Big news in the grain co-op business in South Dakota and North Dakota.

The Boards of Directors for North Central Farmers Elevator and Wheat Growers have voted to merge.

The new co-op would be called CentraGro Cooperative.

The board vote on the unification agreement comes after some well publicized opposition. Some members of booth cooperatives have written many letters to newspapers, magazines and other media criticizing the move. But North Central Board President Richard Osterday said in a statement announcing the vote that the board action reflect “the overall support we’ve heard from our membership over the past several weeks.”

Corn is loaded at the North Central Farmers facility in Warner, S.D.

“More and more, people understand that our main objective in moving forward with the proposed unification is to build on our past successes to create an even stronger, more competitive future for our members. The financial savings, alone, are quite significant, especially by eliminating duplication and building efficiencies.”

Wheat Growers Board President Hal Clemensen said in a statement that the board is confident unification of the two cooperatives will “translate into increased patronage, a stronger balance sheet, and more investment in products, services and facilities to better serve our member-owners.”

The cooperatives have scheduled the following meetings to discuss the unification. Co-op members will be able to vote on the unification at the meetings.

June 1, 9-10:30 a.m., Huron, Huron Event Center

June 1, 1-2:30 p.m., Highmore, Hyde Co Memorial Auditorium

June 2, 9:-10:30 a.m., Ipswich, NCFE Corporate Office

June 2, 1-2:30 p.m., Aberdeen, Dakota Event Center

June 2, 3:30-5 p.m., Warner, Warner Town Hall

June 3, 10-11:30 a.m., Mellette, Northwestern High School

June 3, 1-2:30 p.m., Redfield, 4-H Building

June 4, 9-10:30 a.m., Bowdle, Bowdle Community Center

June 4, 1-2:30 p.m., Faulkton, Faulkton Community Center

June 5, 10-11:30 a.m., Chamberlain, Al’s Oasis

June 5, 3-4 p.m., Willow Lake, WG Willow Lake Office

June 8, 10-11:30 a.m., Oakes, WG Oakes Board Room

June 8, 2-3:30 p.m., Bristol, WG Bristol Shop

June 9, 8-9:30 a.m., Hague, AmVets Hall

June 9, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Herreid, Herreid School Gym

June 9, 1:30-3 p.m. (MST), McLaughlin,  McLaughlin City Auditorium

June 10, 10-11:30 a.m., Eldridge, WG Eldridge Office

For more information about the voting process, answers to frequently asked questions and other information regarding the proposed unification, see www.growingtogether.coop. Questions can be submitted on the website or by calling 1-888-429-4902 (Wheat Growers) or 1-800-658-3353 (NCFE).