How top dairies boost herd health and productivity
Year one with CowManager® is often about trust. Year two is about unlocking potential. Once CowManager is installed, producers spend the first several months learning the alerts, understanding the technology, and building confidence in the system. The CowManager ear...
The long-term payoff of early-life calf-health practices
Author: Kelly Sporer, Ph.D., CentralStar Records Analysis Consultant The first day, week, and month of a calf's life are critical in determining their future productivity and health. Research has repeatedly shown when calves face health challenges early in life, there...
How to blood pregnancy test cattle
1. Plan for sample collection at least 28 days post-breeding – either by AI or based on the last date the bull was with the heifers/cows. 2. Gather sample collection supplies. These can be purchased online through CentralStar or the veterinarian or farm supply store....
Gut Check on Gut Health
Cows thrive on consistency, preferring the same reliable meal daily. However, adjusting to this steady diet can be challenging for the gut health of fresh cows. What can be done to help with this adjustment? Include a nutritional supplement that supports gut health...
Don’t overlook the label
Author: Adam Wood, CentralStar A.I. Specialist When it comes to protecting a newborn calf, every decision matters. That’s why checking the labels of the products you use is essential to ensure they deliver what your calf needs. Recently, during a visit to my local...
CentralStar largest National DHIA in the U.S.
Author: Kevin Haase, CentralStar Cooperative Director of DHI Services We recently discovered some very exciting news about CentralStar Cooperative; we have more cows enrolled and on test than any other National DHIA (NDHIA) organization. Becoming the largest DHI...
3 things to know when choosing a genomic test
Author: Dr. John Cook and Rebekah Mast, World Wide Sires Access to relatively cheap and rapid genomic tests allows herds to individually test cows and heifers and to further enhance genetic gain through accurate identification, ranking females, and selecting the...