Dick Piechowski, CentralStar Pioneer Award recipient.

CentralStar Cooperative has named Richard “Dick” Piechowski, Waupaca, Wis., as the 2025 Pioneer Award recipient, honoring his decades of leadership and lasting impact on the cooperative and its members. Established in 1977, the award recognizes individuals whose dedication and service have advanced the cooperative’s mission.

Piechowski’s involvement with the cooperative began in 1975, when Select Sires semen first became available in Wisconsin. What began as an interest in genetics grew into a lifelong commitment to cooperative leadership. He first served as a delegate to the cooperative’s annual meeting, later joined the nominations and resolutions committee, and in 1999 was elected to the board of directors. During the 20 years on the board of directors, Piechowski served as second vice-president, chaired multiple committees, and represented the cooperative on the Select Sires Board of Directors.

One of Piechowski’s key contributions was involvement in the development of Antelbio®, CentralStar’s research and diagnostic business unit. Elected president of the Antelbio Board of Directors in 2005, he helped guide the cooperative’s early investment in affordable diagnostic testing, with an emphasis on using milk samples. Originally offering the first Johne’s milk ELISA, Antelbio now offers a full portfolio of diagnostics, including pregnancy, mastitis, Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV), Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD), and A1/A2 testing, all used by producers nationwide.

“Dick has always been a champion for our members and the cooperative,” shared CentralStar President Andy Wolf, Oconto Falls, Wis. “His leadership and commitment to embrace change and challenge the status quo for the benefit of our members has strengthened CentralStar in ways that will benefit producers for years to come.”

Piechowski and his family operate Holmland Farms, where the Holmland prefix, once associated with registered Holsteins, now continues through a flock of 100 registered Suffolk and Tunis sheep. The family also farms 400 acres of corn, soybeans, and vegetables for wholesale.

CentralStar’s mission of enhancing producer profitability through integrated solutions for mutual success 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.) technician 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 located in Lansing, Mich., and Waupun, Wis., with laboratories in Grand Ledge, Mich., and Kaukauna, Wis. The cooperative offers its complete suite of services to dairy and beef producers in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana, while providing DHI and diagnostic services in 12 more states. For more information, visit CentralStar Cooperative Inc. at www.mycentralstar.com.