CentralStar Cooperative has announced the winners of its ReproStar Awards, recognizing four dairy operations for elite reproductive performance and introducing a new Most Improved Award to spotlight measurable year-over-year gains in herd fertility.
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.