My TransOvaLog In
Aug 18, 2026
By Rylie Lanum, 2026 Marketing Intern
Looking back on the past few months, it’s hard to believe how much can happen in a single summer. What began as an opportunity to gain marketing experience became a journey filled with travel, meaningful connections, exciting projects, and experiences that extended far beyond a typical internship opportunity.
We began the summer by attending the Maine-Anjou and Chianina Junior Nationals in Grand Island, Nebraska. We met with exhibitors, attendees, and, of course, the littles! This event is one of the most youth-oriented junior nationals, so we were constantly entertained by the crowd. The Maine & Chi events were a perfect introduction to our summer Junior National tour. Exhibitors’ passion and dedication to their cattle was very apparent, and it set the tone for the remainder of the summer. It’s safe to say Maine & Chi attendees most definitely had their “Game On”.
For our next adventure, we attended the National Holstein Convention in Orlando, Florida, along with the Florida Cattlemen’s Convention in Marco Island, Florida. The weather was hot, but our conversations with producers, clients, and attendees were even hotter as we learned about their operations, goals, and proven success in their herds while working with Trans Ova. A highlight of the National Holstein Convention was meeting Mr. Curtis Vanden Berge, the recipient of the Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder award and a valued client at Trans Ova, whose dairy operation is in Bakersfield, California. Coming from a strong beef cattle background, this event challenged me to dig deeper into the dairy industry and gave me a greater appreciation and understanding for the innovation driving dairy genetics and producers.
Next up, we were off to Hereford Junior Nationals in Madison, Wisconsin. From an outsider looking in, the Hereford exhibitors and attendees were truly the “Masters of Madison”. We met with clients and producers, had great conversations at the booth, and gave out over 1,000 donuts during our Donors and Donuts event! Whether the Trans Ova booth was popular due to the immense amount of sugar we supplied or the giveaway items we had to give out, the conversations were what made the event memorable for us. Hearing producers share their reproduction goals and experiences reminded me that relationships and connections are at the heart of the cattle industry. Learning from Hereford producers and their various operations throughout the country and watching exhibitors who have worked tirelessly to achieve their goals in the show ring was one of the most rewarding parts of the week.
To round out our summer travels, we headed off to join sales team members Dalton Tupper, Regional Business Manager, Derek Vogt, Regional Business Manager, and Jake Jantz, Dairy Consultant. From Florida to Georgia, back to the Midwest, the geography and climate differed, but one thing that held true despite the distance was the quality of cattle and clients that Trans Ova has the opportunity to work with and provide service for. In the South, we visited Southern Grace Beef Masters, East Dublin, Georgia, Trowell Red Angus, High Springs, Florida, Circle G Registered Angus, Adel, Georgia, and J.L Morris Farm in Douglass, Georgia. In Iowa, we also visited Genosource to observe OPU’s on dairy cows and heifers. This opportunity was one I won’t soon forget. Experiencing firsthand how different operations utilize Trans Ova’s services was such an eye-opening opportunity to appreciate the impact reproductive technologies have on helping producers achieve their long-term reproductive goals.
A short summer recap can’t capture all our memories, connections, conversations, and experiences, but I can assure you that my summer in Sioux Center, Iowa, was one for the books. Trans Ova is a company that truly values its employees and their needs, cares deeply for our clients and their cattle, and genuinely wants the absolute best outcome to help our clients reach the goals of their operation.
Looking back, “More Than an Internship” isn’t just the title of this blog- it’s the best way to describe my past few months at Trans Ova. The experiences, the people, and lessons I gained extend far beyond marketing and will continue to shape the way I approach my career and the livestock industry in my future endeavors. I’m leaving with a renewed perspective on marketing and a deepened passion for the industry that has made me who I am today. This experience showed me that marketing is about understanding your audience, building relationships, and telling stories that communicate the value behind the advanced technologies and services at Trans Ova.
Beyond professional growth, I have made long-time friendships with my fellow interns, meaningful connections with staff members and industry professionals, and a deeper passion for the continued growth and innovation within the livestock and agriculture industry.
Thinking about an internship with Trans Ova?