CentralStar grows DHI: Welcoming Heart of America DHIA producers
CentralStar’s growing its DHI and milk-analysis services, again, this time welcoming dairy producers across the Heart of America (HOA) DHIA region. Following a unanimous vote by HOA members to dissolve their organization, producers in Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota can move to CentralStar. Effective March 3, 2025, this transition extends CentralStar’s reach to more than 2,070 farms and 700,000 cows across 15 states.
"Our board and senior-management team recently worked together on a strategic vision for CentralStar. This transaction aligns with that vision and reinforces our ongoing commitment to supporting dairy producers and the industry,” said current board member and former Board President Paul Trierweiler.
Both HOA and CentralStar use Dairy Records Management Systems (DRMS) for record processing, meaning producers continue to receive the same reports. Milk-sample processing has shifted to CentralStar’s Kaukauna, Wis., laboratory, which handles more than 4.2 million samples, annually. The lab is equipped with advanced-diagnostic tools, including infrared spectroscopy, flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These techniques allow CentralStar to analyze milk for key components such as butterfat, protein, somatic cell count, solids-non-fat, milk urea nitrogen, and indicators of health like Johne’s disease, bovine viral diarrhea, mastitis, as well as, A1/A2 and pregnancy.
CentralStar has a long history of innovation in milk diagnostics. It led the way in developing milk-based diagnostic testing, from the first Johne’s milk ELISA in 2000 to the now-widely-used milkpregnancy test developed in collaboration with IDEXX in 2011. More recently, CentralStar researchers introduced new diagnostics for bovine leukosis virus, A1/A2, and mastitis-causing organisms. Since 2000, CentralStar has grown into the largest DHI affiliate in the U.S. and the largest DRMS member.
“CentralStar’s passion is providing tools to help our customers enhance profitability,” said Director of DHI Kevin Haase. “We’re excited about the expanded services and support CentralStar will provide this new region.”
CentralStar DHI now serving 15 states!
Photo: CentralStar Laboratory Technician Alyssa Deimel processes the first milk samples from a former-HOA herd.
Improves Respiratory Health Improves Growth
HOW IT WORKED: A New York commercial dairy farm faced challenges with delays in the age at weaning, attributed to poor body-weight gain and low calf-starter feed intake. A comparative study was conducted between the existing calf-development program and the CONVERT Calf Program.
RESULTS: Calves in the CONVERT group had a higher average daily gain and weighed 10.5 pounds more than the control group at weaning.
HOW IT WORKED: A New York dairy was experiencing high ultrasound calf-lung-lesion scores and delayed age at weaning due to poor body-weight gain and feed intake. A comparative study was conducted between CONVERT Calf Program and the existing program.
RESULTS: The CONVERT group had a lower average ultrasound lung-lesion score of 1.45 compared to 1.57 in the control group, suggesting better respiratory health leading to the ability to wean calves earlier due to improved health and starter-feed intake.
What the genetic base change and NM$ revisions mean for your herd
Wes Vomastic, Director of A.I.
Every five years, the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) updates the genetic base to reflect the ongoing progress in dairy genetics. This ensures predicted transmitting abilities (PTAs) remain relevant by comparing today’s animals to a more current reference population. Today, PTAs are based on cows born in 2015; but, after the April 2025 update, they will be measured against cows born in 2020. While the genetics of individual animals remain unchanged, their PTA values will shift to reflect this new baseline. Table A shows the expected base change to occur in 2025 compared to the previous two base changes the Holstein breed has experienced.
As the genetic base change will be applied evenly across all animals in the industry, it’s important to remember additional data will continue to be incorporated. As a result, we will see some variations to the changes of individual animals. Ultimately, it’s a multifactorial base change, so it’s important to reference relative rank when comparing animals.
Relying on relative rank in your herd to categorize the female population or the sires you are choosing, is the best way to remain confident you’re selecting the right genetics to create replacements for your herd. For example, if Herd Health Profit Dollars® (HHP$®) is your selection index, you can use the rank of females on HHP$ in your herd to guide mating and breeding decisions. Similarly, on the sire side, utilizing the HHP$ relative rank among sires will help navigate the base change and help selection on sires compared to others.
