Summer Interns Complete Basic Training

SHAWANO, Wis. - Sixteen interns from across the country are trained and ready to improve on-farm profitability after completing an extensive training program at the Genex Cooperative, Inc. headquarters in Shawano, Wis. The training program prepared these individuals for their internship with one of the world's leading providers of dairy and beef cattle genetics.

The two-week training program included detailed classroom sessions focused on cattle genetics, reproduction, business management procedures and Genex programs. Participants also experienced hands-on training in cattle artificial insemination (A.I.), estrus detection and synchronization programs.

Upon completion of the training program, the 16 interns are now serving Genex members and customers in various capacities. Domestic marketing interns provide daily cattle reproductive service including heat detection, A.I. and data input and analysis within their respective areas across the United States.

Working in Shawano, Wis., the three GENESIS MOET (Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer) interns monitor the health and well-being of donor and recipient females and observe and record signs of estrus and calving. The dairy genetics intern assists with evaluating the QUANTUM sire sampling program and photographing bull progeny. The research and support intern observes and documents cattle semen handling methods to further enhance the cooperative's standard operating procedures. The marketing and public relations intern assists in developing promotional materials such as the cooperative's calendars and dairy Horizons.

The 2009 summer interns who recently completed the Genex training program are listed below along with their college or university and hometown.

Marketing Interns
Casey Barker, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Shiocton, Wis.
Kevin Borst, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Rochester, Minn.
Ashley Campbell, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Pound, Wis.
Leann Gatesman, Penn State University, Lucinda, Pa.
Danielle James, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Argyle, Wis.
Lucas Krueger, Alabama A&M University, Menomonie, Wis.
Joshua Munro, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Hull, Mass.
Leon Sexton, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Millville, Minn.
Josh Vomastic, Fox Valley Technical College, Shawano, Wis.
Robert Westman, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Howard Lake, Minn.

MOET Interns
Allan Mergener, Michigan State University, Newberry, Mich.
Kayla Jackson, Berry College, Douglasville, Ga.
Hailey Upton, California State University-Chico, Orangevale, Calif.

Dairy Genetics Intern
Lydia Hardie, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Blair, Wis.

Research Support Intern
Kimberly Tarvis, Kansas State University, Westport, Mass.

Marketing & Public Relations
Maria Sorenson, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Valders, Wis.

For more information on Genex service and products, contact customer service at 888-333-1783.

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."

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