International Protein Sires, also known as IPS, celebrates 20 years as an international bovine genetics corporation. When Ron Sersland bought the fledgling company from founders Marlowe Nelson and Alvin Piper the proven sire lineup and market base provided excellent opportunities for growth. Through Sersland’s aggressive business strategy, IPS has experienced rapid development. This expansion came as the result of a superior proven sire lineup along with worldwide marketing through a vast network of independent distributors.
“When I acquired the company in 1999, IPS was fortunate in having a number of popular bulls, including Cook-Farm Starbuck FLIP (EX-94). The founders had also sampled numerous deep pedigreed young sires that strengthened the Holstein lineup when they emerged as proven sires. Three bulls in particular added breeding power to that early IPS offering. The Excellent-94 Starbuck son of Miss Mark Maui (EX-95), 6HO0683 MR MANHATTAN (EX-94), made great milk cows. A bull that stamped outstanding udders was 6HO0699 Regancrest MANDELIN (VG), the Mandel son of Snow-N Denises Dellia (EX-95). With 9,700 daughters, 6HO0699 MANDELIN was known for his great udders in Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Spain and the U.S. And, 100HO9047 J-Lopes Majic MOONSHINE (EX-91) gained popularity among commercial dairy farmers as a result of their longevity,” Sersland reflected.
Sersland went on to comment, “We have had an excellent working relationship with several European A.I. companies through joint sampling ventures. This has allowed us to expand our progeny-testing program. The European and Asian market continues to flourish. We have also experienced an exceptional boon in the Latin American and Middle Eastern countries since purchasing IPS.”
An important facet of the IPS business plan includes high quality semen. Logically, superior conception rates are the result of high quality semen. “From the very beginning, IPS semen has been known for exceptional fertility. The IPS bulls typically receive favorable rankings by USDA for Semen Conception Rate. It does not matter if the semen is from a highly popular proven bull or a young sire, all IPS semen is packaged with a minimum of thirty million sperm per straw. This commitment has gained favor with dairy farmers throughout the world,” he reflected.
Purebred breeders have an opportunity to realize substantial income from their breeding as IPS offers no-cap lease contracts. “If breeders desire a large potential income from a special bull they have bred, we can offer an attractive lease program,” Sersland asserted.
Sersland is excited with the growth of IPS as the company celebrates its 20-year milestone. IPS now has three proven Holsteins in the top five for milk, an industry accomplishment not seen in recent times. 6HO1150 YANKEE is #3, 6HO1156 LUCIFER is #4 and 6HO1030 LILYMAN is #5. A very popular genomic proven young Red & White sire is 54HO0552 Hylite BARBWIRE-Red. Backed by four generations of Excellent dams and sired by Shaquille, BARBWIRE-Red is +1737 GTPI along with a very high type score of +3.35. PD
—From IPS news release
