TANK to TANK EAST CENTRAL DELEGATES VOTE YES TO MERGE WITH NORTHSTAR COOPERATIVE

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1 TANK to TANK February 2019 EAST CENTRAL DELEGATES VOTE YES TO MERGE WITH NORTHSTAR COOPERATIVE By Dori Lichty, communication specialist East Central/Select Sires delegates voted in favor, Feb. 5, 2019, of the merger with NorthStar Cooperative to create CentralStar Cooperative Inc. The next step is for NorthStar Cooperative stockowners to complete their voting process; we should know the results by the end of February. Benefits of the merger include taking advantage of economies of scale in the areas of insurance, benefits, and technology; expansion of NorthStar s milk and diagnostic testing; and more opportunity for industry research and employee career development. Pending positive votes from both cooperatives, the merger will officially begin May 1, Due to the amount of extra work that goes into merging two successful cooperatives together, the staff at both East Central/ Select Sires and NorthStar Cooperative have already started discussions to organize various logistics for the May 1 start date. Employee subcommittees were created for various topics, such as compensation, accounting, communication, customer care, human resources, benefits, etc. Some of the groups have met in PENDING MERGER, continued on pages 4 and 5 Serving southern Wisconsin Like us on Facebook

2 2 MILK-REPLACER QUALITY VARIES; DO YOUR HOMEWORK By Jay Ludeman, product manager, with assistance from Milk Products Inc. Our members are using higher-quality sexed semen more than ever before. You re raising fewer, but higher-genetic quality calves. You want what s best for your calves, and a key to that is selecting the appropriate milk replacer to meet their needs. Quality nutrition helps calves feel happy and healthy and puts them on a path for a productive life. East Central/ Select Sires offers the Accelerated Genetics brand of milk replacers to meet the various needs of our cooperative members. Not all calf milk replacers are the same. Ingredient quality and nutritional value can vary widely between products. Understanding the differences will help you make the right choice for your calves rather than choosing solely on price and availability. Take time to understand differences between milk replacers so you can make an informed purchase, said Julian (Skip) Olson, DVM, technical services manager for Milk Products. Give your calves a strong start by choosing a quality milk replacer with a blend of energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Your calves will grow and feel their best when fed a milk replacer that meets their needs. (1) Dr. Olson lists five key considerations to keep in mind when picking a milk replacer: (1) 1. Protein and fat levels Crude protein and crude fat are the primary ingredients in milk replacer and represent the product s formulation. For example, a 20:20 milk replacer contains 20 percent crude protein and 20 percent crude fat. Crude fat is a concentrated energy source offering 2.25 times the energy of carbohydrates, while also providing essential fatty acids. Crude protein delivers essential amino acids calves require. Calves need plenty of protein and energy to grow, said Olson. And in cold weather, their energy requirements increase. That is why it s critical to feed a milk replacer comprised of an appropriate amount of protein and fat, along with the required total solids to meet their needs in cold weather. A good guideline to follow is to choose a milk replacer containing a minimum of 20 percent protein and 20 percent fat. Accelerated Genetics milk replacers range from up to protein and fat. Additional fat can be added using Accel Energy. (3) 2. Protein and fat sources Look for a milk replacer with highly-digestible fat sources. Great fat sources include whole-milk fat, lard, tallow, and limited amounts of soy, palm, or coconut oil, said Olson. Protein sources may include all-milk proteins or alternative proteins. Here s a list of proteins proven acceptable for use in calf milk replacers. All-milk proteins: Dried whey protein concentrate Dried whey Dried whey product Skim milk Casein Sodium or calcium caseinate Alternative proteins: Soy protein isolate Protein-modified soy flour Soy protein concentrate Animal plasma Wheat gluten or isolate You ll want to avoid protein sources from meat solubles, fishprotein concentrate, and wheat flour, all of which can be harmful to calves, said Olson. Soy flour can be a useful source of protein, when blended with milk proteins, as a way to reduce milk replacer cost.

