High Milk Prices Offer Relief to Dairy Farmers after Years of Struggle.

Byline: Ann Bailey

Apr. 30--THIEF RIVER FALLS, N.D. -- Shoppers who grumble about high-priced milk may get a rise out of dairy farmer Leonard Geske.

As he and his wife, Marge, attach milking machines to the udders of their herd of 42 Holstein and Brown Swiss on a late April day, Geske gives visitors to his Thief River Falls farm the "rest of the story" about milk price increases.

After climbing a few cents a gallon during the past year, the price in area grocery stores is expected to take a big jump Monday. One store manager contacted by the Herald expected at least a 50-cent per gallon price increase.

The rise in retail levels is based on an expected increase in the price …