Spring 2026 Premier Pioneer WEB

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Thank you for taking a few moments from your busy day to catch up with your cooperative! As you challenge us to meet your growing needs, we are constantly evolving—and trust us, there is always something new to discover within these pages.

Rooted in Your Success

Our Board of Directors isn’t just a group of names in an office; it consists entirely of producers and Premier members just like you. By design, they represent every corner of our membership—from dairy to beef, and single-family farms to multigenerational enterprises. On behalf of myself, our dedicated employees, and our board, thank you for the trust you place in us and for the opportunity to help strengthen your operation.

Cooperative Advantage: The “Last Mile” Partner

Guided by our cooperative principles, we are doubling down on being your

best “last mile” partner. While many private, for-profit, and even foreign-owned companies may sacrifice local service for the bottom line, Premier remains farmer-owned. The perk of ownership: we have a duty to allocate profits as equity to your patronage account and return cash patronage payments to qualifying members each year. When the cooperative wins, you win!

Fresh Ways We’re Serving You

There are so many ways to support your cooperative by allowing us to serve you. Check out what’s currently in our toolkit:

1. Genetic Brands

Access elite semen from Accelerated Genetics®, Genervations®, Select Sires®, and ShowBox Sires®, plus Simvitro® Herdflex® beef embryos. We’re also leading the way with rumen genetics through Galaxis® Frontier.

2. Technology

Maximize returns with CowManager® activity monitoring (backed by your cooperative experts) and make datadriven breeding decisions with genomic testing by Zoetis®.

3. Herd Health

We have what you need! Support your local rep and your cooperative by allowing us to provide the breeding supplies and herd products you use every day. I will call attention to two of the newer items we are excited about: Protect your investment with Cow Start™ Complete (a next-gen transition bolus) and our private Premier Elevation milk replacer line featuring CONVERT™ BIG Calf Powder.

4. Consultation

Our specialists handle everything from goal-oriented matings, to reproductive training and consultation, to inventory optimization and professional insemination services.

We Are Here for You

Thank you again for your continued support and for being the heart of this cooperative. We don’t just work for you; we work with you!

Mark Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer

1. Find this semen straw hidden somewhere in the newsletter (hidden straw may be smaller than the one shown here).

2. Go to www.premierselectsires.com and click the“Newsletter Contest” button on the home page.

3. Tell us where you found the straw to enter the drawing!

You may also send your submission in the mail. Write us a note including the following information: your name, account #, address, and where you found the semen straw. Mail it to the following address for a chance to WIN!

YOUNGSTOCK

Impl ement the technology designed to optimize calf rearing and maximize future herd health and productivity. Youngstock Monitor uses lightweight ear sensors to track crucial development stages, helping you improve calf health and welfare now for a strong, productive herd later.

Real-time alerts ensure each calf gets the attention it needs, leading to timely interventions, lower treatment intensity, reduced reliance on antibiotics, and improved labor efficiency. Powered by Artificial Intelligence and continuously evolving algorithms, the system adapts to your specific farm and the unique behavior of each calf.

With CowManager's Lifetime Monitoring system, you can support the full lifecycle of your herd - from calf to cow - ensuring optimal health, growth and performance at every stage.

COOPERATIVE UPDATES

Premier Select Sires held its annual meeting on Tuesday, March 17. We are excited to share that the following individuals will serve the cooperative in 2026:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

*Kenny Taylor – President, District 4, Fayetteville, TN

*James Cook – 1st Vice-President, District 3, Penhook, VA

John Edd Harris – 2nd Vice-President, Public Director, Musella, GA

Kevin Satterwhite – Secretary, District 3, Newberry, SC

Mike Saylor – Treasurer, District 4, Jonesborough, TN

Emma Currie – District 1, Tully, NY

David Harvatine – District 1, King Ferry, NY

Jonathan Lamb – District 1, Oakfield, NY

Kelvin Hatch – District 2, Colombia, PA

Jim Houser – District 2, Spring Mills, PA

Jess Slaymaker – District 2, Columbia Crossroads, PA

*Steve Craun – District 3, Bridgewater, VA

Rob Hamaker – Public Director, Lineville, IA

DELEGATES

Jordan Fisher – District 1, Madrid, NY

Quade Kirk – District 1, Schodack Landing, NY

Crystal Edwards – District 2, Union Bridge, MD

Joel Krall – District 2, Lebanon, PA

Johan Heijkoop – District 3, Mayo, FL

Vern Buessing – District 4, Baileyville, KS

Ken McCarty – District 4, Colby, KS

Frederic Simon – District 4, Conway, AR

*Select Sires Inc. Board of Directors

To get in touch with your local cooperative representatives, please reach out to the Premier office at (570) 836-3168!

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS

A successful cooperative relies on the knowledge, skills, and dedication of its members to keep the organization functioning. Get to know some of the individuals serving on the Premier board with this routine Premier Pioneer feature!

