Dakota Plains Co-op votes to join CHS

Inver Grove Heights, Minn. — Members of Dakota Plains Cooperative, a full-service agribusiness headquartered in Valley City, N.D., voted last week to approve a merger with CHS Inc., Inver Grove Heights, Minn. The proposed merger, first announced on Aug. 23, passed with 92 percent approval and will become effective Jan. 1, 2014, pending appropriate due diligence by both organizations and final approval by the CHS board of directors. “We are pleased the members could see the same vision and opportunities the board saw in merging with CHS,” said Greg Svenningson, Dakota Plains board president. “We are excited to partner with the nation’s leading cooperative.” Dakota Plains offers farmers and ranchers a full line of agronomy, seed, feed, and energy services and products from 15 locations in central and southeastern North Dakota. When the merger proposal was announced in August, CHS said an integral part of the study was a “close examination of opportunities to enhance agronomy assets in the east central area of North Dakota.” CHS said then that plans were under discussion to construct three new fertilizer plants within the Dakota Plains trade area “to take full advantage of the proposed fertilizer manufacturing facility in Spiritwood, N.D., currently under review by CHS.” A series of informational meetings for Dakota Plains patrons were held in September to bring more information to area growers. CHS said last week that those patrons should expect a smooth transition, including continuity of staffing at its locations. Ken Astrup will continue to lead the co-op as general manager. “This is a good match for both cooperatives,” John McEnroe, executive vice president, CHS Country Operations, said last week after the merger approval. “We are always interested in investments that align with the CHS commitment to helping our farmer-owners grow their businesses.” Dakota Plains operates locations at Ashley, Englevale, Forman, Gwinner, LaMoure, Lidgerwood, Lisbon, Litchville, Milnor, Oakes, Sanborn, Valley City, and Wyndmere, with agronomy and fertilizer facilities located at Englevale, LaMoure, Lisbon, Lichville, Milnor, and Sanborn.