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central ohio breeders association (COBA)/select sires

Central Ohio Breeders Association (COBA) was formed as a result of a merger in 1946 between Northeast Ohio Breeders Association of Cortland, OH and Western Ohio Breeders Association at Celina, OH.  A 113-acre farm was purchased at the present site of COBA headquarters. At the time of the purchase the farm was 7 miles west of Columbus, today it is 7 inches from Columbus city limits.

 In 1965 COBA was one of four Artificial Insemination Cooperatives that joined together to found Select Sires.  Select Sires is now a federation of 10 U.S. Artificial Insemination Cooperatives with headquarters located near Plain City, Ohio. COBA/Select Sires is a farm supply/Service cooperative that provides bovine genetics and reproductive services. Select Sires provides semen from more than 2,100 dairy and beef bulls representing 6 dairy and 18 beef breeds. COBA currently sells more than 1.2 million units of semen annually to its member-owner-customers in the states of Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, eastern Indiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. COBA also markets Select Sires semen to Mexico. Select Sires is respected worldwide for the outstanding genetics the cooperative offers.

COBA has about 4,000 members and 90 employees. Over 95% of COBA/Select Sires sales are to dairy farmers and the balance to beef breeders. The cooperative has been successful in providing top services desired by its member-owner-customers and at the same time being highly competitive in providing semen at very reasonable costs. As a cooperative serving dairy and beef farmers, its first priority is not to make a big profits for its owners, but to help its member-owner-customers achieve their goals. 2002 promises to be the sixth year in a row that COBA/Select Sires sets new all-time high records for units of semen sold and net income. When COBA makes money above all costs, it is returned in patronage dividend. Based on 2001 semen purchases, COBA returned to its member-owner-customers 14.6% of the dollars they spent on semen. 50% of this was in cash sent out during August 2002 with the balance to be revolved in 6 years.

COBA headquarters near Columbus have emptied out since 1998 when all bulls were moved to other locations. Through some remodeling of facilities at 1224 Alton Darby Creek Road, the headquarters have attracted other related organizations to move in and rent space from COBA.  It also gives COBA a good opportunity to interact with those of similar interests. Current tenants include:  National Dairy Shrine, DHI Cooperative of Ohio and the National Ayrshire Breeders Association.