For 50 years now, FS HiSOY has stood for cutting edge innovation, superior quality and consistent performance. These key components are the foundation in which the HiSOY Legacy was built. “We’ve been innovators since the early days,” said John Earley, a retired FS Crop Specialist. HiSOY began its journey in 1965 by being the first proprietary soybean made available. Since …
GROWMARK FS Promotes N Management
The FS STAR Energy/GROWMARK tent was the place to be at Farm Progress Show to learn more about nitrogen management. I discussed that topic with GROWMARK western region agronomy marketing manager Nate Pierce, senior field sales agronomist John Grandin, and Chuck Webb with AGRILAND FS in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Pierce says FS started introducing nitrogen management as a system several years …
Another Good Year for GROWMARK
Solid volume growth in GROWMARK business units produced record sales for the cooperative for the 2014 fiscal year, as numbers reported last week at the annual shareholders meeting in Chicago reveal. Retiring GROWMARK CEO Jeff Solberg reported estimated sales of $10.2 billion, with pretax income estimated at $180 million, which once again exceeds the key financial target of 12 percent …
Meet the New CEO of GROWMARK
As of September 15, GROWMARK will have a new chief executive officer. Jim Spradlin was named CEO of GROWMARK to replace Jeff Solberg who is retiring. Spradlin has a degree in business administration and economics from Illinois College and has held various positions within the GROWMARK System of cooperatives, including controller of Schuyler-Brown FS, regional administrative director, general manager of …
Red Cross Now Accepting “Gift of Grain”
While cash might not always be plentiful in some parts of farming country, grain certainly can be. That’s why the American Red Cross has partnered with grain growers in Iowa who might not be able to give money but can certainly donate a portion of their harvest and cooperatives, such as GROWMARK, through the Gift of Grain program. The American …
GROWMARK CEO Retiring Comments
After 38 years with one company, GROWMARK chief executive officer Jeff Solberg, has announced his retirement. Solberg joined GROWMARK in 1976 and has held many leadership positions, including Senior Vice President, Finance, Vice President, Finance, and Treasurer. He was named CEO in November 2010 and assumed the CEO duties in January 2011. “My goal was to always become the Chief Financial …
Come and Play at FS STAR Energy
Visit the FS STAR Energy exhibit on lot 1302 at the Farm Progress Show and you can play some cool digital farm games, win some great prizes and learn more about nitrogen management. “Folks can learn about the best seed to plant on their acres, the best fuel to put in their equipment,” said Bev Long, Marketing Communications Manager for …
STAR Energy Powering up for Farm Progress Show
It takes a lot of energy to power the annual Farm Progress Show and that’s where GROWMARK FS STAR Energy shines. Retail fuel manager Jason Stauffer, who we talked with at the 2010 Farm Progress Show in Iowa, says it takes them awhile to prepare for the event. “It starts about the second or third week in July,” he said. …
Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy
This is the first of a four part series on Nutrient Management sponsored by FS/GROWMARK In March of 2013, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency hosted a meeting of stakeholders to announce the beginning of a statewide Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Marcia Willhite, chief of the Illinois EPA Bureau of Water, says the first step in implementing this strategy was to get …
GROWMARK Names New Vice President for Agronomy
GROWMARK has announced the appointment of Mark Orr as Vice President of Agronomy, succeeding Jim Spradlin who was recently named GROWMARK CEO-elect. “Mark brings proven leadership experience and an excellent understanding of retail agronomy marketing and operations to this role,” Spradlin said. Orr began his career in the GROWMARK System career in 1990 at Schuyler-Brown FS. He served as controller …