Beef Brings North and South America Together

Each year international guests visit the U.S. to get an up-close look at GENEX bulls and their progeny. GENEX, part of Cooperative Resources International (CRI), hosted over 70 visitors from Argentina and Brazil on two separate tours this summer. During their visit, they learned more about the GENEX Beef lineup, as well as the entire beef industry from conception to harvest.

The Brazil tour group began in Shawano, Wisconsin, at our corporate headquarters. Over 30 guests invited by CRI Brazil, a CRI-owned company, spent a morning learning about our commitment to herd improvement through superior genetics. In addition, they spent time learning about the collection and processing of each semen straw and had the opportunity to view several bulls in-person – a highlight of the tour!

The group viewing 1AN01310 BREAKING NEWS.

From Shawano, Wisconsin, they continued their tour traveling throughout Minnesota, South Dakota and ending in Bismarck, North Dakota.

The Brazil tour group stopped in Kimball, Minnesota, to visit Schiefelbein Farms.

They also made a stop at Penrhos Farms, a GENEX progeny test herd in Britton, South Dakota, and Topp Herefords, Grace City, North Dakota.

Simultaneously, we hosted over 40 Argentine visitors from Juan Debernardi SRL, a CRI distributor. This group weaved through Kansas, Iowa, the Dakotas and Montana. A highlight of the tour was a day spent at Kansas State University (KSU) learning about the latest studies conducted by Dr. Bob Weaber and the KSU Animal Science Department. Participants also viewed the newly constructed KSU Purebred Beef Unit Headquarters. After 12 days on the road, the tour concluded at the GENEX Production Center in Billings, Montana, where the Argentines observed several bulls and learned about the semen collection process.

Observing the new Purebred Beef Unit Headquarters at KSU

While in Kansas, the Argentine visitors stopped at the Tiffany Cattle Company feedlot in Herington, Kansas, and Mushrush Red Angus in Strong City, Kansas.

Enjoying some steak at the historic Hays House in Council Grove, Kansas, on the recommendation of GENEX Beef Sire Procurement Manager Cody Sankey.

These tours allow international customers the chance to connect with staff and learn more about GENEX genetics.

After the tour, participants will have racked up over 3,000 miles, enjoyed a lot of excellent U.S. beef and gained a better understanding of the GENEX philosophy.  

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!

2016 Argentina and Brazil Beef Tour

Our new International Business Specialist, Kasey Haars, had only been on the job for a couple of weeks when we sent her along on the Argentina and Brazil beef tour. She learned a lot, made some new connections and filed this report.

I had the opportunity to assist with the Cooperative Resources International (CRI) Argentina and Brazil beef tour. This tour began in Kansas City, Missouri, weaved through Kansas, Iowa, and South Dakota and ended in North Dakota. Fifty individuals from all areas of the cattle industry in both countries attended, all coming together to learn about a common interest. 

The first tour began by heading to Tiffany Cattle Company. This 10,000 head stock yard customizes in custom feeding cattle. This family-run operation gave us the opportunity to see how a large stock yard with many employees is run. 

Rations and the importance of each ingredient was also discussed in detail at Tiffany Cattle Company. 

At our second stop, Badger Creek Cattle in Emporia, Kansas, tour participants viewed several bulls.

The next day was spent at Mushrush Red Angus in Strong City, Kansas. Daniel Mushrush was able to explain to the group in Spanish (much to the group's delight) that he and his father run the operation together. There are currently four generations of  the Mushrush family on the farm, and they plan for it to stay family owned and operated.

Tour participants were eager to watch as a few animals were run through the chute.

After a free day in Manhattan, Kansas, Monday was spent at Kansas State University. There we were able to see their pastures containing native grasses, view bulls and listen to presentations. 

The day's presentations covered a department overview, what’s new in beef genetics, evaluating cattle feet and legs, and a review of their embryo transfer and A.I. breeding program. 

Cattle viewing is always a highlight of these tours.

