Students Gain First-hand Experience As Genex Interns
SHAWANO, Wis. - This summer, Genex Cooperative, Inc., a dairy and beef cattle genetics company headquartered in Shawano, Wis., has hired 18 student interns from across the United States to fill internship positions within the cooperative's dairy genetics, production and domestic marketing divisions.
The interns, representing 11 colleges and universities, have accepted responsibilities such as collecting data and verifying the DNA parentage of Genex-sired dairy cattle and assisting with photographing dairy cows; feeding and caring for Holstein calves as well as multiple ovulation embryo transfer donor females and recipients; providing on-farm cattle heat detection and artificial insemination (A.I.) service; and caring for dairy and beef sires and assisting with semen collection.
During the internship, each student also participates in an extensive two-week training program which includes both classroom and hands-on learning sessions. The training program teaches bovine reproductive anatomy, the estrous cycle, heat detection and synchronization strategies, and artificial insemination (A.I.) technique. Interns also gain a broad knowledge of genomics, GenChoice™ sexed semen and the numerous value-added programs Genex offers to members and customers.
"Over the years, Genex has employed hundreds of interns," notes Doug Wilson, Genex Chief Operating Officer. "The interns learn a great deal about the grassroots of the A.I. industry and observe firsthand the diversity within the dairy industry. For many, the knowledge and experience gained through the internship has been a stepping stone to a full-time career at Genex."
The students interning with Genex this summer are (listed by internship, name, college/university, city and state):
Dairy Genetics Intern
Abby Udermann - University of Minnesota, Sartell, Minn.
GENESIS Interns
Sarah Burczynski - Virginia Tech, Horseheads, N.Y.
Anna Jones - University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Shawano, Wis.
Claire Tousley - University of Wyoming, St. Anthony, Idaho
Marketing Interns
Benjamin Voelz - University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Tilleda, Wis.
Eric Breunig - University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Sheboygan Falls, Wis.
Darin Davis - University of Minnesota, Cokato, Minn.
Jacob Stueber - University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Stratford, Wis.
Daniel Holdvogt - University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Eden Valley, Minn.
Troy Klimesh - Iowa State University, Lawler, Iowa
Todd Speltz - University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Eyota, Minn.
Jonathon Myers - University of Maine, Bristol, Conn.
Jon Abrahamson - University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Princeton, Minn.
Resha Jacquier - Delaware Valley College, Southwick, Mass.
Julie Graves - Alfred State College, Fort Ann, N.Y.
Syver Rundhaug - University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Reedsburg, Wis.
Scott Umble - Penn State University, Atglen, Pa.
Sire Production Intern
Mikayla Krause - University of Minnesota, Milmine, Ill.
Genex is a subsidiary of Cooperative Resources International (CRI). CRI, a member-owned holding cooperative, is comprised of three subsidiaries: Central Livestock Association, AgSource Cooperative Services and Genex. The CRI Mission Statement summarizes the goal of CRI: "To provide products and services as effectively as possible to maximize the profitability of members and customers worldwide while maintaining a strong cooperative."
###
