May 2020
The POINT IMPROVE PREG RATES BY YOUR NEXT HERD HEALTH
Each point improvement in pregnancy rate can be worth $15-$35 per cow/per year.
GO AHEAD, PUT GENETICS IN THE HOT SEAT
Heiman Holsteins has achieved exponential growth compared to the state's average as a result of their focus on genetic advancement.
IN THE PEN WITH COWMANAGER
Reproduction Specialists share their experiences with CowManager.
UNDERSTANDING THE NUMBERS AFTER A BASE CHANGE
A look at how these changes should influence your genetic criteria.
Pride View Dairy and TEAMWORK with CentralStar T rust is one of the most important factors when searching for companies to help your dairy farm achieve success. Chad, Heath, and Luke Boelter of Pride View Dairy, LLC, have strong trust in the employee team they work with at CentralStar Cooperative. “We’ve grown relationships with them,” said Heath. “We’ve learned to trust them, their advice, and their decisions.”
The Boelter brothers and 24 full-time employees milk and care for 1,300 cows near Randolph, Wis. CentralStar team members have been working with Pride View for about a dozen years; they had only 700 cows when the story began. “At the time, our major reason for switching to Select was the service,” noted Heath. Since then, the farm has used many CentralStar and Select Sires programs to maximize success on their dairy. Eric Gudex, CentralStar A.I. Specialist, has been breeding cows at Pride View since the beginning of their business with Select Sires. It’s no secret the farm thinks their A.I. Specialist is the greatest of all time. “We
pretty much do whatever Eric wants,” said Luke. The brothers have also been known to say in passing, “As long as Eric Gudex is breeding our cows, everything is great.” The entire team at Pride View has complete confidence and trust in Eric’s breeding services and decisions for their dairy. It’s a huge testament to Eric’s character and the support staff from CentralStar that surrounds him. When switching to CentralStar and Select Sires for breeding services, a CentralStar genetic consultant and the Select Sires’ Select Mating Service program was put to use on the farm. “We’ve improved our cattle in general using the mating program,” said Chad. “It provides us with the opportunity to meet our goals of where we want our cattle to be.” In addition, Pride View takes advantage of sexed semen, heifer-inventory practices, and genetic audits through CentralStar. About five years ago, the farm was at a fork in the road regarding their size and current
cow-monitoring system. “We had to expand the current system or try something new,” said Luke. “The old system was just activity,” added Chad. “We liked the rumination feature about CowManager. In addition, Eric was familiar with it.” As a result, CentralStar Reproductive Specialists installed CowManager, and the rest is history. “It has been a pleasure working with this farm,” said Eric. “Everyone has an open line of communication. There are no egos. No one’s worried about someone intruding on their territory.” The Boelter brothers have much to say about the CentralStar team, as well. “We feel extremely comfortable with everybody,” said Chad. Heath was quick to add, “If someone’s going to spend our money, it better be someone we trust.” Above Photo: CentralStar and Pride View Dairy team.
Back Row: Luke Boelter, Eric Gudex, Brian Kelroy, Scott Hecker, Heath Boelter; Front Row: Victor Lopez, Andrea Gruetzmacher, Chad Boelter.