Tyler Boyd General Manager Jerseyland Sires Hilmar, California

What education are you bringing with you to this position?
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in ecology, evolution and organismal biology from Vanderbilt University, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in dairy science (dairy enterprise management focus) from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Please describe your agricultural background.
I’m a fifth-generation dairy farmer and the fourth generation to own registered Jerseys. Both of my parents come from farms that have been in continuous agricultural use for more than 150 years, and we currently farm about 300 acres in east Tennessee. I’m a co-owner of our 55-cow, registered Jersey herd – Boyd-Lee Jerseys – where I focus on marketing animals for A.I. and national sales.

What territory will you cover?
I will be responsible for overseeing all Jerseyland activities and sourcing bulls from herds across the country, along with some international acquisitions.

What are your new responsibilities?
As general manager, I will be overseeing day-to-day operations of Jerseyland Sires (JLS); working closely with the more than 60,000 head of registered Jersey milking cows owned by the members of the JLS board of directors; sourcing and contracting bulls from both member and non-member herds; working with Alta Genetics as they market our bulls; and developing new programs for the company.

What previous positions have you held?
I previously worked as a marketing specialist for an international dairy genetics company, where I focused on the creation and dissemination of product information and provided support for the sales staff. I have also previously interned with a domestic A.I. organization and filled various roles on our dairy operation.

Who has made the biggest impact on your career?
My family has always been a great source of inspiration and encouragement, especially my parents and grandparents. I’ve also been blessed with many friendships with Jersey breeders and members of allied industry who have been excellent sources of advice and wisdom as I develop my career, and they have helped to provide some of the opportunities that have led me to my current position.

How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
The goal of the company is to produce bulls who can sire efficient, healthy, productive cows with functional type and who can thrive in a commercial dairy environment. This is the type of Jersey cow that has been successful not only in our member herds, but in herds across the U.S. and around the world. We will serve producers by continuing to search for these bulls so that they can continue to improve the genetics of their herds.

Why did you choose this company?
Jerseyland Sires offers a unique opportunity to work with progressive, large-scale Jersey breeders who are constantly focused on improving their genetics and who bring that mindset to the table when selecting bulls. The opportunity to work with such an outstanding group of breeders while developing and furthering a company with such a rich history was too great to pass up, and I am excited about what the future has to offer here at the company.

What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
My goal, whether I was mating cows at our home farm, marketing bulls internationally, or now as manager here at JLS, has always been to help farmers breed better cows. PD