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Mastitis Council meets in Michigan

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NEW PRAGUE, Minn. — More than 100 milk quality professionals from the United States and Canada, representing 14 states and two provinces, respectively, attended the National Mastitis Council (NMC) Regional Meeting, held July 12-14, in East Lansing, Mich. The forum attracted dairy processors, veterinarians, dairy producers, researchers, milking equipment dealers, dairy suppliers and students.

“Michigan stands out as a state that is synonymous with quality milk production,” said Christy Dinsmoore of  Michigan Milk Producers Association and the 2022 regional meeting program chair. “Each year, about half of NMC’s National Dairy Quality Award winners produce milk in the state of Michigan. We’re grateful for the opportunity to showcase Michigan’s commitment to milk production excellence – from farm gate to consumer plate.”

The NMC Regional Meeting – organized under the theme Gaining a Competitive Edge – showcased a variety of topics, including farm profitability, bovine mastitis, robotic milking systems, employee management, processors’ milk quality needs and consumers’ dairy product wants. Additionally, some attendees participated in specialized short courses that addressed milking system evaluations, labor development and retention, automated milk systems’ pitfalls and opportunities, mastitis prevention, treatment and control, and milking parlor efficiency. Furthermore, some participants toured CentralStar Cooperative’s laboratory in Grand Ledge, Mich.; Crandall Farms, located near Battle Creek, Mich.; and Moo-ville Creamery, Nashville, Mich.

NMC thanks its regional meeting sponsors who contributed to the program’s success. Gold sponsors included Alltech, BouMatic, Diamond V, GEA, Lely and Michigan Milk Producers Association. The Silver sponsors were Adisseo, Boehringer Ingelheim, Central Star Cooperative, Inc. and Zinpro.

The National Mastitis Council 62nd Annual Meeting is scheduled for Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 2023, in Atlanta. Next year’s NMC Regional Meeting is tentatively set for the first week of May in Tulare, Calif.

National Mastitis Council is a professional organization devoted to reducing mastitis and enhancing milk quality. NMC promotes research and provides information to the dairy industry on udder health, milking management, milk quality and milk safety. Founded in 1961, NMC has about 1,000 members in more than 40 countries throughout the world.

— National Mastitis Council

Ramaker is new CentralStar Cooperative CFO

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WAUPUN, Wis. — Troy Ramaker, New Holstein, Wis., has been hired as CentralStar Cooperative’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Ramaker is responsible for forecasting and managing the cooperative’s financial position, as well as overseeing all finance and accounting operations, team members, and outside vendors. He is based in the multi-state cooperative’s Waupun, Wis., business office.

Ramaker has held various financial-leadership roles during his 26-year career, serving several companies in the CFO capacity. In recent years, he was CFO for GLC Minerals, LLC, Green Bay, Wis., a family-owned mineral-processing company, where he led a team that successfully implemented human-resources, information-technology, and financial policies and procedures. Prior to that, he was CFO and executive vice president for Eden Stone Company, Eden, Wis. With a strong record of leadership and achievement through strategy formulation, business counsel, and institution of effective management and financial controls, Ramaker brings value to CentralStar Cooperative in quality results and positive outcomes.

“Troy is the type of person who continually enjoys learning and improving his skills,” said Chief Executive Officer Phil Dieter. “We look forward to giving him that opportunity as a part of the CentralStar family, while working to make sure the cooperative continues in a profitable direction for the benefit of our employee-team members, customers, and member stockowners.”

Ramaker is replacing retiring CFO, Chad Rensi, following his more-than-18 years of service to the cooperative.

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. The cooperative serves dairy and beef producers throughout Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana, with additional DHI territory in various surrounding states. For more information, visit CentralStar Cooperative Inc. at www.mycentralstar.com.

— CentralStar Cooperative

MSU dairy team wins fourth consecutive national title

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — For the fourth year in a row, a team of four Michigan State University (MSU) students earned first place in their division at the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest (NAIDC). In the 20th year of the event, the NAIDC contest was held March 31 – April 2 in Green Bay, Wis. Twenty-four teams from 22 universities across the United States and Canada competed in four divisions.

