Minnesota Select Sires Co-op, Inc.

Minnesota/Select Sires traces back to 1977 when two sales representatives were hired by Select Sires to begin sales efforts in Minnesota, North Dakota, western Iowa and eastern South Dakota. This became known as the North Central division. Gradual growth continued from 1977 to 1984, when additional employees were added. In 1985, a strong cooperative philosophy and groundswell of support from Minnesota dairy and beef producers pushed for the formation of Minnesota/Select Sires. The groundwork began, and Minnesota/Select Sires was established on January 1, 1986, as a member-owned cooperative of Select Sires Inc. Four years later, North Dakota joined the cooperative.

"I was a customer first and believed in the product even before the cooperative was formed," commented Myron Czech, a Minnesota/Select Sires Co-op District 2 director and Select Sires Inc. board of directors' first vice chairman. "Dairy producers and cattlemen had access to a larger supply of semen once we became a member."

Today, the cooperative employs 55 staff members who make a daily commitment to help their customer-owners succeed through providing progressive genetics, reproductive solutions, customized programs and superior products. These programs and products, coupled with the outstanding service of Minnesota/Select Sires' personnel, have led to tremendous growth in sales.

Czech concluded by stating, "What I like about Select Sires is that it's a large business, financially driven, but at the end of the day it's good people who have a passion for what they're doing. They're out working for the betterment of the customers because they are dedicated to the business."