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.

Showbox Sires LLC, a new genetic venture backed by trusted industry leaders, will be collaborating with Select Sires and Semex to bring a high-type, show-focused sire development program to dairy breeders. The team at Showbox Sires includes Tim and Sharyn Abbott and Mike and Julie Duckett. Both couples have had tremendous success in the industry and have combined their experiences and sheer passion for genetics to launch this new venture. Showbox Sires will leverage the industry’s many tools, including genomic evaluations as well as pedigrees that are proven winners on the tanbark. At this time, Showbox Sires will offer elite Holstein and Red & White genetics with tentative plans to release the first sire in late 2023.

“Whether you want to improve your herd, compete at the county fair or exhibit a winner at national shows, Showbox Sires is built from families that have done just that! Our vision is to acquire and develop bulls to meet the needs of any passionate dairy breeder,” said Tim Abbott, Showbox Sires LLC. “The team at Showbox Sires is thrilled to work with two companies that have set the pace for high-type cattle through industry-leading genetics over the past several decades: Select Sires and Semex. We believe our thought process and goals are closely aligned, and we look forward to working with their teams to bring our product to this sector of the global market.”

Cooperative collaboration

All bulls from Showbox Sires will be branded with a single, unique NAAB identifier. While Select Sires and Semex are the program’s exclusive marketing and distribution channels, no individual sire will be marketed by both companies. Select Sires and Semex will house the sires assigned to their lineup and carry out collection, processing and distribution. It is expected that both conventional and sexed semen will be available for these sires.

“We’re excited to work with the Abbotts, the Ducketts and their amazing cows and cow families,” said Brad Sayles, chief operating officer, Semex. “Their long, successful track record, and the deep passion for the future of their enterprise, make this cooperative effort a logical option for both A.I. organizations. Semex and Select Sires share a common foundation of farmer ownership and the common goal of meeting our clients’ genetic needs. Adding this relationship further enhances our mutual histories of excellence.”

“As farmer-owned organizations, Select Sires and Semex uphold customer success and genetic transparency to the highest degree,” said Jeff Ziegler, vice president of dairy cattle breeding, Select Sires Inc. “Partnering with experts in the field to grow our offering and continually exceed the expectations of our farmer-owners is paramount. We are grateful to work with Tim and Sharyn and Mike and Julie to afford our farmer-owners the benefit of their expertise and professionalism.”

To order Showbox Sires genetics

A unique website to promote Showbox Sires is currently under construction. To order semen, please contact your local Select Sires or Semex representative.