The Select Sires Podcast

Learn how the Genetic Data Partner (GDP) Program from Select Sires helps drive dairy genetic progress through real-world data collection and young sire sampling. In this episode, Preston Sheets, Dairy Development Programs Advisor, explains how partner herds contribute fertility, production and type data to develop more reliable, proven sires. Discover how the program benefits producers with early...

In this episode of The Select Sires Podcast, experts from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding break down major updates to female fertility evaluations, including improvements to DPR, CCR, HCR, and EFC, as well as the introduction of a new trait, First Service to Conception (FSC). They explain how modern dairy management and data collection are shaping more accurate genetic predictions. Tune in to...

In this episode, Herby Lutz, Jersey Development Manager, and Marc Bolen, Dairy Sire Marketing Coordinator, break down the top genomic Jersey young sires dominating today’s rankings for HHP$®, JPI™, production, and wellness traits. With 10 of the breeds top 25 HHP$ sires represented, the GForce™ lineup showcases elite genetics designed for profitability, longevity and herd health.

In this episode of the Select Sires podcast, Kristen Gaddis, Ph. D., of Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding joins Host Ethan Haywood to discuss new calf health traits focused on Resistance to Diarrhea (DIA) and Resistance to Respiratory Problems (RSP). Built from extensive on-farm data insights, these evaluations offer producers a new tool to improve calf survival and long-term herd performance. The...

In this episode, Kevin Jorgensen and Rick VerBeek unpack the momentum behind Select Sires’ NxGEN® and GForce™ lineups, highlighting the sires, cow families and genetic strategies driving today’s highest‑ranking TPI®, HHP$® and fitness‑focused Holstein genetics. From fast‑rising NxGEN sires like 14HO17486 COBOT and 7HO18078 BENTHEHM, to GForce leaders like 7HO16644 RIMBOT and 7HO17413 FOONBURTON, t...

Get an inside look at semen collection and processing at Select Sires, with Vice President of Semen Processing and Quality Control, Lucas Helser. Lucas walks through his 16‑year journey with the cooperative and explains the science, technology, and precision behind semen processing for the dairy and beef industries. He breaks down how semen quality is measured, what drives fertility success, and w...

This episode dives deep into the latest round of genetic proofs, highlighting new graduates, proven sires and why reliability and real‑world daughter data continue to matter. The team breaks down lineup diversity, index performance (HHP$®, TPI®, JPI™, JUI™), and how current index formulas are shaping the future of the breed.

In this episode, Northern Ireland dairyman David Irwin, owner of Redhouse Holsteins, explains how he builds functional, profitable Holsteins through balanced genetics, strong cow families, and strategic use of Select Sires’ NxGEN® program. This episode is a great listen for anyone also chasing production, components, and longevity in their herd.

Join Host Ethan Haywood and guest Jeff Ziegler, Senior Executive Director of Global Genetic Integrations, as they explore the legacy of longtime Select Sires leader Richard H.L. Chichester. Known by many as Dick, the impact he made on the dairy genetics industry is tremendous. Learn how his commitment to people and progress continues through the new Dairy Shrine scholarship supporting the next gen...

In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan and Alicia Lamb of Oakfield Corners Dairy to explore the influential cow families and breeding strategies behind leading sires including top-TPI® sire 7HO16276 SHEEPSTER . They share their 12‑generation dairy legacy, insights on genomics and show-type success, and what traits define the cow of the future. A must‑listen for anyone interested in elite Holst...

Marc Bolen and Herby Lutz showcase Select Sires’ elite Jersey sires that combine high production with fertility, longevity and wellness. The episode highlights leading sons of daughter-proven sires, Polled genetics, and sires excelling for JPI™, DPR, and mastitis resistance. A preview of upcoming releases rounds out this genetics-focused episode.

In this episode, we dive deep into elite cow families, next-generation genetics, and the sires shaping the future of the Holstein breed. These high-ranking genomic young sires cover performance, type, fertility, and real-world functionality in today’s herds.

In this episode of The Select Sires Podcast, Host Ethan Haywood is joined by Herby Lutz and Tyler Boyd for an in-depth conversation on Jersey genetic development and the powerful partnership between Select Sires Inc. and Jerseyland Sires. Tune in to hear how Jerseyland’s member-driven sire development, transparency between organizations, and real-world sire performance data from partner herds cont...

