Select Sires

SMS Evaluators Receive Advanced Training

PLAIN CITY, Ohio, July 13, 2004 — The annual Select Mating Service™ (SMS™) conference was recently held in the Stephensville and Windthorst areas of Texas. Over 70 Select Sires SMS evaluators attended the conference, which included evaluators from seven different countries.

"For more than 30 years, Select Sires customers have known that when they invite a SMS evaluator onto their farm to develop a breeding program, they get consistent results," says Lon Peters, vice president dairy sire products services, Select Sires. "SMS professionals not only have the training to consistently evaluate cows and recommend corrective matings, but are also dedicated to customer goals, knowledgeable of current trends and communicate effectively."

The conference began with a full day of educational presentations by Select Sires staff bringing everyone up-to-date on current matings, the PGA™ program, bull health, intranet applications plus considerable discussion on current and upcoming Select Sires bulls. Additionally, new programming to the SMS computer system was demonstrated and various changes to on farm dairy software, including PC Dart, DHI Plus and DairyComp 305 were discussed. Two linear workout sessions on local dairies followed and focused on discussing specific traits as well as unity within traits. Evaluators were also exposed to new classification changes soon to be implemented to Holstein Association USA's classification services.

Participants enjoyed the hospitality of the Texas dairy producers by viewing daughters on 22 farms. This gave participants a first-hand look at second-crop daughters of current bulls and daughters of potential graduates.

"Above all Select's SMS conference brings evaluators together to learn from each other, share ideas and discuss trends from across the country," says Chuck Harmon, SMS evaluator, NorthStar Cooperative and winner of the 2004 evaluator of the year award.

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is North America's largest A.I. organization and is comprised of 10 farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. As the industry leader, 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 Mating Service, SMS and PGA are trademarks of Select Sires Inc.

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