Members of the winning team were: Jessie Nash, a senior studying agricultural, food and resource economics from Elsie, Michigan; Mikayla Bowen, a junior in the animal science dairy concentration from Addison, Michigan; Katie Wilson, a junior in the animal science dairy concentration from Blanchard, Michigan; and Derek Vanderhoff, a senior studying agricultural, food and resource economics from Hillsdale, Michigan. Bowen, Nash and Wilson all started their academic careers at MSU in the Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) dairy program. The team was coached by Dr. Roger Thomson, an academic specialist in the Department of Animal Science.

Dairy Challenge, which was started at MSU in 2001, is a competition where students work in teams to evaluate dairy operations. Over two days, students are given herd data, financial records, visit the dairy, and interview the dairy producer and staff. Students then prepare a comprehensive presentation of their findings and include solutions for areas of improvement on farm. Solutions and recommendations must be practical and financially sound. Presentations are evaluated by a panel of dairy industry experts and consultants.

In addition to the national Dairy Challenge contest, the NAIDC concurrently hosts the Dairy Challenge Academy. The goal of the academy is to provide an extended learning environment for college sophomore, juniors and seniors in four-year dairy science programs, community colleges and technical schools. These students work in mixed teams across universities and are guided by mentors as they evaluate dairy operations and build a presentation.

This year, Dairy Challenge Academy participants from MSU included Drew Neyer, a sophomore in the animal science dairy concentration from Shepherd, Michigan; Samantha Whitehead, a sophomore in the animal science dairy concentration from Corunna, Michigan; Rachael Bosse, a sophomore in the animal science dairy concentration from Dorr, Michigan; Emily Ockerman, a junior in the animal science dairy concentration from Davison, Michigan; Brooke Voelker, a junior in the animal science dairy concentration from Paris, Michigan; and Chase Rievert, a junior in animal science from Sebewaing, Michigan. Academy students were guided by Dr. Joe Domecq, an academic specialist and the coordinator of dairy education programs in the Department of Animal Science.

Reflecting on a successful 2022 program, Dr. Thomson had much to say.

“Exiting from almost two years of virtual instruction, it has been great to return to face-to-face learning and participate in experiential activities like Dairy Challenge. The 2022 MSU National Dairy Challenge team had some catching up to do regarding their dairy farm walk through skills. They also carried the burden of wanting to continue the string of first place ratings. The members of the 2022 team worked extremely hard starting in the fall of 2021 and continued into the spring semester with weekend practices on top of their regular classroom work. Their success is the result of the teamwork and effort they put toward their goal of winning a first-place rating. I am so proud of their efforts and happy for the results they earned.”

Students agree participating in the NAIDC is a highly valuable experience, not only for improving practical skills related to dairy farm analysis, but also as a networking opportunity with industry professionals nationwide and engaging with like-minded peers.

“The Dairy Challenge Competition has been the most substantial educational dairy experience I have received here at MSU,” said Bowen. “Each educational aspect, from the public speaking to the teamwork, and even consulting with producers is something I will carry-on with me into my future career. Having this hands-on learning approach is incredible.”

“Dairy Challenge was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but also the most rewarding” agreed Wilson. “The analytical and presentation skills and confidence that I have gained will be invaluable in my future.”

The MSU team would not have been successful without the support of many Michigan dairy partners. Dairy farms that opened their doors to provide a practice space for this year’s teams were: Green Meadow Dairy Farm in Elsie, Michigan; the MSU Dairy Teaching and Research Center; Hickory Gable Dairy in Hastings, Michigan; and Sunset Dairy in Allenton, Wisconsin.

In addition, this activity could not happen without financial support provided annually by the Michigan Dairy Memorial Endowment, the Roger and Marjorie Mellenberger Dairy Endowment, and the Hazel Dairy Memorial Endowment. Additional sponsorship is provided by the following corporate partners: ABS Global, ADM Alliance Nutrition, Agri-King Nutrition, Attalee Brix, Avon Hi-Life, Caledonia Elevator, Cargill, CentralStar Cooperative, Dairy Farmers of America, Diamond V Mills, Greenstone Farm Credit, Hi-Tech Dairy Supply, Michigan Milk Producer Association, Nobis Agri-Science, Prince Agri-Products, Purina/Land O’Lakes, VitaPlus and Zinpro Corporation.