KEVIN SATTERWHITE

District 3

Office: Secretary Farm: Satterwhite Farms, LLC

Location: Newberry, SC

Size: 1600 milking cows, 600 beef cows

A fourth-generation farmer, Kevin Satterwhite works with his father, uncle, cousin, son, and his cousin’s son to run Satterwhite Farms. The diversified family operation started in 1935 and has proudly welcomed the fifth generation to the business. They have a dairy farm, raise beef cattle, and grow corn, sorghum, wheat, soybeans, and hay. The dairy milks Holsteins three times per day in a 60-stall rotary parlor that was constructed in 2014.

Kevin has been serving the Premier Select Sires cooperative for 15 years. He began in 2011 on the Southeast Select Sires

MIKE SAYLOR

District 4

Office: Treasurer Farm: Sayland Dairy

Location: Jonesborough, TN

Size: 140 cows

(SESS) board, and he helped to oversee the merger of SESS and Select Sire Power to become Premier Select Sires in 2019.

“I had a feeling at the time that the merger was a smart business decision for both organizations, and I was right. Today our members have access to many valuable products and services,” said Kevin. “I believe in the cooperative structure and I want to help Premier continue to prosper and grow and provide great services to our members. I want to see our members be successful.”

Kevin says that it is

Mike comes to the Premier Select Sires board of directors from Sayland Dairy in Jonesborough, TN. The farm was started in 1948 by Mike’s grandfather, J.C. Saylor, who milked 20 cows by hand.

Sayland Dairy now celebrates its 78th year as a family-owned dairy and milks 140 cows, 16 at a time by machine. Sayland began their registered herd in the mid 70s using Select Sires semen.

Mike has been serving the Premier Select Sires cooperative for 27 years. Former board member Tim

rewarding to be part of a progressive, forwardthinking board and organization that puts members first. He notes that as an added benefit of his time on the board, “I have learned so much over the years from other board members and it has helped me improve my own farming operation.”

Kevin encourages cooperative members to get involved with the organization. “Member involvement is essential to a successful cooperative,” he said. “Talk to your board members and delegates about opportunities and things you can do in the cooperative!”

Riley encouraged Mike to become involved in 1999 to help improve the quality of genetics for more productive herds.

“The most rewarding part of serving on the Premier Select Sires board is working alongside dairy and beef producers and seeing firsthand how Premier semen helps improve the quality of their cattle,” said Mike. “Being part of something that helps producers strengthen their herds and operations makes the experience meaningful.”

Gerrit, Andrew Sutton, Chris Lewis, and Jeff reviewing the CowManager dashboard

MEMBER FEATURE: GOSLIGA FARM

Nestled in the Champlain Valley, Addison County Vermont boasts rolling farmland, majestic mountain views, and scenic waterscapes. It must have caught the eye of Gerardus ‘Gerry’ Gosliga, a Dutch immigrant who established Gosliga Farm in Addison in 1966.

“The flat valley with other Dutch farmers around probably reminded him of home,” said Jeff Gosliga. “He came from Holland in the 50s and didn’t speak English, but he was determined to run a successful farm.”

Gerry worked on dairy farms in Minnesota, California, and New York until he and his wife settled in Addison and purchased their own herd. Their three children later became partners.

Gerrit and Jeff Gosliga (cousins) became the third generation to join the partnership, and they recently welcomed Jeff’s son as the fourth generation on the farm. Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, Gosliga Farm now milks 800 cows three times a day and farms 1900 acres.

When asked about the mission of the farm, Jeff said, “We put the Lord first;

all glory goes to Him. After that, cows come second. Feed, stalls, bedding, cow handling…if it’s better for the cows, it’s better for us. It’s all about efficiency, which leads to profitability.”

Gerrit adds, “We don’t just want to put in hours, we want to create productive hours. We try to do things better every day. Making a productive cow is the best thing we can do, both for now and for our kids down the road.”

The Gosligas believe that productivity and sustainability are the result of all their management practices, so no area goes unchecked. From breeding to calf care, nutrition, cow comfort, and farm culture for employees, “going the extra mile” enables the farm to achieve results comparable to larger herds.

Genetics

Gosliga takes a holistic approach to genetics as well. Gerrit, who particularly enjoys the genetic side of the equation, pays close attention to traits and indexes that help him breed fertile, healthy, productive cows.

“I consider things that cows would go out the door for and breed accordingly,” he said. “I pay attention to Zoetis’s

resistance traits, such as mastitis resistance. Components are obviously important, and I seek high-hereditary traits. The ultimate goal is to make a profitable cow. We’re asking a lot of our cows. If health traits aren’t there with production, we’re in trouble.”

Premier Reproductive Supervisor Andrew Sutton, who provides consulting services to the farm said, “The whole herd is on the same page. Everything is consistent; there are not outliers. The focus is on getting better overall. The bottom is coming up.”