Navigating the combined changes in genetic base and Net Merit
Along with the April base change, CDCB will adjust the Net Merit (NM$) formula. The main adjustments include an increase in emphasis on fluid milk (M); decrease to overall combined fat and protein (CFP); decrease on productive life (PL); decrease on mastitis (SCS); decrease on fertility; and increase on smaller stature cattle with more focus on dairy form. The decrease in emphasis of CFP is driven by lowering the weight on protein and increasing the importance of butterfat. Table B shows the percent change to the April 2025 NM$ formula compared to the current formula.
Combining both the genetic-base change and the NM$ formula adjustment at the same time will create complexity in evaluating
the impact of each on an animal’s genetic profile. With any change, it’s a great time to evaluate the metrics important to your herd and what makes your operation profitable.
Focusing on long-lasting, profitable cows
Cows being profitable for longer is a critical part of our industry. Continual focus on CFP, fertility, mastitis resistance, and moderation to size all lead to profitable success. HHP$ is staying true to these values and focusing on making cows that last longer and are more profitable. As replacement numbers continue to be at an all-time low, it’s a great time to continue focusing on breeding long-lasting profitable cows. HHP$ is an excellent selection index for this. Table C shows the average of the top 100 Active Holstein Proven and Genomic sires ranked by various indexes.
How do we get more? Let’s start with what we can’t get more of: time in a day. Time is our most precious commodity. We must be intentional with every decision in order to maximize every minute and hour spent. That’s why it’s crucial to be strategic, not just with how we spend our time, but with whom we spend it. Trying to do everything, alone, limits our potential.
Operating
in a vacuum
The 2025 Super Bowl-champion head coach, Nick Sirianni, was quoted all year long saying, “You can’t be great without the greatness of others.” CentralStar has 400+ professionals that work together with more than 6,000 producers. Our team is an incredible network of knowledge and real-world experience that’s meant to be tapped. You simply do not know all the things you don’t know, but having easy access to a team that reaches as far as CentralStar does is an incredible asset. But it doesn’t stop there. Our vendor partners have been carefully selected, and together with the teams at Select Sires and our sister federation co-ops, they serve as invaluable resources for both our team and you.
Being incredibly diligent and fierce in our work ethic is the pride of our industry. But don’t let that be your downfall. Progress lies not just in hard work, but in making time for new ideas, learning, and growth. As rapidly as change has happened in the last century, it will come at an exponential rate in the following.
Boots on the farm
I was fortunate enough to have a conversation with President and CEO of Select Sires Dave Thorbahn. I asked him about our most influential infinite product. He shared a story about how A.I. Specialists were sent to learn how to “chalk tails” and heat detect in the late ‘80s. He emphasized that people who set boots on the farm will always be our most timeless value and best investment. As some of our competitors shift away from service and simply to product, it’s a healthy reminder of our values and belief in service. That’s why we continue to invest in our team, who shows up on your farm, through comprehensive-training programs and handson training with our own experienced team. We’re committed to developing skilled professionals who bring fresh ideas and real solutions to your operation, with the expertise and dedication you deserve.
Where can CentralStar help?
Time is precious, and finding ways to be more efficient isn’t just a goal, it’s a necessity. The good news: You don’t have to tackle it alone. Your CentralStar team can assist in many ways, providing solutions in your quest to optimize time, improve efficiency, and maximize profitability. Whether it’s fine-tuning reproductive programs; using milk samples for pregnancy confirmation; adding technology, like CowManager, for 24/7 monitoring of your herd; or implementing practices to right size heifer inventories and maximize the value of beef x dairy calves, CentralStar wants to help.
In the best-selling book Grit, Angela Duckworth said, “At its core, the idea of purpose is the idea that what we do matters to people other than ourselves ” CentralStar’s team is full of people like you - caretakers. Our purpose is simple, but so perfectly stated in CentralStar’s mission: To enhance producer profitability through integrated solutions for mutual success.
