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PLAIN CITY, Ohio, June 14, 2010-Select Sires Inc. has completed a new global production facility located in Plain City, Ohio. In late November 2009, construction began for the development of two state-of-the-art production facilities across from the international headquarters location that will enable Select Sires to continue to grow and invest in the future of its customer-owners.
"This expansion will comfortably and safely house some of the world's most valuable bovines that provide superior product for customers across the U.S. as well as in 90 countries around the world," stated David Thorbahn, president and chief executive officer. "These barns will house 80 additional bulls that can produce semen qualified for shipment to any location in the world. The added housing will enhance Select Sires' ability to provide an extensive selection of top Program for Genetic Advancement (PGA) proven bulls and genomically tested young sires. Having more sires allows for a wide variation of pedigrees for our customers to choose from and provides all the genetic tools to develop a breeding program for their herds."
The bio-secure facility has been extensively designed to be exceedingly safe for the welfare of the bulls and bull handlers as well as for the environment. The innovative design conserves energy with air flow that will allow for controlled temperature within the barns. This construction adds to the bulls' comfort level and enables production of the highest quality semen possible. Each individual pen, walkway, collection arena, veterinary center and waiting area is covered with non-slip rubber matting for comfort and protection of the bulls.
With the awareness of environmental concerns, Select Sires has used advanced plans that while simple, are calculated to use less energy within the barns. The environmentally friendly way that Select Sires will house animals ensures that all waste is safely made into valuable products, while promoting conservation. These facilities self contain all animal waste and water discharge, including the manure storage facility.
On Friday, June 11, 2010, Thorbahn welcomed Select Sires' employees, special guests and dignitaries from Ohio's agricultural organizations to an open house. Select Sires employees who were instrumental in the design and development of the barns include Dr. Don Monke, vice president of production operations; Brian Spires, supervisor of the new European Union (EU) qualified barns; Bill DeLong, maintenance supervisor; and Todd Eades, sire-in-waiting group supervisor and bull housing coordinator, and each were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Attendees were then able to tour the facilities before they were closed to the public.
Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc. is North America's largest A.I. organization and is comprised of 10 farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying dairy and beef producers with North America's best genetics at a reasonable price.[[In-content Ad]]

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