Morning Ag Clips

WAUPUN, Wis. and LANSING, Mich. — The cooperatives formerly known as NorthStar Cooperative Inc. and East Central/Select Sires open a new chapter in history, today, merging under the name CentralStar Cooperative Inc.

While CentralStar is a new name, the cooperative has a robust history with more than 150 years of combined experience meeting the needs of dairy and beef producers in the Midwest. As a merged entity, CentralStar’s genetic and reproduction service area includes all of Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as north of Highway 50 in Indiana. Additionally, new services such as Dairy Herd Information (DHI) and diagnostic testing for health, disease, and production traits, are more readily accessible to more producers.

“Merging to create CentralStar makes us a stronger organization for our members and customers,” said Steve Abel, former East Central/Select Sires board president. “Not only are we able to expand product and service offerings more easily, while taking advantage of economies of scale, but as a merged entity, it strengthens our position in the industry.”

“As the largest affiliate member of Dairy Records Management Service (DRMS) and the third largest member-owner of Select Sires, CentralStar’s representation with both organizations allows us to provide valuable direction and insight into future offerings for our members and customers,” added Paul Trierweiler, former NorthStar Cooperative board president.

Currently, the CentralStar board of directors is comprised of 27 people, which made up the NorthStar and East Central boards of directors. Officer elections were conducted at the CentralStar board meeting late last month with Trierweiler, Portland, Mich., elected president; Abel, Fond du Lac, Wis., first vice president; Lyle Ott, Brillion, Wis., second vice president; Dan Mielke, Colby, Wis., treasurer; and Dorothy Harms, Reedsburg, Wis., secretary.

At the same meeting, the board of directors created a team leadership approach with Jerome Meyer, East Central/Select Sires general manager, as chief executive officer (CEO) and Mark Adam, NorthStar Cooperative general manager, as chief operating officer (COO).

“We’re fortunate to be able to take advantage of the knowledge and wide range of experiences Jerome and Mark bring to the table to lead our new cooperative,” said Abel. “Earlier this year, Mark shared his desire to retire Dec.31 and agreed to assist with the merger process until that time,” added Trierweiler. “We are grateful for his dedication to our organization and willingness to stay on as COO to help ensure a successful merger.”

Today, CentralStar launched a new website, www.mycentralstar.com, which offers online shopping for hundreds of ear-tag and herd-management products, as well as an online payment portal. Ongoing enhancements will continue with the site, including an interactive employment application, as well as diagnostic-testing resources.

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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WAUPUN, Wis., and LANSING, Mich. — Starting May 1, 2019, NorthStar Cooperative, Lansing, Mich., and East Central/Select Sires, Waupun, Wis., will merge under the name, CentralStar Cooperative. One of the first donations from CentralStar will be a “platinum”-level contribution, in partnership with Select Sires Inc., to the 2019 National Holstein Convention.

Wisconsin is hosting this year’s event, June 24-27, in the Fox Valley region of America’s Dairyland. The convention will feature diverse farm tours, seminars, junior Holstein contests, the National Convention Sale, a National Genetics Conference, the 25th Young Dairy Leadership Institute’s Leadership Conference, and much more.

The CentralStar and Select Sires donation will be used to host family night at Lambeau Field, Tuesday, June 25. With legendary Lambeau Field in full view, attendees will enjoy a tailgate-style meal of a hog roast with tenderloin steak sandwiches and many of Wisconsin’s favorite foods. Activities will include tailgate games and the opportunity to venture into the Titletown District just a short walk away with its loads of free games and playground equipment. Lambeau Field tours can be purchased for an additional $12, with a capacity limit of 350 tour registrants.

For more information about the 2019 National Holstein Convention, visit www.2019holsteinconventionwi.com and follow the event on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

CentralStar will focus on enhancing producer profitability through integrated services, providing Accelerated Genetics, GenerVations, and Select Sires genetics; extensive artificial-insemination (A.I.) technician service; genetic consultation; reproduction services; Dairy Herd Information (DHI) services; diagnostic testing; herd-management products; research and development; and more. For more information, visit NorthStar Cooperative at https://www.northstarcooperative.com/ and East Central/Select Sires at http://www.eastcentralselectsires.com/.

— CentralStar

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WAUPUN, Wis., and LANSING, Mich. — The voting process is complete; East Central/Select Sires delegates and NorthStar Cooperative common stock owners have officially voted in favor of merging the two cooperatives together. This news comes about two months after the board of directors for East Central/Select Sires, based in Waupun, Wis., and NorthStar Cooperative, Lansing, Mich., announced reaching a unanimous decision to work toward unifying the two business entities under the name CentralStar Cooperative Inc.

