Interview with SYNETICS' new co-CEO Dr. Alfred Weidele

Who are you, Alfred Weidele?

My name is Alfred Weidele, I am 57 years old, married, and have two children. I started my career after my PhD as a Sire Analyst with the local Holstein Association. After the merger with all breeds and AI centers in our region in 2000, I became the CEO of this company until I decided to join the SYNETICS team. Since my wife still runs a dairy farm, my hobbies are spending time with my family and caring for our own cows.

 

You'll be, by the January 1st, one of the two SYNETICS CEOs with Jean-Yves DREAU, can you please provide us your feeling on this new position and your impression on SYNETICS?

Even though SYNETICS is a very young company, it is already established as the most successful breeding programme in Europe. Therefore, it is an honor and, of course, also a challenge to get the chance to become a part of this successful and highly motivated team.

 

Since the foundation of SYNETICS in 2023, the German landscape is moving a lot, also with your nomination or the EVE project...

The founding of EBE was a significant step for the European cattle breeding industry. This will strengthen European breeding power in the ongoing competition. Especially France and Germany will benefit from this development, making it possible to leverage both populations even more effectively to develop the best genetics for our members and customers.

 

Which connections to French genetics and breeding have you had in the past?

"As my former company is located next to the French border, we have traditionally maintained close relations with the country. Since France has always been famous for its strong, type-oriented cows, many German farmers bought cows in France, some of which were organized through us as a herdbook association. My first connection to French genetics and bulls was through the bulls Ugela Bell, Dombinator, and Esquimau - outstanding bulls that had a significant influence on German genetics.

 

In your opinion, which vision do you have for the SYNETICS breeding programmes? What should be the main drivers of our breeding programmes?

The most important driver should always be to fulfill the needs of our members and customers. Our approach must focus on delivering an economical, easy-to-handle cow that meets the future demands of the industry and farmers. Therefore, we should use the best genetics in the world, selected for the specific demands of our members and adaptable to all environments in Europe, under different production schemes and intensities.

 

What are your expectations from the German & French breeders involved in our breeding programmes?

As I grew up in a cooperative-structured industry, I am looking forward to the cooperative style within SYNETICS and hope to do justice to the trust I received from the elected representatives of SYNETICS. I aim to build a trusting relationship with all the farmers who are interested in being part of the breeding programme. Even though the competition on the market is strong, SYNETICS is committed to invest in the breeding programme. Therefore, we also need the support of our breeders to achieve the goal of further developing a farmers-based breeding programme. Our cooperative structure makes an important difference compared to the North American competition.

 

Your last word to conclude this interview? 

I am looking forward to the new challenges and would appreciate a trusting collaboration with all the people and breeders within SYNETICS. As a strong and successful company, SYNETICS has the potential to play a significant role in the future developments of the European cattle industry. I will do my best to meet this goal.