To aid in genetic and reproductive decisions, the Gosligas utilize many tools from the Premier Select Sires portfolio.

Select Mating Service®

Gosliga Farm has been using the Select Mating Service (SMS) since 2018. Dairy Coordinator Jerry Emerich provided the service for several years until retiring in 2024, and then Erin Morrissey took over. Gosligas trust their SMS specialist to provide mating suggestions for herd improvement based on pedigree analysis and walk-through observations. SMS can help create consistency and longevity in the herd, while preventing inbreeding, recessives, and haplotypes.

“Other companies pushed pedigree-only mating, but Premier has always offered in-person service which we greatly value,” said Gerrit. “That’s their livelihood and I appreciate their eyes and expertise.”

Erin said, “It’s fun to look at the cows here—they’re very consistent, great cows.”

NxGEN®

Gosliga breeds the top portion of their herd to NxGEN genetics. They’ve been using NxGEN, Select Sires’ membership program providing producers with early access to elite genetics, since May 2024. Regional Sales Manager Eric Lundberg and Area Sales Manager Steve Marston have provided recommendations of NxGEN sires based on Gerrit’s goals, and those sires are utilized in the mating program.

“We used to use proven bulls too long. Now we’re trying to average out and move through good bulls,” said Gerrit. “The bulls are genetically improving, and just like investing in a mutual fund, we want to diversify. We are looking forward to seeing our NxGEN progeny as they progress through the herd. So far, we’ve found that the cows calve very easily on their own.”

ProfitSOURCE®

While Gosliga uses sexed semen on their most valuable females, choosing beef-ondairy semen for those cows from which they do not want replacements helps maximize profits for the farm. Gosliga participates in Premier’s ProfitSOURCE program, specifically, the Power Genetics program.

“We use the red ProfitSOURCE ear tags,

which represent the program genetics and calf raising standards, and I think they help give us a boost on our profits. The tags especially help with the calves that have a little white on them,” said Gerrit.

Select Reproductive Solutions®

As herdsman, Jeff works closely with several Premier employees to keep the reproductive program working smoothly. Through an annual reproductive report, Andrew Sutton helps determine the right balance of sexed vs. beef-on-dairy semen.

“We are working to maximize opportunities and keep a flow of calves coming year-round,” said Andrew. “It’s nice dealing with a herd that is always looking to improve and that is so on top of things.”

Reproductive Services Specialist (RSS)

Chris Lewis and Relief RSS Eric Peters perform breeding service on farm. The Gosligas say that the RSSs are an important part of their reproductive program.

“They say they’re just breeders, but that’s not true, considering the value they bring to the table,” said Jeff. “We work very closely with Chris, the nutritionist, and the vet. We have a group chat to stay on the same page and keep working towards our goals. CowManager really helps with this as well.”

CowManager®

Gosliga Farm installed the CowManager herd monitoring system in July 2023, and Jeff says they are very thankful they did. Using the Fertility, Health, and Nutrition & Transition modules, the system provides timely alerts that allow the farm to take necessary actions quickly.

Before they installed the system, Jeff said they weren’t seeing some of the cows come into heat. “Here we are now with CowManager, breeding cows that never show heats, and getting at least 40 percent of those pregnant. It also helps to catch older cows, and they are settling better than ever.”

Jeff also appreciates the Health Module, which allows for intervention one to two days before observable signs that the cows are sick. He says he checks the CowManager app on his phone before going to the fresh group, noting that the system alerts him of cows to treat to avoid DAs, cows to treat for ketosis, etc. The Health Module was especially valuable during a respiratory outbreak Gosligas experienced two years ago— “We could catch cows early and give what the vet recommended. We were pleased with the benefit CowManager offered that one month alone.”

“I love the way Gosligas use the CowManager system, and it’s so nice being able to receive alerts for the farm,” said Chris. “Gosligas use everything CowManager can give them. There’s lots of data, and I can breed more cows than if we were tail chalking. There’s no guessing on heats! The number of ovsynchs has gotten a lot smaller, and someday shots may disappear altogether.”

Continued on page 8 >>>

Gosliga, continued from page 7:

“CowManager is a full-time employee watching over your cows, and it offers so much consistency,” said Jeff.

Results

With Gosligas’ combined management efforts and continuous drive to improve, over time their pregnancy rate has climbed from the low 20s to now 29-31 percent. Jeff said, “We are always trying to do a little better, keep days in milk low, and help the cows live longer. They’re paid for and they produce milk! Our cull list and ‘do not breed’ lists are very small, and we’re doing better getting cows pregnant.”

Gerrit says they want to come by their production goals naturally and not stress the cows too much. With a balance of genetics, body condition, quality feed, etc., they’ve been achieving an impressive rolling herd average of 29-30,000 pounds.

“We also appreciate how Premier Select Sires has helped us meet our goals,” said Gerrit. “We’re thankful for the team of people available and how they’re invested in our area.”

