Members Make the Difference

Members are the grease to our gears, the milk to our cereal and the yee for our haw. Without our members we fail to exist. Members own GENEX, which is one of the things that make a cooperative  business model so special. 

Co-op membership is simple and rewarding and includes benefits such as:
» Voting privileges and a voice in the governance of the cooperative
» Invites to member appreciation meetings and events
» Earning equity in the cooperative
» Opportunity to become a delegate or director

GENEX has a long history of acting on the needs and concerns of its members. Two of the most recent examples are the Ideal Commercial Cow (ICC$) index and RumiLife® CAL24™ nutritional supplement. 

The ICC$ is a Holstein sire ranking tool developed to meet the demands of GENEX members and customers for a healthy, medium-sized cow. It addresses the needs of commercial dairy producers using real-time economic indicators, scientific principles and data-driven genetic evaluations from multiple sources. A Jersey ICC$ is also in the development phase with plans for release soon.

Members came to us wanting a sustained release, once-and-done calcium supplement for transition cows. GENEX once again came through and introduced RumiLife® CAL24™ nutritional supplement. This new product allows producers to forget the worry of catching cows several times to administer boluses treating low blood calcium. This one treatment with two boluses provides the 24-hour coverage that is needed.

The grass-roots structure of a cooperative such as GENEX, means its members' voices are heard. GENEX is currently conducting its Fall Delegate Meetings where delegates and alternates from across the country are gathering to provide feedback and ideas. These are the very meetings where many of the new GENEX initiatives come from.

It truly is you, the GENEX member, who makes the difference in our cooperative. Thank you for your continued support and guidance as we fulfill our purpose to be the trusted provider of world-class animal genetics, progressive reproductive solutions, value-added products and innovative services to members and customers.

Knowledge is Power

As a kid, I remember watching a show called School House Rock. The opening jingle had a character who would yell out, "Knowledge is power." (Sorry if that jingle is now stuck in your head, child of the '80's!) The individuals responsible for creating the seven cooperative principles understood the enormity of knowledge and what those with it were capable of accomplishing. That is why principle number five is education, training and information.

GENEX takes this principle to heart and strives to be a source of information for our members and customers in both the dairy and beef cattle industries. I talked about some of the ways GENEX is currently educating members and customers in my last blog post Education Isn't a Four Letter Word.

Today I would like to spend a little time talking about training for GENEX employees, delegates and board members.

Employees

GENEX employees, along with others working for other Cooperative Resources International (CRI) brands, have the opportunity to participate in the cooperative's professional development program called REACH. Employee enrichment is important as the industry we work in changes quickly. To ensure a rapid response, employees also participate in webinars, listen to podcasts, are provided with internal newsletters and belong to a GENEX employees Facebook group. 

Many employees take their learning and teaching to the next level, such as the experience below, where Dairy Sire Procurement Specialist, Dan Bauer, spent time in Brazil in partnership with the American Jersey Cattle Association, AgSource and the USDA to study the emerging Jersey industry in the country. Dan was able to share some insight into our Jersey industry, while networking with Brazilian farmers.

Delegates

Delegates are the very heart of GENEX. They provide GENEX with the grass-roots direction it requires to operate from year to year. Over 150 delegates and alternates gather each year at one of eight delegate meetings to learn about the cooperative and industry, as well as to provide the GENEX board and senior management with recommended changes for the coming year. 

In addition, delegates and alternates attend the annual meeting each January, where they have the opportunity to network with other delegates and attend break-out sessions. Session topics vary from year to year and can include titles from Cooperatives 101 to Using Social Media on Your Farm/Ranch to Brazil Beef (below).

Board Members

GENEX is governed by a 13-member board consisting of dairy and beef producers from across the U.S. A policy exists to encourage structured participation in programs designated to enhance director knowledge and experience. Three days of basic training is provided for all new directors, and three to five days of education and training is expected of each director yearly. This is in addition to their regularly scheduled meetings. There is also the opportunity for more advanced training, if a director should choose to receive it. These learning experiences are in business management, cooperative education or other agricultural topics associated with GENEX, with many of them being graduate-level courses. Below, past GENEX Board President, Paul Greene, addresses the delegates during the 2017 Annual Meeting.

Education is not just a buzz word at GENEX. The cooperative truly believes knowledge is power. By providing learning opportunities to everyone involved with the company, GENEX can ensure its purpose of being the trusted provider of world-class animal genetics, progressive reproductive solutions, value-added products and innovative services to members and customers.

