^{The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.}

In support of student leaders and in remembrance of the late George Miller, Select Sires Inc. has established the George Miller Memorial Scholarship fund. This youth scholarship is hosted by Holstein Association USA’s Holstein Foundation and supported by Select Sires’ genetic programs. Select Sires will allocate funds from semen sales of 7HO15807 GEORGE MILLER, a recently released NxGEN® sire.

“George Miller was the leader that the A.I. industry needed at the time. He combined appropriate respect for the history of our industry with a prescient knowledge of how to incorporate new technologies and approaches,” said Katharine Knowlton, Ph.D., professor of dairy science at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and member of the George Miller Scholarship Fund committee. “Throughout his career George truly loved interacting with students making this scholarship a perfect memorial.”

George Miller passed away in February 2021 at the age of 94. Throughout his lifetime, George made significant contributions to the dairy and A.I. industries and Select Sires. He was a champion for genetic advancement with an unmatched passion for great cows and the dairy farmers he worked alongside. George grew up helping on his uncle’s dairy farm, the birthplace of the famed 7HO58 Round Oak Rag Apple ELEVATION (EX-96-GM) and was instrumental in the mating that produced this iconic sire. He went on to attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute to earn a bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry and a master’s degree in dairy science. George was a strong supporter of his alma mater with an immense appreciation for his education.

In 1973, George joined the staff at Select Sires Inc. in Plain City, Ohio and worked as the cooperative’s marketing manager for many years before retiring in 1991. “George was a pillar of the Select Sires family. He was passionate about genetics, the Holstein cow, and his Select Sires family. His desire to support breeders with the very best genetics was his life’s mission. Throughout the years, George’s love for the people of this cooperative provided the spirit and culture to our organization. To George, Select Sires was about family, the people. He was a natural leader and built a remarkable foundation for Select Sires,” said David Thorbahn, president and CEO of Select Sires Inc.

The inaugural George Miller Memorial scholarship will be awarded in 2023. Application information can be found at www.selectsires.com and will be due March 1 of the qualifying year. Applicants must be: a member of Holstein Association USA (youth or adult), currently enrolled in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program, a U.S. resident attending college full-time in the U.S., and pursuing an agricultural degree with dairy-related experiences and career interests.

A selection committee organized by Select Sires Inc. will review the applications and select scholarship winners. Holstein Foundation will distribute the appropriate funds each spring.

To purchase semen from new NxGEN sire GEORGE MILLER, or to contribute to the scholarship fund, please contact Select Sires Inc.

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is the largest global A.I. cooperative and is comprised of six farmer-owned and -controlled local organizations in the United States. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen, as well as excellence in service and programs to supply dairy and beef producers with the world’s best genetics.