When I first started interviewing for this month’s cover story on GENEX, my sources from the farmer-owned co-op in Shawano used the abbreviation “AI” in ways I wasn’t expecting.
I quickly came to learn when you are speaking with folks in the cattle genetics industry, AI means something entirely different from artificial intelligence and machine learning, which has been dominating headlines.
In this industry, AI stands for artificial insemination.
“We’ve been using the acronym AI a lot longer than the rest of the world,” says Christa Hoffman, who manages the co-op’s grant programs that support international market development.
GENEX has been working to improve dairy and beef cattle since the 1930s, when the co-op formed with about 100 members as a means for local farmers to pool their resources and scale their businesses. Today GENEX has grown to 5,000 member-owners across the U.S. and sells about 12 million units of semen a year to dairy and beef producers in more than 80 countries, which results in 4 million offspring.
Turn to page 22 to read more about this global cattle genetics leader headquartered in Shawano.
In this month’s construction report, contributor Nikki Kallio explores the economic development driven by speculative buildings, especially in the manufacturing and industrial sectors. Last year, Brown County saw the construction of its first speculative building — meaning the structure in Wrightstown was built without a signed lease agreement in place. Today the building is fully leased with three tenants and serves as an example of how this type of development can create jobs, increase tax revenue and attract investment to our region. To read more about the growing need for and impact of spec buildings in the New North, head to page 31.
Speaking of growth, Insight is offering a new way to recognize the growth of local businesses in all industries. Now until Nov. 30, Insight is accepting submissions to its first-ever Fastest Growing Companies awards event Feb. 29.
This breakfast event will highlight the most innovative and thriving companies in Northeast Wisconsin, ranked based on revenue growth over a three-year period. Our calculation methodology includes both dollar and percentage increases, so companies of all sizes can be recognized for their achievements. I encourage you to throw your company’s hat in the ring by applying at insightonbusiness.com/fastest.
During this season of thanks, I want to offer my sincere gratitude to our readers, advertisers, event sponsors and attendees for making each issue of Insight, and its community, possible.