On Tuesday we visited Janssen Angus in Earlham, Iowa. We were able to tour this farm's beautiful pastures, learn about their grazing practices and view bulls used in Argentine breeding programs.

Cow and calves at Janssen Angus

We departed bright and early on Wednesday in route to Mohnen Angus in White Lake, South Dakota where we were again treated to pasture walks containing great looking bulls and Genex progeny.  

Tours allow participants to get up close looks at bulls and progeny.

Thursday we began our journey in North Dakota by visiting Ellingson Angus in Anthony, North Dakota, where we heard about how the Ellingson family grew their ranch to what it is today. 

Many times tour participants get to meet not only the ranch's cattle, but their family as well.

After lunch we headed over to Strommen Ranch in Fort Rice, North Dakota. At Strommen Ranch we learned how the family grew the ranch from a bull and cow they received as a wedding present. This stop showed the Argentines and Brazilians how they use rotational grazing for as many months of the year as possible. 

Tour participants also got to look at cows and calves while at the Strommen Ranch.

Our final stop of the trip was at Schaff Angus Valley. We spent the stop looking at Genex bulls, as well as understading how a large operation successfully manages their herd. 

Michael Sleeper, CRI AVP of International Marketing translates for the group.

The group and I learned a great deal about beef cattle management, enjoyed a lot a fabulous U.S. steak, and walked away from the tour with a better understanding of the CRI and Genex genetic philosophy. 

The History of A.I. – Stone Age to Present

By Michael Sleeper, Associate Vice President of International Marketing, CRI 

Being one of the longer tenured (i.e. older) members of CRI’s International Marketing team, it is interesting to reflect on all that has transpired in the time I have served the artificial insemination (A.I.) industry. It is fitting I am writing this now, because my 36th anniversary of employment with CRI and its predecessors was earlier this summer. When I started in the industry, I couldn’t imagine five years in the job, let alone nearly four decades!

It is fascinating to reflect on the many changes and advancements I have been privileged to be part of: 

Marketing concepts. When I began my career, there were more than 20 independent A.I. companies in the U.S.; today there are five major U.S. suppliers. Early on, most sales occurred within a regional membership area of each cooperative. Today, with the consolidation of A.I. companies, many of those membership regions have expanded.

Michael Sleeper, at right, looks over the cows at
Schmidt's Ponderosa, a GENESIS Cooperative Herd,
with herd owner Paul Schmidt and an international visitor.

International sales. International sales from U.S. studs hardly existed 35 years ago. A few aggressive breeders in a few countries came to the U.S. and asked if they could buy semen; we willingly complied. In those first years, we were warned to not become too dependent on those sales as they would surely never last. Today, more than 50% of the total U.S. semen doses are exported.

Genetic evaluations. In the earliest years, there was much debate regarding the merits of “breeder proven” versus “random sampled A.I.” bulls. As with most changes, there were some hard earned lessons; in this instance, it was as "elite" bulls crashed and burned when their A.I. daughters entered the proofs.

The A.I. sampled bulls weren’t perfect either. At Atlantic Breeders, my second stop in the industry, we earned industry-leading recognition for “40 in 40,” the idea that having 40 daughters in 40 herds was a measure of confidence and stability. The idea that we could look inside chromosomes and genes to get an accurate evaluation of an individual animal seemed to be science fiction.

The late 1970s brought dramatic advancement in genetic evaluations. Research at leading land grant universities coupled with advancing computer technology allowed for significant advancements in database management, statistical calculations, and the identification and evaluation of many innovative genetic traits. That trend continues today. 

Gender-sorted semen. In 1968 or 1969, there was a one page advert in the Holstein World, saying to watch for breaking news on sexed semen. I personally knew a couple of people who marketed products that were supposedly able to alter the gender ratio; the shelf life was about nine months! It took more than three decades to finally have a product in the marketplace. Today, it is a growing mainstay within the dairy cattle industry.

Michael Sleeper points out Genex sires' daughters
during an international tour of U.S. beef ranches.

