Members of the Dairy Business Association (DBA) gathered in Madison last week for their 11th Annual Business Conference for educational and networking opportunities, as well as to elect members to their Board of Directors. Two members were re-elected and one is new to the board.

"DBA is so very fortunate to have a large contingency of first-rate dairy producers and industry leaders willing to help shape the future of our beloved industry," said Laurie Fischer, executive director of DBA. "We face many challenges but this newly elected board has the experience and expertise necessary to meet those challenges and grow our $26.5 billion industry."

Mike North, a corporate member with First Capitol Ag, was re-elected to the board for a second term. Mike began his work in the futures industry in 1995. He has worked with production and processing clients to construct marketing plans and margin management programs and uses his experience to educate businessmen about the tools available for price protection and risk management.

John Pagel was also re-elected to the board for a third term. John is owner of Pagel's Ponderosa Dairy located in Kewaunee County. He has been involved in the dairy industry all of his life and grew up on the dairy he currently operates which he has grown to 4,600 cows.

Newly elected to the board was dairy producer Mike Gerrits. Mike owns Country Aire Farms along with his brother Tom. Country Aire Farms is located in southern Brown County and consists of 2,400 milk cows. He has been a member of the DBA for several years and also participates in numerous seminars and symposiums.

The DBA Board of Directors are: Jerry Meissner, Norm-E-Lane, Inc.; John Pagel, Pagel's Ponderosa; Jen Keuning, Conestoga Rovers & Associates; Greg Steele, AgStar Financial Services; Dr. Gordie Jones; Central Sands Dairy; Mike North, First Capitol Ag; Gordon Speirs, Shiloh Dairy, LLC; Jim Winn, Cottonwood Dairy and Mike Gerrtis, Country Aire Farms. PD

—From DBA news release