Dr. Seuss likely had someone like Chad Ellingson in mind when he wrote his ode to success, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”

Ellingson, ’91, ranches with his wife Julie(Schaff, ’94) south of St. Anthony and operates Ellingson Angus, a herd of purebred, registered bulls and females. In tandem with his livestock operation, he has worked 15 years for Genex Cooperative Inc., a U.S. based cattle genetics company and subsidiary of Cooperative Resources International, which does business in more than 40 countries.

As beef sire procurement manager for Genex, Ellingson travels 25 weeks a year doing work so specialized, he’s among only a handful of experts worldwide empowered with responsibilities that affect the entire beef industry.

“This makes him a pioneer in shaping the future of cattle production,” said Lyle Warner, associate professor of agriculture, technology and natural resources (ATNR). “He has to know the top beef operations in the nation and the world and bovine genetics backward and forward. The responsibility is monumental and he’s by far the youngest person given this authority, as most have been in the industry many years.”

Ellingson seeks out and evaluates bulls that possess traits to enhance production efficiency and create a more tender beef product. By studying reams of data and taking measurements, he helps refine the genotype as well as select bulls for Genex to test for preferred genetic markers. His work also involves lease and purchase negotiations to acquire superior sires for the company’s artificial insemination business. In addition, Ellingson provides an educational service by speaking at producer meetings on genetics, Genex sires, and how to use them to benefit operations.

This wealth of knowledge Ellingson readily shares with BSC students. Since 1999, the Ellingsons have welcomed members of the livestock production and intro to animal science classes to their ranch. A faculty member accompanies about 40 freshmen. Ellingson shows them efficiencies in his operation and talks about cattle production, genetics, and how he created his registered herd. He collects as much performance and structural data as possible and uses advanced technology such as ultrasound to make correct genetic decisions. In the spring, two students from the livestock production class complete a mini-internship with Ellingson and report to the class what they learn about his approach to managing production systems.

“We’ve always been very close to BSC, ”Ellingson said. “The college has a wonderful ag department. We had a great experience and want to do anything we can to enhance the experience of students going there now.”

Julie Ellingson works closely with ATNR as chair of the program’s advisory committee. A former Mystician editor, she is communications director for the N.D. Stockmen’s Association.

“Both Chad and Julie are those quiet alumni whose professional accomplishments give testimony to the quality of our college,” said Jason Matthews, BSC alumni coordinator.

Matthews attended this year’s trip to the ranch and sanctioned it as the first Alumni in the Classroom event, a program that presents BSC alumni to students in a learning environment.

Chad understands the need to grow the industry and keep young people excited, Warner said. The value to students is to see where a BSC education can take you, he said.

In his work for Genex, Ellingson has visited 42 states, five Canadian provinces, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia. He works with cattle breeders in Argentina and Brazil. Besides selling seed stock cattle, Ellingson Angus markets embryos in the U.S., Canada and Australia. He often helps with BSC’s Ag Roundup, a statewide training event for 4-Hand FFA members.

His professional credentials in state and national organizations, as member, officer, presenter, and awardee run long. And in this rise to leadership, one thing seems certain – for Ellingson, there will always be places to go.