Take the next step
You can’t afford to operate in isolation; leveraging the knowledge, resources, and expertise of the CentralStar team is essential for maximizing time, efficiency, and profitability. So, ask yourself what you want to achieve and what obstacles stand in the way? Then challenge yourself and your CentralStar team to ask the tough questions about how to maximize both effort and time, while driving better results. Time is your most valuable resource, and our team can help you make the most of it. Let’s work together to get more!
Jordan Freund, CentralStar Team Leader
Manure
lagoons are not only waste pits, but pits of unharnessed opportunity and value. As the first-of-its-kind powdered manure additive, SOP™ Lagoon can help transform the manure cows produce into an asset that boosts your bottom line.
Help savings grow deep
SOP Lagoon capitalizes on the nutrients in your manure pit, keeping them in their most efficient form before being lost to ammonia volatilization and greenhouse gas formation. By stimulating the natural microbial activity in manure, the product promotes a more efficient breakdown of solids, improving the fertilization capacity of dairy waste. It has even been found that SOP Lagoon can help reduce costly synthetic applications by up to 10%.
Get more per gallon
SOP Lagoon leverages beneficial microbes to decompose organic matter in manure, encouraging the consumption of carbon and nitrogen compounds while limiting the activity of methanogens and other emission-producing bacteria. In the 2024 North American product trials, five dairies saw ammonia (NH3) emissions reduced by an average of 44% following six months of product use. This will result in increased nitrogen availability for crops this upcoming growing season.
of what she makes
Reduce agitation
Breaking up sediment and fiber at pump-out costs you both time and money. SOP Lagoon enhances the activity of solids dissolving microbials naturally present in your pit increasing their functionality, which improves nutrient efficiency. This helps prevent crust formation without agitation, minimizing equipment wear and fuel expenses.
Minimize odors
Dealing with lagoon odors stinks, whether you are accustomed to the smell or not. By preventing the formation of ammonia and other greenhouse gases that generate these odors, extreme smells are eliminated.
With more than 20 years of industry collaborated research and global product efficacy studies, SOP Lagoon can prevent your cattle’s waste from being wasted another year. Make the most of what she makes by contacting your CentralStar team to take advantage of exclusive spring savings available now through May 2025!
Want to learn more about what SOP Lagoon can do for your dairy? Contact Ian Johnson, Low Carbon Technologies product support specialist, at ijohnson@lowcarbontech.com.
LEARN MORE
Photo credit to Claire Swale. SOP Lagoon is distributed by Select
Your herd’s performance is more than what meets the eye. Without complete data, problems go unnoticed, and opportunities are missed. DHI data fills the gaps, giving you a complete picture of each cow’s performance. Get the insights you need to make smarter, more profitable decisions with routine DHI testing.
u Early-lactation monitoring
u Spotting ketosis & transition troubles
u Reproduction performance
u Reduce labor, improve performance
u Culling decisions, inventory management
u Genetic potential
u Keep rations on point
u Early mastitis detection
u Keep data fresh
u Late-lactation insights
800.631.3510
1Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 122, Issue 3, 12/2015, Pages 257-264; 2https://extension.umn.edu/dairy-milking-cows/transition-dairy-cows#fresh-cow-healthand-events-1741212; 3https://www.thebullvine.com/news/fresh-milk-fat-protein-ratio-identify-ketosis/; 4https://johnes.org/dairy/control/; 5https://extension.umn.edu/ animals-and-livestock-news/what-makes-feed-efficient-cow; 6https://www.thebullvine.com/news/why-crowded-cows-are-a-growing-concern-the-impact-on-dairy-farmproduction/; 7https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_d/D302/index.html; 8Grant 2004; 9https://www.nmconline.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IN-PROGRESS-Fact-Sheet-TheValue-and-Use-of-Dairy-Herd-Improvement-Somatic-Cell-Count-Formatted.pdf
Early-lactation monitoring
DHI data fills the gaps, giving you a complete picture of each cow’s performance. With highrisk stakes during transition, accurate, precise data to make good management decisions is crucial. Although, many herd-wide decisions such as ration changes may be made based off bulktank averages, there is no better source of data to make individual or group decisions than DHI data. Here are a few key metrics, measured by DHI, that can provide valuable insights about groups or individual cows, during early lactation, that lead to more profit.