Rising to Challenges & Continued Growth

The Gosligas recently completed a new calf barn project. Consistent with their outlook of taking the best possible care of their animals from start to finish, they felt the new facility would help them raise healthy calves that would in turn become healthy, productive cows.

“We’ve experienced some respiratory issues in past years, so we wanted to build a facility in which every calf could reach its full potential. We invest in good genetics, and we want to help those genetics thrive throughout their entire life cycle,” said Jeff.

When asked what’s next on the horizon, Jeff and Gerrit said that they have been discussing different options for growth among the family.

“Stagnant is dangerous in any business, so we strive to always be ready to pivot,” said Gerrit. “However, we’ve always believed in moderate growth and stability, never more than we can handle. We want to continue to do what’s best for the cows, our family, our employees, and our neighbors.”

SERVICE & RESULTS

Professional Technician Service

Our highly trained Reproductive Services Specialists (RSS) can regularly perform the following services:

• Artificially inseminate cattle

• Monitor estrus activity

• Train farm staff in heat detection

• Provide daily input on cow health and condition

• Monitor and execute timed-A.I. protocols

• Coordinate reproductive analysis activities with the SRS® specialist

• Manage semen inventory to ensure the farm’s genetic program stays on track and up to date

Photos: Vermont RSS Chris Lewis Service availability may vary by location. Ask your local rep for details!

On October 1, 2025, the dairy industry turned its eyes toward Northwest Kansas to honor a family that has spent over a century redefining what it means to be a modern dairy operation. The McCarty family of McCarty Family Farms was named the World Dairy Expo 2025 Dairy Producer of the Year, a prestigious recognition celebrating their long-standing commitment to high-quality milk production, regenerative farming practices, and community stewardship.

For brothers Mike, Clay, David, and Ken McCarty, the award is more than just a trophy, it is a validation from their community. “Receiving the Dairy Producer of the Year award is a heck of an honor,” says Ken McCarty. “Dairy farmers understand the challenges that go into this life. When it comes from others in the industry, it has a special meaning.”

A Century of Evolution

The McCarty story began in 1914 in a small barn in northeast Pennsylvania, where their great-grandfather milked cows by hand. Today, the fourth generation (making room for the fifth) operation has expanded far beyond those humble beginnings, now with three locations in Kansas, a partnership

in Ohio, and a heifer facility in Nebraska, totaling nearly 20,000 cows.

Despite the scale, the family remains tethered to the fundamentals passed down through generations. “The fundamentals don’t really change—cow care, good nutrition, and being a good member of the community,” Ken notes. He recalls a piece of advice from his father that still drives their work ethic. “If the guy next to you is one foot deep in manure, you should be two feet. Lead by example and never ask someone to do something you would never do yourself.”

A Culture of Innovation

The McCarty’s have earned a reputation for being “outside the box” thinkers who pursue regenerative farming practices. This mindset is affirmed by those who work closely with them, such as Premier Dairy Coordinator Amber Kirk.

“They are very innovative and always push the needle forward,” says Kirk, who began working with the McCarty farm in March of 2022. “I enjoy the challenges they present and the critical thinking that is required. A lot of the work I have done with them I’ve

Roots, Community, and Innovation: McCarty Family Farms Named 2025 Dairy Producer of the Year

carried into my other herds. Working with them has single-handedly been the best thing for my career.”

Area Sales Manager Kevin Lager began working with the farm in 2018 when he joined the team at Premier Select Sires. He attributes their success to a mix of downto-earth values and a high-level business mindset. “They are always asking how they can get better,” Lager says, noting that their monthly meetings involving data analysis and technical support keep the operation on track for long-term goals. “It has been exciting to see their growth over the years.”

Leading the Next Generation

As the McCartys continue to look toward the future, Ken offers a simple roadmap for young farmers stepping into leadership roles at their own dairy operations: Lean into your community.

“Talk to people, make connections, and get involved,” he says. “Don’t be scared to take risks and get into uncomfortable situations. You never know how it will benefit you 3040 years later.”

By balancing a deep respect for their history with a relentless drive for efficiency and stewardship, the McCarty family has not only secured their legacy but has set the gold standard for the world of modern dairy.

Scan the QR code to watch WDE’s video featuring McCarty Family Farms.

Check out their recent article in Holstein International as well!

PRODUCT TALK

CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO

Status Quo, you know, is Latin for “the

mess we’re in.”

-Ronald Reagan

by Jeff Hostetter, Product Manager

We often talk about the portfolio of solutions available to member owners of Premier Select Sires. We offer a wide range of products to assist you in solving problems that limit the amazing genetics of the cattle that you’ve invested in.

Let’s take a minute and flip that conversation upside down. Let’s talk about what we can do to raise the ceiling of those genetics. What can we do to increase the productive capacity and efficiency of each new 2-year-old that enters your milking herd? Is that even possible?

