In this episode of The Select Sires Podcast, Host Ethan Haywood passes the microphone to Jersey Development Manager Herby Lutz and Dairy Sire Marketing Coordinator Marc Bolen as they discuss the newest proven graduate in the Jersey lineup as well as some of the new values around Percent Jersey Ancestry. Then, Senior Holstein Sire Analyst Kevin Jorgensen and Rick VerBeek share great insight on recent daughter-proven sires, what they are seeing in milking daughters of these bulls, and what prod...
In this episode of The Select Sires Podcast, host Ethan Haywood sits down with Patrick Maier and Max Shenkenberg of Maier Farms, and Susie Martin from CentralStar Cooperative to take a deep dive into how strategic genetics, disciplined reproductive protocols, and a strong team culture have positioned Maier Farms as a leader in reproductive performance, earning them a CentralStar ReproStar Award in 2025. With insights on fertility management, bull selection, data-driven decisions, and the impo...
On this episode of The Select Sires Podcast, host Ethan Haywood is joined by Brenda Fessenden, precision animal health technical services lead at Zoetis, for a deep dive into the science and strategy behind wellness trait selection. From calf health to cow longevity, Brenda walks us through how Zoetis is leading the charge in precision animal health and how producers can use these tools to create healthier, more profitable herds.
In this episode of The Select Sires Podcast, host Ethan Haywood is joined by Asha Miles, director of dairy records management systems and chair of the milking speed evaluation task force for the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB). Asha gives us an inside look at the development of the new milking speed genetic trait set to launch during the August 2025 sire summary. Learn how this trait was defined, the immense data behind it, and what its release means for herd efficiency especially in ...
In this episode of The Select Sires Podcast, host Ethan Haywood chats with Mark Kerndt, Aggressive Reproductive Technologies (ART) program manager, to explore the powerful potential of the Slick gene in Holstein cattle. Learn how this naturally occurring genetic trait improves heat tolerance, reproduction, and productivity, especially in hot, humid climates. Mark explains how the gene is being advanced through Select Sires' ART program and what it means for the future of dairy genetics. Wheth...
Holstein Sire Analyst Kevin Jorgensen updates listeners on the Showcase™ and Red & White sire lineups following the April 2025 sire summaries. He discusses the impact of the Showcase program and the importance of maternal lines. In the second half of the episode, learn which Red & White sire is the No. 1 GTPI® young sire in the breed.
For over 50 years, dedicated Select Mating Service® (SMS) consultants have used research, computerized analysis and cow knowledge to build better herds around the world. In this episode, Brian Coyne takes a deep dive into the innovative technology backing the program and the people leveraging the tools. SMS is intuitive and built to work for dairies of all sizes and with differing herd information. Consultants around the world have the cow-side experience needed to ask the right questions and...
Herby Lutz, jersey development manager, and Marc Bolen, dairy sire marketing coordinator, discuss some of the top ranking young sires of the Jersey breed from the April 2025 sire summaries. Listen as they highlight high-interest (GForce™) sires and give a preview of new and exciting sires that will be added to the lineup in coming months.
Greta Snider Halahan has a unique experience as the herdsman at Singing Brook Farms. Join Ethan Haywood as he and Greta talk about technology and communication protocols that help connect her team and make important genetic decisions on the farm. With Greta working remotely, she utilizes various apps to communicate with farm team members and has been successful with communicating with Spanish speaking team members. Also through these apps her team is able to share data and information that em...
Holstein Sire Analysts Kevin Jorgensen and Rick VerBeek talk standout Holstein young sires from the April 2025 sire summaries, highlighting health traits, calf wellness specialists and pedigrees. Check back in for future episodes of The Select Sires Podcast that dive deep into other lineups including Jerseys and how to leverage these elite genetics to boost your bottom line.
Select Sires graduated 11 Holstein and five Jersey sires to the daughter-proven lineups following the April sire summary. Holstein Sire Analysts Kevin Jorgensen and Rick VerBeek recap the Holstein graduates. Tune in as they talk about health traits, critical calf wellness traits, pedigrees and chart-topping Red & White sires. Herby Lutz, Jersey Development Manager and Marc Bolen, Dairy Sire Marketing Coordinator join the podcast to talk about Jersey graduates, including daughter fertility...
Learn from Mark Johnson, director of beef and dairy supply chains for Low Carbon Technologies, as he discusses GeneNet and the basics of beef grid marketing. Ethan and Mark explore the sustainability branch of Select Sires during their conversation and discuss the benefits GeneNet has to offer producers.
Join host Ethan Haywood and Chuck Sattler, vice president and manager of genetic programs at Select Sires Inc., as they discuss the changes happening with the base change in April 2025. Learn which traits will be affected and how to continue selecting sires.
Tune in to this episode where host Ethan Haywood chats with Matt Hendel, owner of Hendel Farms, and Kevin Jorgensen, senior Holstein sire analyst for Select Sires Inc., about mastitis resistance. Learn about the importance of focusing on mastitis resistance in your breeding program and which bulls could help lower your somatic cell count.
Tune in as host Ethan Haywood talks with Emily Middleton, regional consulting manager at CentralStar Cooperative, about the intuitive features built into the Optimal Genetic Pathways (OGP) Calculator. Learn how this calculator provides genetic data individualized to each farm and how it helps with managing heifer inventories.
Tune into this episode to hear from Lyle Kruse, retired vice president of U.S. market development for Select Sires, Inc., about the importance of managing your replacement heifers. Learn about the challenges facing heifer management and how this impacts the future of the dairy industry.
Join our host Ethan Haywood as he discusses Zoetis Lameness evaluations with Mike Larson, Owner of Larson Acres and Brain Kelroy dairy production specialist at Zoetis. Tune in as they examine the methods used to assess and manage lameness in dairy herds and explore how data from these evaluations is being applied on progressive dairies to enhance herd health and operational efficiency.
Tune into this episode to hear a recap of the December 2024 Sire Summaries. Join some of our Holstein and Jersey experts as they recap the new trait and index leaders, and include updates regarding bull dams, cow families and insights from their travels.
Greg Andersen of WinStar Genetics joins Jordan Siemers, Holstein sire analyst, to talk about a Polled genetic strategy. Andersen shares his vision for the future of Polled genetics and how he's making slight adjustments to his management to add the Polled gene to his herd. Siemers compares today's Polled sires to their non-Polled counterparts as he talks about traits that are most important to progressive dairy herds.
Kevin Souza, a managing partner at Victory Farms LLC, and Brad Barham, southern regional sales manager for Premier Select Sires join Ethan Haywood to discuss the Calf Wellness Index™. Tune in to learn the importance of calf wellness at Victory Farms and how Brad’s sire selection helps Kevin meet his goals.