One physiological factor that plays an important role in animal health is cow body temperature. Because temperature reflects internal biological processes, monitoring it can provide useful insights into the condition of individual cows and the overall herd.

When combined with behavioral monitoring, cow body temperature data helps producers make faster and more informed herd management decisions.

Temperature as health indicator
Temperature is one of the most widely recognized indicators of health in animals. When a cow experiences stress, illness, or metabolic challenges, changes in a cow’s body temperature may occur as part of the body’s natural response.

When a cow’s body temperature rises, it usually means the immune system responds to stress, infection, inflammation, or heat. The body increases temperature to help support immune activity, which can lead to reduced feed intake, lower milk production, and lethargy.

When a cow’s body temperature drops, it often indicates that the cow is struggling to maintain normal body functions. This can happen during severe illnesses, metabolic disorders, or after calving, when blood flow shifts toward vital organs and the body tries to conserve energy.

Cow body temperature in dairy herd monitoring
Modern cow monitoring systems often track behavioral indicators such as eating behavior, rumination patterns, activity and inactivity.

Adding cow body temperature monitoring to this data can strengthen the overall understanding of herd health. When producers have access to multiple indicators, they can better interpret what is happening within the herd and respond quickly when conditions change.

For dairy producers managing large herds, it can be difficult to detect subtle health changes through observation alone. Monitoring technologies that track indicators such as activity, rumination, and cow body temperature trends can provide valuable insights that support early intervention.

Cow ear temperature
Tracking cow body temperature alongside behavioral indicators contributes to a more complete picture of cow health. Continuous monitoring helps producers detect changes sooner and respond more effectively.

Even better, the CowManager system measures ear temperature as well, making cow monitoring much more accurate and actionable with early alerts.

Whenever a cow develops an infection, blood flow in the ears shifts toward vital organs. By monitoring ear temperature, this change can be detected early, potentially preventing more serious issues for both you and the cow later on.

A peer reviewed study conducted by Iowa State University found evidence of ear hypothermia as an effective diagnostic tool for significant health events. Or, as they cite in their research findings; a ‘problem indicator’.

Supporting better herd management
Cow monitoring innovations continue to change how dairy farms manage animals. Monitoring technologies allow producers to move from reactive management to proactive herd care.

It may seem tooling makes herd management more complex, but systems that provide reliable data are an important part of driving herd management forward.

With real-time data, herd management teams can make more informed decisions about herd health, reproduction, and overall management.

The scholarships are open to students currently enrolled in a four-year college or a oneor two-year technical college or short-course program in an agricultural field, as well as high-school seniors who’ve been admitted to one of these programs. Applicants or their parent(s) must be stockowners of CentralStar Cooperative. Additional eligibility details and requirements can be found within the application.

CentralStar’s mission of enhancing producer profitability through integrated solutions for mutual success 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 artificialinsemination (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 https://mycentralstar.com/

“Each of these interns was selected from a competitive pool of applicants because of their unique perspectives, strong skills, and genuine passion for agriculture,” said CentralStar Hiring and Training Manager Corinn Harmeyer. “During the summer, they’ll gain hands-on experience in animal-agriculture operations, contribute to meaningful projects, and collaborate closely with our seasoned team members — all while building skills that will support their growth long after the internship ends.”

The 2026 internship class spans multiple business units, with students contributing to genetics, artificial insemination (A.I.), laboratory services, and research and development. Six students will join the genetics team as A.I. specialist interns. Ethan Bode, Sycamore, Ill., is an animal-science student with a preveterinary emphasis at the University of Wisconsin Platteville in Platteville, Wis. Actively involved in the school of agriculture, he also plays on the college football team. Bode is passionate about animal health and plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Lane McDonald, Ithaca, Mich., is majoring in animal science at Michigan State University, Lansing, Mich., focusing on dairy. McDonald owns and breeds
Guernsey and red and white Holsteins, combining his hands-on experience with a passion for the dairy industry.

Morgan Schoof, Big Bend, Wis., is a freshman at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, pursuing a double major in dairy science and agriculture business. She is active in the Dairy Science and Agriculture Business clubs and enjoys working with her dairy heifers and market lambs. Avery Panetti, Waupun, Wis., is a freshman at UW-Platteville, studying animal science with a pre-vet emphasis. An active sheep exhibitor, Panetti hopes to pursue a career as a large-animal veterinarian.

Landen Lindstrom, Durand, Wis., is pursuing a degree in animal science at Chippewa Valley Technical College, Eau Claire, Wis. Growing up on his family’s 1,500-cow dairy, he has extensive hands-on experience with cattle through the farm and also 4-H. Lindstrom looks forward to learning more about artificial insemination and genetics this summer with CentralStar. Emma Adleman, Kiel, Wis., is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in River Falls, Wis., majoring in dairy science and agriculture business. With her time spent outdoors and dairy farming, she has a strong interest in dairy genetics and reproduction.

