WINTER 2023
Our Passion. YOUR SUCCESS ®
MINNESOTA
SELECT SIRES CO-OP, INC.
SELECTIONS
LEAVING A LEGACY, NEAL GROTSUN RETIRES After 38 years of service to our members, Neal Grotsun is retiring as the genetic programs manager at Minnesota/Select Sires Co-op, Inc. Neal was hired by former Minnesota/Select Sires General Manager, Lyle Kruse in June 1984 as a sales representative for north central Minnesota. He also worked as a part-time Select Mating Service® (SMS®) genetic consultant for Select Sires Inc. in the north central region of the country. When Minnesota/ Select Sires Co-op, Inc. was formed in 1986, Neal’s primary responsibilities evolved to a full-time genetic consultant role covering the cooperative territory. He coordinated the Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™) and daughter photography. As his career advanced, he witnessed many changes in the dairy industry. At the start, linear evaluations were new to the industry and were being introduced through the SMS program. Later, pedigree mating was established and added as a new tool. Most recently, SMS was rebuilt to factor in health and fertility traits. With new technologies like genomic testing, matings have become more accurate and SMS
genetic consultants can help herds elevate their genetics to extreme levels. Neal worked through each of these changes and learned along the way so that he could be the best resource for his customers. Throughout his career, Neal worked with more than 1,000 herds providing SMS consultation. In 1992, he was honored as the SMS Genetic Consultant of the Year, an award given to outstanding consultants who have contributed to the growth and success of Select Sires Inc, and their customers. Chris Sigurdson, general manager, said “You couldn’t ask for a better employee and teammate than Neal. He is always a professional and 100% dedicated to the success of our farmer-owners. His passion for mating cows that farmers’ desire is unmatched. He’s passed on this steady, always-do-the-right-thing approach to everyone he’s influenced. We’ve all been honored to work alongside Neal Grotsun.” While Neal is passionate about genetics and cattle, he never lost sight of the heart of the dairies he worked with – the families. He built relationships with all members of the family and encouraged kids to get involved with 4-H. He has been a strong supporter of youth activities, volunteering at local, county and state 4-H dairy shows. He is also asked to judge county dairy shows throughout Minnesota. Continue reading on page C.
Leif Annexstad joined the Minnesota/Select Sires team in June 2022 and following Neal Grotsun’s retirement, he will assume most of Neal’s responsibilities. The primary focus of Leif’s role is to help herds achieve their goals by adopting the best mating and reproductive strategies. He will work with dairies to perform genetic audits and utilize Select Sires’ many tools and services, including proprietary inventory management calculators, Select RePRO Analysis™, the redesigned StrataGEN® program, Select Mating Service (SMS) and Select Reproductive Solutions® (SRS®). Leif will analyze on-farm herd management software reports to uncover profit opportunities and serve as a trusted advisor to dairy customers throughout the Minnesota/Select Sires region.
IN THIS ISSUE A
u
Grotsun Retires
C
u
Ca3 BioFresh
B
u
Genetic Consultant Q&A
D
u
From the General Manager