WAUPUN, Wis. — CentralStar Cooperative, serving dairy and beef producers in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana, has hired nine interns to fill various roles during the summer of 2020. There are six artificial insemination (A.I.) interns, two laboratory interns, and one research and development intern.
Rebecca Herzog, Paris, Mich., is a junior at Michigan State University, Lansing, Mich., pursuing her Bachelor of Animal Science. She aspires to attend veterinary school with an emphasis in large-animal medicine and bovine embryology. She was raised on a beef-cattle and boer-goat farm, where they focus on producing stock-show prospects. Herzog grew up participating in 4-H with a passion for community service and a love for cattle. Over the years, she developed her own breeding program and became skilled in A.I. She’s part of the Michigan State Livestock Judging Team and Block and Bridle Club. Herzog will be an A.I. specialist intern with CentralStar in Michigan.
Lynnsey Crouch, northwest Ohio, is a junior animal science student at the University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio. She grew up on a row-crop and livestock operation where her family raises wean-to-finish market hogs, as well as beef cattle for market and the show-stock industries. Growing up, she was heavily involved in the show-stock industry, which is where her passion for cattle began and continues to grow. Currently, she uses that passion in expanding the family herd and utilizing her knowledge on the University of Findlay Show-Cattle Team. Upon graduation, she’s eager to continue making a positive impact in the agriculture industry by utilizing her skills and knowledge to support producer success. Crouch will be an A.I. specialist intern for CentralStar in Indiana.
Luke Johnson, Statesville, N.C., is a junior at the University of Mount Olive, Mount Olive, N.C., majoring in agricultural production systems with a concentration in business. He continues to work in all aspects of his family’s 170-Holstein-cow dairy operation. Johnson enjoys working with the cattle and land to produce a wholesome product in milk. He is chairman of the university’s collegiate Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Ranchers Chapter and competes on the university’s Dairy Challenge team. Johnson will be an A.I. specialist intern for CentralStar in Wisconsin.
Damon Smith grew up in Manhattan, Kan., until he was 16, and then he moved about an hour north to Waterville, Kan., where he graduated high school. He began his college career in Beatrice, Neb., at Southeast Community College where he discovered his love for all things animal science, and most especially reproduction. After completion of his associate degree in agricultural business and technology management with a focus in livestock, he transferred to Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan. He is currently a senior pursuing a bachelor’s in animal science and industry with an option in pre-vet. Smith will be an A.I. specialist intern for CentralStar in Wisconsin.
Ben Bruss, Markesan, Wis., grew up on a small dairy farm, which is where he developed his passion for the dairy industry. He attends the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Platteville, Wis., where he majors in dairy science with a minor in ag business. His internship last summer was also in the A.I. industry. Buss will be an A.I. specialist intern for CentralStar in Wisconsin.
Levi Tranel, Potosi, Wis., is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Platteville, Wis. He’s majoring in animal science with a minor in agribusiness. Levi grew up on a small beef farm where he developed a passion for livestock. In high school, he was part of multiple judging teams and various FFA events. He’s regularly worked on a small dairy farm for the past four years where he has diversified his knowledge of the agriculture industry. Tranel will be an A.I. specialist intern for CentralStar in Wisconsin.
Erin Gauss is a junior at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Ill., majoring in animal science with a concentration in animal nutrition. Working in the Dairy Focus Lab as a laboratory assistant, Erin aided the lab in the acquisition, processing, storage, and analysis of dairy samples investigating dairy-cow-transition metabolism and how nutrition impacts reproductive efficiency. She plans to complete a graduate research degree in animal nutrition following completion of her bachelor’s degree. As an intern in the CentralStar Research and Development (R&D) Lab, East Lansing, Mich., she will work closely with the R&D team on the validation of new diagnostic tests, automated workflows, and discovery of biomarkers.
Audry Gerber is a junior at Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing, Mich., majoring in animal science with a concentration in animal biology in Lyman Briggs College. She grew up in the mid-Michigan area and came to MSU with pre-vet as her intended pathway. While at MSU, she works as a veterinary assistant at a local animal hospital. Gerber will be a laboratory intern for CentralStar in Grand Ledge, Mich.
Breanna Fritsch, Kaukauna, Wis., is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls, Wis., majoring in dairy science. She recently moved to a small hobby farm in Freedom, Wis., where she raises registered Guernsey heifers. She’s very active with showing cattle, both locally and on a national level. Growing up, she was involved in 4-H and the Wisconsin Junior Guernsey Breeders Association, where she’s currently a board member. While on campus, Fritsch enjoys many activities and she’s a member of the Dairy Club. She will be a laboratory intern for CentralStar in Kaukauna, Wis.
CentralStar’s goal of enhancing producer profitability through integrated services is fulfilled by incorporating an array of products and services critical to dairy-and-beef-farm prosperity. CentralStar’s product and service offerings include Accelerated Genetics, GenerVations and Select Sires genetics; extensive artificial-insemination (A.I.) technician service; genetic, reproduction, and dairy records consultation; DHI services; diagnostic testing; herd-management products; research and development; and more. CentralStar’s administration and warehouse facilities are located in Lansing, Mich., and Waupun, Wis., with laboratories in Grand Ledge, Mich., and Kaukauna, Wis. For more information, visit CentralStar Cooperative Inc. at www.mycentralstar.com.
— CentralStar
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