COOPERATIVEPRODUCERS

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the industry standard starts here :
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ag technology
COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS
Summer 2014
INSIGHTS.
CPI EXPERT INSIGHTS
crop fertility,
improvements in technology,
and yield
enhancements
MORE
THAN JUST
SEED
MIDAS & MAKE-AWISH GIVE BACK
NEBRASKA TAKES
#1 SPOT
INTERN SPOTLIGHT
x
DISCOVER THE TRUTH p 21
x
BEHINICDTUTHREE
BIGinPg YOUR CROP
p
A ply GEMENT PLAN
MANA
27
Improvements in technology shine
soil health an important factor
seed treatment expansion
precision programs yield results
employee knowledge brings value
PLUS: is their a real upside to enogen?
A
PUBLICATION
ON THE COVER
COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS
MORE THAN JUST SEED
CONTENTS
Article by Jon Botsch
1-800-325-2379
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Remove Inserts
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Recycling
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anthony Pingel
CPI MR. TIRE HAS:
LOCATIONS
ADVERTISING MANAGER Anthony Pingel
ADVERTISING SPECIALIST Erin Ptak
HASTINGS CPI (402)-463-5148
CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS Bob Fifield, Dan Olson, Todd DeVries,
Anthony Pingel, Harlan Schafer, Kirt Watson, Jon Botsch, Gary Brandt,
Tim Uden, Ron Ziggafoos, Lyle Weitzel, Amanda Brandt, Erin Ptak
Chad Daugherty, Kevin Royal, Dave Nall, Eric Werth, Daryl McNeil,
Derrick Nissen, Becky Kindschuh, Scott Bieck
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Melissa Seiler, Ron Ziggafoos, Carrie
Lacy, Vicki Yost, Todd DeVries, Curt Bolte, Erin Ptak
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Bob Fifield
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Dan Olson
VP AGRONOMY Harlan Schafer
VP ENERGY Gary Brandt
VP GRAIN Lyle Weitzel
VP CORPORATE AFFAIRS Ron Ziggafoos
PHONE (402) 463-5148
FAX (402) 463-7263
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Cooperative Producers, Inc
265 N Showboat Blvd.
Hastings, Nebraska 68901
MAILING ADDRESS
Cooperative Producers, Inc
P.O. Box 1008
Hastings, Nebraska 68902-1008
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For More Information on Cooperative Producers, Inc.
go to www.cpicoop.com. For customer service and /or any questions
relating to content in this magazine contact our home office by phone,
letter, or email.
To advertise, call Anthony Pingel at CPI
Advertising - 800-355-2710 /// CPICOOP.COM
2014 CPI Board Of Directors
GUIDEBOOK
Grain
Agronomy
Energy
Feed
GROWING SEASON
8
Ask The Bartaks
29
Direct Rewards
21
More Than Just Seed
25
The Technology Way
11
Midas Minute
CPI
9
Summer Storage
29
What’s In The Barge
Barge Statistics
26
Applying Your Crop
Management Plan
26
Proud Partner
31
The End Game
10
Locations Upgrade
25
Enogen Corn...Bringing
More Value
25
Questions Are Key
35
Nebraska’s The Beef
State
36
5 Keys To Education
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
CPI
facebook.com/cooperativeproducersinc
facebook.com/itsgrowingseason
facebook.cpimrtire.com
@CPIcoop
GROWING SEASON
@itsgrowingseason
32
Technology and Fossil Fuels
38
Intern UPDATE
CPICOOP.COM 3
COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS
FROM
the
editor
Let’s Be the Best
NO MATTER THE SIZE, OR AMOUNT OF PRODUCTION, ALL FARMS CAN BE GREAT
hich farmer do you think is more skilled: one who develops his operation through years of trial and
error on a small piece of land; or the farmer with large amounts of land, who spends more of his time
managing operations like grain merchandising and purchasing inputs and oversees labor on the farm
by assigning work to hired hands?
At Cooperative Producers, Inc. we believe there is something special about both of these
farmer types and our job is to be a resource for both to help them fulfill their portion in today’s
ever-visual ag community. In this issue of CPI’s magazine I have gathered information, tips, and insight from every
corner of the company. We tap into our incredibly knowledgeable and successful team, who will give advice for this
summer’s best practices.
