects of inbreeding.

“Most of my customers are larger producers and need a system that can be easily managed,” explained Rennich. “StrataGEN works so smooth it feels like you are on

Darrel Rennich: SRS specialist, SMS genetic consultant and sales representative Family: Rennich has been married to his wife, Denise, for 23 years.

They have three daughters, Brittany (20), Ashley (17) and Bethany (14).

Agricultural Background: Rennich grew up on a 150-cow Holstein dairy and obtained a bachelor’s degree in dairy production from South Dakota State University. Before joining Select Sires, he operated his own dairy, worked as a nutritionist and as the farm manager at South Dakota State University.

Daily Responsibilities: His responsibilities vary greatly from day-to-day. He spends most of his time supporting other Select Sires MidAmerica staff and serving his own customers.

Award Spotlight: Select Sires’ President’s Club cruise control. Just like our SMS program, if you trust the program and let it work, the results are fantastic.”

Rennich takes every opportunity to expand his knowledge so he can better serve his customers.

“I value the genetic and reproductive education we, as Select Sires employees, receive each year,” Rennich said. “This

industry is constantly changing and we must adapt and be leaders of our industry. I believe as another consultant that drives into a customer’s dairy I must be as knowledgeable as our customers or be willing to find the answers for them.”

Rennich cites his experience operating his own farm and working with students at South Dakota State University as important learning opportunities that help him better serve his customers.

13

BULLetin Board Select-sired daughters bring top prices At the Celebration of Lylehaven Sale the high seller was 7HO10506 G W ATWOOD daughter, Lylehaven Atwood Lylly-ET (EX-92). Selling for $70,000, the three-year-old is due in October to 7HO12008 HALOGEN. The high-selling lot at the Day at the Derby Sale was Pen-Col SS BethET, a 7HO11351 SUPERSIRE daughter from a 7HO10848 GRAFEETI dam. She sold for $350,000. Another high seller that day was T-Spruce Lgold 7933-ET, a 250HO1049 LIQUID GOLD daughter who sold for $152,000.

Top Acres Peppy Wizella was the top-selling Brown Swiss lot in the Fall for Colors sale. A 7BS843 PEPPER daughter, she sold for $35,000.

At the California Spring Sale the high seller was a first choice G W ATWOOD from Ms Candy Apple-Red (EX-94-2E-EX-MS), the dam of 7HO11898 ALTITUDE-RED. It sold for $15,100.

Rocky-Mount Sanchez Finesse (EX-92) was the high-selling animal in the Best of Triple-T and Heath Sale.

The 7HO8190 SANCHEZ daughter sold for $98,000. Second high seller was a December 7HO11703 ARMANI daughter, Miss Hot Mama-Red-ET, who sold for $31,000.

ROBUST daughters are easily their highest producing two-year-olds.

Classified Very Good (86), Very Good (85) and Good Plus (83), all three produced more than 36,100 pounds of Milk, 1,117 pounds of Fat and 1,122 pounds of Protein in their first lactation.

Sandy-Valley Plane Sapphire (VG-87) Dam of 7HO11585 STERLING

GOLDA daughter leads the way Bellwood Golda Savoy (VG-82%), a 7JE1067 GOLDA daughter, is the only non-7JE1038 VALENTINO daughter greater than +2.7 for Type among the top 1.5 percent GJPI cows in April 2014. Savoy’s dam is a full sister to sires-in-waiting, 7JE1104 SPIRIT and 7JE1105 SOPRANO. Savoy sold for $10,700 in the Norse Star Summer Hummer II Sale.

STERLING’s full sisters standout Three full sisters to 7HO11585 STERLING recently completed their 365-day records at Sandy-Valley Holsteins in Scandinavia, Wis. They report that these 7HO10524

14

Oakfield Dempsey Rasta-ET (VG-87) Reserve Intermediate champion, California State Show 2014 Rebekah and Stephen Mast, Denair, Calif.

Air-Osa Guthrie 15494 (VG-86) Second sr. two-year-old, California State Show 2014 Joe Airosa, Pixley, Calif.

Bellwood Golda Savoy (VG-82%) Jim and Jessica Engel, Kewaunee, Wis.

Miss Hot Mama-Red-ET Second High Seller at Best of Triple-T and Heath Sale Majestic View, M&T Smith, E. Kueffner and P. Vail, Watertown, Wis.

87) (7HO9264 DEMPSEY) was the reserve intermediate champion for her exhibitors, Rebekah and Stephen Mast, Denair, Calif. In the Red and White show, the junior champion was Calori-D Ladd Lulu P-Red (7HO11163 LADD P-RED), exhibited by Calori-D Holsteins, Denair, Calif. Other class winners included daughters of 7HO11118 BROKAW and SANCHEZ.

California State Holstein Show Results Dinomi G-Chip May 9609, sired by 7HO10920 GOLD CHIP, was the winning winter yearling and reserve junior champion for her owners Vincent and Deena Migliazzo, Atwater, Calif. In the cow show, R-John Sanchez Avril (VG-88) (SANCHEZ), exhibited by Henry and Carolyn Van Exel, Lodi, Calif., was the intermediate champion while Oakfield Dempsey Rasta-ET (VG-

California Spring Jersey Show The first place winter calf and honorable mention junior champion was VALENTINO daughter, Bella Rosa Valentino Lucky, exhibited by Melissa Davis. A 7JE859 RILEY daughter, Miss Riley Gucci Girl (VG-87%) was the first junior two-year-old and honorable mention intermediate champion. She

Miss Riley Gucci Girl (VG-87%) Honorable mention intermediate champion California Spring Jersey Show 2014 Frank and Carol Borba and Frank and Diane Borba, Escalon, Calif.

was exhibited by Frank and Carol Borba and Frank and Diane Borba.

