Select Sires

Select Sires Named Ohio’s Exporter of the Year

PLAIN CITY, Ohio, August 6, 2008 — Select Sires was recently honored with the 2008 Exporter of the Year award in recognition of superior performance in exporting and contributions to Ohio’s economy. Select Sires exported 2.8 million units of semen to 88 foreign countries in 2007, along with companion products and services. In addition, Select Sires employs more than 50 people who are involved in international marketing.

“The single most contributing factor to our success is the talented people of Select Sires,” said David Thorbahn, general manager for Select Sires. “Select Sires has some of the most talented, hardworking and honorable employees in their lines of work. It has taken a team effort to create the orders and produce the products that are in demand. The hard-working team at Select Sires has accomplished its goal by caring for some of the most valuable bovines in the world, shipping the product in a timely manner and managing our business to satisfy customers in more than 80 foreign countries throughout the past three years.”

Each year, the Governor of the State of Ohio presents the Ohio Governor’s Excellence in Exporting Awards to companies that have excelled in exporting, and organizations that have helped Ohio companies achieve international success.

“Ohio is the eighth largest exporting state in the country,” said Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, listing the honored businesses as the reason. “I want to thank them for their hard work and commitment to success and their contributions to keeping Ohio’s economy strong and competitive.”

Select Sires was recognized for its “vision, tenacity and innovation.” Much of that stems from its use of the most aggressive technology to offer frozen bovine semen, including both conventional and gender SELECTed™ semen. Select’s international sales have increased by 46.4 percent throughout the past two years and represent 25 percent market share for U.S.-produced semen exports.

“Our development of international markets creates Ohio jobs and helps to grow the economy,” said Joel Mergler, vice president of international market development for Select Sires. “We are very proud of our contribution and hope to continue this growth for the benefit of all.”

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 dairy and beef producers with North America’s best genetics at a reasonable price.

^TMgender SELECTed is a trademark of Select Sires Inc.

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