There is no doubt that farmers on dryland and those on irrigated soil will face different struggles. If your farm
operation is large or small, you wake up each morning expecting there to be sacrifice and success. Every farmer across
Nebraska and across the country has a unique plan that best works for their operation and that is what makes
farming so extraordinary. There isn’t one method that works
across the board, so size and production aren’t the standards
that make the farm successful. In my opinion, what makes a
good farmer, is curiosity, a willingness to try new things, and
the ability to learn, and that only comes from a love of nature
and agriculture.
What my story is trying to portray is that there are so
In the last year and a half I’ve
many different ways to grow our nation’s food, whether that’s
had the chance to be fully immersed
farming 10,000 acres or just 10. Any version you do passin the ag industry for the first time.
ionately through a good honest day’s work, with family, on
It’s been an adventure and a major
whatever ranch, field, farm you call “home” is a victory worth
learning experience to say the least.
celebrating.
Prior to starting at CPI, I would have
The job of farming isn’t easy, and it’s not supposed
been considered a typical “city girl”
to be. I was once told by a farmer that if farming was easy,
with very limited knowledge about
everyone would be doing it and he was right. But, while it
farming. I grew up visiting my grandmight not be easy, we are here for you, as your resource to
parents’ farm, but had no interest in it
help relieve some of your struggle and ultimately increase
past feeding the occasional baby calf or riding the
your bottomline. My favorite part of working for this compatractor with my Grandpa. In fact, I never expected to
ny is that I get to see so many different operations and I get
end up working in the ag industry, but here I am, and I
to learn about ag from so many of you. Our coop has the
must say I really enjoy it.
ability to help all of you succeed and watching as we expand
When I first started as an intern, I was defirelationships with current patrons and build relationships with
nitely a fish out of water. I thought farming was as
new ones makes me realize that this partnership will continue
simple as planting and harvesting. Boy was I wrong!
to thrive for many generations to come.
Learning new things everyday has given me a new
The best part about the agricultural community is the
appreciation for the hard work and dedication you all
fact that so many of you just simply know how to thrive. You
put in each season raising your crops and livestock. By
know how to make the most of every dollar. Our goal is to turn
increasing my knowledge I hope that I can help bridge
2014 and beyond into solid years for you and your operation.
the gap that has emerged between the urban and
From seed to precision application, from fertilizer to animal
rural lifestyles.
nutrition, we have you covered. As you flip through the pages,
Now, I feel like I can help influence my “out
take in as much from our experts as possible and remember
of touch” friends about common ag issues like GMOs
that it is a great time to be an American farmer and a part of
and seed treatments that have many “foodies” today
the farmer coop here at CPI.
heading for the hills! I want to say thank you for
teaching me so much about your lifestyles and for
giving me the opportunity to work for CPI. I really do
love what I do.
SECURIT Y.
SHIELD.
LD.
YOUR MAXIMIZED YIE
W
Part Of The Team
THE COOP OPENED MY EYES TO AGRICULTURE
by ERIN PTAK
Anthony Pingel, Editor-in-chief
4 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
When you buy from
CPI, you’re getting
more value than just a
bag of seed.
You plant a seed expecting it to
grow... but unfriendly elements
and soil-borne diseases can
weaken the seed and hinder your
crop. Protect your investment
from the start; treat your seeds
with FORCE FIELD. FORCE FIELD
is a shield designed to stimulate
early growth and protect against
diseases to maximize your yield.
Minimize your risk next season
and protect your seed with a
FORCE FIELD treatment from CPI.
INSTANT GUIDE
INSIGHT INTO AG
TIPS PROJECTS
TIPS,
TRICKS,
AND
ADVICE
Cooperative
GUIDEBOOK
6 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
I grew up in a medium-sized town in central Nebraska.
Farms were all around, but I was a “city slicker” myself.
My only agricultural experiences were watering houseplants and feeding the family dog.
This doesn’t mean that I didn’t care about agriculture. Two
generations of my family have worked at Cooperative Producers,
Inc., a place that was affectionately called “sleepy eye” by my kid
sister.
