2020 Distinguished Service Award

John Schouten

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual that has made a significant contribution to the furtherance of the artificial insemination industry. The 2020 recipient is Mr. John Schouten. A native of Gardena, California, John earned a B.S. in Dairy Science from Cal Poly (San Luis Obispo). Schouten was hired at World Wide Sires as a sales team member 35 years ago. John applied himself into the international dairy scene after completion of an intensive German language school at the Goethe Institute located in Boppard Am Rhine, Germany. He quickly adapted and built relationships within the international dairy scene that have opened doors for US cattle genetics on the international market. In 1993, John was promoted to Vice President of Marketing at World Wide Sires. This allowed him to push traditional boundaries for the adaptation of new technologies. While doing so he maintained the familial culture of the company, developing a loyal team of professionals. His leadership helped the company implement numerous improvements in efficiency. During this time, he served as an international ambassador for World Wide Sires and the entire US AI industry.

Schouten began his role as CEO and General Manager of World Wide Sires, Ltd. in 2001, when World Wide Sires was acquired by Select Sires and Accelerated Genetics. There were doubts within the industry that World Wide Sires would persevere as a new company; however, 20 years later World Wide Sires, Ltd. is stronger than ever. Since his assumption of the role, World Wide Sire’s export business has grown by 400%. World Wide Sires has become a household name in the 80+ countries in which they provide genetics and support services. This growth has taken place through multiple downturns within the global dairy industry. Schouten led the company successfully through these challenges, while continually embracing new technologies and ideas. His commitment to communication has helped his team and dairy industry through the downturns, including the recent COVID-19 crisis. Schouten is responsible for the coordination of marketing efforts of Select Sires in more than 80 countries outside of the Americas. Schouten manages a global staff of over 200 people in 8 countries and a team that supports a global network of more than 500 AI professionals.

Some of Schouten’s greatest contributions are his efforts in development of the US AI industry on the global scale. Schouten worked closely with USDA-FAS in various countries around the world on the development of direct pathways for US genetic imports. Schouten’s dedicated efforts have opened global markets and expanded the global reach of US AI industry exporters. His foresight and understanding helped eliminate many non-tariff trade barriers.

John Schouten is a visionary who has always kept the best interest of the collective AI industry at the forefront. Schouten has been a pillar on the NAAB International Marketing Committee (IMC). His IMC tenure spanned more than 25 years, during which time he served several rotations as the Chairman. His leadership on the IMC has helped the US industry reach more global cattle farmers every year. While John has since turned over the management responsibilities at World Wide Sires, he is still as driven by his passion for US genetics in the 2020’s as he was in 1980’s at his start within the industry. Thanks to this passion, Schouten worked tirelessly to ensure as many global farmers as possible would have access to US genetics.

We thank Mr. John Schouten for his dedication to his vision of helping cattle farmers around the world. He has an altruistic view and belief that the US AI industry’s key role is in the development of better cattle around the world for the assistance of feeding the growing global population.

Congratulations John!