For more information on the regional and national NAIDC events, visit the Dairy Challenge website or their Facebook page. For more information about MSU participation in the MSU Dairy Challenge, the Midwest Regional Dairy Challenge or the National Dairy Challenge, contact Dr. Thomson at thomso75@msu.edu.

The 21st annual NAIDC and Dairy Challenge Academy will take place in Saratoga Springs, New York in April 2023.

— Michigan State ANR

NMC heads to East Lansing for July regional meeting

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NEW PRAGUE, Minn. — Join milk quality enthusiasts in East Lansing, Mich., for the 2022 National Mastitis Council (NMC) Regional Meeting, July 12-14, at the Graduate Hotel.

“The NMC Regional Meeting is focused on producer and veterinarian education by global experts in milk quality and mastitis control,” said Christy Dinsmoore, Michigan Milk Producers Association, the 2022 regional meeting program chair. “This is an amazing opportunity for dairy producers and veterinarians to gain hands-on experiences and take home practical information to further the dairy industry’s quest in producing and marketing exceptional quality milk.”

The NMC Regional Meeting kicks off with short courses, which provide interactive instruction and networking in a small-group setting. Most are taught in English, but two are taught in Spanish. This year’s short courses include:

  • Robotic Milking Systems: Pitfalls and Opportunities
  • Labor Development/Retention
  • Toolkit for Dairy Farm Leaders (Herramientas para lideres de ranchos lecheros) (Espanol)
  • The Bugs that Bug Us
  • Fear of Failure: Determining Effectiveness of Mastitis Treatment
  • Does Parlor Efficiency Yield a Better Profit?
  • Key Aspects of Milking Efficiency and Parlor Efficiency (Aspectos claves de la eficiencia de ordeño y de la sala de ordeño) (Espanol)
  • Advanced Airflow Analysis of a Milking System (features The Teaching Parlor)

Tuesday evening features networking on the Michigan Princess Riverboat on the Grand River. The event includes dinner and refreshments.

On July 13, the general session features a variety of topics related to “Gaining a Competitive Edge.” Presentation topics include:

  • How to Stay Profitable and Competitive
  • Gaining a Competitive Advantage via Milk Quality
  • Is Bovine Mastitis a Pandemic?
  • Open Teat Lesions: They are Not All Herpes
  • Future-cast: Will Consumers Want to Buy What You’re Selling?
  • Robotic Milking Essentials for Success
  • Automated Milking System Panel Discussion: How Automated Milking Systems are Shaping the Modern Dairy
  • Employee Management
  • Employee Retention Dairy Managers Panel: What Your Neighbors are Doing to Keep Their Employees Happy

On the final day, NMC will offer a tour, which features CentralStar Laboratory, Grand Ledge, Mich.; Crandall Farms, Battle Creek, Mich.; and Moo-ville Creamery, Nashville, Mich.

For more details on short course descriptions and instructors, and general session descriptions and presenters, visit the NMC Regional Meeting webpage at: www.nmconline.org/regional-meeting.

To register for the NMC Regional Meeting, go to: https://bit.ly/2022NMCRegionalMtg. The early registration deadline is June 30. However, short courses have limited enrollment and are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. Courses may reach their capacity before the deadline, so register early. Registrations will be taken on site, if space is available.

Also, reserve your Graduate Hotel guestroom at: https://bit.ly/2022NMCregionalmeetingHotel. NMC’s discounted hotel room rate of $109 per night (plus applicable taxes) ends June 24.

National Mastitis Council is a professional organization devoted to reducing mastitis and enhancing milk quality. NMC promotes research and provides information to the dairy industry on udder health, milking management, milk quality and milk safety. Founded in 1961, NMC has close to 1,000 members in more than 40 countries throughout the world.

— National Mastitis Council

CentralStar scholarship apps due June 1

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WAUPUN, Wis., and LANSING, Mich. — CentralStar Cooperative, serving dairy and beef producers in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana, is offering seven, $1,000 scholarships this year. Those interested can find the application at www.mycentralstar.com/scholarship. The deadline is June 1, 2022.