We believe the answer is YES! We believe the next FRONTIER of genetic progress is found in the rumen of our cattle. The genetic diversity and complexity of the microbial population in a cow’s rumen far exceeds that of her own DNA. What if there was a way to shift that microbial population to one that closely matches the healthiest and most efficient high producing cattle in the US?

Galaxis Frontier is the answer to that question. It’s a blend of four

rumen-native microbes that are most influential in shifting the entire microbial population – affecting not only a cow’s rumen, but even creating changes to the cells in her mammary system.

THE BENEFITS:

• +0.05 Feed Efficiency

• 28 percent reduction in early cull rates (<60 DIM)

• +4.5 lbs Energy Corrected Milk– based on 53,551 trial cows on 28 Dairies (161,400 Total Head)

• +2.5 lbs colostrum

Across eight independent academic trials, daily supplementation with Galaxis Frontier increased total VFA production and shifted fermentation towards increased propionate, acetate, and valerate (see figure). Because propionate is the primary precursor for gluconeogenesis, this shift supports greater glucose availability for maintenance, milk production, and metabolic health.

Scan the QR code to hear producer testimonials.

Challenge the status quo of your dairy and contact your Premier representative today to learn more!

A NEW TOOL TO BEAT THE HEAT: Heat Seeker from Max Active

by Ben Williamson, Product Manager

The heat of the summer tends to wear on everyone, but especially our cows. There are several documents outlining the challenges of stress in cows: feed intake, respiration, milk production, components, reproduction, etc. A recent study (Chen et al. 2024) used results from over 34 trials to outline that for every degree increase in temperature-humidity index, dry matter intake and energy corrected milk decreased by 4.13 percent and 3.25 percent, respectively. As we all know, anything that can be done to improve cow comfort improves all metrics of the dairy.

Premier Select Sires has partnered with Max Active to add another tool to the arsenal in mitigating heat stress. Not all minerals are created equal, and bioavailability of microminerals can result in greater support of all biological systems. Chelated minerals increase the absorption of micro minerals by bonding them with amino acids or organic acids.

Max Active focuses on using the highest quality ingredients in a liquid for maximum absorption. Several studies have documented that liquid balanced minerals using Amino Acid Chelated ingredients, are absorbed 300-500 percent better than dry ingredients. It can be easily incorporated in a TMR, incorporated through water, or administered as a drench in special situations. Amino Chelated Nutrients are the foundation of appetite, fertility, immunity, and regulating body temperature.

Heat Seeker by Max Active has been used in the extreme heat of Florida with enormous success. Trials conducted the past two summers have recorded impressive benefits, even with the 2024 summer being five degrees warmer with less rainfall than 2023. A total of 1,616 fresh cows across three farms were fed Heat Seeker in July and August. Those cows resulted in year over

year improvements of 4 percent fewer culls with an increase of 8 lbs of start-up milk and 3.2 lbs of peak milk. The biggest story may be in the repro improvement, with a 4 percent increase in first service conception on cows that calved in July and August (over 2,000 breedings) and an increase of 2 percent of overall conception in the latter half of 2024 (over 20,000 breedings).

This data continued to improve with more cows in the summer of 2025, with 3,112 fresh cows being fed Heat Seeker from June through September in a TMR across four farms. The trends actually improved with 5 percent fewer culls, and an increase of 10 percent conception of first service of cows who calved in June through August (over 2,700 breedings) and a 5 percent improvement of overall conception in the latter half of 2025 (over 36,000 breedings). Further complimenting this success was an elevation of 4 percent in heat detections and 7 percent in pregnancy rate from June through December.

Other data using activity monitoring systems proved that after the product was used, cows’ respiratory rates decreased, with rumination and feed intake becoming constant when cows usually struggle in excessive heat. Conservative estimates from lower culling rates, better repro, and higher milk result in an ROI of 15 to 1 with a $0.10 investment per cow/ day

The value of nutrition is limited by how readily available all essential nutrients are, and Max Active offers an economic solution to get the most out of your cows and maximize your genetic investment. Extreme weather and challenges are inevitable; having a plan to mitigate adversity puts you ahead of the curve. Talk to your Premier rep about Heat Seeker!

WHAT ARE CUSTOMERS SAYING ABOUT HEAT SEEKER?

We first introduced Heat Seeker to our newborn calves, and the results were immediately impressive. We observed that the calves were noticeably more alert and their appetites improved significantly— something that can be especially challenging under the intense Florida heat.

Encouraged by these results, we decided to extend the use of Heat Seeker to our milking herd. Once again, the response was remarkable. Even in the middle of summer, we saw cows maintaining strong feed intake and spending more time chewing their cud, which is always a positive indicator of rumen health and overall cow comfort.

Seeing the herd actively eating and ruminating during periods of heat stress translated into improved milk production and noticeably better reproductive performance. The overall response confirmed that maintaining appetite and rumen activity during hot weather plays a key role in sustaining both production and herd health.”