Beyond the genetics business unit, CentralStar’s laboratory and research operations will also benefit from student support this summer. The Kaukauna, Wis., laboratory will be welcoming Leah Wendricks, Casco, Wis., who is enrolled in the dairy-science-management program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, Wis., working toward her associate’s degree. Raised around animals, she has a particular passion for dairy cattle.

Interning with the CentralStar Grand Ledge, Mich., laboratory team is Kassey Labadie, Bark River, Mich. Labadie is a senior at Michigan State University, studying animal science with an industry concentration. Raised on a hobby farm and active in 4-H, she gained hands-on livestock experience showing hogs. Labadie looks forward to combining practical knowledge and scientific learning in a career in animal agriculture.

In addition, CentralStar’s research and development team focuses on identifying and advancing opportunities to improve dairy-cattle health and productivity. Georgia Sparks, Hesperia, Mich., is a sophomore at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, studying statistics and environmental science with an agriculture focus. Raised on a dairy farm, she also manages a small beef show-cattle herd with her brother. Georgia is excited to apply her experience and education to CentralStar’s bovine leukemia virus research this summer.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming this talented group of interns to CentralStar,” said Harmeyer. “Their energy, curiosity, and commitment will help drive meaningful work across our cooperative. We look forward to supporting their growth, celebrating their contributions, and seeing the impact they make.”

The CentralStar internship program provides participants with hands-on experience, mentorship, and opportunities to build professional networks. Interns will also take part in workshops and activities designed to deepen their understanding of the dairy and beef industries, while gaining skills that will serve them throughout their careers in animal agriculture.

CentralStar’s mission of enhancing producer profitability through integrated solutions for mutual success 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.

While each herd has its own approach, the winners share key traits. All emphasize animal health, consistent breeding programs, and teamwork among artificial-insemination(A.I.) technicians, veterinarians, nutritionists, and farm staff to ensure protocols are followed by driving exceptional results. Together, these practices reinforce the importance of discipline, consistency, and animal care for top reproductive performance.

Murph-Ko Farms, Inc., owned by Scott, Erin, Brian, Tom, and Patty Murphy, Eden, Wis., is a 2,000-cow dairy achieving an overall pregnancy rate of 47% using a presynch-Ovsynch program, with third-lactation-and-older cows averaging 43%. Teamwork among A.I. technicians, veterinarians, nutritionists, and the farm team drives results.

A repeat winner, Wayside Dairy, LLC, Greenleaf, Wis., owned by Dan and Jeremy Natzke, Jenna Nonemacher, and Jesse Dvoracheck, milks 2,600-cows and utilizes double-Ovsynch and CowManager® electronic herd monitoring to keep the herd’s fertility and health on track. The herd’s overall pregnancy rate is 38%, with third-lactation-and-older cows averaging 37%.

Hi-Tower Farms, Valders, Wis., owned by Ethan and Loren Ulness and AJ Manke, milks 520 cows and combines a presynch-Ovsynch protocol with genomics-guided breeding and CowManager to guide decisions for the herd’s health and fertility. The herd averages a 34% pregnancy rate, with third-lactation-and-older cows at 33%.

One herd is selected, annually, for reproductive excellence in heifer breeding. McFarlandale Dairy, LLC, Watertown, Wis., owned by Cindy and Peter McFarland and Robb and Christine Bender, manages 1,100 heifers using a 5-day CIDR®-synch program. This aggressive approach yielded a 51% pregnancy rate, with 60% conception rate using sexed semen.

For the first time since inception in 2019, CentralStar expanded the ReproStar Award to include a new honor: Most Improved. Abel Dairy Farms, Eden, Wis., owned by Allen, Bill, Steve, and Nathan Abel, earned the inaugural award for improving pregnancy rate by 9% over a 12-month period while undergoing a massive expansion in which the herd more than doubled in size. Simplifying systems and streamlining protocols helped this 4,500-cow dairy improve overall pregnancy rate to 32%.

“Reproductive success at this level doesn’t happen by accident,” said CentralStar Director of Consulting and Profit Strategies Cole Mark. “These herds prove that when you combine attention to detail, protocol compliance, strong communication, teamwork, and a commitment to animal care, the results follow. You only reach these results when every part of the dairy is dialed in. It’s not just reproductive success, it’s total-herd success.”

Created in 2019, the ReproStar Award recognizes dairy producers who achieve exceptional reproductive efficiency. Winners are selected based on a comprehensive evaluation of herd data, considering multiple factors that influence pregnancy rates. While genetics and reproduction provide the foundation for success, these herds demonstrate that achieving top-tier results requires a complete approach to herd management. Learn more about their achievements and strategies on page 23 of CentralStar’s Big Book.