Sometimes I would get to the CPI offices and, after I raided
the candy dish for butterscotch discs, I would visit Connie near
the scale office and watch, wide-eyed, as sample corn was sucked
out of large trucks.
When driving with my dad on county roads I would always
stare out the window. The crops standing in straight rows would
mesmerize me. We would play a game where I would try and
identify the crop whizzing by the window. I always guessed corn.
But slowly, I began to recognize the different types of growth:
milo, soybeans, alfalfa, wheat, pasture, corn, and if you were lucky,
the elusive popcorn.
I learned what rogueing was, and the differences between
center pivots and gravity irrigation.
Don’t let me fool you—I was pretty naïve. I would ask my
grandparents about their upbringing on a farm, which fascinated me. I have never seen such shock and utter disbelief on my
grandfather’s face as when I asked him how many ears were on
one stalk of corn. I guessed four or five. He responded with a
matter-of-fact “One…maybe two if you were lucky.”
My friends who were involved in 4-H would look at me like an
alien when I informed them that I had never seen a cow give birth
or never spent a summer detasseling. I could have not been more
removed from agriculture.
After high school, I couldn’t wait to get away from south central Nebraska. Ah yes, the bright lights of a big city
beckoned me. I moved to Omaha, a place where the license plates begin with three letters instead of a number. Something strange happened in this new place, however. Overnight, I was changed from a city slicker to a country bumpkin. I
was now surrounded by people who generally considered Nebraska to be devoid of life or meaning west of Lincoln.
Despite the fact that I had never operated a tractor or milked a cow, I suddenly became an ambassador for the
entire agricultural industry. I was routinely explaining to native Omahans why the price of corn could be so important
to the price of gasoline or why early spring is my favorite time to drive on I-80 West. (I like watching all of the calves
prance around in the fields.)
Last Labor Day weekend, I spent the holiday in Norfolk with friends. On the drive there, I was ecstatic about being
able to see an unobstructed horizon. The corn was drying in the fields, and once again I was entranced by row after
row of the browning crops. I played the game with the people in the car. “What is that?” I asked, pointing to a field of
soybeans. I was met with blank stares. Finally, one of my friends answered “a farm.” I couldn’t believe it.
How could they honestly not know what a soybean looks like? Or what a center-pivot does? Or what “roundup
ready” means? I mean, I had my gaffe with the cornstalks, but at least I know alfalfa from milo.
Turns out, my ignorance wasn’t so immense after all. I did know about agriculture. My upbringing and the community I grew up in instilled it in me, a passive participant. I was nurtured in the south central Nebraskan soil, and it has
made my roots strong and solid.
So now instead of shunning the agricultural life, I have embraced it. I am now its most tireless advocate, annoying
my friends with random facts about types of fertilizer or ethanol production. And even if they ask a dumb question
about the number of ears of corn on a single stalk, I promise to only tease them a little bit.
Denier to Defender: Agriculturally Illiterate
A “City” girl realizes the effect of growing
up in an ag community and how it has
impacted her lifestyle, even when she was
not expecting it. by Amanda Brandt
CPICOOP.COM 7
COOPERATIVE’s guidEBOOK
COOPERATIVE’s guidEBOOK
ASK THE BARTAKS
TIPS
Summer Storage by ERIC WERTH
FINAL CHECK POINTS WHEN STORING GRAIN OVER THE SUMMER
What is the hardest
part of farming in your
opinion?
-Jared Paulson
Q:
A:
Q
A
&
The Bartak
Family
from CPI’s
Growing Season, answer
questions
about life,
farming, and
ranching
Not having any control of what we get
paid for the products
we produce. We cant
increase our price just
because it costs more to
produce. The worldwide
market dictates what
prices we get for our
products.
Do you think No-Till drilling has
made a dramatic impact? -Brian K Wilson
Q:
A:
Yes. It has really helped with
soil erosion. It also saves
valuable moisture that the crop
could use instead of being lost
to tillage.
Do you ever think we will see
the resurgence of family farms
as the dominate farm type in the
US?
-Steven Filter
Q:
A:
Yes, I hope so! The family
farm has more incentive to
succeed. It’s not a job; it’s our
way of life!