Miguel Torrado, Manager Graham Dairy, Glades County FL

Milking 3,000 cows, Graham Dairy is the southernmost dairy in the US. They feed Heat Seeker in June, July, and August up to 100 DIM. The past two years, they’ve achieved a 90 lb average and a 30% preg rate. These production numbers were achieved over the last two years using Max Active products.

“We started Heat Seeker in May 2025 and it really helped our conception rates during the summer months compared to the previous summers. The intake stayed up and we got cows bred through the summer months.”

Dennis Muntz, Manager Prairie Creek Dairy, Desoto County FL

2026 PREMIER FUTURE AG LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP

Congratulations to the 2026 Premier Future Ag Leaders

Scholarship recipients!

Claire Fogler of Exeter, ME is the daughter of Kathryn and Travis Fogler. She is the recipient of the $2500 Wayne Dudley Scholarship. Claire is from Stonyvale Farm, a Holstein operation. She attends Iowa State University and studies Dairy Science. After graduating, Claire plans to return home to her family’s dairy farm, expand her experience and knowledge on the farm, and later assume a management position.

Johanna Heijkoop of Mayo, FL is the daughter of Johan and Trisha Heijkoop. She is the recipient of the $2500 Johnny Daniel Memorial Scholarship. Johanna is from Milk-A-Way Dairy and K&H Dairy, both Holstein operations. She attends the University of Florida where she studies Animal Science: Food Animal Production. After graduating, Johanna hopes

to continue in the dairy industry, and she particularly enjoys working with calves. She would like to pursue a career at a dairy heifer calf raising operation or as a calf consultant.

Miranda Nickerson of Corry, PA is the daughter of Bart and Julie Nickerson. She is from Reliance Dairy, a Holstein and Jersey operation. Miranda attends Cornell University where she studies animal science. After graduating, Miranda would like to pursue a career in dairy consulting with a focus on nutrition. In the long term, she would like to return to on-farm management and eventually take over a dairy operation of her own. She also aspires to create opportunities for education and outreach that help connect consumers and students to modern dairy farming.

Emma Copenhaver of Lebanon, PA is the daughter of Brent and Stacey Copenhaver. She is from Talview Dairy, a Holstein and Jersey operation. Emma is a senior at Annville Cleona High School and plans to attend

Oklahoma State University to study Agricultural Education and Extension. After graduating, Emma hopes to pursue a career as an agriculture teacher. By educating students about agriculture, she wants to help strengthen the future of the industry and ensure it continues to grow with knowledgeable and dedicated individuals.

Sarah Craun of Mount Crawford, VA is the daughter of Kevin and Patti Craun. She is from Van Ike Farm (Angus) and Ron Rou Holsteins. Sarah attends Blinn College where she studies animal science. After graduating, Sarah plans to work in the livestock industry. She is exploring options such as livestock pharmaceuticals or cattle purchasing for processing companies. Regardless of where her career takes her, she looks forward to contributing to the future of the agriculture industry.

Dustin Denton of Blue Rapids, KS is the son of John Denton and Angie Stump Denton. He is from Springhill Herefords. Dustin attends Kansas State University where he studies Animal Science

and Industry. After graduating, Dustin would like to continue his education and become a large animal veterinarian. He also wishes to continue building his registered Hereford herd.

Chelsea Empet of Kingsley, PA is the daughter of Richard and Dana Empet. She is from Empet Farm, a Holstein and Jersey operation. Chelsea attends Penn State University where she studies Animal Science. After graduating, Chelsea hopes to pursue a career in agricultural business to help farmers make informed financial decisions that enable them to be successful with their business. She wishes to carry on her family’s tradition and do her part to help other families do the same.

Katelyn Heckman of Kutztown, PA is the daughter of Tracie and Christopher Heckman. She is from TBM Farm, a Holstein operation. Katelyn attends Penn State University and studies Animal Science. After graduating, Katelyn plans to attend veterinary school. She hopes to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and incorporate her interest

in genetics and reproduction, including IVF and research. She also plans to continue her involvement on her family farm.

Hadley Houk of Oskaloosa, KS is the daughter of Jesse and Shelby Houk. She is from CAJ Dairy Farms LLC, a Holstein operation. Hadley is a senior at Oskaloosa High School and will be attending Northeast Iowa Community College to study Dairy Science and Agbusiness. After graduating, Hadley plans to return to her family’s farm and join the partnership. She looks forward to continuing and growing her passion for the industry and using what she learns at college on the farm.

Willis Rienhardt of Exeter, ME is the son of Brian and Liza Reinherdt. He is from Stonyvale Farm, a Holstein operation. He attends South Dakota State University and studies Precision Agriculture. After graduating, Willis plans to return home to his family’s sixth generation farm. He is committed to applying modern technology and datadriven practices to strengthen the operation for the coming years.