Scholarships are available for two types of students. Applicants must be presently enrolled in a four-year college or a one- or two-year technical college or short-course program in an agricultural-related field. Applicants can also be a high-school senior admitted into one of the aforementioned programs. The applicant or their parent(s) must be a stockowner of CentralStar Cooperative. Read the application for additional detail.

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 Cooperative

75th Alice in Dairyland top candidates

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MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has announced the six top candidates for the 75th Alice in Dairyland position. The six top candidates are Amber Cafferty, Amelia Hayden, Courtney Moser, Taylor Schaefer, Samantha Schuessler and Charitee Seebecker.

Prior to being selected as top candidates, applicants completed an application and preliminary interview. Over the next eight weeks, the six top candidates will prepare for the three-day Alice in Dairyland Finals, scheduled for May 19-21, 2022, in Dane County. The three-day process includes agribusiness tours, media interviews, an impromptu question and answer session, individual interviews, and candidate presentations. The selection of the 75th Alice in Dairyland will be announced live during the program at the conclusion of the finals on May 21, 2022. The 75th Alice in Dairyland will begin her term on July 5, 2022.

“The Alice in Dairyland selection process takes your communication, interpersonal, and public speaking skills to the next level,” said 74th Alice in Dairyland Julia Nunes. “This process helps the top candidates refine their communications skills that will not only be pivotal in their journey to the 75th Alice in Dairyland Finals, but also in their future careers.”

Candidate Biographies
Amber Cafferty grew up on her family’s dairy and poultry farm in western Wisconsin, where many of her childhood memories included summer days training heifers for the county fair, unloading small hay bales, and feeding calves with her siblings. Growing up, she was active in 4-H and FFA, which helped develop her love for agriculture into lifelong leadership and communication skills. Cafferty attended the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where she was involved in the Gopher Club, Beta of Clovia sorority, National Grocers Association, and Agriculture Education and Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Club. Internships with Minnesota 4-H – Wright County, The Dairy Alliance, and the Minnesota State Fair Competition Department allowed her to further develop her agriculture knowledge. Cafferty graduated in May 2019 with bachelor’s degrees in agricultural communications and marketing and animal science. After graduation, she returned to her family’s farm before accepting a full-time position with Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin as a marketing and development coordinator.

“It is an honor to be a top Alice in Dairyland candidate,” said Cafferty. “As Alice, I will strive to be the role model she was for me growing up as well as cherish the opportunity to share the story of Wisconsin’s diverse agricultural commodities and the producers who make it possible.”

Amelia Hayden has always loved finding ways to give back to her community through agriculture. She credits her time in 4-H and FFA with showing her the value of service and giving her opportunities to serve the agriculture community. Hayden grew up showing at the Walworth County Fair and was an officer in her local 4-H club and the Walworth County 4-H Junior Leaders’ Association. In FFA, Hayden sought out every opportunity to inform others about agriculture. This work led her to become a national winner for her projects related to agri-science research and agriculture education. Hayden served as the 2017-2018 Wisconsin State FFA Vice President and 2018-2019 Wisconsin State FFA President. In these roles, she delivered workshops, keynote speeches, and interviews promoting Wisconsin agriculture and youth involvement to thousands of students and stakeholders.

As a student at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Hayden has served as president of the Agriculture Education, Communication and Marketing Club, an active member of the Agricultural Business Club, and a Teach Ag Ambassador. While in college, she interned with Vivayic, Inc., which included developing agriculture literacy resources, planning training webinars, and collaborating on media campaigns for numerous national agriculture clients. She is graduating in May 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education. Hayden intends to become a high school agriculture teacher, where she can continue to serve agriculture and inspire students to become the next generation of Wisconsin agriculturists.

“I am excited to provide authentic agricultural experiences, build partnerships, and expand the program’s reach while serving as Alice. I hope to inspire each Wisconsinite to take pride in their connection to our state’s agriculture,” said Hayden.

