Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan dairy and beef producers recently received $335,251 through the CentralStar COVID-19 semen rebate relief program. The program was launched earlier this year to help ease the financial challenges customers and member-owners were experiencing due to disruptions the pandemic created with supply chain and consumer demands.

“As a cooperative CentralStar has and continues to focus on balancing the needs of our customers and member-owners, with those of the business,” said Paul Trierweiler, CentralStar Cooperative board president. “While COVID definitely threw CentralStar’s operations a curve ball, the board of directors assessed our position and reprioritized needs allowing us to provide the rebate program.”

CentralStar’s COVID-19 semen rebate relief program was introduced in June and culminated August 31, 2020 with 4,183 dairy and beef producers receiving benefits. “The rebate program is the most recent example of how CentralStar keeps the needs of our customers and member-owners first,” said Trierweiler. “Our cooperative has a long history of providing opportunities that effectively offset on-farm expenses through rebates, dividends, year-end prepay rewards and more.”

Earlier this year CentralStar implemented precautionary measures to protect the health, safety and well-being of customers, employees, and their families. These safeguards remain in place today allowing CentralStar to provide uninterrupted service for artificial insemination (A.I.), Dairy Herd Information (DHI) services, diagnostic testing, as well as genetic and reproductive consultation to herds.

“We appreciate the efforts and dedication of the CentralStar team during this time,” said Trierweiler. “In good and bad times, trust that the employees and board of directors are committed to our customers and member-owners to meet our mission of enhancing producer profitability through integrated services.”

CentralStar Cooperative Inc. was established May 1, 2019 as a result of the merger between NorthStar Cooperative Inc. and East Central/Select Sires. The cooperative’s goal of enhancing producer profitability through integrated services 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.) 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 in Lansing, Mich., and Waupun, Wis., with laboratories in Grand Ledge, Mich., and Kaukauna, Wis. For more information, visit CentralStar Cooperative Inc. at www.mycentralstar.com.