Logan Simon of Conway, AR is the son of Matt and Stephanie Simon. He is from Simon Brothers Dairy, a Holstein, Jersey, and Angus operation. Logan attends the University of Arkansas and studies Agricultural Systems Technology. After graduating, Logan plans to return home to his family’s dairy farm and pursue a career and life in production agriculture. He looks forward to using his education to help ensure the stability of the operation and hopes to eventually take over the farm.

Lee Taylor of Booneville, MS is the son of Bradley and Carla Taylor. He is from Taylor Jersey Farm Inc., a Jersey operation. Lee attends Mississippi State University and studies Agribusiness. After graduating, Lee plans to return to his family’s operation. He is currently involved in helping establish a facility to process dairy products from the farm. In addition to his focus on the processing side of the industry, Lee hopes to continue helping with the farm’s

production efforts as well.

Karis Burns of Hornell, NY is the daughter of Jonathan Burns. She is from the Burns Family Farm, a Holstein operation. Karis is a senior at Hornell Senior High School and plans to attend Cornell University to study Veterinary Medicine. After graduating, Karis hopes to start a small and large animal emergency clinic. She would also like to continue working on her family’s dairy farm.

Doak Guttery of Alton, KS is the son of Brice and Shana Guttery. He is from Swinging G Farm and Ranch, an Angus operation. Doak attends Kansas State University and studies Animal Science. After graduating, Doak plans to pursue a master’s degree in Ruminant Nutrition before entering the livestock nutrition field. He hopes to work as either a feedlot nutritionist or a nutritional consultant, ideally serving feedlots and cattle operations across Kansas.

Lily Hess of Millerton, PA is the daughter of David Luke and Julie Hess. She is from Hess Dairy Farm, a Jersey, Holstein, and Angus operation. Lily attends Alfred State College and studies Agribusiness. After graduating, Lily hopes to obtain her A.I. breeder’s certification to breed dairy cattle. She then wishes to take on the position of dairy herd manager on a large dairy.

Landon Jenkins of Columbia Cross Roads, PA is the son of James and Tracey Jenkins. He is from Leona-View Holsteins, a Holstein and Jersey operation. Landon is a senior at Troy Jr/Sr High School and plans to attend Penn State University to study Agribusiness Management. After graduating, Landon hopes to return to his family’s farm and work directly with dairy herd management and farm business leadership. He looks forward to taking on a larger leadership role in improving herd performance through strategic breeding decisions, reproductive efficiency, and the use of proven dairy genetics.

Caroline Kimball of Ridgely, MD is the daughter of Julie and Matt Kimball. She is from Kimball-

Way and Oakland View Farms, Holstein and Jersey operations. Caroline is a senior at Queen Anne’s County High School and plans to study Animal Science in college. After graduating, Caroline wishes to attend veterinary school to become a large animal veterinarian. She hopes to return to her community to support the agriculture industry, helping local farmers maintain sustainable operations, protect the food supply, and improve animal welfare.

Haylee Mullen of Lebanon, PA is the daughter of Nathan and Nicole Mullen. She is from Schuylkill Mt. Dairy Farm, a Holstein and Jersey operation. Haylee attends Delaware Valley University and studies Animal Science. After graduating, Haylee wishes to use her experiences from school and internships to better the agriculture community. Although she is not yet sure which career path she’ll choose, she is interested in possibly becoming a large animal vet or a feed nutritionist.

Joleigh Nailor of Mechanicsburg, PA is the daughter of Jason and Sherisa Nailor. She is from JnS Dairy, a Holstein and Milking Shorthorn operation. Joleigh attends Penn State University and studies Animal Science. After graduating, Joleigh hopes to pursue a career in cattle genetics. She would like to work for an A.I. company selling semen, spreading awareness and knowledge of genetics, and breeding cattle.

Skylar Peiffer of Lebanon, PA is the daughter of Ammon and Brenda Peiffer. She is from Boxed-In Acres Holsteins. Skylar attends Penn State University and studies Agricultural Engineering. After graduating, Skylar would like to pursue a career involving machinery and precision agriculture. Her goal is to become a test engineer or contribute to the design and development of agricultural equipment, ideally within the dairy sector.

Ainsley Sellers of Lebanon, PA is the daughter of Kraig and Meranda Sellers. She is from Gem-Rock Holsteins. Ainsley

attends Penn State University and studies Animal Science. After graduating, Ainsley plans to pursue a career within the agricultural industry, specifically focused on genetics and reproduction. She wants to help other farmers make decisions that align with their reproductive goals, while working hands-on with breeding programs, genetic selection, and reproductive management.

Phoebe Stutzman of Kutztown, PA is the daughter of Jon and Holly Stutzman. She is from Stutzman farms, an Ayrshire and Maine Anjou operation. Phoebe is a senior at Kutztown Area High School and would like to study Animal Science in college. After graduating, Phoebe wants to remain involved in the animal agriculture industry. While she is still considering different career paths, she is looking forward to the experiences college will afford her, especially livestock judging.