Historic Postcard Prompts a #FlashbackFriday

A few months ago, an individual saw the sign outside the GENEX Distribution Center in Shawano, Wisconsin, and stopped in to drop off a vintage postcard. The postcard highlighted one of the many GENEX predecessor organizations, Badger Breeders. The front of the postcard (shown below) featured the Badger Breeders headquarters (today’s GENEX Headquarters).

The back of the postcard shared this message:

25 Years of Scientific Breeding Success

In April 1940 – just 2 years after artificial breeding of cattle was introduced into the United States – 100 forward-looking farmers formed the organization known today as Badger Breeders Cooperative.

Their faith in this revolutionary new breeding technique was fully justified by results: better herds; better production; better income and profits. It was these results – constantly improved over the years – that boosted membership from the original 100 to the present 27,100, coverage from 3 to 30 counties, and first services from a mere 1000 to last year’s 408,206 – a grand total of 5,222,343 first services in our first 25 years. Imagine the tremendous herd-improving influence Badger Breeders has exerted.

Now, 77 years after the formation of that predecessor organization, your cooperative is still forward-thinking. We’re still dedicated to ongoing genetic improvement and data-driven innovation. We’re still dedicated to better herds, better production and better profits for our cooperative members and customers.

Top 10 Reasons to be a GENEX delegate

The third week of January is often characterized by blowing snow and frigid temps, but in most cases, that doesn’t stop GENEX delegates from convening in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the cooperative’s annual meeting. This year, delegates from 26 states made the trek. For repeat visitors, the annual meeting is a time to catch up with fellow producers and GENEX management. For new delegates, it’s an opportunity to really learn more about the inner workings of the co-op.

Much more than a meeting. While “annual meeting” may sound like a bore, the GENEX meeting is so much more! In addition to the business meeting and evening entertainment, the event includes educational opportunities. This year the co-op held five breakout sessions featuring 11 topics for delegates to gain cooperative or farm management insight. Topics ranged from cybersecurity to beef in Brazil and from research updates to the beef lineup and the Ideal Commercial Cow (ICC$) index. Time and time again, these breakout sessions are a fan favorite. This year was no different. Here’s what a few delegates had to say:

Your reasons. How does a GENEX member get the opportunity to attend the annual meeting? First, you must self-nominate to be a delegate. Then the members in your local membership district cast their vote on who should be a delegate. If you are elected, you are invited (and expected) to attend the annual meeting in January and an input meeting in the fall.

Why would you want to become a delegate and attend the annual meeting? Here’s the Top 10 reasons, as shared by delegates at this year’s GENEX annual meeting

   10. Gets you away from the farm or ranch and that daily routine!

    9. A chance to meet producers from across the country.

    8. It’s a matter of give and take (contribute to the co-op and learn).

    7. It’s a family affair – My family’s been members of co-ops since the 1920s.

    6. GENEX is the best show in town, and we want to keep it that way!

    5. Delegate input keeps the organization healthy.

    4. Reuniting with fellow delegates that I only see once a year.

    3. Cooperatives educate their delegates and members. 

    2. Find out the inside-scoop on the new happenings at GENEX.

    1. We got voted in!

If becoming a delegate and attending the annual meeting interests you, watch for your next opportunity to self-nominate. In the meantime, here's some additional highlights from this year's annual meeting:

 

From a Delegate's Point of View

GENEX recently wrapped up its fall delegate meetings. Nine different meetings took place giving delegates from across the country the chance to learn of changes taking place within GENEX and an opportunity to provide feedback for the future of the cooperative. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Ron Koetsier, a delegate from California on the delegate experience. Ron is a second generation dairy farmer who now farms in partnership with his son, Ron Jr. They milk 1,150 cows and farm 400 acres near Visalia.

What is the time commitment of being a GENEX delegate? 3 to 5 days a year, depending on where you live and where the meetings are located

Ron participating in the GENEX Fall Delegate Meeting.

What is your experience and/or history with cooperatives? We were members of Eastern A.I. (a GENEX predecessor). We are also members of Land O'Lakes Cooperative, and I have served as a Unit Delegate.

Why did you decide to become involved with GENEX governance? Because I then can provide input into what goes on in the cooperative. Delegate input really does matter. A recent example is the change in requirements to become a member. We were asked to provide our feedback, and the cooperative acted based on it. I also gain a lot of information from other delegates. It is certainly a learning experience. I learn way more than what I put in.