Dry-cow treatment efficacy
Under pressure from public perception and costs, many dairies have explored selective dry-cow-treatment programs. The basis of these programs is differentiating low-risk cows from high-risk, and only treating those that are high-risk. For these programs to be effective, additional cows need to be identified through somatic cell count (SCC) data, not just those who’ve had clinical mastitis. Additionally, whether it be selective- or traditional- dry-cow treatment protocols, it’s important to evaluate the effectiveness of the program with dry-cow cure rates and dry-cow newinfection rates. First- and last-test somatic cell scores (SCS) are necessary to calculate these numbers. If you’re not monitoring and addressing the success and failures of dry-cow programs, you’re missing an opportunity to reduce costly mastitis cases, increase production, and improve milk quality.
Metabolic disease insights
One of the greatest challenges that can plague high-production herds is ketosis. Ketosis can impact high-production cows to the tune of 300-400 pounds of milk per lactation. Of course, we’re all very familiar with various forms of keto strips used to diagnose clinical ketosis. However, what is harder to determine is if your herd has a subclinical problem. With DHI, subclinical ketosis can be monitored using first-test fat-to-protein ratios (F:P). Herds should strive for less than 40% of fresh cows with a first test F:P ratio of 1.4. While the herd average may seem within range, a closer look often reveals that certain groups, such as a specific lactation group, may have higher rates of issues that aren't detectable through traditional ketosis diagnosis.
Peak milk performance
For each one-pound change in peak milk, you can expect a change of 200-250 pounds of total milk yield for the lactation. With such a strong correlation to total milk yield, it’s essential to monitor and manage peak milk weights collected by DHI sampling. With the simple graph displayed here, there are several important assumptions and insights we can draw.
u Peak milk ratios: First lactation peak milk ratios can be a strong indicator of whether the “sweet spot” has been found for an age at first calving
u Lactation persistence: How quickly or slowly do cows drop in production following peak performance? Are they running out of energy earlier in lactation than desired?
u Sophomore slump: Are second lactation cows underperforming expectations or showing less persistency than mature cows. This could be an indicator of inadequate body conditioning at the start of the lactation.
With ever-tightening margins, every day of a cow’s life counts, especially high-value, early-lactation days. The transition period is both the highest risk and highest reward period of a cow’s life. This make-or-break time will set the tone for the entire lactation and may even dictate whether it will be her last. Don’t leave management decisions to chance due to lack of necessary information. With DHI data, you gain a complete picture of each animal’s performance, enabling more-informed decisions that can enhance profitability.
Unlike traditional methods, testing milk samples to gain insights for production, health, and physiology, eliminates on-farm labor to find, sort, and lockup cows, improving cow comfort, while saving time and money.
Test routine DHI samples, or ship samples direct to laboratory, to test for Leukosis, a1/a2, johne's, bvdv, pregnancy and mastitiS.
Cole Mark, Director of Consulting and Profit Strategies
BOVINE ACCELLTE II is a specialized electrolyte that helps to promote feed and water intake, restoring electrolyte functions and water retention to prevent losses due to dehydration. Ideal for periods of stress, rehydration, and pre-hydration, including:
u heat stress,
u calving, u illness,
u shipping/receiving, and u feed changes.
MoreUsing data to build a championship-caliber herd
than 350 division-one schools are vying for an invitation to the NCAA tournament in March, but only 68 will get one. This sets the stage for millions of people to attempt to predict the tournament’s outcome, yet no one in the tournament’s history has ever filled out a perfect bracket. The odds are stacked against them, 1 in 9.2 quintillion (if you were to pick by flipping a coin).
It’s not a blind guess. Bracketologists seed teams based on performance data from the regular season and conference tournaments -- and they do a lot better than flipping a coin. Historically, no team worse than an eight-seed has ever won the national championship, while one-seeds have only won 64% of the time, which still leaves plenty of uncertainty. The takeaway? The more we narrow the selection pool, the greater the risk of missing the true champion.
Why does this matter to your herd?
