Changes to the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Check-Off Board
Friday, May 31st, 2019 -- 9:47 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -Three of the four contested incumbents running for re-election on the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin check-off board this spring have lost to their challenges.During the recent mail-in ballot election of state milk marketing directors, Steve Pankrats unseat longtime director Ken Heiman in District 12. Both of those producers are from Marshfield. Incumbent Kevin Wallaser from Desoto was also ousted from the board after Gail Klinkner, Viroqua, received more votes in District 21. And in District 24, Vigil Haag, Mount Horeb, defeated incumbent Tina Hinchley from Cambridge. The only other change will occur in District 6, where Douglas Danielson, Cadott, defeated Jaclyn Backhaus of Boyd. He replaces Vivian Thompson from Cadott on the board, who is stepping down. Jeff Strassburg, Wittenberg, was the only incumbent to survive his position after defeating challenger Donald Robaidek of Pulaski in District 9.
Other incumbents who did not face opposition this year include Mark Leder, Gleason (District 3); Mary Cook, Wilton (District 15); and Dean Strauss, Sheboygan Falls (District 18). Each year one-third of the 25 seats on the board is up for election. As directors, the board members supervise DFW's business affairs, formulate and set policies, and serve on one of three committees. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture says of the 2,659 producers eligible to vote, only about 17-percent returned ballots within the election period. The directors will begin their next three-year terms on July 1.
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