Getting to Know GROWMARK – MID-CO Commodities

Cindy Zimmerman

GROWMARK is a multi-layered cooperative with five wholly or partially-owned subsidiaries, six retail subsidiary divisions, and controlling interests in several related endeavors – all aimed at improving the profitability of its member-owners. As part of our series on getting to know GROWMARK, we’re getting to know not just the company, but the people who make it all happen.

MID-CO COMMODITIES is a GROWMARK subsidiary that offers professional price-risk management services for all agricultural commodities, including market information analyzed by experienced commodity risk consultants, as well as providing futures and options execution on major exchanges.

Bryce Stremming is one of MID-CO’s Commodity Risk Consultants. “What MID-CO keys on is basis trading within the grain industry and as the market moves up and down, you have different opportunities with the basis on whether it is improving or not,” Bryce told Agwired during a recent interview.

Bryce says what is most important to him is what his customers want and need at any particular point in time. “What is their risk tolerance, what are they looking for, and making sure that we tailor our recommendations to what their comfort level is,” he says. “MID-CO views each customer as an individual and we always do what is in the best interest of the customer.”

Get to know MID-CO, GROWMARK and Bryce a little better by listening to Chuck’s interview here: Bryce Stremming Interview

Audio, Grains, GROWMARK

GROWMARK Staff Changes

Cindy Zimmerman

Agwired sponsor GROWMARK announced several staff changes this week in the company, all effective February 1.

Marshall Bohbrink has been named GROWMARK vice president, finance and risk management, and chief financial officer, and he will also continue to serve as treasurer. Marshall has more than 34 years of GROWMARK System experience, including positions in treasury, insurance, accounting, and order processing. Most recently, he served as vice president, risk management and treasurer since 2008.

Ali Dunlap has been named GROWMARK crop protection supply manager. In her new role, Ali will be responsible for various aspects of acquisitions by working with business leaders to forecast and procure needed crop protection goods with qualified suppliers, as well as developing and preparing short and long range procurement plans for crop protection products. Prior to this promotion, she worked in the FS Seed Division as the seed product and shipping specialist.

Joe Sisco has been named GROWMARK area sales manager for the Plains Region, where he will be responsible for agronomy product sales accounts in northwest Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Kansas, as well as developing and implementing marketing strategies, pursuing new business opportunities, and providing competitive analysis in this area. Joe has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from the University of Nebraska and holds a Certified Crop Adviser certification.

Matt Busby has been named general manager, Lincoln Land FS, Inc., succeeding Keith Hufendick, who has accepted the general manager position at Two Rivers FS, Inc. Matt has held various positions in the GROWMARK System, including Certified Crop Specialist and marketing manager for three member cooperatives: Servco FS, Antigo, WI; BLACKHAWK FS, Amboy, IL; and Piatt County Service Company, Monticello, IL. He served as general manager of Piatt County Service Company since 2006.

Agwired offers congratulations to all and hope to meet you down the road as we continue to learn more about GROWMARK to share with our readers.

GROWMARK

BASF Research Shows Products Increase Yields

Cindy Zimmerman

At a recent grower seminar in Chicago, BASF Crop Protection announced the results of a comprehensive 2010 crop protection study that shows how using a portfolio of BASF products can help increase corn and soybean yields.

Small-scale replicated field studies in soybeans and corn conducted at university and BASF research sites throughout the Midwest found “an average 9.1 bu/acre increase in soybeans and 33.3 bu/acre increase in corn when compared to a low-input glyphosate program,” according to the company. The objective of the research was to evaluate yield responses to BASF crop protection inputs – including Headline® fungicide, Headline AMP™ fungicide, Kixor® herbicide technology and Respect® insecticide.

Find out more in this video:

BASF, Corn, Soybean

March 15 is National Ag Day

Cindy Zimmerman

National Agriculture DayThis year marks the 38th anniversary of National Ag Day on March 15, an event which will be celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country as well as in the nation’s Capitol.

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) has three major Washington DC events planned this year – Coffee with the Secretary, the Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon, and the National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner. John Deere will once again partner with ACA, as well as Successful Farming and DTN-The Progressive Farmer, to sponsor the DC events.

The events honor National Agriculture Week and mark a nationwide effort to tell the true story of American agriculture and remind citizens that agriculture is a part of all of us. A number of producers, agricultural associations, corporations, students and government organizations involved in agriculture are expected to participate.

In addition to public service announcements and other educational programs, ACA and partners will sponsor students to attend the Washington D.C. events. Representatives from FFA, 4H, AFA, the Consortium, and Student NAMA will visit with legislators, participate in a mix-and-mingle luncheon, and attend special events throughout the day.