Courtney Moser grew up on her family’s registered Holstein dairy farm, Dream Prairie Holsteins, and it was there her love for the dairy industry and wider agriculture community began. Her passion further developed through her dedicated involvement with 4-H, FFA, and the Wisconsin Holstein Association (WHA). At the age of 12, she earned first place in the WHA junior speaking contest where the assigned topic was “Your Future in Agriculture.” In the contest, Moser spoke about the integral role of Alice in Dairyland and her dream to represent Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture industry as the 75th Alice. Her interest continued to grow as she promoted registered Holsteins and the dairy industry as the 2017 WHA Princess. After graduating from Westby Area High School in May 2017, Moser furthered her education at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Her studies included an internship in Jerome, Idaho with Progressive Publishing as an editorial intern for Progressive Dairy. In December 2020, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in journalism and communication, concentrating on multimedia journalism and organizational and public relations, and receiving a minor in leadership. She is currently serving as the 2021 Vernon County Fairest of the Fair. For the past year, she has been employed as the digital marketing strategist for Valley Fudge & Candy in Coon Valley, Wisconsin. Moser describes her job as “sweet” as she combines her love for agriculture and passion for sharing the story of how Wisconsin butter is used to create deliciously creamy fudge.

“As people are raised further removed from their food source, it is imperative that we share the story of agriculture,” said Moser. “As the 75th Alice in Dairyland, it would be my honor to share the story of Wisconsin agriculture and connect people of all ages and backgrounds to the products, producers, and agribusinesses that fuel and feed us.”

Taylor Schaefer’s fondest memories stem from her family’s beef and crop farm, where raising livestock and serving as a youth leader in the Racine County 4-H program ignited her passion for agriculture. Schaefer went on to study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she was involved in the Association of Women in Agriculture, Badger Dairy Club, and the University of Wisconsin Marching Band. In 2021, she interned with Mayer Beef and Folk Song Farm, where she broadened her knowledge of the Something Special from Wisconsin™ program and connected with consumers. She has since joined the Animal and Dairy Sciences Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a digital media intern and the Mid-West Farm Report as a farm assistant. In May 2022, she will graduate with bachelor’s degrees in animal sciences and life sciences communication and a certificate in digital studies. Upon graduation, she accepted a position with the Mid-West Farm Report in Madison, Wisconsin.

“As a young exhibitor, I looked up to Alice for her contributions towards reconnecting consumers to producers and ability to foster positive relationships between urban and rural community members,” said Schaefer. “As Alice, I will explore Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture industry and share my knowledge with audiences of all demographics across the state.”

Samantha Schuessler enjoys sharing her agriculture story with everyone she meets. Schuessler has a passion for agriculture that was cultivated on her family dairy farm in Antigo, Wisconsin. Her favorite memories were feeding the calves and having her kittens follow her around the barns during chores as a young girl. Growing up she was heavily involved with 4-H and FFA and was often showing horses, sheep, swine, and dairy cattle. Samantha graduated from California Polytechnic State University in June 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in dairy science and a minor in agricultural communications. During college, Samantha was on the Cal Poly Dairy Judging Team, involved in the Los Lecheros Dairy Club, and interned for CentralStar Cooperative in the summer of 2019. Samantha has experience in all aspects of the food chain from working on the farm, making cheese, and selling chocolate. Samantha worked for Sartori Cheese making wheels of cheese and sales in the Midwest. She now works for The Hershey Company as a retail sales representative.

“Since I was young, I looked up to Alice in Dairyland as the positive image that represented Wisconsin agriculture,” said Schuessler. “As Alice, I will be able to share my Wisconsin stories while also learning and sharing other Wisconsin agriculture stories with the public.”

