The World's source for Bovine Genetics
Department Head at Select Sires Retires


PLAIN CITY, Ohio, Jan. 13, 2004 — After 30 years of dedicated service to Select Sires, Ron Long, vice president, dairy sire procurement, retired on Dec. 31, 2003. Long began his career with Select Sires in 1973 and started working on a herd-consultation service to serve the needs of dairy-herd owners. This program, Select Mating Service™ (SMS™), has since evolved into the largest mating program in the world, conducting more than 3 million matings a year.

"Without a doubt, Ron Long is the most respected person in the A.I. business for his cow knowledge," says Lon Peters, manager of SMS, Select Sires. "He has traveled to all corners of the world to judge cattle shows, and to discuss genetics and the economic impact that good corrective-mating programs can have. Ron is a one-in-a-million individual who will be missed at Select Sires."

"Ron Long brought out the best in everyone around him," states Scott Culbertson, dairy sire analyst, Select Sires. "His demeanor and lead by example attitude always made you want to try harder the next day."

In addition to his accomplishments with Select Sires, Long has been an industry leader, serving as president of National Dairy Shrine, on the Holstein Association USA Type Advisory Committee and Genetic Advisory Committee, on the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) Standardization of Type Traits committee and on the Ohio State University Dairy Science Advisory committee. This national and international dairy judge was also elected into the Ohio State University Dairy Science Department Hall of Fame.

"Throughout his years in the industry, Ron developed strong relationships and earned respect from both breeders and colleagues around the world," says dairy sire analyst, Charlie Will. "Ron, whose word is as good as gold, is a man of integrity and his legacy will continue."

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc. is a federation of 10 farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. It provides highly fertile semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying livestock breeders with America’s best genetics at a reasonable price.

™SMS and Select Mating Service are trademarks of Select Sires Inc.





To order product contact:
Select Sires Inc., 11740 U.S. 42 North, Plain City, Ohio 43064 / Phone: (614) 873-4683 Fax: (614) 873-5751