Terminal beef-on-dairy crossbreeding and improved fertility of sexed semen have given you unprecedented control over which animals generate the next generation of replacements. Many herds now produce nearly all their replacements from heifers and selectively breed only the top five-10% of the milking herd with sexed semen. This means your ability to accurately identify the best females has long-term implications for herd profitability and genetic progress. The only way to improve the odds of selecting the most profitable females is to have INDIVIDUAL cow data, that can be provided by DHI.
Just like NCAA seeding, data-driven selection improves your odds of success. The national champion almost always comes from the top 32-seeded teams because those seeds are based on proven performance. The same principle applies to your herd. If you’re limiting the number of cows that will shape your future genetics, shouldn’t you give yourself the best chance at picking the right ones? The more-individual-cow data you have to differentiate elite performers, the better chance you’ll have at beating the odds.
The most profitable cows should be identified using energy correct milk (ECM) from DHI. Why? ECM pairs fat and protein production with pounds of milk on an individual-cow basis. Relying on milk production, alone, is an unreliable way to find these high ECM cows, particularly when we limit the size of the selection pool.
Size matters: Limited data decreases selection confidence as maternal breeding pool shrinks.
Case in point, the graph above represents a data comparison of six Midwest dairies, representing 10,446 cows, showing how the reliability of selecting high-ECM cows decreases as the size of the selection pool is limited. If you breed the top 50% of a group based off milk production, alone, you will net 82% of the top ECM cows, not bad. But if you shrink the selection pool, as is commonly done on dairies, to five-10%, you will miss about 50% of the best ECM cows in your herd.
Just like building a championship team, creating a profitable herd takes more than a coin flip, it requires data. As your breeding strategy narrows your selection pool for future replacements, make sure you choose the right cows. The best way to do that is with individual-cow-performance data from DHI.
Talk to your CentralStar team, today, about starting DHI, or how to use your current individual-cow data so your best cows drive genetic progress, creating a championship-caliber herd.
Doug Moyer, Private Dairy Consultant
Member Stockowner News
CentralStar member-stockowners recently completed the board of directors election and virtual annual meeting. Congratulations to Rick Adams, Elkhorn, Wis.; Andy Paulus, Fredonia, Wis.; Andy Wolf, Oconto Falls, Wis.; and Mark Ziel, Port Austin, Mich., on their re-election. Each year, elections are conducted for approximately one-third of the board with winning candidates serving a three-year term. To learn more about future available positions, and to apply, visit mycentralstar.com/board-of-directors.
Patronage and dividends
Patronage and class-C-preferred-stock dividends were distributed in February to CentralStar member-stockowners. The board approved a patronage distribution of $1,921,700 for common stockowners, with 60% representing $1,153,020 paid in cash! The balance is allocated to members and converted dollar for dollar to class-C preferred stock after eight years. Additionally, the board of directors approved a $7-per-share dividend on all shares of class-C preferred stock, which totaled $318,769. In March, in accordance with the CentralStar capital plan and current board policies, retained patronage of $536,000 from 2016 of current common stockowners was converted to 5,360 shares of class-C preferred stock.
Scholarship applications due June 1 CentralStar is, again, offering multiple $1,000 scholarships to member-owners or their children. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must presently be enrolled in a four-year college or a one- or two-year technical college or shortcourse program in an agricultural-related field; or be a high school senior admitted into one of the above-mentioned programs. Get details and apply here: centralstar.info/scholarship/.
Monitor your herd's health and productivity from calf to cow with our lifetime ear sensors. They provide real-time data to detect diseases early and tailor treatment by age, allowing you to address health, fertility, transition, and nutrition issues anytime. Our lifetime ear sensors follow your herd throughout every life phase.
CentralStar Board of Directors
A guide to controlling Staph aureus, Strep ag., and M. bovis Know your mastitis threats:
We’veall seen the statistic: A case of clinical mastitis in the first 30 days of lactation can result in an economic loss of $444. While prevention is a cornerstone of mastitis management, understanding the specific pathogens that cause infection is just as critical. By identifying and addressing pathogens effectively, you can take targeted action to minimize losses and improve overall herd health.
