SPRING 2026
Pictured: CentralStar DHI Specialist Brittany Crowell. This past fiscal year, more producers than ever used milk testing for mastitis, pregnancy, Johne’s, BLV, BVD, and A1/A2. Ask your CentralStar team about the convenience of milk-based diagnostics.
Membership now available nationwide MEMBERS APPROVE BYLAW UPDATES TO REFLECT COOPERATIVE’S GROWTH
CentralStar member-stockowners approved bylaw updates during the virtual annual meeting on March 4, 2026. These are the first major updates since 2019, when CentralStar was formed, and reflect the cooperative’s growth and expanded operations. With several mergers and acquisitions of DHI organizations outside CentralStar’s core Select Sires-exclusive distribution area (Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin), the cooperative’s advisory and resolutions committee and board of directors initiated a year-long review to ensure the bylaws continue to meet the needs of a growing cooperative and its members. Expanded membership eligibility One of the most important updates focuses on who can be a CentralStar member-stockowner. Previously, membership was limited to dairy and beef producers located within the cooperative’s core three-state area. The approved amendments now allow any dairy or beef producer in the continental United States who conducts business with CentralStar and meets the membership requirements to become a member-stockowner.
Districts updated to reflect growth With the growth of DHI and diagnostics into more states, CentralStar’s district structure will also be updated to better reflect the cooperative’s expanded footprint. The approved amendments reduce the number of districts from 13 to nine and remove requirements that a minimum number represent each state within the core area. This change allows districts to be organized in a way that more fairly represents today’s business, including states where CentralStar has expanded its DHI and diagnostic testing services. Member-stockowners in each of the nine districts will continue to elect one district director. In addition, all members will elect two atlarge directors, who may come from any district within CentralStar’s core area. The board of directors may also nominate up to one outside director.
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This change reflects CentralStar’s continued growth beyond its core area. Today, the cooperative provides DHI services in 15 states and diagnostic testing nationwide, making it possible for more producers who work with CentralStar to also choose to be member-stockowners. Producers outside CentralStar’s core area must continue to purchase genetics, A.I.-technician service, and CowManager® from their local Select Sires cooperative. Other products and services, including DHI and diagnostics, are available to all producers and member-owners across the U.S.
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