Jerry Emerich of Select Sire Power was honored as the Select Mating Service™ (SMS™) genetic consultant of the year in front of an audience of his peers at Select Sires’ national SMS Genetic Consultant Conference held in Visalia, Calif., on May 6-9, 2013.
This national award is presented annually to genetic consultants who exemplify the qualities that make SMS known throughout the world as the premier mating program in the industry to assist dairy producers in developing genetic business plans. The recipient must have several years of superior service, a history of high-quality evaluations and the ability to build and maintain successful relationships with dairy producers.
“It is refreshing to watch Jerry as he consults with dairy producers and explains the value of making every mating the best it can be,” says Norman Vincel, general manager, Select Sire Power. “His knowledge of our bulls, our programs and our resources are useful in educating our employees and customers. His customers appreciate his thoroughness as they always have up-to-date mating information and the latest sire information.”
Emerich was born and raised on a dairy farm in western Ohio and attended The Ohio State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in dairy science. Jerry began working for Select Sires Inc. as a sales representative in Minnesota after graduating. He then worked for nine years in international marketing at Select Sires Inc., making corrective matings for Select Sires customers in Latin America and Canada. In 1993, Emerich moved to the northeastern part of the country to develop the Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™) and SMS markets. He continued to provide SMS services to Latin American customers for several years.
Currently, he serves as a SMS genetic consultant for Select Sire Power, working with five sales representatives and numerous technicians in New England and eastern New York. He is also the beef specialist in the Northeast, drawing upon his personal experience and knowledge as an owner of purebred Angus.
Emerich has served as treasurer of the New England Jersey Breeders’ Association for the past 13 years and recently served as the finance chair for the 2012 American Jersey Cattle Association Annual Meeting in North Conway, N.H. He is a past president of the Vermont Angus Association and was recently elected to the New York Beef Producers’ Association board of directors. He and his wife, Wanda along with their daughter, Katarina, raise Angus and Jersey cattle in Mooers, N.Y.