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In this capacity, Dr. Utt will collect and analyze data from various on-farm data management systems and develop tools and services for the benefit of Select Sires and their customer-owners. His efforts will focus on the development of reproductive solutions, genetic advancements and on-farm management tools that will provide innovative products to producers. Additionally, Dr. Utt will offer advanced technical support for the reproductive management of females in both the dairy and beef departments.
“When Dr. Harstine was hired as a research associate in 2016, he already had many years of experience working closely with Select Sires’ research and semen processing teams,” explains DeJarnette. “In his time with Select Sires, he has excelled in his accomplishments and is now well prepared to accept the role of director of research.”
In this new role, Dr. Harstine will work with Select Sires’ research teams to design various trials to improve semen collection, processing, preservation and overall quality. He will work with Select Sires’ Program for Fertility Advancement™ (PFA™) to implement field trials to collect and analyze data for fertility improvement. In addition to his laboratory research responsibilities, Dr. Harstine will collaborate with Select Reproductive Solutions® (SRS®) and Aggressive Reproductive Technologies™ (ART™) program personnel to implement the latest reproductive technologies and enhance genetic success.
Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is North America's largest A.I. organization and is comprised of nine 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.
Select Sires announces restructuring to the research program within the cooperative. Mel DeJarnette, Select Sires’ vice president of research and quality control explains, “As Select Sires grows, it is paramount that our investment in research mimics this growth. With the amount of data that we are harvesting from many research endeavors, there is a calling to use this data for the betterment of our industry.”
After four years as director of research, Dr. Matthew Utt will lead this charge as the newly appointed director of data innovation for Select Sires. “We look forward to Dr. Utt’s enthusiasm and technical expertise being applied to this new venture at Select Sires,” says Todd Kranz, chief development officer. “Our ability to identify and use data in all aspects of our business, including genetics, reproductive efficiencies and marketing will be critical to the future of our cooperative.”
In this capacity, Dr. Utt will collect and analyze data from various on-farm data management systems and develop tools and services for the benefit of Select Sires and their customer-owners. His efforts will focus on the development of reproductive solutions, genetic advancements and on-farm management tools that will provide innovative products to producers. Additionally, Dr. Utt will offer advanced technical support for the reproductive management of females in both the dairy and beef departments.
Also appointed to a new position, Dr. Bo Harstine will lead the cooperative as the director of research. Previously a research and quality assurance associate at Select Sires, Dr. Harstine has many years of experience within the research department. After completing an undergraduate internship at Select Sires, he went on to earn master’s and doctorate degrees in animal science studying the endocrinology of puberty attainment in bulls. His roots in the dairy industry make him well-aware of the challenges that are facing dairy producers and the A.I. industry.
“When Dr. Harstine was hired as a research associate in 2016, he already had many years of experience working closely with Select Sires’ research and semen processing teams,” explains DeJarnette. “In his time with Select Sires, he has excelled in his accomplishments and is now well prepared to accept the role of director of research.”
In this new role, Dr. Harstine will work with Select Sires’ research teams to design various trials to improve semen collection, processing, preservation and overall quality. He will work with Select Sires’ Program for Fertility Advancement™ (PFA™) to implement field trials to collect and analyze data for fertility improvement. In addition to his laboratory research responsibilities, Dr. Harstine will collaborate with Select Reproductive Solutions® (SRS®) and Aggressive Reproductive Technologies™ (ART™) program personnel to implement the latest reproductive technologies and enhance genetic success.
Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is North America's largest A.I. organization and is comprised of nine 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.
