CentralStar Cooperative, serving dairy and beef producers in the upper Midwest, is excited to open applications for several paid internships in summer of 2025. “These internships are tailored for students passionate about agriculture who want to grow their knowledge in areas such as cattle artificial insemination (A.I.), milk-sample analysis, and research and development,” said CentralStar Communication Specialist Dori Lichty. Applications are due Oct. 31, 2024. To apply, visit https://mycentralstar.com/careers/.
With open internships located in both Wisconsin and Michigan, CentralStar offers A.I.-specialist-intern opportunities where students play a crucial role in enhancing herd reproduction and productivity. A.I. interns work directly with cattle, applying heat-detection and A.I. services. “My internship really helped me to sharpen up my A.I. and cow skills while traveling in my territory and seeing different dairy and beef farms,” said 2024 A.I. Specialist Intern Alan George. “I also learned how to log activity into a computer and keep track of semen inventory.”
The milk-analysis-technician intern positions available at CentralStar’s Kaukauna, Wis., or Grand Ledge, Mich., facilities involve analyzing milk samples and reporting component and diagnostic results from dairy and beef cattle. These roles provide experience with a variety of sample-analysis platforms and processing methods. “On a day-to-day bases, I completed tasks like running the line to test milk and working in the shipping department,” said 2024 Kaukauna-facility intern, Brooke Zillges. “I had the opportunity to go out on a few farms to learn how to collect milk samples, too.”
Based in Lansing, Mich., the research and development intern will assist in research projects from biomarker discovery to validation of novel diagnostic tests utilizing molecular and immunological techniques and technologies. This role includes close collaboration with researchers, veterinarians, and producers.
“Applying for internships is an incredible opportunity to gain real-world experience, build a résumé, and explore potential career paths,” added Lichty. “CentralStar has the skills and tools available to help make student internships educational and memorable.”
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.