3 3 However, Olson advises to use caution when feeding a milk replacer with soy flour. Younger calves do not tolerate soy flour. Wait until the calves digestive system is more mature -- around three weeks of age -- before feeding a milk replacer with soy flour, he said. In addition to Dr. Olson s statements, The Bovine Alliance on Management and Nutrition (BAMN) has said to beware of the use of collective terms in milk-replaceringredient listings, as these terms include many different products: animalprotein products, plant-protein products, protein-modified soy flour, soy flour, soyprotein concentrate, and soy-protein isolate. (2) This chart includes all the Accelerated Genetics milk replacers available from your local East Central/Select Sires representative. Accelerated Genetics milk replacers are all made from allmilk protein sources. Three specialty milk replacers contain additional animal plasma for additional antibody support. (3) small amount of tiny brown specks from the milk powder drying process. It should be bland to pleasant in aroma. If powder resembles the smell of paint, grass, clay, or gasoline, the fat ingredients may be rancid. 5. Easy to use Choose a milk replacer with clear, easy-to-understand mixing instructions and step-by-step feeding directions. Accelerated Genetics milk replacers have all been instantized to make mixing very easy. (3) 3. Vitamin and mineral content Just like children, calves need vitamins and minerals to grow properly and feel their best, said Olson. Vitamins A, D, and E, as well as B-complex vitamins are essential to good health, growth, and immune function. Calcium and phosphorus play big roles in bone development, said Olson. Milk replacer should contain between 0.75 and 1.25 percent calcium and at least 0.7 percent phosphorus. Accelerated Genetics milk replacers use chelated minerals for easier absorption by young calves. (3) 4. Appearance, smell, and consistency How the product looks, smells, and mixes is also important. Dry milk-replacer powder should be cream to light tan in color and free of lumps and foreign material. Powder that has browned significantly suffers from reduced nutrient quality and flavor, said Olson. It is normal to see a very Feeding your calves should be a fun chore, Olson said. Clear, thorough instructions will help you feel confident you re meeting your calves needs as they grow. Milk replacer is critical to provide calves the nutrients they need for a healthy, productive life. Accelerated Genetics milk replacers have the right nutrients, quality ingredients that mix into water easily, and clear feeding instructions that will help you choose the best milk replacer for your family s calves. See the chart above to find the Accelerated Genetics milk replacer that will best fit your operation. Contact your local East Central/Select Sires representative to answer any questions you may have Morning AG Clips, LLC. Julian (Skip) Olson, DVM, technical service manager for Milk Products. 2. Bovine Alliance on Management and Nutrition (BAMN) which is comprised of representatives from American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 3. Milk Products, based in Chilton, Wis., manufacturers high-quality animal milk replacers and young animal health products. Using its innovative manufacturing technology, Milk Products produces over 700 unique animal nutrition products for numerous independent feed manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and large retail chains. AG Milk Replacers are manufactured by Milk Products

4 4 PENDING MERGER, continued from page 1 person here in Waupun or at NorthStar s Kaukauna laboratory. Others have met via BlueJeans video conferencing. The board of directors for both cooperatives, as well as outside industry personnel, are also brought in for meetings and discussions, as needed. Our number-one priority during this entire process is how we can best serve our customers and continue to be a successful cooperative for years to come. a member with voting rights, changes to the board of directors, statement information, and plans for the future. If you haven t seen this piece of communication and would like to, feel free to us at info@ecselectsires.com. We will it back. Please stay tuned for more communication regarding the merger. You can follow us on our East Central/Select Sires Facebook page or contact us with your address, and we can add you to our customer list. We will also talk about the merger in greater detail at our customer-appreciation meetings next month. See the invite on page 5. In the statements you received in early January, there was a detailed letter from our board president, Steve Abel. It was also ed to those on our customer list. The letter talked about the overall structure of the new cooperative, how to be Like East Central/Select Sires on Facebook BlueJeans video conferencing is a very popular meeting tool for the entire Select Sires federation. It has proven to be helpful for merger discussions, as well. FREE PRE / POST TEAT DIP TEAT DIP TRIAL Kills on contact Cleans and conditions Lasts up to 30 days No mixing or shaking Foaming or non-foaming Contact your East Central representative to learn more Every cow. Every calving. QuadriCal Bio-Vet.com Barneveld, WI USA 2019 Bio-Vet, Inc. Innovation at Work

5 5 YOU RE IN THE The first genomic test SPOTLIGHT Customer-appreciation meetings scheduled for March Date City Venue Tuesday, March 5, 2019 Waunakee Rex's Innkeeper 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2019 Fond du Lac Radisson (formerly Holiday Inn) 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 7, 2019 Westby Borgens Café 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2019 Beaver Dam Bayside Supper Club 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 11, 2019 Watertown Plattdeuscher 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2019 Fillmore Turner Hall 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2019 New Glarus New Glarus Hotel 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2019 Mineral Point Dodge Point Country Club 7:15 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2019 Platteville UW-Platteville College Farm 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 25, 2019 Reedsburg Voyager 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Sparta Jake's Northwoods 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 28, 2019 Richland Center White House/Ramada Inn 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 28, 2019 Harrisville Mikey's 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 29, 2019 Elkhorn Pizza Ranch 11:30 a.m. We ll talk about: Merger details How the merger will benefit you, the customer Genetic options for your future success Products offered to help you Future plans Agenda 11:30 a.m.: Registration Noon: Lunch 1 p.m.: Program Night meeting: Register at 7:15 p.m. RSVP to Tell us: 1. Name 2. Phone number 3. How many will attend 4. Which meeting

