ESTABISHED IN 2023
The RSG Foundation is a nonprofit organization that brings together stakeholders from across the small ruminant industry – producers, industry leaders, breed associations, academia, youth, and consumers.
The founders are world renowned small ruminant Veterinarians and sheep and goat producers.
LEADERSHIP
Dr. Tad Thompson, DVM
Chairman & CEO
Dr. Tad Thompson and his wife Amanda founded Reproduction Specialty Group, Inc. (RSG) in July of 2012 with the primary focus of developing a reproduction industry focused on small ruminants. Dr. Thompson began growing his knowledge of reproductive sciences in 2002, while in veterinary school at Purdue University. After three years of research Dr. Thompson was able to spend a portion of his final year of veterinary school working with Dr. Dave Osborn in Australia.
Today RSG is the largest small ruminant reproduction focused business in the U.S. and one of the largest globally. The company does business in multiple states and Dr. Tad Thompson also spends time doing work in Australia and the U.K. as well. This work has helped establish a network of other Veterinarians and producers who want to support the work of the RSG Foundation.
The foundation leaders are dedicated to achieving global sustainability for small ruminant production.
Doug Edge
Founding Director, RSG Foundation
Doug Edge is a lifelong agricultural leader and passionate advocate for the advancement of the small ruminant industry. As the Founding Director of the RSG Foundation, he brings a visionary spirit rooted in entrepreneurial innovation, genetic excellence, and youth development.
In his role as Chief Strategy Officer at Reproduction Specialty Group Inc. (RSG), Doug leads strategic growth efforts focused on genetic improvement, reproductive technology, and education. Under his guidance, RSG has grown into a multi-location enterprise and introduced proprietary offerings such as RSG Nutrition and the RSG Performance line. He also helped establish the world’s largest sire collection and USDA-certified export center for small ruminants—further cementing RSG’s role as an industry leader.
In 2023, Doug co-founded the RSG Foundation to serve as the nonprofit extension of RSG’s mission, dedicated to equipping the next generation of sheep and goat producers with the tools, resources, and genetics needed to succeed. His leadership has been instrumental in the development of the First Flock-Herd Program and the National Youth Semen Grant Initiative. His wife, Lisa Edge, plays an integral role in the Foundation’s day-to-day operations and has been key to the success of its educational and grantmaking programs.
Doug also serves as President of the American Australian White Sheep Breeders Association and is a leading advocate for expanding U.S. access to global genetics. Together, Doug and Lisa continue to champion a future for the small ruminant industry that is youth-driven, innovation-focused, and built on sustainability.