Select Sires

Additional Dairy Breeds Added
To Select Sires Product Line

PLAIN CITY, Ohio, June 29, 2004 — Today some dairy producers are utilizing crossbreeding to develop cattle that fit their breeding goals. Jersey and Brown Swiss genetics are popular crossbreeding choices, but some breeders are looking for specific traits not found in those breeds. To accommodate this, Select Sires has added three new dairy breeds to its lineup, which include Montbeliarde from France, Norwegian Red from Norway, and Swedish Red from Sweden.

In cooperation with Creative Genetics of California Inc., Select Sires is your source for these European breeds. In addition, a brochure and fact sheet has been developed that discusses the strengths and weaknesses of crossbreeding.

"While crossbreeding is not for everyone, some producers are trying it as a way to take advantage of the strengths from several different breeds," says Chuck Sattler, Vice President Genetic Programs, Select Sires. "In theory, crossbreeding can provide a boost to profitability if producers can identify several breeds that meet their requirements and then utilize them as part of a planned and organized breeding program."

Swedish Red cattle are consistent for phenotype and have been bred for increased reproductive performance and lower somatic cell score (SCS). The Montbeliarde breed adds additional capacity, strength, and substance with feet and leg improvement and increased body condition during peak production. Dairy strength, udder quality, low SCS, and increased reproductive performance have been the selection goals of Norwegian Red genetics.

"These newly added European breeds have been selected over generations for health and fertility traits," says Jeff Ziegler, Manager of Protein / Specialty Sire Programs, Select Sires. "I’ve seen approximately 500 crossbred daughters and found they had low SCS, sufficient production and adequate reproductive performance. These cattle offer dairy producers other alternatives above and beyond traditional crossbred options."

Select Sires will continue to grow and develop its core business of industry-leading genetics and outstanding programs for its customers, as well as crossbreeding options.

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.

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