6 6 SELECT SIRES ENJOYS SUCCESSFUL WINTER SIRE PROOF At Select Sires Inc., you ll find industry-leading sires for a variety of indexes and traits. Between the Select Sires-, GenerVations-, and Accelerated Genetics-branded product lines, Select Sires Inc. dominates Holstein Association USA s Official Top 100 TPI listing with 21 of the top-50 and 45 of the top-100 sires. In total, eight Holstein sires graduated to daughter-proven status and joined Select Sires 7HO product line. Of the eight graduates, six different sire fathers are represented and all eight are TPI or more. In addition to TPI leadership, six sires in the December graduating class are +700 NM$ or more. This graduating class also puts emphasis on efficiency in today s housing operations. Seven of the eight new graduates reduce cow body weight and all eight transmit moderate size. Valuable NM$ Net Merit continues to be the selection index for today s progressive dairy operations. For genetic programs looking to reduce mature size, increase reproductive efficiency, improve health, and increase the production of protein and fat pounds, Select Sires provides more breed-leading NM$ sires than any other genetics company. YODER (+882) and MILLINGTON (+847) are among the various 7HO daughter-proven sires that transmit +750 NM$ or more. Improving health and wellness Healthy cows mean increased profitability. Select Sires makes it easy for customer-owners to select for healthy cattle by publishing all Zoetis and CDCB health traits, and designating sires with Select s WellnessPRO logo. With more than half of the top 10 and 58 of the top 100, Select Sires offers DWP$ leaders like PASSAT (+1,089 DWP$), 7HO12556 PAGEONE (+1,028), 7HO13195 PROFIT (+990), and FARRIS (+974). With mastitis and metritis contributing to costs, resistance to these ailments remains extremely important to dairies. Select Sires offers 49 sires with positive CDCB mastitis-resistance scores and 64 sires with positive CDCB metritis-resistance scores. Production pounds Ranking No. 4, No. 6, and No. 7 industry-wide for milk pounds, production powerhouses 7HO12165 MONTROSS (+2,734 Milk), 7HO12418 SPARK (+2,633), and 7HO11621 MAYFLOWER (+2,591) continue to show themselves as customer-satisfaction sires. In terms of Combined Fat and Protein (CFP), 29 sires carrying the 7HO stud code offer +120 pounds of CFP or more. For more details on the daughter-proven lineup, and also the genomic options, from the Select Sires-, Accelerated Genetics-, and GenerVations-branded product lines, visit with your local East Central/Select Sires representative. Source: 12/18 CDCB/HA/AJCA Genomic Evaluation. % Rel: PASSAT NM$ 87; VERTEX NM$ 87, Yield 93; FARRIS NM$ 88, Yield 94; CREED Yield 97; DUKE Yield 93; YODER NM$ 97, SCR 99; MILLINGTON NM$ 94, Yield 99; MAGUIRE Yield 98; PETRONE CDCB MAST 98, CDCB MET 95; RAGER-RED CDCB MAST 75, CDCB MET 62; MORGAN CDCB MAST 90, CDCB MET 82; MONTROSS Yield 99; SPARK Yield 99; MAYFLOWER Yield 99. Superior Settler and Elite Sexed Fertility are trademarks of Select Sires Inc. Wellness Trait Index, WT$, Dairy Wellness Profit Index and DWP$ are registered trademarks of Zoetis Inc., its affiliates and/or its licensors. Total Performance Index and TPI are registered trademarks of Holstein Association USA. ADD Select DTXTM when faced with challenges caused by mycotoxins in feed Loose Manure Low or Erratic Feed Consumption Reduced Milk Production Poor Reproductive Performance Call for more information.

