By Blake Jackson
CentralStar Cooperative has named the recipients of its ReproStar Awards, honoring four dairy operations for outstanding reproductive performance while also introducing a new Most Improved category to recognize measurable gains in herd fertility. The awards highlight herds that demonstrate consistent management, strong animal care, and disciplined reproductive programs.
Although each operation uses a different strategy, the winning herds share common principles. All place a strong emphasis on herd health, protocol consistency, and collaboration among artificial insemination technicians, veterinarians, nutritionists, and on-farm teams. This coordinated approach ensures breeding protocols are followed closely, leading to high pregnancy rates and improved long-term performance.
Murph-Ko Farms, Inc. of Eden, Wisconsin, owned by Scott, Erin, Brian, Tom, and Patty Murphy, operates a 2,000-cow dairy achieving a 47% overall pregnancy rate using a presynch-Ovsynch program. Cows in third lactation and beyond average a 43% pregnancy rate, supported by strong teamwork across the operation.
Wayside Dairy, LLC of Greenleaf, Wisconsin, a repeat ReproStar winner owned by Dan and Jeremy Natzke, Jenna Nonemacher, and Jesse Dvoracheck, milks 2,600 cows. The farm uses a double-Ovsynch protocol and CowManager herd monitoring technology, resulting in a 38% overall pregnancy rate.
Hi-Tower Farms of Valders, Wisconsin, owned by Ethan and Loren Ulness and AJ Manke, manages 520 cows using presynch-Ovsynch protocols combined with genomics-based breeding decisions and electronic monitoring, achieving a 34% pregnancy rate.
McFarlandale Dairy, LLC of Watertown, Wisconsin, received recognition for excellence in heifer reproduction. Managing 1,100 heifers, the operation achieved a 51% pregnancy rate using a five-day CIDR-synch program.
CentralStar also introduced the Most Improved ReproStar Award, presented to Abel Dairy Farms of Eden, Wisconsin. Despite a major expansion that more than doubled herd size, the dairy increased its pregnancy rate by 9% to reach 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.”
Established in 2019, the ReproStar Awards recognize dairy producers who achieve elite reproductive efficiency through comprehensive herd management and data-driven decision-making.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-digitalvision
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock, Dairy Cattle