What advice do you have for others who may be considering becoming a delegate? Do it. You will pick up new ideas from the like-minded individuals you are around. It is very enlightening as you will find out how cooperatives operate. Becoming involved is an excellent growing opportunity and everyone can contribute, whether you have 50 or 5,000 cows.

Cooperatives Build A Better World

I recently got the chance to screen a PBS Visionaries documentary celebrating 100 years of cooperatives. Can I just say I smiled through the whole hour? Watching the seven stories of cooperatives both in the U.S. and abroad made me swell with pride, pride for belonging to something that is committed to helping one another as a part of the very principles that make up their business model. (Click here to learn about the seven co-op principles.) 

I am blessed to be not only employed by a cooperative, but also a member of several through our farm. In both of these capacities, I have seen the hard work put in by members, delegates, board members and employees to make an impact, not only in the communities they live in or serve, but across the globe, from little things that multiply to become big things, like Operation Round Up at my local electric co-op, to the amazing list of community organizations my credit union supports, to the work Cooperative Resources International (CRI) conducts through its Cooperative Development and Emerging Markets Programs.

CRI has been working in global outreach for nearly 20 years. A recently completed project in Nicaragua spanned five years as part of a $5 million, USAID funded, Cooperative Development Program (CDP). The project aimed to transform household-level dairy producers and their cooperatives into small scale commercial firms. Dean Gilge, AVP of Global Development for CRI notes, "It is heartening to hear someone such as Norman Montenegro, General Manager for Nicaragua's Asogamat Cooperative, describe the tremendous value the program has made in their operation. Norman credits CRI's help in strong governance foundation, designing a strategic plan and coaching them to success."

Dean Gilge (left) and Dan Diederich, CRI Board Member (right) learn about Quesillos, a tortilla with white cheese, cream cheese and onions, from the Quesillo store manager.

Milk arrives at the central milk collection center in Nicaragua via several modes of transportation.

Recent projects have also taken us to South Africa where CRI has worked with the beef cooperative Inkephu and the dairy cooperative Seven Stars. These businesses were chosen because of their accomplishments in showing an interest and desire to grow as sustainable cooperatives. Genex Board Member, Terry Frost had this to say upon returning from his time working with the co-ops, "While improvements need to be made, the cooperatives' hope for the future is evident. I feel the cooperative members want to improve for their community. These people are very proud of their culture and heritage. They just need the guidance and training the CDP can and is providing."

Genex Board Member, Terry Frost (front) inspects a feedlot with the Chairman of Inkephu Cooperative in South Africa.

Last year, a CRI Emerging Markets Program, with funding from the USDA, brought a delegation of 29 beef industry representatives from China, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Russia to the U.S. The participants were key dicision makers from large beef operations, universities, agriculture ministries and processing facilities. The tour showcased the U.S. beef industry "from semen to cellophane."

And the CRI commitment to global development is far from over. With current projects in South Africa and the Dominican Republic, we hope to continue to make a difference in agriculture and communities world-wide. 

By the way, if you get a chance to check out the documentary coming to a PBS station near you this November, watch it.  You won’t regret the hour you spend!

Cooperatives Build Leaders

A productive cooperative depends on its member-owners to lead it forward. Indeed, the cooperative model of governance requires democratic member control. Where do cooperatives find these leaders? I believe it is the cooperative system itself that fosters the leadership development by giving them the opportunity to experience unique situations and network with others in their industry.

I recently spent some time at Ruedinger Farms Inc., in Van Dyne, Wisconsin, talking with our Cooperative Resources International (CRI) Board Chairman, John Ruedinger. His first-hand experience echoes the cooperatives build leaders message.

Perhaps you are interested in getting involved with cooperative governance, but worry you don't have the experience or time to be a delegate. Two of our current delegates, Alexa Kayhart and Scott Erthum, took a few moments to share their stories. Read how they balance farm/ranch life with being a delegate and the benefits they are receiving from the process.  

Just as cooperative delegates and board members build their leadership skills, employees of cooperatives, and in particular CRI and its subsidiary employees, are given many opportunities to shape their management skills as well. A big portion of this initiative includes our own REACH Leadership Courses. In addition, employees are supported in endeavors to enrich their leadership experiences outside of our cooperative as well. Programs such as Leadership Wisconsin and Leadership Shawano County are two examples where CRI employees have honed their leadership skills. In addition, CRI employees are encouraged to join groups and volunteer in their communities as a part of our company’s value of stewardship.

