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Prairie Grains is the
official publication of
the Minnesota
Association of
Wheat Growers,
North Dakota Grain
Growers Association,
South Dakota Wheat,
Inc., and the
Minnesota Barley
Growers Association.

MAWG elects officers

Tim Dufault, Crookston, was named president of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers (MAWG), at the group’s recent annual meeting. Dufault replaces Jerry Nordick, Rothsay, who has completed his term as president but will continue to serve on the MAWG’s Board of Directors. Joining Dufault as MAWG officers are Pete Kappes, Ada, first vice president; Ron Anderson, Hallock, second vice president; and Lyle Christianson, Halstad, secretary-treasurer.

Brenda Finkenbinder was elected to the MAWG board, replacing Jerry Kruger, Warren. Finken-binder recently resigned her position as general manager of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute’s (AURI) northern field office in Crook-ston. She will do some consulting work, and farm with her husband Michael farm near Crookston.

Others who serve on the MAWG board are Michael Bruer, Alberta; Donna Ulseth, Crookston; and Earl Riopelle, Argyle.

U of M barley breeder recognized

University of Minnesota barley breeder Donald Rasmusson was one of three recipients of the Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture. Named for Eldon Siehl, a businessman and promoter of production agriculture, the $150,000 Siehl Prize is awarded in Minnesota every two years and breaks down into three separate categories. Rasmusson won in the academic category, while Bob Bergland, who farmed near Roseau and served as USDA Secretary under the Carter Administration, was recognized for production agriculture. Bailey Nurseries, which has grown to become the 11th largest nursery in the nation, won the Siehl Prize for agribusiness.

NDGGA elect new officers

Lowell Berntson, Kulm, has been elected president of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association. Mark Gage, Page, and Larry Stang, Regent, were elected as vice presidents, and Allan Skogen of Valley City was re-elected as secretary-treasurer.

Other members of the NDGGA are Louis Arnold, Esmond; John Cook; Mohall; Bruce Freitag, Scranton; Tim Johnson, Stanley; Harlan Klein, Elgin; and Jim Ostlie, Northwood.

SD Wheat, Inc. names officers, directors

The following will lead SD Wheat Inc. this year: president, Tom Young, Onida; vice president, Chet Edinger, Mitchell; secretary/treasurer, Mack Wyly - Ft. Pierre; past president, Roger Rix, Groton. Directors are Ken Daum, Murdo; Charles Howe, McLaughlin; Mark Barber, Onida; Larry Nagel, Gettysburg; Ray Neuhauser, Midland; Ron Giese, Glenham; Guy Anker, Murdo; Wayne Edinger, White Lake; John Lake, Gettysburg; Pierre Barnes, Blunt; Gayle Kocer, Martin; Wayne Nelson, Winner; Albert Werning, Emery. Denny Gere of Pierre serves as the agribusiness representative, and Steve Lund, Mitchell, as at-large member.

USWP names CEO, moves forward

United Spring Wheat Processors (USWP) has named Gary Lee as its chief executive officer. Lee is former vice president of Cargill’s worldwide dry milling division. He also was an internal marketing consultant and strategic planner while with Cargill, charged with developing new market approaches, customer services, and product lines within Cargill Foods.

Also, USWP now involves four states, as the approval of legal requirements has paved the way for wheat growers in Montana to become involved. USWP informational meetings held in Montana last November attracted close to 800 growers, who had until the middle of last month to submit seed money applications to the co-op. USWP will hold meetings for its members in ND, SD, MN, and MT in late January, and has set Feb. 10, 1997 as the deadline for full membership investment.

Flour mill proposed for South Dakota

At the recent Horizons Ag Conference, which involves SD Wheat Inc and other commodity groups, SD Secretary of Agriculture Darrell Cruea outlined a proposal for a flour mill to be built in Huron, SD. Cruea proposed that the farmer-owned cooperative could mill 10% of South Dakota’s wheat production, or about 10 million bushels, but would be designed to mill just about all grains grown in the state. Cruea said the site where a beef plant burned down in Huron several years ago would be ideal for a mill, because of north and south rail lines that run through the location, as well as several options for energy that are available. A steering committee has been formed to carry the plan forward.

MN Wheat Growers Name

McSparron Sales Director

The Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers (MAWG) has named Dave McSparron as Sales Director.

McSparron will direct advertising sales for Prairie Grains, a publication of the MAWG, MN Barley Growers Association, ND Grain Growers Association, and SD Wheat Inc. The magazine is aimed at wheat and barley growers in the region, with a circulation of almost 22,000.

He worked formerly at Agweek, in advertising sales with the Grand Forks-based farm newspaper for almost 12 years.

Along with advertising sales from Prairie Grains, McSparron will lead the MAWG in developing sales opportunities from other sources and mediums as well. McSparron will work out of offices in Red Lake Falls and Grand Forks. He and his wife Wanda will continue to live in Grand Forks.

January 1997