One of the only two contested incumbents running for re-election on the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin board this year has lost to their challenger. Longtime director Mark Leder from Gleason has been unseated by Gary Kohn of Medford after representing District 3 on the board since 2013. But in District 24, Virgil Haag, Mt. Horeb, held on to his position after being challenged unsuccessfully by Tina Hinchley of Cambridge and Carrie Chestnut Mess from Johnson Creek.
The only other changes will occur in District 9, where Jeff Betley of Pulaski was the only producer nominated to replace retiring director and longtime DFW Chairman Jeff Strassburg from Wittenberg; and Sandra Madland, Lyndon Station, beat out Annette Trescher, Cashton, to fill the seat being vacated by Mary Cook of Wilton.
Other district incumbents who did not face challengers this year include Douglas Danielson, Cadot (District 6); Steve Pankratz, Marshfield (District 12); Rick Roden, West Bend (District 18); and Gail Klinkner, Viroqua (District 21).
Each year one-third of the 25 seats on the board is up for election. As directors, the board members supervise the DFW's business affairs, formulate and set policies, and serve on one of three committees.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture says of the 2,021 producers eligible to vote, only about 15 percent returned ballots within the election period.
The directors will begin their next three-year terms on July 1.
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock, Dairy Cattle