“We appreciate our members’ votes of confidence in this merger,” shared Paul Trierwieler, NorthStar Cooperative board president. “As CentralStar Cooperative, we have more than 150 years of combined experience serving the dairy and beef industries in the Midwest. Joining two organizations which are financially strong, customer-focused cooperatives better positions CentralStar to establish the next generation of integrated services that are necessary in today’s market for farm profitability.”

“The next step is for employees and management staff to iron out logistics in preparation for the May 1, 2019, merger date,” added Steve Abel, president, East Central/Select Sires board of directors. “Inventory organization, delivery, accounting, communication, customer care, and employee benefits are just a few of the areas in discussion. This process is difficult, but will be very rewarding, so please have patience with our team during this transition.”

Currently, NorthStar Cooperative serves dairy and beef producers in northern Wisconsin, Michigan, and north of U.S. Highway 50 in Indiana. East Central/Select Sires serves dairy and beef producers in southern Wisconsin. There is no overlapping territory between the two cooperatives, so once the merger is final, service will continue as usual for patron members.

Combining cooperatives will create even greater value for members and customers. This includes taking advantage of economies of scale where it makes sense; expanding resources and services available to customers, such as Dairy Herd Information (DHI) services and diagnostic testing; and removing the current business line along State Road 21 in Wisconsin.

CentralStar will focus on enhancing producer profitability through integrated services, providing Accelerated Genetics, GenerVations, and Select Sires genetics; extensive artificial-insemination (A.I.) technician service; genetic consultation; reproduction services; DHI services; diagnostic testing; herd-management products; research and development; and more. All current business locations will remain open for the foreseeable future.

For more information, visit NorthStar Cooperative at https://www.northstarcooperative.com/ and East Central/Select Sires at http://www.eastcentralselectsires.com/.

— East Central/Select Sires and NorthStar Cooperative

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WAUPUN, Wis., and LANSING, Mich. — Two well-known and successful agricultural cooperatives in the upper Midwest have signed an intent to merge. The board of directors for East Central/Select Sires, based in Waupun, Wis., and NorthStar Cooperative, Lansing, Mich., reached a unanimous decision to work toward unifying the two business entities under the name CentralStar Cooperative Inc.

Currently, NorthStar Cooperative serves dairy and beef producers in northern Wisconsin, Michigan, and north of U.S. Highway 50 in Indiana. East Central/Select Sires serves dairy and beef producers in southern Wisconsin. There is no overlapping territory between the two cooperatives, so once the merger is confirmed, service will continue as usual for patron members.

The goal is to combine cooperatives, creating even greater value for our members and customers. This includes taking advantage of economies of scale where it makes sense; expanding resources and services available to customers, such as Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) services and diagnostic testing; and removing the current business line in Wisconsin.

“The board is really excited about this potential merger,” said Paul Trierweiler, president, NorthStar Cooperative board of directors. “Collaborating in strategic alliances is one element of NorthStar’s vision, which guides us into discussions like this one. The dairy and beef industries are changing rapidly, and the board believes becoming one cooperative creates a lot of opportunities to better serve all members and customers.”

“Employees will see advantages, as well,” added Steve Abel, president, East Central/Select Sires board of directors. “By combining employee numbers from both cooperatives, we can use economies of scale in areas such as benefits, insurance, and technology. There will be more opportunity for career development, and with expanded services, employees will benefit from providing more value to customers.”

NorthStar Cooperative and East Central/Select Sires will follow their governing documents and conduct a vote of the common stockowners (NorthStar Cooperative) For more information, contact Kelly Bristle NorthStar Cooperative Director, member relations and promotions bristlek@northstarcooperative.com 1-800-631-3510 Page 2 of 2 and delegates (East Central/Select Sires), to approve the merger. Voting will occur in early 2019.

Upon a positive vote, merging business operations will begin May 1. CentralStar will focus on enhancing producer profitability through integrated services, providing Accelerated Genetics, GenerVations, and Select Sires genetics; extensive artificial insemination (A.I.) technician service; genetic consultation; reproduction services; DHI services; diagnostic testing; herd-management products; research and development; and more. All current business locations will remain open for the foreseeable future.

For more information, visit NorthStar Cooperative at https://www.northstarcooperative.com/ and East Central/Select Sires at http://www.eastcentralselectsires.com/.

— East Central/Select Sires and NorthStar Cooperative

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