The winners of the National Ag Day Essay Contest will also attend the events. High school students around the country have submitted written or video essays about the importance of agriculture with the theme “American Agriculture: Your Food. Your Farmer.” One winner in each category – written and video – will receive $1,000 and round-trip airfare to Washington, D.C., for recognition during the Celebration of Ag Dinner. The Ag Day Essay Contest is sponsored by CHS Inc., the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal, National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB), National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), Country Living Association and McCormick Company.

Ag Day, John Deere, NAFB, NAMA

It’s wheat. I know, it’s shocking.

Melissa Sandfort

This photo was taken in 1909. The men were cutting wheat on the farm which was rented when the family moved to Nebraska from Sedalia, Mo. Soon after this photo was taken, flooding destroyed the entire crop.

Aside from the heartache of losing an entire crop, I found this photo interesting because it captured a harvesting technique called “shocking” – a term I had to have Grandpa explain. After the wheat was cut and bound, the bundles were placed in shocks to allow the grain to dry for safe storage. Two bundles were leaned up against each other with the head ends up. Then, three or four more bundles were leaned against them so that they would stand and shed the rain. At summer’s end, the shocks were hauled by wagon to the threshing floor where the grain was separated from the husks.

The resulting grain was either unloaded into a bin with a heavy iron scoop or hauled to town for sale or storage.

My husband’s family raises wheat, but their harvest team looks a lot different than the landscape seen here in 1909. The advent of Gleaner combines (which was another brand I’d never heard of until we went to western Kansas – we bleed green in Nebraska), semi trucks and grain bins has sure changed wheat harvest for farmers today.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Vance Publishing Corp.’s Protein Division now provides subscribers with species business information via daily, weekly, ALERT and monthly e-newsletters as well as species specific websites: DroversCattleNetwork, DairyHerdNetwork and PorkNetwork.
  • A new partnership with Schoolmenu.com provides the Pear Bureau with a unique opportunity to educate families and school foodservice operators about healthy, fresh pears and their unique appeal to school-age kids.
  • Alpharma Animal Health introduced Bovatec 2.2, a convenient way to provide ionophore supplementation to pasture cattle.
  • Cargill announced plans to build a new corn processing plant in Brazil to produce starches and sweeteners solutions.
    Zimfo Bytes

    New NCBA Officers Excited About Cattle Industry Future

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The 2011 Cattle Industry Convention wrapped up on Saturday in Denver for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) with a new slate of officers and a new vision for the future. The industry unanimously voted to approve the new Beef Industry Long Range Plan with a vision statement of “An industry united around a common goal of being the world’s most trusted and preferred source of beef and beef products.”

    Bill Donald, a third generation, pony-tailed Montana rancher, was officially elected as president of the NCBA. Bill says putting the long range plan into motion is the organization’s first order of business this year. “We’re going to have an executive committee meeting in about three weeks and make sure our strategic plan is aligned with the long range plan and then we’re going to get to work and get that implemented,” he said. Like anything else, meeting the goals of the plan will require funding, and Bill says NCBA is prepared to meet that challenge. “We passed a resolution to increase total revenue, both checkoff and non-checkoff, to have $150 million annually. That’s about double from where it is right now.”

    NCBA doubled its individual dues to $100 last year and lost some members as a result, but still ended up with more dollars at the end of the year. “We just have to have an outreach program and show them the value of a $100 membership,” he said. “That’s only a little less than $2 a week. HSUS asks for $19 a month and all we’re asking for is $2 a week, and we have to go head to head with them.”

    Listen or download my interview with Bill here: Interview with Bill Donald

    J.D. Alexander, cattle feeder/farmer from Nebraska, moved up from vice president to NCBA president-elect at the conclusion of the business meeting. J.D. says the cattle industry is in a good position right now as far as profitability is concerned. “We’re very optimistic and from the CattleFax information at the convention, our market is still on the right track and doing well,” he said, adding that NCBA’s top priority will continue to be looking out for producer interests on the national level.

    J.D. is hopeful that the future will bring more unity within the cattle industry. “We’re in a minority here and you cannot have your own organizations within your industry not working together,” he said. “I think it’s imperative that we all somehow work things out. We’re not going to agree on all items, but my wife and I don’t always agree on everything either and we’re still married!”