What is the difference
between the cattle you produce
and beef that is grass fed or classified “Organic”?
Q:
-Megan Anders
A:
Our cattle are grass feed
and then finished in a feed
yard with grain in their feed
ration. This method produces a
better tasting and more tender
product.
ASK A QUESTION, WIN A GIFTCARD
Q:
BAG OF TRICKS
The Gear You Need For A
Long Day On The Farm
How is the GMO controversy
affecting farmers in America?
1. SirusXM Radio
Would you rather the
days drag on or fly
buy? If you’re going to
be spending a lot of
time running equipment
I suggest the $79 yearly
investment for satellite
radio.
- Tyler Rundle
A:
We need GMOs to raise
a low cost, healthy product. By using them is it safer
for us! Using them we are able
to produce a product with no
exposure to harsh chemicals. We
wouldn’t use them if they were
unhealthy.
2. 5- Hour Energy
I pack two - one for
the morning shift, and
the second for after
supper so I can make it
through the evening.
We always see farmers out
working in the fields during the
spring, summer, and fall but when
winter comes around where do you
all go? What do farmers do in the
winter?
-Kerry Goter
Q:
3. Fuel
Lots and lots of shop work
which enables us to go
through and fix our equipment
that we use throughout the
spring, summer, and fall.
2
3
Send inquiries to apingel@cpicoop.com. We cannot guarantee polite
answers to all questions submitted. If we use yours in the next issue, you’ll receive a $50 Cenex Giftcard.
Each generation of
farmers that takes over
the land doesn’t just take
over the family’s good
work. They live to
improve it, to feed more
people, and fuel more
cars. All this while being
good stewards of the
land. At CPI we believe
in making our farmers’
jobs easier. A partnership
that thrives on working
together to increase
yields and keep your
family traditions alive. We
believe we’re working
with one of the best
generations to carry the
CPI flag. So thank you for
letting us always serve
you with quality and
excellence and continue
to pass us down to the
next generation to keep
your bins full and our
growing planet alive.
serving each generation over the last 100 years
Taking time to eat
means less work done.
To ease the hunger
pains pack a sandwhich
or candybar to give you
energy for the day.
1
A:
As the busy season is upon us and our minds are by the acre, take
a moment to check on any bushels that you may have left in the bins. Since
moistures at harvest time were on the high side, it would be a great time to
check those bins. Did you get them cooled well last fall? Make sure you aren’t
pulling the warmer air into your grain that isn’t going to move soon either. If
you are going to store any grain throughout the summer months, be thinking
about pest control around the bin site. A good shot of Tempo around the bins
and openings will help to keep those weevils and beetles at bay. Most important of all, be very safe during any bin entry operations. Never enter a grain bin
without a helper on the outside to keep an eye on things and be able to call for
help if need be. Avoid entering from the topside if you have pulled any bushels
out of a bin. The surface can appear fine and still have bridging underneath.
Any single report of a grain engulfment we hear of is 100% too many. LIFE is
our most precious commodity!
the next
generation
HAS MORE AND MORE
mouths to feed
Ultra effectively
controls a broad
spectrum of
indoor, outdoor,
and turf and ornamental pests.
MORE INFO:
www.bayercropscience.com.au
Grain storage
bin entry is very
dangerous and exposes workers to
serious suffocation
hazards - a leading
cause of fatalities
in this industry.
MORE INFO:
www.osha.gov/Publications/grainstorageFACTSHEET.pdf
8 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
www.cpicoop.com
cpitireandauto.com
C OCOOPOE PR EART AI VT EI V’ sE ’ gs ugi du Ei dB EOBOOKO K
Kearney /Grand Island
PROJECTS
Locations Upgrade by Lyle Weitzel
EXCITING THINGS ARE HAPPENING AS CPI LOCATIONS MAKE IMPROVEMENTS
CPI employees work hard year round to make sure we are providing the best customer service possible to our
patrons. Part of that service is providing top of the line facilities for you to bring your crops. Each year we go
over the list of improvements needed across our trade territoy and select the ones that are in most need of
repair. Taking on projects each year is a lot of work for us as a company and sometimes disrupts functionality at the
locations but it is well worth the time and effort to provide you with a safe and improved location to deliver. We have
featured two locations that underwent improvements and upgrades this last year. We are excited to have both our Arnold and Franklin locations on the verge of completion. Customers in both of these communities can be proud of the
facilities CPI has available for them to deliver their grain.
