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.
Thorbahn’s passion for the dairy industry began in his youth on his family’s farm in Ohio, where his interest in improving the dairy industry took root. Today, he is a true leader in the dairy industry, known for his remarkable achievements during his tenure as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Select Sires Inc., a position he has held since 2000. Prior to Select Sires, he worked with ABS, heading up the Holstein young sire program. There, he held various positions and received numerous promotions before returning to his home state to lead the Select Sires team.
Under his leadership, Select Sires has grown into the largest supplier of bovine semen in North America and one of the largest globally. It was Thorbahn’s leadership that drove the company to be first-to-market with sex-sorted semen. During his tenure, Select Sires has seen substantial growth, expanding sales from 6 million doses in 1999 to more than 24 million doses by 2021. He also led seven major acquisitions, including the purchase of Low Carbon Beef, which supports sustainability efforts by enabling dairy and beef producers to gain carbon credits.
Additionally, Thorbahn’s dedication to mentorship and youth development is well known, particularly through his role as a founding member and first Chairman of the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge. This initiative has grown to provide a unique learning and career development experience for countless university students across the country.
As a respected figure in the industry, Thorbahn has served on numerous boards, including the National Association of Animal Breeders, the U.S. Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, and World Dairy Expo. He has been honored with several prestigious awards, including The Ohio State University Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2024 Ohio State University Dairy Hall of Service induction.
Randy Kortus of the Select Sires Board of Directors is one of several influential figures in the dairy industry who recommended Thorbahn for the award. He says, “I cannot think of a more qualified individual who has accomplished so much for the dairy and beef industries.”
Thorbahn will receive the Guest of Honor award at the National Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet on Monday, September 29th in Madison, Wisconsin. His portrait will be displayed in National Dairy Shrine’s Dairy Hall of Fame and Museum in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.
For more information about National Dairy Shrine, the banquet, or this year’s award winners, please contact National Dairy Shrine at info@dairyshrine.org or visit their website at www.dairyshrine.org.
