More than 130 delegates, directors, staff and guests gathered at the 2026 GENEX Annual Meeting to connect, learn and move the cooperative forward together. From farm tours and keynote sessions to strategic conversations and the annual business meeting, the week was filled with perspective, progress and plenty of energy.
Attendees connected with fellow members and staff, explored industry trends shaping dairy and beef, celebrated cooperative wins, and focused on what comes next – because GENEX isn’t just reacting to change, it’s leading it.
During the official business meeting, members heard updates on the cooperative from President John Ruedinger, Chief Brand Officer Huub te Plate and Director of Finance Dean Gerondale.
Our Year in Review & the Opportunities Ahead
The following excerpt from Huub te Plate’s management report highlights GENEX’s 2025 performance and strategic priorities heading into 2026.
GENEX closed 2025 with strong growth and steady progress, even as the cooperative navigated global uncertainty, shifting market access and ongoing volatility in agriculture. Sales, net income and EBITA all grew year over year, driven by disciplined execution and a clear focus on delivering real value on the farm.
Across the cooperative, our programs and solutions helped members improve fertility, efficiency and day-to-day decisions. Our FeedWise™ ONYX™ beef-on-dairy program continued its transformational impact on farms, while demand for SCCL colostrum, the GENEX HerdMonitor™ cow monitoring systems and value‑added services reached record levels.
Genetics that Work in the Real World
The Herd Genetic Line remained a cornerstone of GENEX’s success. Ongoing enhancements to the ICC™ index sharpened the focus on long‑lasting, efficient and problem‑free cows, leveraging fertility, health, and longevity to drive profitable outcomes.
Strategic use of sexed semen, beef‑on‑dairy programs and emerging embryo programs helped members align genetics with their operation’s goals, reinforcing GENEX’s commitment to progress that performs where it matters most: on farm.
Technology and Tools that Deliver Value
Adoption of GENEX HerdMonitor systems accelerated in 2025, reflecting growing demand for real‑time herd insights, labor efficiency and earlier intervention. Paired with data platforms like GENEX DairySuite™ precision genetics, these tools help producers move from reacting to problems to proactive herd management.
Meanwhile, SCCL colostrum continued to set the pace in calf care, reinforcing the importance of strong starts and lifetime performance as economic pressures and labor constraints persist.
FeedWise ONYX: Unlocking Beef-on-Dairy Value
FeedWise ONYX stood out in 2025, as a strong example of how GENEX helps members earn more per animal – not just produce more. With beef markets strong and cattle supplies tight, beef‑on‑dairy strategies grounded in genetics, data and traceability delivered meaningful returns for members. This approach reflects GENEX’s role as a trusted advisor, helping connect genetics and management decisions across the value chain.
A Global Perspective, Built on Discipline
Globally, GENEX navigated a challenging year shaped by geopolitics, supply constraints and market access disruptions, including the ongoing impact of China market closures. Even so, the cooperative stayed strong by managing risk, diversifying growth and focusing on core performance. These efforts position GENEX to capture opportunity as markets shift, while staying focused on financial discipline and delivering value to members.
People Power the Cooperative
Throughout the meeting, one message was clear: people make the difference. From engaged members and dedicated technicians to staff across global regions, GENEX’s culture – rooted in accountability, transparency and trust – continues to be our competitive advantage.
Growing participation from delegates and young leader trailblazers reinforces the importance of cooperative leadership, governance and member engagement as GENEX builds momentum for the future.
Thank You to our Retiring Council Directors
At GENEX, we are incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated individuals serve on our cooperative council. At the annual meeting, we recognized three retiring council directors for their years of leadership and service.
James Loomis, New York
Tier 1 Director
Glenn Kline, Pennsylvania
Tier 3 Director
Dan Tetreault, New York
Tier 3 Director
We extend our sincere gratitude for their commitment and the significant time they devoted to strengthening the cooperative and supporting its members.
Congratulations to our New Council Directors
During the annual meeting, GENEX members elected three new directors to serve on the cooperative council. We look forward to their leadership and the perspectives they will bring as we continue to move the cooperative forward.
Chris Heiser, Arkansas
Tier 2 Director
Chris Heiser, his wife Brooklyn and their daughter Ruthie reside in Lamar, Arkansas, where they own and operate ST Farms while also managing Brooklyn’s family farm. Together, they oversee 500 head of cow/calf pairs – the majority of which are A.I. bred along with a small, registered Angus herd and 220,000 broiler chickens.
Chris became involved with GENEX as a Trailblazer (young leader program) in 2022 and later served in a one-year Ex-Officio GENEX Council role, bringing the perspective and voice of the next generation of farmers to the cooperative. He also serves on the Arkansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers committee.
Joe Zug, Pennsylvania
Tier 2 Director
Joe Zug farms in Pennsylvania alongside his parents, brother, wife Kristina and their two daughters. He manages the family’s 1,200-cow dairy, while his brother oversees the crop side of the business. Since 2008, they have expanded from 200 cows and 400 acres to 1,200 cows and 1,300 acres.
Joe holds a dairy science degree from SUNY Morrisville and is a graduate of the Cornell Dairy Executive Program. He serves as president of the Juniata County Holstein Club, is a regional council representative for Land O’Lakes, has served on the Pennsylvania Beef Council board, and has been a GENEX delegate for six years. A strong believer in the GENEX breeding philosophy, Joe utilizes beef and dairy genetics as part of a value-driven breeding strategy focused on profitability and performance.
Casey Dugan, Arizona
Tier 3 Director
Casey Dugan and his wife, Andrea, own and operate Desperado Dairy in Arizona, where they milk 1,800 Holsteins and 100 Jerseys, while also managing 100 Angus cross cattle. In addition, Casey is a partner in Dugan Feeds, an operation feeding 7,000 head of livestock, and Dugan Brothers, a harvesting company covering more than 2,000 acres.
An advocate for agriculture, Casey is involved across the industry and is a graduate of Arizona’s rural leadership program, PROJECT Central Class XXVI. He has served as DHIA president and currently serves on boards for the Hohokam Water District, the Arizona Milk Producers and the United Dairymen of Arizona. Casey has been a GENEX delegate since 2014 and served as a GENEX council director from 2019-2023.
Looking Ahead
Heading into 2026, GENEX is focused on accelerating genetic progress, supporting beef producers’ genetic needs as herds begin to rebuild, advancing herds through use of Lift™ embryos, expanding data-driven tools and enhancing reproductive services. Just as important, GENEX will continue to build on what makes the cooperative strong – engaged members, dedicated cooperative leadership and a commitment to delivering real value on the farm.
The momentum coming out of this year’s annual meeting makes one thing clear: GENEX is well positioned to keep moving forward and helping members succeed for generations to come. Thank you for supporting your cooperative.