Western Spring National Holstein Show Results Ms Giltex Sanchez Liz-ET (EX-91), sired by SANCHEZ, was named the intermediate champion of the show for Teixeira, Kronberg and Melvold while Dinomi G-Chip May 9609 (GOLD CHIP) was named junior champion for her exhibitors Gil-Tex Holsteins and Nate Goldenberg. LADD P-RED daughter, Sunspark Ladd Applelici-Red, owned

by Wadeland Dairy and Justin Hogge, was the reserve junior champion of the Red and White show while ARMANI sired the honorable mention junior champion of the show, Butter-Dell Ani Icon-Red, exhibited by Kent and Craig Buttars.

Butter-Dell Ani Icon-Red-ET Honorable mention junior champion Red and White, Western National Spring Show 2014 Kent and Craig Buttars, Lewiston, Utah

G W ATWOOD dominates Midwest National Spring Holstein Show G W ATWOOD sired six class winners, including the first five cow class winners, on his way to earning his first Premier Sire banner. The intermediate champion was Dream-Prairie GW Alberta-ET (VG-89), owned by Milk Source LLC,

Budjon-Vail Bradnick Vicki First fall calf Midwest Spring National Show 2014 Peter and Lyn Vail and Budjon Farms, Lomira, Wis.

Kaukauna, Wis. Other class winners included daughters of GOLD CHIP and 7HO10999 BRADNICK. Select-sired daughters excel at New York Spring Dairy Carrousel SANCHEZ sired the intermediate champion Holstein, Arethusa Sanchez Dice-ET (EX-92), owned by Arethusa Farm, Litchfield, Conn. The grand champion Brown Swiss, Get-R-Done Braiden Gigi “E90”, was sired by 7BS900 BRAIDEN and owned by Craig Walton and Donald Hardwood, Pleasant Plain, Ohio while the reserve junior champion was 7BS849 THUNDER daughter, Cutting Edge T Delilah, owned by Kyle Barton, Copake, N.Y. The reserve junior champion of the Ayrshire show was Paragon TSB Kinetic, sired by 7AY84 BURDETTE and owned by Adam Buckenmeyer,

Alexander, N.Y. Other class winners were sired by G W ATWOOD, 7BS852 BOSEPHUS, 7HO11132 ZDESTINY and 7HO11596 DEFIANT. Ohio Spring Dairy Expo Results GOLD CHIP daughter, Lingle Goldchip Feline-ET, was named reserve junior champion for Hill, St. Jacobs, Stammen and Finke while Budjon, Vail and Conroy’s new purchase, Rocky-Mount Sanchez Finesse, was named reserve grand champion Holstein. In the Jersey show, VALENTINO and 7JE1000 TBONE sired the junior champion and honorable mention, respectively.

Bailee, Calla and Cole Mazzaro exhibited M-Signiture Valentino Scarlett-ET while Harris Jersey Farm exhibited T-Bone Daphne-ET. The

junior champion Brown Swiss was sired by PEPPER and owned by Wayne Sliker: Top Acres Peppy Wizella. Blue Moons L Darby, a 7GU445 LIGHTNING daughter exhibited by Blue Moon Guernseys of Circleville, Ohio was the junior champion Guernsey. 7MS347 LIRIANO daughter, Buckeye Knoll Plmazing EXP-ET, exhibited by Hannah Roades of Greenville, Ohio was the reserve grand champion of the Milking Shorthorn show. Other class winners were sired by 7HO9165 BRAXTON and BURDETTE.

Lingle Goldchip Feline-ET Reserve junior champion Ohio Spring Dairy Expo 2014 Hill, St. Jacobs, Stammen and Finke, Thurmont, Md.

M-Signiture Valentino Scarlett-ET Junior champion Ohio Spring Dairy Expo 2014 Bailee, Calla and Cole Mazzaro, Williamsfield, Ohio

Get-R-Done Braiden Gigi "E90" Grand champion New York Spring Carrousel 2014 Craig Walton and Donald Harwood, Pleasant Plain, Ohio

Siemers Defiant Juby-Red-ET First summer yearling N.Y. R&W Spring Show 2014 Siemers Holstein Farm, Inc., Newton, Wis.

Whittier-Farms Leila-Red-ET (VG-87) 7HO11132 Z DESTINY First place junior two-year-old N.Y. Spring R&W Show 2014 Todd J. Whittier, West Sutton, Mass.

15

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

Selections YOUR SUCCESS Our Passion.

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.

Select Mating Service, SMS, Select Reproductive Solutions, SRS, Program for Genetic Advancement, PGA, Super Sampler, Select Detect and Showcase Selections are trademarks of Select Sires Inc.; ®StrataGEN and FeedPRO are registered trademarks of Select Sires Inc. ®Heatime is a registered trademark of SCR Engineers Ltd. All product claims, representations and warranties, expressed or implied are made only by the product manufacturers and not by Select Sires Inc. TMJersey Performance Index and JPI are trademarks of the American Jersey Cattle Association. SMTPI and Total Performance Index are servicemarks of Holstein Association USA. TM

PAID Minster, Ohio 45865 Permit No. 2