ABS Global Acquires St. Jacobs ABC — Long-standing Partnership Continues to Provide Elite Dairy Genetics

MADISON, Wis., U.S.A. (April 1, 2016)— ABS® Global, the world’s leading provider of genetic improvement solutions and reproduction services, today announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire St. Jacobs Animal Breeding Corp. St. Jacobs has been at the top of the industry for developing elite dairy genetics since 1958. Owned by Tim and Sharyn Abbott of Enosburg, Vermont, U.S.A., St. Jacobs has been the supplier of some of ABS Global’s most prestigious genetics since 1990.

St. Jacobs started as a technician service in Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada in 1958. ABS Global and St. Jacobs started their long-standing and successful partnership 26 years ago. Since then, the combined teams have marketed global star sires such as Dundee, Aftershock, and Destry-RC—and upcoming stars from around the world including Sirwood, O’Kaffeine-RC, and Hy-Class-RC.

“Today is historic for both St. Jacobs and ABS. This sale ensures a long-term home for St. Jacobs, our products, and the brand,” says Tim Abbott, who will remain actively involved with ABS throughout the transition of ownership. “ABS and St. Jacobs are the perfect fit—combining the best elite genetics, delivered by the best people in the industry. I am proud to call the ABS team my family, and now I am entrusting them to take what my family and I have built to the next level.”

Today’s acquisition reflects the strategic decision to take the St. Jacobs product line to the next level—and to grow the business globally. St. Jacobs’ products will continue to be offered by ABS and the existing programs will be preserved. The sale includes all of the St. Jacobs sires, the programs dairy producers around the world already know and utilize, and the iconic St. Jacobs brand. Customers will experience a seamless transition—how they select and purchase St. Jacobs genetics will continue as is. Their ABS representative will continue to be their resource for the high-type genetics offered through the St. Jacobs product line.

“St. Jacobs is the world’s leading provider of show ring and high type sires—and has been an integral part of ABS and the success of our business for the last several decades,” says Saskia Korink, ABS Chief Operating Officer. “This agreement demonstrates a commitment by ABS to continue offering elite genetics, strengthens our leadership in the industry, and is a big step forward in growing the business globally.”

To hear directly from Tim about this exciting news, watch a video of him addressing customers, partners, and friends across the industry at: https://youtu.be/Iv9uZft9iw8.

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About ABS
Headquartered in DeForest, Wisconsin, U.S.A., ABS Global, Inc. is the world‐leading provider of genetic improvement solutions and reproduction services that help customers PROFIT FROM GENETIC PROGRESS. Marketing in nearly 80 countries around the globe, ABS has been at the forefront of animal genetics and technologies since its founding 75 years ago. ABS Global is a division of Genus plc.