7 LEARN HOW TO MINIMIZE STRESS AT PDPW CONFERENCE East Central sponsors learning-lounge speaker East Central/Select Sires is sponsoring a speaker and will have booth space at the 2019 PDPW Business Conference (booth 310), presented by Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW) on March 13-14, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis. The PDPW Business Conference has grown to be the premier educational event for the dairy industry. East Central/Select Sires is sponsoring one of the learning-lounge speakers, Stop stressing and find your mojo back, presented by Josie Rudolphi, Thursday, March 14 at 10 a.m. The potential health effects of chronic stress is a serious -- and very real -- threat to dairy producers. Learn the four proven ways to help minimize stress in yourself and others, and gain access to resources to help mitigate the stressors associated with farming. Dr. Josie Rudolphi is associate research scientist at the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute s National Farm Medicine Center. She graduated from the University of Iowa s College of Public Health with a PhD in occupational and environmental health. She works with research focused on farmer and rancher mental health and resiliency among agricultural communities. Keynote speakers include... Dr. David Kohl, professor emeritus in the agricultural and applied economics department at Virginia Tech, president of AgriVisions, LLC, and part owner of Homestead Creamery in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Scott Burrows, former Florida State University football player and top-ranked kick-boxing black-belt champion who was paralyzed in a car accident. He is author of the bestselling book, Vision Mindset Grit. Dr. Richard Pimentel, Vietnam War veteran, disability rights advocate, writer, and comedian. He has trained thousands of people on disability awareness and developing return-towork models for injured and recently-disabled employees. Jason Karszes, senior extension associate with the PRO- DAIRY program at Cornell University, who coordinates the Cornell Dairy Executive Program to develop management skills for dairy producers around the country. Merril Hoge, former NFL running back and ESPN analyst, cancer survivor, and author of the book, Find a Way: Three Words That Changed My Life. The 2019 program also features eight specialty sessions, 26 breakout sessions, five keynote sessions, three hands-on hub sessions held five times, 15 learning lounges, and five preview sessions highlighting the latest in university research. A wide array of topics will be covered, including dairy production and health, business and finance, leadership and management, natural resources, human resources, food safety, consumer engagement, and beyond. Visit for more information. In addition to PDPW, East Central/Select Sires will have a booth with NorthStar Cooperative at this year s WPS Farm Show (booth C5606), March 26-28, EAA Grounds, Oshkosh, Wis. This popular late winter/early spring event features more than 500 vendors, filling the EAA grounds. It typcally draws visitors from throughout Wisconsin, Michigan s Upper Peninsula, Minnesota, Illinois, and Canada. There is a large food tent and various seminars, as well. More information can be found by visiting Choose the best teat dip for Wisconsin winters 4XLA Germicidal Pre- and Post-Milking Teat Dip softens hyperkeratotic tissue for easier clean up reduces formation of hyperkeratosis improves skin healing conditions teats to tolerate harsh weather Call for more information.

8 Tank To Tank News (USPS )(Issn. NO ) is published four times a year by East Central/Select Sires, N11463 State Road 26, Waupun, WI Periodical Postage Paid at Waupun, WI and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address-change notices to Tank To Tank, P.O. Box 191, Waupun, WI Copywrite East Central/Select Sires Vol. 78 Issue 1 P.O. Box 191 Waupun, WI Inside this issue: East Central delegates vote yes to merge Milk-replacer quality varies; do your homework Customer-appreciation-meeting schedule December sire-proof information East Central sponsors learning lounge at PDPW Message from the general manager Board members: President Steve Abel, Eden Directors Roger Weiland, Columbus Dorothy Harms, Reedsburg Rick Adams, Elkhorn Jeff Hendrickson, Belleville Randy Nigh, Viroqua Larry Voigts, Platteville Scott Dahlk, Verona Krista Dolan, Dodgeville Kenneth Levzow, Rio Visit us on Facebook MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER Greetings patron members: The year 2019 promises to be an exciting and historic year for East Central/Select Sires. As you ve read in the earlier pages, the delegates of your East Central/Select Sires voted to merge our cooperative with NorthStar Cooperative. This is an extremely historic event, and we look forward to what the coming year will bring. We re excited to continue in following the mission statement set out by our members: To enhance the productivity and profitability of dairy and beef producers. Much as your own operations have continued to adapt and evolve, so will your cooperative as we continue to offer the absolute best products, service, and people. In addition, we re also thankful for another recordsetting year in We concluded the calendar year with a sales record of 741,980 units and $16,442,293. This continues a trend of nine continuous record years. These sales figures could not be accomplished without an outstanding customer base and a tremendous group of employees. We look forward to visiting with you at our upcoming customer-appreciation meetings. We ll share how forming CentralStar Cooperative Inc. will create a stronger future for your cooperative and continue to provide increasing value to our members. Thank you for a great 2018, and we look forward to working with you in 2019! -- Jerome Meyer A.I.-TRAINING PLANNED FOR 2019 East Central/Select Sires has A.I. training scheduled for February, April, and June. They are two-day courses. The first part of the day is typically in the classroom, and the second half of the day is on the farm breeding and working with cattle. Those taking the course must attend both days. Visit for information on dates and how to register.