1
2
STEEL KING
double take
At Arnold, NE, the customers have a new facility to
deliver their grain that just opened up this spring. Last
year, construction commenced on the building of a
500,000 bushel steel tank. Unfortunately, the tank
was not completed in time for use last fall. However,
late this winter the last bit of work was completed
and it and is now ready to be put into service. The bin
complements the existing 550,000 bushel bunker that
we have utilized the past two seasons and makes for a
good location to deliver corn. The facility is complete
with a pit-less scale, a 15,000 bushel an hour unload
leg and an under tank load-out conveyor capable of
loading 10,000 bushels per hour. Arnold now has a
total of 1.06 million bushels of storage space that can
be used and will be a welcomed addition to the area.
At Franklin, NE, local customers hardly recognize the
location with the changes that have happened so far.
Last year, it was decided that an upgrade was needed
to efficiently handle grain at the Franklin location. Elevation equipment was slow and flat storage buildings
were beginning to show their age and falling apart. The
building plan at Franklin was unorthodox because we
had to continue to be open for business and service
grain customers while in the construction phase. So the
answer was to divide the project up into two years. The
project started out by moving in a new office building
to replace one that was logistically placed in the wrong
location and hindered the flow of traffic. After the
completion of the new office the old one was demolished. In addition, a new 20,000 bushel per hour leg
and 20,000 bushel per hour conveyor were installed
last summer which sped up unload and loading times.
These improvements were used last fall, and it definitely
helped things move faster and was a huge plus. The
next part of the plan included the demolition of the flat
storage buildings which was completed this last fall.
Now as we enter into spring, the second part of the
construction plan will begin to take shape. Soon construction will begin on a new 500,000 bushel storage
tank to complete the transition from old to new. Contractors should be onsite soon to begin installing pilings
and to begin the pouring of concrete for bin stem walls.
All of this will be complete for fall harvest and will be a
major improvement compared to what the customers in
Franklin have been using in the past.
COMPLETE LINE OF:
SAVE ON TIRES
Many tires in stock and many other major brands
are available. Stop in and see what we have to o ff er.
Hello from Midas:
Midas Grand Island and Kearney have teamed up with Make-A-Wish Nebraska. For every tire our Midas stores sell we
will donate $1.00 to Make–A-Wish. Hannah Stone, coordinator for Make-A-Wish in Kearney, has expressed her sincere
gratitude towards CPI and Midas. “This goes to a great cause and helps those in need. This summer we will help host
the Make–A-Wish tire sale during Kearney’s “Cruise-Week.” The Cruise Week culminates on Saturday with the big showand-shine downtown. At the same time Midas will host a gigantic parking lot tire sale, Make-A-Wish lemonade stand,
inflatable monster truck, and a bouncy house for kids to play in. While you are downtown looking at all the street rods
stop by before you go, buy some tires, and help the cause.
We want to introduce you to the Mr. Tire drive card. What is the drive card? It is a consumer credit account co-sponsored by Citibank. “Oh no, not another credit card,” you say. But this is more. The Mr. Tire card is really a rebate and
customer rewards card that just happens to have a credit line with it.
Every repair job over $250 you put on the card gets you a $25 gift card rebate.
Tire rebates are doubled when the purchase is run though the Mr. Tire Card.
All purchases put on the Mr. Tire card have a six-month no interest grace period.
For example, CPI is currently offering an $80.00 rebate on four Cooper CS4 tires. Using the Mr. Tire card gets the
rebate doubled to $160.00. That is an incredible discount that cannot be beat in our marketplace, $40 per tire back.
WOW! This offer is good at all CPI Mr. Tire stores and both Midas Auto Repair shops.
These two reward programs are great additions to our lineup and to our philosophy on customer service.