    Listen or download my interview with J.D. here: Interview with J.D. Alexander

    Scott George, a dairy and beef producer from Wyoming was elected as the new vice president for NCBA, switching over from leadership within the Federation of State Beef Councils where he just finished a year as chairman. He is optimistic that a unified beef cattle industry can accomplish all that is in the long range plan and more. “If we all can figure out where we fit in this and start working together, the industry will prosper,” he said. “We’re at a cross roads where the industry can really move forward in the next few years.”

    Listen or download my interview with Scott here: Interview with Scott George, NCBA VP


    2011 Cattle Industry Convention Photos

    See more coverage on BeltwayBeef.org.

    Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

    NCBA Committees Address Tax and Environmental Issues

    Cindy Zimmerman

    They say that nothing is sure in life except death and taxes, so you should be prepared for a combination of both in the end.

    Cliff Polk, estate planning specialist and founder and president of Rocky Mountain Financial Group, provdedd members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Tax and Credit policy committee meeting on Friday with an in depth overview of the tax package passed by Congress at the end of 2010 that included language to reduce the top rate of the estate tax, commonly known as the death tax, to 35 percent and increase the exemption level to $5 million. He reminded producers that proper planning is necessary to ensure they meet estate tax exclusion levels. “Each family has to look at their operation as a business and determine the best succession plan. The next tax law will provide necessary relief from this onerous tax, but family-owned ranches need to take steps today to properly plan for the future of their operations. This industry, your industry, relies on it.”

    Another sure thing for agricultural producers in this day and age is environmental regulations and one of the latest is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan to implement the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) rule.

    USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White talked about that issue at the NCBA Property Rights and Environmental Management Committee meeting on Friday. An NRCS report, “Assessment of the Effects of Conservation Practices on Cultivated Cropland in the Chesapeake Bay Region,” came up with very different estimates of pollutant loads to the Chesapeake Bay compared to EPA. White believes EPA’s data is flawed when it comes to agriculture.

    “Where we have a problem is we think this Bay model is not 100 percent accurate when it comes to agriculture,” White said. “There is just some erroneous stuff in there. We believe 88 percent of cropland (in the Bay areas) is under no-till. EPA is saying 50 percent. That’s a big, big difference.”

    The NRCS chief was also at the convention Thursday night to honor the winners of the 20th annual national Environmental Stewardship Awards (ESA) program, which recognizes American farmers and ranchers as the number one stewards of the environment and annually pays tribute to the best of the best around the country.


    2011 Cattle Industry Convention Photos

    See more coverage on BeltwayBeef.org.

    Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

    State Beef Council Federation Charter Adopted

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Federation of State Beef Councils adopted a charter that details its financial and decision-making independence from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

    The 12-point “Federation Charter of Principles” details independent functions, such as financial practices, while also retaining beneficial business ties the two entities have shared during their 15-year relationship. A Federation Structure Working Group drafted the charter in response to a resolution passed by Federation directors at the summer 2010 cattle industry conference.

    “The board gave us the job of finding a way to better communicate how we operate independently from NCBA, without ending our long partnership,” said Scott George, a Wyoming dairy and beef producer who chaired the Federation in FY 2010 and led the working group. “This charter spells all that out in black and white, so our intentions and operations are transparent to our fellow beef producers and stakeholders.”

    Listen or download my interview with Scott about the Federation here: Interview with Scott George

    Scott has switched hats now as he was elected to be vice president of NCBA. The new chairman of the Federation is David Dick, a cow-calf producer from Sedalia, Missouri.

    I’ve talked with David a couple of times over the past year for the Missouri Beef Industry Council about the Federation structure. He says the Federation spent a good deal of time working on this charter to clarify their role, but there is still some work to be done. “We need the framework and then we have to put the details in that,” he said.

    Listen or download some comments from David Dick about the Federation charter here: David Dick


    2011 Cattle Industry Convention Photos

    See more coverage on BeltwayBeef.org.

    Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

    New CBB Chairman Tom Jones

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The last business conducted during the Board of Directors meeting of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board was the electing of new officers. The nominating committee announced their slate and a vote passed their nominations.

    New officers include Chairman, Tom Jones, Arkansas (pictured), Vice-Chair, Wesley Grau, New Mexico and Secretary/Treasurer, Weldon Wynn, Arkansas.

    I joined with Ron Hayes, Radio Oklahoma Network and Stewart Doane, AgriPulse, in interviewing Tom as the new chairman right after the meeting. Tom says getting to work right away on the new Beef Industry Long Range plan is his priority.

    You can listen to our interview with Tom here: Interview With Tom Jones

    2011 Cattle Industry Convention Photos

    Ag Groups, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference