Genex Beef Program Leaders in Western U.S.

SHAWANO, Wis. - Genex Cooperative, Inc., a world-leading cattle genetics company, has named Harold (Andy) Anderson of Emmett, Idaho, and Morgan Johnsrud of Jordan Valley, Ore., Beef Team Leaders. In these newly created positions, Anderson and Johnsrud will oversee beef genetics marketing and service throughout the western United States.

"Andy and Morgan have a tremendous amount of experience and a strong relationship with beef producers," stated Buck Buchanan, Genex Associate Vice President of Marketing for the western United States. "They will serve as outstanding resources for beef producers looking to improve the genetic potential of their herds."

Anderson and Johnsrud will work closely with both purebred and commercial beef producers to develop customized reproductive programs that meet the producer's immediate and long-term genetic goals. Along with local Genex Area Beef Representatives, they will coordinate complete "chute-side" service including heat detection, synchronization program assistance, genetic selection, Beef GenChoice^TM recommendations and artificial insemination (A.I.). They are also a direct link to TEAM (The Electronic Auction Market) and CRI North West Labs, the cooperative's milk, feed, soil, manure and compost testing company based in Jerome, Idaho.

With 35 years of experience in the beef industry, Anderson will coordinate beef programs in Idaho, Utah, eastern Nevada and Arizona. Throughout his career, Anderson has worked as a ranch hand and cowboy throughout Idaho and Utah. He further pursued his education in beef production management from Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, before working as a cow boss and A.I. program director for Lucky Hereford Ranch in northern California. His career then led him to the Idaho's Treasure Valley where he worked as supervisor and lead man of the cowboy crew for Beef Northwest. In 1999, he joined the bovine genetics industry.

Johnsrud will work with cattle producers in Oregon, Washington, western Nevada and California. This North Dakota native grew up on a commercial cow-calf operation with a long history of A.I. During high school, he completed A.I. training and began breeding cows for his family's operation and other neighboring ranches. He was a member of the North Dakota state champion livestock judging team competing nationally. Johnsrud began his professional A.I. career 10 years ago as a Genex relief breeding technician in Minnesota. He relocated to Idaho, working for several years as a relief technician and organizing large breeding projects in Idaho, Utah and Washington.

For more information the Genex Beef program, sires and custom collection services, contact Anderson at 208-412-6472 or Johnsrud at 701-570-9663. Information is also available on the Genex Web site, http://www.crinet.com, or by contacting customer service at 1-888-333-1783.

Genex, one of the world's leading suppliers of cattle genetics, 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."

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