Dave Nall
10 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
HOW ARE YOUR WIPER BLADES TODAY?
everchanging
agriculture
Some of the biggest hurdles affecting agriculture are things outside our
control. Such as: 1. Weather, 2. Government/Politics-both U.S. and World,
3. Actions of others we rely on, and 4. World Economics. agriculture is
ever-changing but expecting these changes can help you manage your farm
by Bob Fifield - CEO
12 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
CPICOOP.COM 13
I have lived and worked in many different
states. One thing that seems to be universal is the statement “The weather in our
state is ever changing. If you don’t like what it
is doing right now, wait five minutes and it will
change”. With a little word smithing, the statement could be, “Agriculture is ever changing. If
you do or don’t like what it is doing right now, wait
and it will change.”
1. THE WEATHER
World weather plays a huge role
in all we do. The weather out my
back door will personally impact
me, but in the larger scheme the
weather in all of the growing areas
of the world has major repercussions on us. When you sort everything else out, ultimately markets
are driven by supply and demand.
Many things can change the demand for products. Supply or production is dependent on weather.
There are a lot of other factors
entering in such as seed selection,
farming practices, other agronomic inputs such as fertilizer and
chemicals, pest pressure, temperatures, adequate and timely rainfall,
not being hit by either a late spring
or early fall frost, missing a severe
hailstorm; all are out of our control
and impact production.
3. THE
DB
OO
EF
TH
We have seen how long it takes to approve
a new Farm Bill. Mandates on both ethanol
and biodiesel have changed with the swipe
of a pen. Rules on regulations that have an
impact on your operations, and our operations are constantly changing. Most of the
regulations are financially negative. That is
what happens in this country.
Look at what is going on in the world. China’s ever-changing interpretation of trading
practices. The turmoil between Russia and
Ukraine has a strong influence on the rest of
the former Soviet Union and the ultimate impact on Europe.
In the United States, because of our political system, we at least have a voice and ballot to be heard. However, we as individuals
are at the mercy and have little to say about
what happens in the world.
ILL
2 . THE POLITICS
14 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
ACTIONS OF
OTHERS
This year we have seen a major impact
on our business by the actions of people we have come to rely on so heavily.
The railroads in this country and Canada
have had problems servicing the grain
and ag industry.
We are so dependent on them for
timely grain shipments and fertilizer deliveries. There have been real issues.
The placement of cars has been delayed anywhere from one to two months.
This has cost the industry a great deal.
A real concern is whetherlast year’s
crop will be moved before the new crop
is harvested and what will the situation
be in the fall. If things don’t start moving we could see a backup. CPI has the
space to hopefully remove some of that
stress from you.
4. THE ECONOMY
The economies of other countries influence what happens in
Central Nebraska. As people in China and India become more urbanized and increase their disposable incomes, it greatly changes
their eating habits.
Once a person begins consuming more animal protein, it is
difficult to reduce it from ones diet. It takes grain to produce optimal animal protein. That affects the demand side of the supply/
demand equation. The meat protein can be raised in either this
country or theirs.
Either way, it requires a supply of grain. Economies of other
countries can and do have both a negative a positive impact on
American agriculture. Inflation in other countries and the valuation of their currency versus. the U.S. dollar can change drastically
what grain market becomes the preferred provider.
Agriculture is great to be in because of the people and the lifestyle it affords. It will be ever changing, and I
believe we will see wider swings going forward because of the uncertainties out there. Being prepared for these
swings will be the key to success. In spring we have Easter. Churches prepare for Easter Sunday morning and
the number of people in attendance. I was recently asked what keeps me awake at night. I said, “it is the Easter Sunday
mornings we face in our business. It is spring planting, peak irrigation season and fall harvest.”
The American Farmer can put a crop in the ground so fast and harvest it at record paces. We must have our facilities,
equipment, and manpower geared up to handle the Easter Sunday mornings. What do we do with the assets and people
the rest of the time? How do we handle the uncertainties outside of our control? This is something Senior Management
and the Board of Directors discuss in the monthly board meetings and yearly retreat. We believe in Ever-Changing
Agriculture; that success is based on being proactive rather than reactive. By the time you read this article events will
probably have already changed.
Thank you so much for your business and your support. Remember CPI is your company.