Charitee Seebecker of Mauston learned first-hand the work ethic and dedication of Wisconsin farmers. Growing up on her family’s registered Holstein dairy farm, feeding calves and milking were just a couple of things that helped keep her busy. After a farm setback and having to transition away from the farm, she turned to FFA and 4-H to continue igniting her passion for agriculture. Wanting to share agriculture’s story and the impact that growing up on a farm had on her, Seebecker obtained a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business with an emphasis in communications and marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. In 2016, she shared her knowledge of agriculture while serving as the Juneau County Fairest of the Fair. Throughout college, she was very active in the Pioneer Dairy Club, Agriculture Business Club, Ceres Women’s Agricultural Fraternity, and served as co-president of the National Agri-Marketing Association. Upon graduation in May 2018, Seebecker served as an Ameri-Corps Farm to School Specialist for Juneau County. She currently works at the Wisconsin Holstein Association as the director of sales and membership and as a news broadcaster at Hometown Life News in Tomah.

“Serving as the official ambassador for Wisconsin’s farmers and processors would be a dream come true,” said Seebecker. “Alice in Dairyland has been a role model to me since I first met her at my county fair as a child. It would be an honor to come full circle and now be that role model for other young children. As Alice, I will make it fun to learn about Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture industry while sharing my unique experiences growing up and telling the story of our state’s food, fuel, and fiber production to highlight the impact that agriculture has on our state’s economy.”

About Alice in Dairyland
Alice in Dairyland is a full-time communications professional for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). The Alice program is supported by several partner organizations including Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Kettle Moraine Mink Breeders Association, Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board, and Midwest Jewelers Association. For more information about the Alice in Dairyland program, visit https://www.aliceindairyland.com/ and follow Alice online on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

— Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

National DHIA honors Adam for outstanding service

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FITCHBURG, Wis. — Mark Adam, a past National Dairy Herd Information Association (DHIA) president, received the organization’s Outstanding Service Award on Feb. 22, during the awards banquet held in San Antonio, Texas. Before his retirement, Adam, Eaton Rapids, Mich., served as the CentralStar Cooperative, Inc. chief executive officer (CEO).

With strong roots developed on his uncle’s dairy farm in northern Indiana, Adam was poised for a long career in milk diagnostics and dairy cattle genetics/artificial insemination (AI). He earned a certificate for completing the Purdue University Agricultural Short Course program, worked as a relief DHI and AI technician, and worked for various dairy farms in Northern Indiana. He then accepted a position with Sire Power Inc. as district sales manager followed by employment as the dairy herd manager for Dr. G. W. Snider and Ron Kline in Goshen, Ind. Next, Adam returned to Sire Power as a regional sales manager for 13 years. In 2000, Select Sires purchased Sire Power and Adam became the NorthStar Cooperative Director of DHI Services, a new business unit that was formed by the merger of NorthStar-Select Sires, Michigan DHIA and Fox Valley DHIA in Wisconsin.

When Adam embarked on his career with NorthStar, the cooperative had approximately 135,000 cows on DHI test, 92 employees and $9.7 million in gross revenue sales. At the time of his retirement in 2020, those numbers jumped to more than 500,000 cows on test, more than 400 employees, with earnings exceeding $58.5 million.

In 2015, Adam was named NorthStar’s general manager. Key milestones in Adam’s career included building two new laboratories – one in Grand Ledge, Mich., and one in Kaukauna, Wis., for DHI milk sample diagnostics. Additionally, the organization grew when Select Sires joined forces with Accelerated Genetics, NorthStar merged with East Central Select Sires to become CentralStar Cooperative, and CentralStar added Gallenberger Dairy Records.

Adam spent much of his career engaging with employees and colleagues. He developed sales and service training programs, and educational seminars to enhance employee performance. He strived to implement, develop and coordinate field account teams to ensure optimal utilization and integration of staff – to provide a focused approach to sales, service and customer care.

In 2002, Mark was elected to the National DHIA board of directors. A year later, he became vice president, followed by president in 2006.

“Under Mark’s direction, National DHIA and Quality Certification Services moved into leadership of providing quality data for DHI herds and the dairy industry,” stated Jay Mattison, National DHIA CEO. “Mark’s messages and actions looked at the big picture and were based on common sense.”

In addition to his “day job,” Adam served on the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) Devices Subcommittee and co-chaired the 2008 ICAR Biennial Meeting held in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Additional duties included serving on the Council of Dairy Cattle Breeding Dairy Data Working Group, Michigan Animal ID Task Force and Dairy Record Management System (DRMS) Long-range Strategic Planning Committee, and chairing the National DHIA Quality Certified Services.

