DULUTH, Ga. (Dec.16, 2025) — Boehringer Ingelheim has announced GenoSource LLC of Blairstown, Iowa, as the 2025 Dairy First Award recipient, an annual honor recognizing a dairy operation’s commitment to milk quality and overall herd well-being.
First cousins Tim Rauen, Matt Simon and Kyle Demmer lead the daily operations at GenoSource. Started in 2014, GenoSource was created to further pursue the passion for quality genetics that was started by their grandfather, Joe Simon, who founded Farnear Holsteins.
Today, GenoSource maintains a milking herd of 4,200 and a world-renowned genetics company, making them a powerhouse in milk production and both breeding and embryo programs. Eight families own the company: Tim, Bill and Steven Rauen’s families; Matt, Tom and Rick Simon’s families; Pat Carroll’s family; and Kyle Demmer’s family. The families’ long-standing commitment to cow care, milk quality and continued investment in technology exemplifies why they have earned this recognition.
“We take great pride in the products we create for the end user,” said Tim Rauen, CEO of GenoSource. “Whether it’s the milk or cheese, or selling semen around the world, we’re producing the best products to the best of our abilities, and feel really proud of what we’re doing.”
The foundation for GenoSource’s success lies in a philosophy passed down through generations.
“Our grandpa never wanted to use the cheapest bull — he wanted to use the best bull,” shared Matt Simon, CFO of GenoSource. That principle still guides the farm’s strong focus on quality production and genetics.
“We don’t want to milk just any cow, we want to milk the best cow,” added Rauen. The combination of GenoSource’s commitment to milk quality and the best genetics makes it possible to milk more profitable cows on a larger scale.
A proactive approach to herd health
“At the end of the day, the only reason any of us are in business is because of the milk we produce,” stated Simon. “For us, it’s about creating a quality, nutritious product the consumer can enjoy. To do that, we focus on keeping our cows healthy before they start lactating.”
Their maternity barn focuses on keeping cows comfortable and clean, and features tunnel ventilation, sprinkler systems and sand bedding. To extend mastitis prevention and improve previous sand management, GenoSource recently implemented a state-of-the-art sand separation system to recover, sanitize and reuse bedding material.
“There’s been a lot of change on the farm in the last five years, starting with the sand separation plant,” said COO Kyle Demmer. “Our sand is way better than it used to be. It helps control somatic cell count and overall mammary health within the herd.”
GenoSource is also committed to controlling mastitis through consistent milking parlor protocols. The team follows strict milking hygiene, including the use of a chlorine dioxide-based teat dip with emollients to ensure rapid, effective sanitation and protect udder health. In recent years, the GenoSource team has also invested in an AI-based performance monitoring system to help keep track of staff routines and maintain best practices for mastitis management and overall herd health. One way this technology supports mastitis control is through monitoring protocol consistency, such as the length of time teats are wiped and use of fresh towels in the parlor.
Photo 2: An overhead view of the GenoSource operation.
AI technology for faster interventions
One of GenoSource’s distinguishing advantages is its integration of advanced artificial intelligence tools to maintain cow health and comfort. Among these innovations is autonomous video monitoring, which employs a mobility scoring module to continuously track cow movement and flag animals that may need intervention.
“From our standpoint, we get one really good chance to fix a cow,” Simon pointed out. “We want to do that and give our cows the best chance at overcoming challenges, like mastitis and anything else they might have.”
GenoSource has also incorporated other technologies, like an automated sort gate system and collar monitors. The two systems work together, automatically sorting out cows that have a drop in rumination. This has removed the need to search pens for cows requiring treatment.
Photo 3: Cow collar monitors help the GenoSource team identify a mastitis case sooner.
“We’re always looking for ways to do our jobs better,” said Demmer. “These tools help us spot cows showing signs of sickness or mastitis earlier, so we can step in sooner and get them back on track faster than we used to.” The cousins agree this is what’s best for both the cattle and employees.
Commitment to employee excellence
GenoSource takes a multifaceted approach to training, helping employees understand both the value of the care they provide and the reasons behind best practices. Regular sessions led by experienced team members, along with outside experts, give employees fresh perspectives and reinforce the importance of following protocols.
“When our employees value the cattle they’re working with every day, their care for the herd goes up,” noted Rauen. “It’s something we really appreciate.”
This continual commitment to cow care, their people and the dairy industry not only stays true to the GenoSource family legacy, but paves the way for generations of dairying success.
Visit CattleFirst.com to learn more about the Boehringer Ingelheim Dairy First Award and other cattle health initiatives.
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