Genex Production Training and Education Specialist, David Lee Schneider (second from right), received the Alva Rankin Award. This memorial award is given to a graduating Leadership Wisconsin Fellow who exemplifies Al’s strong leadership and personal skills.

Members of the CRI Information and Public Relations team spent time assembling weekend meal packs for children from area schools who are in need.

Genex employees receiving National Association of Animal Breeders awards: Jim Cumming 1 Million Unit Sales (Georgia), Jim Engle 1 Million Unit Sales (Idaho), Doug Westenbroek 3.5 Million Unit Sales (California), Bill Casey 1 Million Unit Sales (Wisconsin), Jan Longacre 1 Million Unit Sales (New York) and George Shue 100,000 First Services (Pennsylvania).

Tom Lyon, former Cooperative Resources International CEO, accepting the National Association of Animal Breeders Pioneer Award for long-term distinguished service to the A.I. industry.

Stan Lock (left) was honored with the Service to the Beef Industry award at the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle workshop.

CRI prides itself in its people, and we know that the cooperative model of business has allowed us to become the company we are today. From our Board to our delegates and employees, we have the people who are willing to put in the time and effort, because cooperatives build leaders!

Cooperatives Build Innovation

It is no secret Genex Cooperative, Inc. and our predecessors have led the way in the A.I. industry. Have a look at some of our accomplishments and get a peek into our exciting future!

Genex looks forward to delivering new solutions to meet our industry's emerging needs.

My Dairy Devine Child Care Trip!

An important aspect of June Dairy Month is dairy education. So, today I spent some time at a cooperative child care (more about that later) asking three and four year olds dairy related questions. As a dairy farmer myself, I was elated to hear that every one of these energetic souls knew that milk came from a cow and cows eat grass, although one little girl said that was "ewww!"

I did learn that no matter how much personal experience I told them I had on the topic, they would not believe me when I told them chocolate milk is made, not produced by “brown, little cows.” They were also very adamant about their image of what a farmer looks like. One little girl, who had already stood and was now inching her way closer and closer to me said, “A farmer has brown hair.” This drew several nods. Then the little blonde girl sitting in the front who was very eager to answer every question added, “And he wears a blue hat,” which was followed a bit later by a quiet little boy who hadn’t said much during my question and answer session. With a wide grin he said, “And a farmer scoops up dirt!”

After the five intense minutes of questioning, I rewarded the kids by reading from a book about dairy farming. It was great to see their interested little faces watching every turn of the page and finishing the sentences before I could. The story time of my visit even intrigued a little boy who was playing with blocks and didn’t want anything to do with my earlier line of questions. He scooted right up next to my legs to get a really good look at each picture, noticing every little detail. I can tell you I was also super happy with the selection of accurate books about dairy farming my local public library carried.

As a side note-if you are ever looking for ways to improve ag literacy in your community, your local public library LOVES donations of ag-accurate books. I have done this with our FFA chapter as well as for a memorial of someone who cared deeply about agriculture. Our local library carries stickers to put in the front cover of the books with who the book is in memory of or who it was donated by. If you are having a hard time finding ag-accurate books, a good place to start is the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. They have a great, searchable list for all ages of kids!

Being somewhat of a novice to group story time, I did make a giant mistake. I closed the book and attempted to move on to snack time, not realizing I had forgotten to say “the end.” Don’t worry, I had 10 three and four year olds who quickly and loudly reminded me!

Then came probably the most rewarding part of my visit, watching the kids devour, and ask for more, string cheese and chocolate milk. The fact that they liked this delicious and nutritious snack reminded me why dairy farming is so important, and renewed my faith in my husband’s chosen profession, even if we won’t see him until after 9:00 tonight for dinner!

Now for the super cool cooperative day care info. Since Cooperative Resources International (CRI) is a holding cooperative and two of its three subsidiaries are also cooperatives, CRI decided entering into a venture with two other local companies to form a cooperative child care center made sense. This unique business structure allows parent members to serve on the board of directors and vote as the need arises. I love that these companies saw a void in the community and decided a cooperative was the best way to address it!

Enjoy the last few days of June Dairy Month and take a few moments to educate those around you about the industry – young or old, at a cooperative or not – you will be glad you did!