Adam often reflects on the two phrases he identified himself with. “Live like you’re being interviewed every day” and “Surrounding yourself with good people helps make your entire organization stronger.” He said many times that because of those he worked with daily, they made him a more effective manager. Adam said, “Starting with a 4-H calf in 1966 has allowed me to live a very blessed life and career.”

National DHIA, a trade association for the dairy records industry, serves the best interests of its members and the dairy industry by maintaining the integrity of dairy records and advancing dairy information systems.

— National DHIA

Dairy Lab Services to merge with CentralStar

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LANSING, Mich. — For the second time in less than 12 months, CentralStar Cooperative is expanding its DHI and milk-analysis services. On Jan. 25, 2022, the board of directors and delegates of Dairy Lab Services (DLS), a national Dairy Herd Information (DHI) milk-testing association and lab in Dubuque, Iowa, approved merging into CentralStar effective March 1. With this merger, CentralStar Cooperative will become one of the largest DHI organizations in the country, working with more than 1,900 producers and 642,000 cows across the Midwest.

“The merger of DLS into CentralStar is a natural fit for our cooperative, as it aligns with our board of directors’ strategic vision and model of supporting dairy producers with powerful data and diagnostic tools to advance their businesses,” said CentralStar Board President Paul Trierweiler. “We appreciate the trust DLS leadership has placed in us to continue to provide DHI testing and lab services to Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and southwest Wisconsin dairy producers.”

DLS members can expect a smooth transition to CentralStar DHI Services. Both DLS and CentralStar processes records through Dairy Records Management Service (DRMS), so there will be no change in the way producers receive reports or the type of reports they rely on. Additionally, the speed in which producers receive results will be similar, at approximately two days.

In time, sample processing will move from the DLS lab to the CentralStar laboratory in Kaukauna, Wis. Built in 2017, the lab uses state-of-the-art techniques including infrared spectroscopy, flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and more to process more than 2.3 million samples, annually. Samples can be analyzed for more than a dozen components and characteristics including butterfat, protein, somatic cell count, solids-non-fat, milk urea nitrogen, Johne’s, bovine viral diarrhea, neospora, mastitis, pregnancy, and others.

“As the landscape of the industry continues to change, the board of directors and delegates felt it prudent to merge with CentralStar to take advantage of economies of scale to allow continued access to affordable DHI services,” said DLS General Manager Terry Hopper. “Additionally, this merger provides members access to expanded resources and services, including new diagnostic-=test options, as well as an extensive line of herd-management products, including cow-side tests for somatic cell count and ketosis.”

CentralStar began providing DHI Services in 2000 with the mergers of Michigan DHIA and Fox Valley DHI. Since that time, the cooperative has become the fastest-growing national DHI organization and scores among the best for turnaround time of sample results for like-sized laboratories. CentralStar DHI records are processed through DRMS, which processes more herds and cows across the U.S. than any other dairy-records processing center. CentralStar pioneered the development of milk diagnostics on DHI samples. In 2000, CentralStar began providing diagnostic services with the development of the Johne’s milk ELISA. In 2011, CentralStar worked in collaboration with IDEXX to validate the milk-pregnancy test, which is now performed on more than 5 million samples in North America, annually. More recently, CentralStar researchers have developed diagnostic tests for bovine leukosis virus, A2, and mastitis organisms.

CentralStar Cooperative Inc. was established May 1, 2019, as a result of the merger between NorthStar Cooperative, Inc. and East Central/Select Sires. The cooperative’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.) 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 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 Cooperative Inc.

Dairy herds recognized for reproductive efficiency

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LANSING, Mich. — Six herds with 12-month pregnancy rates of 32 percent or higher were recently recognized with the CentralStar Cooperative ReproStar Award. Marshland Acres, Durand, Wis.; Raterink Dairy Farm, Zeeland, Mich.; Wepner Farms, LLC, Manawa, Wis.; Elsinger Dairy, Lomira, Wis.; Zahn Farms, LLC, Gillett, Wis.; and 3-D Dairy, LLC, Malone, Wis. are the most recent recipients.

