Dr. Derek Petry Named CEO of Choice Genetics USA

Sep 01, 2014

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – Choice Genetics announces that Dr. Derek Petry has been named CEO of Choice Genetics USA (CGUSA).

Based in West Des Moines, Iowa, Petry has worked in the swine industry for over 10 years, joining CGUSA in 2012, as Vice of President of R&D.

Dr. Petry began his career with Monsanto Choice Genetics where he led commercial breeding value implementation and benchmarking. Before joining CGUSA he worked with Triumph Foods in St. Joseph, Missouri as the technical leader of the company’s research and food quality/safety programs.
Dr. Petry earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University majoring in poultry science. At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he earned an MBA as well as a Master’s degree and Ph.D. in animal science focusing in quantitative and molecular genetics with a minor in statistics. Petry also holds a Master’s Degree in food science from Kansas State University.

In his new role, Petry will focus on driving innovation in Choice Genetics’ global R&D platform and on delivering value to customers. Other managers of CGUSA include Brent Mitchell, COO, George Lindsey, CFO, Kris Kercher, VP of Administration and Logistics and Jim Schirmer, Director of Business Development - Asia.

“During the two years since Derek joined us he has proven to have that rare combination of skills: a deep theoretical understanding of the complex science of genetics and a sense for ‘hands-on’ implementation in the field. This is what we need in our world of applied animal genetics. This approach translated itself into faster genetic progress for our customers. I’m convinced Derek will show the same drive in his new role as CEO of CGUSA,” says Pieter Seghers, CEO of Choice Genetics worldwide.

"I am honored that Choice Genetics and Groupe Grimaud management have entrusted me to lead the USA organization. This is an exciting time for our business as we have taken on a new global strategic partner. It's a moment of transition when, more than ever before, we have the opportunity to help customers by delivering value through superior genetics and maximizing progress for them,” says Derek Petry.

Source: Choice Genetics

Video: WARNING! Rough Start To Breeding Season!!

WARNING! Sheep Breeding Season Begins With A Bang! Breeding season is officially underway at Ewetopia Farms, but it didn’t exactly start the way we planned!

This vlog begins with us sorting through our rams to find the perfect match for a customer’s breeding program. What should have been routine quickly turned dangerous when one of our more nervous rams panicked. In seconds, Arnie’s knee was injured, and then I was slammed hard onto the concrete floor — both of us taken down by one ram!

Thankfully, it was just bruises, but it’s a reminder of how unpredictable and powerful mature rams can be. Once we recovered, it was time to get back to the real work — the start of breeding season.

We sorted the ewes into four breeding groups (two Suffolk and two Dorset), checking parentage as they ran through the chute, deworming those that needed it, and setting aside thinner ewes for session two of breeding season in a month’s time.This staggered approach keeps lambing organized and prevents overcrowding in the barns.

From rogue rams to the excitement of new breeding groups, this episode is full of action. Stay tuned for the next vlog, where we’ll share how we chose the rams for each group!