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DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 21, No. 8
MN budget includes cash back for dairy $8 million will be used for DMC rebate program By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota’s legislative session came to a close the last week of May when governor Walz signed state budget bills into law. Those laws include programs that will benet agriculture and dairy, including a Dairy Margin Coverage rebate program and three strengthened tax incentives. “I would call it a really good year for agriculture,” said Lucas Sjostrom, executive director for Minnesota Milk Producers Association. “Outside of the rebates, not that much changed. In some cases, no laws changed, and in other cases we strengthened current laws to make sure nothing happened.” For dairy, the biggest gain is the $8 million secured for DMC rebates, called Dairy Assistance, Investment Relief Initiative. “The reason this happened is because we conveyed how important Minnesota dairy is to Minnesota,” Sjostrom said. “Although farm by farm this amount of money isn’t going to change anyone’s life, … hopefully it helps farms to some signicant degree to at least sign up for the Dairy Margin Coverage program without hesitation.” Sign up for the DMC program runs June 17 to Sept. 20. “We strongly encourage people to sign up as close to June 17 as they can. We’re anticipating the earlier people sign up for DMC, the earlier they will get both a rebate and federal indemnity payment,” Sjostrom said. Based on current projections, Sjostrom said the rebate payment will range from about $0.16-$0.18 per hundredTurn to BUDGET | Page 5
June 8, 2019
“I want to be remembered as a person who worked hard throughout his career and can retire with dignity.” – Clint Fall
Fall to retire as CEO of First District By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
LITCHFIELD, Minn. – A lot has changed in the last few decades of First District Association’s history, but one man has remained steadfast. For 21 years, Clint Fall has served as CEO and president of the cooperative in Litcheld, Minn. He will retire from the position June 14, marking the end of a 42-year career in the dairy industry. “I’ve been given the privilege to lead a company and have a good team to work with,” Fall said. “Now, I want to be remembered as a person who worked hard throughout his career and can retire with dignity.” In Fall’s position, he has reported to a nine member board of directors and worked alongside a leadership team focused on the longevity of the cooperative, making it an efcient and sustainable processing plant for Minnesota’s dairy industry. Fall was hired as CEO in the spring of 1998. When he be-
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Clint Fall stands outside of First District AssociaƟon’s processing plant May 30 in Litcheld, Minn. Fall will reƟre as CEO of the cooperaƟve June 14, aŌer serving in the posiƟon for 21 years. came a part of the cooperative, his objectives were to unify the employees of the company as well as provide the best market for member patrons. “Our goal at that time, and still today, was to have a com-
pany that had a positive reputation, was a good company for our employees, was a good market for our dairy farmers, and we wanted to be known as a highly reputable processor for quality products,” Fall said.
With Fall’s visions in mind, he worked with the plant’s employees to create a positive culture in the workplace; it soon became a culture Turn to FALL | Page 6
Signs of the times Neugebauer creates checkout lane signage with dairy message By Jerry Nelson
jerry.n@dairystar.com
JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR
A sign at the checkout counter reminds customers to purchase milk at a supermarket in Madison, S.D. The sign was designed by dairy farmer Jim Neugebauer, who milks 60 cows with his family near Dimock, S.D.
DIMOCK, S.D. – Like many farmers, when dairyman Jim Neugebauer sees a problem he does not wait around for a solution to present itself. It is more likely he will simply roll up his sleeves and tackle the problem himself. Neugebauer, a fourth-generation dairy farmer, and his family milk 60 cows on their farm located near Dimock, S.D. They operate about 500 acres planted to corn, alfalfa and soybeans. Neugebauer and his son, Ben, also custom baleage for neighborhood farmers. The problem that caught Neugebauer’s eye some years ago were the checkout lane signs at his local supermarket. “The checkout lane signs were old Jim Neugebauer and dingy and were promoting cigarettes,” Dairy farmer Neugebauer said. “I thought that we could Turn to SIGN | Page 7