Staphylococcus aureus: A persistent threat
Staphylococcus aureus (Staph. aureus) is a major cause of mastitis worldwide. This pathogen often presents as subclinical, meaning infected cows may show no outward signs beyond an elevated somatic cell count (SCC). However, don’t let the absence of symptoms fool you. Staph. aureus infections cause significant udder damage, leading to reduced milk production and chronic infections.
Once Staph. aureus enters the udder, typically through the teat end, it walls itself off in small abscesses, making it difficult for the immune system and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate the infection. These infections can persist for long periods, with bacteria intermittently shedding in milk and contaminating the environment, increasing the risk of transmission.
Because treatment success rates are low, management strategies focus on prevention and control. Effective pre- and post-milking hygiene is essential, along with screening purchased cows to prevent introducing the pathogen into the herd. Bulktank testing for Staph. aureus provides a valuable monitoring tool, with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing offering increased sensitivity to detect even low-level infections. Individual-cow testing helps pinpoint affected animals, allowing for strategic-management decisions such as segregation or culling.
Mycoplasma bovis: A challenge beyond mastitis
infections pose the greatest risk for herd-wide outbreaks, making early identification critical. Screening high-risk cows, such as fresh cows or those with elevated SCC, can prevent widespread transmission. Monthly bulk-tank testing, especially utilizing PCR technology, allows for rapid detection, minimizing the potential for undetected infections to spread.
Streptococcus agalactiae: A contagious milk-quality concern
Streptococcus agalactiae (Strep. ag.) is a highly contagious mastitis pathogen that thrives exclusively in the udder. Unlike environmental pathogens, Strep. ag. spreads directly from cow to cow, primarily during milking. Although most infected cows do not display clinical symptoms, they exhibit increased SCC and reduced milk production, negatively impacting milk quality and profitability.
While modern milking technology and management practices have reduced the prevalence of Strep. ag., the consolidation of dairy herds has contributed to its continued presence. During an outbreak, the costs associated with testing, identifying, and treating effected cows can escalate quickly.
The good news is that Strep. ag. infections typically respond well to antimicrobial therapy when properly managed. Many herds successfully eliminate Strep. ag. through whole-herd testing followed by targeted treatment. Blanket dry-cow therapy has historically been effective in reducing Strep. ag. infections, but ongoing surveillance remains essential. Regular testing of bulk-tank samples can be a great way to monitor the herd, overall. The increased sensitivity of PCR reduces the risk of missing low-level infections. When Strep. ag. is detected, individual-cow screening is necessary. Identification and treatment of infected animals is the best way to control widespread outbreaks.
The importance of proactive monitoring
Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) is one of the most prevalent and economically significant mycoplasma species affecting dairy cattle. Infected cows shed high levels of bacteria, contaminating their environment, including milking parlors and free stalls. M. bovis infections often lead to severe mastitis, abnormal udder secretions, and multiple effected quarters, all accompanied by poor response to antibiotic treatment.
M. bovis presents a particular challenge due to its lack of a cell wall, which makes it inherently resistant to many common antibiotics. Additionally, it can spread beyond the udder, causing arthritis and pneumonia, further complicating herd-health management.
The economic impact of M. bovis mastitis is staggering, with losses exceeding $108 million annually in the U.S., alone. Subclinical
Regardless of the pathogen, a proactive approach is key to managing mastitis effectively. Monthly bulk-tank testing for Staph. aureus, M. bovis, and Strep. ag. allows for early detection, reducing the risk of herd-wide outbreaks. The sensitivity of PCR testing offers a valuable tool for identifying even low-level infections. When infections are detected, individual-cow testing and strategic culling or treatment can prevent further spread. While each farm may adopt different testing strategies, consistent monitoring is the key to success. Mastitis-causing pathogens never truly disappear, but with diligence and the right protocol, their impact on herd health and profitability can be significantly minimized.
To learn more about mastitis-PCR testing, and for help implementing a monitoring program in your herd, reach out to michelle.kaufmann@mycentralstar.com.
Michelle Kaufmann, CentralStar Customer Solutions Advisor