Discover how technology is reshaping calf care from day one. In this episode, Host Ethan Haywood sits down with Lori Nagel, DVM of CowManager® to explore cutting-edge youngstock monitoring, early disease detection, and how real-time data can improve calf health, welfare and lifetime performance of mature, lactating cows. If you’re looking to protect your genetic investment and raise healthier, mor...

December sire summaries brought exciting news for Holstein and Jersey breeders as Select Sires introduced a powerful lineup of new proven graduates. With eleven new Holstein graduates and several standout Jersey additions, the additions featured exceptional diversity in pedigrees, strong performance traits, and several high-impact sires poised to influence herds worldwide.

Are you looking at your show string and wondering which sires will make the best matings to put the next generation in the spotlight? Tim Abbott, co-owner of Showbox Sires, shares what he looks for in a great mating and how he builds on proven cow families. Host Ethan Haywood joins Tim to dive into the elite cows and heifers that have shaped the Showbox Sires program, spotlighting the powerhouse p...

Everyone’s buzzing about the Maryland cow that’s redefining crossover success — and Kevin Jorgensen is calling her a true Cinderella story. In this episode, Host Ethan Haywood teams up with Kevin to spotlight MD-Locustcrest P Zuriniah (VG-89) and a lineup of standout heifers and cows that put their mark on the map at World Dairy Expo. They dive into the daughters of Showcase™ sires, highlight elit...

In this episode of The Select Sires Podcast, Host Ethan Haywood passes the microphone to Jersey Development Manager Herby Lutz and Dairy Sire Marketing Coordinator Marc Bolen as they discuss the newest proven graduate in the Jersey lineup as well as some of the new values around Percent Jersey Ancestry. Then, Senior Holstein Sire Analyst Kevin Jorgensen and Rick VerBeek share great insight on rece...

In this episode of The Select Sires Podcast, host Ethan Haywood sits down with Patrick Maier and Max Shenkenberg of Maier Farms, and Susie Martin from CentralStar Cooperative to take a deep dive into how strategic genetics, disciplined reproductive protocols, and a strong team culture have positioned Maier Farms as a leader in reproductive performance, earning them a CentralStar ReproStar Award in...

On this episode of The Select Sires Podcast, host Ethan Haywood is joined by Brenda Fessenden, precision animal health technical services lead at Zoetis, for a deep dive into the science and strategy behind wellness trait selection. From calf health to cow longevity, Brenda walks us through how Zoetis is leading the charge in precision animal health and how producers can use these tools to create...

In this episode of The Select Sires Podcast, host Ethan Haywood is joined by Asha Miles, director of dairy records management systems and chair of the milking speed evaluation task force for the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB). Asha gives us an inside look at the development of the new milking speed genetic trait set to launch during the August 2025 sire summary. Learn how this trait was d...

In this episode of The Select Sires Podcast, host Ethan Haywood chats with Mark Kerndt, Aggressive Reproductive Technologies (ART) program manager, to explore the powerful potential of the Slick gene in Holstein cattle. Learn how this naturally occurring genetic trait improves heat tolerance, reproduction, and productivity, especially in hot, humid climates. Mark explains how the gene is being adv...

Holstein Sire Analyst Kevin Jorgensen updates listeners on the Showcase™ and Red & White sire lineups following the April 2025 sire summaries. He discusses the impact of the Showcase program and the importance of maternal lines. In the second half of the episode, learn which Red & White sire is the No. 1 GTPI® young sire in the breed.

For over 50 years, dedicated Select Mating Service® (SMS) consultants have used research, computerized analysis and cow knowledge to build better herds around the world. In this episode, Brian Coyne takes a deep dive into the innovative technology backing the program and the people leveraging the tools. SMS is intuitive and built to work for dairies of all sizes and with differing herd information...

Herby Lutz, jersey development manager, and Marc Bolen, dairy sire marketing coordinator, discuss some of the top ranking young sires of the Jersey breed from the April 2025 sire summaries. Listen as they highlight high-interest (GForce™)  sires and give a preview of new and exciting sires that will be added to the lineup in coming months.