Lily Truax of McConnellsburg, PA is the daughter of Donald Truax. She is from McLucas Farms LLC, an Angus operation. Lily attends Penn State University and studies Agribusiness Management. After graduating, Lily plans to return to her family’s farming operation. She wants to continue building on the foundation her family has created over the last three generations, expanding and modernizing the farm. She would like to explore new opportunities such as direct-to-consumer sales and mobile markets that are located directly on the farm.

Natalie Yoder of Belleville, PA is the daughter of Michael and Maria Yoder. She is from Dryhouse Farm, a Holstein operation. Natalie attends Penn State University and studies Agribusiness Management. After graduating, Natalie plans to start her career in a marketing related role supporting the dairy industry. She wants to work for a dairy company or a food product business, supporting dairy farmers and helping build the connection between farmers and consumers.

Member Feature: McCloud Farms A Legacy of Integrity, Innovation, and Angus Excellence

Located in the heart of Jayess, Mississippi, McCloud Farms is more than just a beef operation—it’s a family legacy driven by hard work, integrity, and a passion for producing top-tier Angus cattle. With 200–225 momma cows and a total herd nearing 520 animals across 1,400 owned and leased acres, the farm represents a carefully managed balance of tradition and innovation.

Lance McCloud, who grew up on the farm, laid the foundation for the operation’s current success. After a few years away from agriculture, he returned in 2006 with a renewed vision—purchasing land and registered Angus cattle to build a program with staying power. Together with son-in-

law Jeff Stokes, the team has cultivated a reputation for reliability and quality. Today, the operation thrives with help from Lance’s wife Aletha, Jeff’s wife Kim, Lance’s daughter Kara, and eight grandkids.

The philosophy at McCloud Farms is simple but powerful: “We get up every day and work hard to be the best at what we do.” That commitment is evident in every part of the operation—from their annual bull sale held each October (this is the tenth year), to their thoughtful approach to breeding, to their customer service. Their overarching goal is to produce bulls that thrive in real-world conditions, offering performance across all levels of production.

McCloud Farms takes a strategic and data-driven approach to reproduction. Their breeding philosophy centers around

combining phenotype with genetic merit. The team places emphasis on cow families, EPDs (especially calving ease and growth), and practical traits like hair shedding. Their current sire lineup includes well-regarded names like 7AN861 PURSUIT, 7AN875 CORNHUSKER, and 7AN735 GIBSON G859

They are primarily a fall-calving operation, which aligns well with the timing of their bull sale and allows them to capitalize on high-quality ryegrass for feed. The result? Strong weaning weights and consistent calf growth.

With 98 percent of their calves registered, McCloud Farms markets animals through their annual bull sale, local stockyards, and even to customers in the beef business. Some commercial cattle are shipped to Midwestern feedlots—where an impressive 22 percent of them grade Prime.

As a family-run operation, what sets McCloud Farms apart is their unwavering commitment to fairness, honesty, and building lasting relationships.

“The cattle business is a people business,” Jeff notes. “Customer service is everything.” They stand behind their bulls and collect data to ensure transparency and satisfaction.

Growth is part of the vision at McCloud Farms. They are steadily increasing their cow numbers by retaining and purchasing females and are passionate about helping their customers succeed. One dream on the horizon? Having a McCloud bull makes it into an AI stud.

McCloud Farms values trusted genetics, and that’s where Premier Select Sires comes in. They appreciate that Premier enables them to purchase semen from sires that align with their breeding goals and customer needs.

“Not all customers want the same thing,” Jeff explains. “Premier provides a lineup that supports genetic flexibility and marketability.”

The farm also relies on Premier’s products, CONVERT™ Day One Calf Gel, and Tri-Start Jr.+ Paste. These tools support calf health and performance from day one.

Premier representative Jacob Johnson plays an important role in the farm’s success, offering outstanding service, including tank maintenance and timely support.

“I appreciate working with the McCloud family because they live out what the Bible says in ‘Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.’ This is lived out in not only how they treat their customers with respect and integrity but also their goal in producing Angus cattle with cutting edge genetics that work here in the south,” said Jacob.

What began as a private treaty sale in 2016 evolved into an annual community event. McCloud Farms’ October bull sale features two-year-old bulls and often includes guest consignors. More than just a business transaction, it’s a day for friends, family, and customers to connect and celebrate shared values in cattle production.

All Around All Stars

Prime Time Sires • New Angus Sires • Simmental Sires • Calving Ease and More • Red Angus Sires • A Passion for the

Our Mission

TO SERVE AS A TRUSTED PARTNER WITH BEEF AND DAIRY PRODUCERS, BUILDING THEIR SUCCESS THROUGH INDUSTRY-LEADING GENETICS, EFFECTIVE HERD MANAGEMENT PRODUCTS, VALUABLE SERVICES, AND EXPERIENCE-BASED INSIGHTS FROM KNOWLEDGEABLE, PASSIONATE EMPLOYEES.