Luke Dighans
Scobey,MT
Summary
Driven to work with the best ag professionals in the industry to promote solid agronomy and business practices at the retail and grower level ultimately leading to increased grower and company success. Grounded with strong roots and experience in production agriculture, retail operations and management, and leading-edge agronomy. Active as a leader in the ag business industry and connected to a large network of ag professionals. Solid performance as a 'trusted advisor' with large, technical-minded growers. Promoter of "thinking outside the box" to achieve maximum success for both growers and ag businesses.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Agronomy Manager
PRO Co-op
Scobey, MT
01.2014 - Current
- Set direction and strategy for all aspects of sales and operations in $50 million Agronomy Department at local cooperative. $17 million in Crop Protection, $31 million in Crop Nutrients, and $2 million in Seed sales.
- Consulted directly with top 30+ growers in Agronomist role while also performing managerial duties.
- Negotiated with suppliers and procured all Crop Protection, Seed, and Fertilizer products for company.
- Designed marketing campaigns such as E-mail, YouTube, Text, Website, and traditional media to promote differentiation of Pro Co-op's services and products from competition.
- Led internal Agronomic and Sales training of Sales Agronomy team. Supervised 5 Sales Agronomists, 2 Interns, 3 Fertilizer Plant Managers, and 1 Warehouse Manager.
- Drove grower sales and customer service through education, service, and unbiased, fact-based, recommendations.
- Improved internal efficiencies through systems and processes - logistics and operations.
- Managed rebate programs for company to maintain a balance of strong profitability and competitiveness in the market.
- Directed custom application programs by ground and air.
Sales Agronomist
Ag Partners LLC
Wolf Point, MT
08.2011 - 01.2014
- Consulted with growers on fertilizer, crop protection, and seed recommendations and sales.
- Led team of Sales Agronomists with product and placement strategy as well as technical agronomic recommendations.
- Ground up expansion of customer base as LLC was formed between CHS Farmers Elevator and Agland Co-op.
- Heavily involved in management, strategy, and internal organization as new facilities were built and new company was structured.
Location Agronomy Manager
CHS Farmers Elevator
Baker, MT
05.2008 - 08.2011
- Performed day-to-day operations and sales of fertilizer plant and chemical warehouse.
- Built Agronomy sales and service market from scratch as location was closed for 3 prior years before being purchased by CHS Farmers Elevator in 2008.
- Reported sales and profitability to management, as well as yearly budgeting.
- Involved with management team roundtables and company direction.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Agronomy
University of Minnesota
Crookston, MN2008
Agronomy And Crop Science
Montana State University
Bozeman, MTHigh School Diploma -
Scobey High School
Scobey, MTSkills
- Strategic Planning
- Business Development
- Marketing
- Agronomics - Technical and Practical
- Professionalism
- Relatability - Grower and Retail Levels
- Communications
Accomplishments
- Montana Agricultural Business Association - (President: 2020-2022, Vice President: 2018-19, Board Member since 2016)
- As Agronomy Manager, maintained excellent profitabilty and staff retention through drought, mergers, increased competition, and industry changes over 8 years.
- Started Pro Co-op's official Precision Ag Program and grew to 70,000 acres of Variable Rate Prescriptions
- Worked with business partners to develop a strong digital presence
- Grew Pro Co-op's Micronutrient sales from $30,000 to $750,000 in 4 years.
- Lead the effort to overhaul internal systems and processes: accounting, inventory, and blending. Implemented cloud-based software (Agvance) and digital communications with sales team.
- Strategized and organized the expansion of a new location - Antelope.
- Developed and implemented strategy for restructuring systems and processes while maintaining employee cohesiveness during two mergers (formation of Ag Partners LLC from CHS Farmers Elevator and Agland Co-op), (restructuring of Pro Co-op from Grain Growers Oil Company and the original Pro Co-op).
- Attained, consulted, and grew business with progressive, forward-thinking customers in an agronomic advisor role.
- Retained and gained business with large, diverse, challenging growers in northeast Montana throughout jobs at both cooperatives.
Certification
- Certified Crop Advisor
- State of MT Pesticide Dealer
- State of MT Professional Applicator
- Principles of Effective Management and Cooperative Leadership - CHS
- Expert Selling - Class 1 and 2 Completion - Steve Hastings, XL Resource Group
- Ag Sales Leadership Summit - Mark Jewell Training, Omaha, NE
- NDSU and MSU Crop Schools - 8+ courses each
- Several Continuing Education Opportunities and Conferences throughout the U.S. and Canada - Cropping Systems, Fertility, Plant Physiology, Crop Protection, and more
Timeline
Agronomy Manager
PRO Co-op
01.2014 - Current
Sales Agronomist
Ag Partners LLC
08.2011 - 01.2014
Location Agronomy Manager
CHS Farmers Elevator
05.2008 - 08.2011
Bachelor of Science - Agronomy
University of Minnesota
Agronomy And Crop Science
Montana State University
High School Diploma -
Scobey High School
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