Select Sires Inc. acquired GeneNet LLC in 2020 to bolster the cooperative’s service to dairy and beef producers and help capture more value for raising better cattle. Based out of Hays, Kansas, GeneNet LLC has a 23-year history of helping customers gain access to grid marketing opportunities for their fed cattle and then returning valuable carcass data to enhance genetic, management and marketing decisions.
GeneNet was founded in 1998 by Ken Conway, Ph.D., a long-time influencer in the purebred Angus industry with a doctorate in meat science from Texas A&M University. He was one of the first to develop a grid during the value-based marketing revolution. Conway maintained his leadership role with GeneNet for one year following the acquisition by Select Sires to aid in the transition and mentor Sandra Utter to lead the charge.
“My vision for GeneNet LLC has always been to assist producers in capturing more value for their genetics. I know Select Sires will continue to grow GeneNet’s footprint in the beef industry with the same core values and emphasis on win-win relationships that I founded the company on,” said Conway.
GeneNet has a highly reputable name in the industry and was built with core values similar to those of Select Sires. This acquisition provides opportunities for Select Sires’ farmer-owners to capture additional value for their genetics and management with market access to a value-added grid – a system that no other competitor offers today.
“For many years, the sire procurement program at Select Sires has emphasized superior carcass traits,” said Larry Corah, Ph.D., supply chain consultant to Select Sires Inc. “The acquisition of GeneNet offers farmer-owners opportunities to capitalize on the use of superior genetics by selling cattle on a quality-based grid.”
GeneNet has marketed up to 60,000 head of high-quality, Angus-influenced fed cattle to JBS through their two plants in Greeley, Colorado and Grand Island, Nebraska. The system is designed to capture both group and individual carcass information.
“Our team at Select Sires is eager to offer GeneNet’s network and resources to benefit the cooperative’s dairy and beef producers,” said Todd Kranz, chief development officer at Select Sires. “Users of the Select Sires and Accelerated Genetics beef sire lineups are eligible to take advantage of the opportunity to market their cattle through GeneNet. We are also excited to work with Dr. Ken Conway and continue his legacy.”
GeneNet is open to beef producers of all sizes and to cattle with all types of genetics. Visit www.genenetbeef.com to learn more.