“As farms have more older cows in the herd, it can create reproductive challenges, but such is not the case for this year’s award winners,” said CentralStar Coordinator of Dairy Records Consulting Julie Ainsworth. “These herds have good conception rates for third- and greater-lactation cows. Additionally, this high efficiency also means a high percent of the cows are pregnant by three cycles, and there are no open cows more than 270 days in milk.”

Established in 2019, the ReproStar Award recognizes producers for their accomplishments with reproductive efficiency. When selecting winners, a panel of judges evaluates each dairy’s data for multiple factors known to influence pregnancy rates.

“According to the 2018 Compeer Financial study, the most profitable dairies have six traits in common, one of which is high-pregnancy rates (more than 27.4 percent),” said CentralStar Director of Member Relations and Promotions Kelly Bristle. “As CentralStar is ultimately invested in the long-term success and profitability of our customers, establishing a recognition program around this key profitability factor was a natural fit.”

More details regarding the management practices this year’s ReproStar winners use to achieve high reproductive efficiency can be found at https://centralstar.info/ReproStarAward.

CentralStar Cooperative, Inc. was established May 1, 2019, as a result of the merger between NorthStar Cooperative, Inc. and East Central/Select Sires. The cooperative’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; artificial-insemination (A.I.) 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 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 Cooperative, Inc.

National DHIA awards 11 scholarships

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FITCHBURG, Wis. — The National Dairy Herd Information Association (DHIA) Scholarship Committee selected 11 high school seniors and college students to receive a $1,000 scholarship. Committee members ranked applicants based on scholastic achievements, leadership in school and community activities, and responses to DHI- and career-related questions. To be eligible for a National DHIA scholarship, applicants must be a family member or employee of a herd on DHI test, a family member of a DHI employee, or an employee of a DHI affiliate. The DHI affiliate for the herd or affiliate employee must be a National DHIA member.

This year’s National DHIA scholarship recipients are Glenn Barnes, son of Jeffery and Pamela Barnes, Lawrenceville, Pa.; Maggie Cronk, daughter of Barry and Janine Cronk, Henning, Minn.; Aaron Dukelow, son of Chris and Monica Dukelow, Abbotsford, Wis.; Rachel Durst, daughter of Loren and Julie Durst, Richland Center, Wis.; Mindi Freed, daughter of Steven and Anna Freed, Timberville, Va.; Justyne Frisle, daughter of Dean and Leslie Frisle, Prairie Farm, Wis.; Brianna Hill, daughter of Brian and Jodi Hill, Gregory, Mich.; Madelynn Hoffman, daughter of Curt and Psuche Hoffman, Manheim, Pa.; Lila Sloan, daughter of Angela and Tim Litow, Davis, Ill.; Emily Starceski, daughter of Paul and Robin Starceski, Sherman, N.Y.; and Clara Thompson, daughter of Donny and Holly Thompson, Plainview, Minn.

For the 14th year, National DHIA awarded a scholarship in memory of Joe Drexler, who worked for NorthStar Cooperative DHI Services (now known as CentralStar Cooperative Inc. – DHI Services). Brianna Hill is this year’s recipient. NorthStar members and employees, friends and family contributed nearly $10,000 to establish this scholarship fund.

Money generated from the annual National DHIA Scholarship Auction primarily funds the organization’s scholarship program. Investments and donations also help build the fund. Support the National DHIA Scholarship Program by donating $15 or more and receive a copy of The Big Book of Moo by Leigh Rubin. The Big Book of Moo features nearly 300 cow-centric cartoons. To order, e-mail BookOfMoo@dhia.org. To donate to the National DHIA Scholarship Fund, contact Leslie Thoman at 608-848-6455 ext. 108 or lthoman@dhia.org.

On July 1, 2022, the 2022 National DHIA Scholarship application will be posted on the National DHIA website at: www.dhia.org/scholarship.asp. Applications are due Nov. 30, 2022.

National Dairy Herd Information Association, a trade association for the dairy records industry, serves the best interests of its members and the dairy industry by maintaining the integrity of dairy records and advancing dairy information systems.

–National Dairy Herd Information Association