Beef. I have to conclude with my newfound passion! Who would have thought a dairy boy from southern Minnesota would be fully engrossed in global beef marketing by the end of his career? In the earliest days of my A.I. industry involvement, we witnessed the boom of “exotic breeds.” Simmental, Fleckvieh, Limousin, Charolais, Chianina, Maine Anjou, Pinzgauer, etc. made a grand entry from Europe. A lot of money was made on these breeds for a few years. Then much of the industry turned to other breeds. The industry is embracing EPDs, A.I., adaptable breed composition, efficiency and profit-directed productivity. Sound science, logic and common sense are prevailing.

These are a few of the things that readily come to mind when I reflect on my 36+ years in the industry. I anticipate, and eagerly look forward to, additional innovations in the coming years. One cannot help but wonder where our industry will be in another 10, 20, 30 or even 36 more years. One thing is certain – the cattle industry is constantly growing and evolving. Get aboard and enjoy the ride!

Through Michael's travels with CRI, he has visited many different countries and experienced many
different cultures. He is pictured at left examining a herd of beef cattle in Colombia.

Beef Congress of the Americas

Last week I had the opportunity of a lifetime!  I traveled to Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil to participate in the Beef Congress of the Americas.

Campo Grande is located in the Brazilian Province of Mato Grosso do Sul.  It has humid tropical and subtropical climates and experiences two seasons, rainy and dry.

This trip was the conclusion of phase one of an Emerging Market Project funded through a grant by the USDA.  In 2013, myself and three other individuals traveled to Nicaragua to assess the beef industry in that country.  While in Nicaragua we met with producers, meat packers/feeders, and government officials.  Other assessment teams traveled to the countries of Honduras, Columbia, and Brazil to do the same.  At the Beef Cattle Conference of the Americas contacts that were made in all four countries and the U.S.A. came together to share ideas and plans for moving the beef industry in their respective countries into the future.

A common theme from the assessment trips to Nicaragua, Honduras and Columbia was that the countries struggle to produce enough beef to meet demand.  A big reason for that is the dual purpose nature of their cow herds, producing both milk and beef, and the fact that the vast majority of their cow herd is heat tolerant Bos Indicus breeds (mostly Brahman) which are later maturing and finished almost exclusively on grass.  The base of the Brazilian cow herd is mostly Nelore, another Bos Indicus breed, but many Brazilian producers have started to utilize American Angus genetics in a crossbreeding program to help them produce more/better quality beef.  We spent two days touring ranches in Brazil.

Paulo Almedia, of 7 Voltas Farm, explains their crossbreeding program.

A group of Nelore cows with F1 calves at 7 Voltas Farm.  Calves include progeny of 1AN01146 Connealy RIGHT ANSWER and 1AN01170 S CHISUM 6175.

Brazilian creep feeder.

A group of purebred Nelore cows at Perdizes Farm.

A group of Brangus cows and calves at Sao Geraldo Farm.

An owner of the MSX Group explains the marketing of Brangus Beef at the Brangus Meat Store in Campo Grande.

The U.S. Team.

We also spent two days meeting and sharing ideas for genetic and reproductive improvement in each of the countries.

Fernando Brago of Zoetis explains synchronization protocols in Brazil.

All in all it was an extremely successful trip, that I was honored to have the opportunity to be a part of.  We brought together influencers in the beef industry from five different countries!  We spoke English, Portuguese, and Spanish, but were able to break down barriers to communicate and share ideas.  Old relationships were strengthened, and new relationships were formed!

One more, just for fun!  The world's largest rodent, the Capybara!

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Author, Sarah Thorson, is our Beef Education Manager. Sarah grew up in Eastern Montana on her family's ranch. She is a graduate of Montana State University and has been a member of the Genex team since 2004. Sarah works closely with the Genex Beef Marketing Staff, providing training to the cooperative's nearly 200 Independent Contractors. She also provides Artificial Insemination training for Genex members and customers and reproductive consulting.