CPICOOP.COM 15
Rock
Your Piece of the
As your company grows, so does the safety culture surrounding it. We want to make sure that
every day your business and the employees here are safe, and we are taking progressive steps to
make this happen
by dan olson - CoO
16 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
As you look around CPI there are many things that really stick out, and you, as patrons, can say that is my piece of the rock! These are things like new grain bins,
agronomy plants, sprayers, and fuel trucks along with other assets you see daily in the
course of doing business with us. There are many other areas of the business that fall
below the radar and are not as noticeable. CPI has invested valuable time and assets
toward a well defined safety program and, in doing so, have employed partners such
as Kansas Farmers Service Association, a compliance and regulatory consulting firm,
Nationwide Insurance and DuPont to help us understand and train the employees in
all areas of the business in safety and compliance.
One of the things that is never flashy and is hard to see is the time and effort
our employees, with help from our safety team, spend building our safety culture.
As we have grown over the years and merged many companies together, we have
been challenged with putting together a safety culture that would be very workable,
allowing our employees to go home safe every evening, and also insuring our facilities
have a safe work environment. This all starts with training; agronomy training includes
things such as anhydrous ammonia safety, MSDS sheets, personal protective equipby dan olson - coooment for handling chemicals, and best practices. It may also include training
for our grain personnel dealing with housekeeping, fall protection, bin entry and
throughout the year
confined space, just to name a few. Our energy department also looks at training their people on proper
lifting, safety of handling the ever growing farm implement tires, along with propane, fuel, and tire and
shop safety.
Some of the ever-moving targets are new OSHA regulations,
CSA Scores from the Department of Transportation and Workmen’sComp Mod rates along with
other government regulations that
give us a feel for what type of specialized training we need to offer
along with a full list of operational
training we already promote. The
grain industry especially continues
to see sweep auger, fall protection
and grain engulfment issues, many
at the farm level which heighten
our awareness and keeps us setting
policies and procedures to keep our
employees out of harms way. In order for CPI to better address these
issues we have employed two safety managers, one DOT, and one site
security coordinator to help us understand and help all our business.
CPI also has a safety committee
made up of one employee from every business unit or location which
meets monthly to bring information
back to the locations. In turn, all
locations are required to hold, at a
minimum, a monthly location safety
meeting. Another great resource is
some of the top grain associations
and industry publishers have webinars available to address specific
safety topics for our operations.
EXPECTED STANdard
Policies and procedures don’t
just stop with our employees, but
we also have strict guidelines that
we expect our contractors and
outside vendors to adhere to. As
many of you know there are policies
that we expect you, our patrons to
abide. Contractors that come onto
CPI property are required to go
through an orientation with their
employees and follow CPI protocol
along with the policies and procedures of the company. Contractors,
just as our employees, are expected
to fill out Job Safety Hazard Analysis forms for the particular scope
of work they will be performing.
This includes things such things
as cutting and welding, confined
space entry, lock out tag out and
fall protection. I think as you take a
closer look at your facilities, you
will see the detail we have put on
fall protection, machine guarding,
railing, and many other details for
the safety of everyone at our facilities.
involved community
Last, but surely not least, we try
to get our communities involved.
For instance, we do a number of
events with the local fire and rescue
departments. Annually, we invite
these departments to go through
our facilities and help them better
understand the risk involved in our
business and what equipment and
training they may need to better
complement CPI. Farm Safety 4
Just Kids along with school fairs
and other educational venues are
another way for CPI to reach out to
our rural communities to get these
young people understanding safety
at a young age. CPI management
and employees have made a very
big commitment to have a strong
safety culture and a safe work place
so everyone can go home every
night and enjoy their families and
their time away from work.
CPICOOP.COM 17
grain division handbook
DIRECT
REWARDS!
GRAIN INSIGHT
The new market leader wiith direct ship grain
by Todd Devries
COOPERATIVE’s guidEBOOK
grain division handbook
DIRECT
The CPI Direct Division of Cooperative Producers,
Inc. was formed two years ago and has been re
warding customers ever since. There are many
advantages of CPI Direct and reasons why it has been successful. CPI understands that you have many choices for
farm stored bushels, and our job is to find the best price
available, either delivered or picked up on the farm.
CPI Direct grain looks at all market opportunities such
as ethanol plants, processors, livestock operations, grain terminals, and
country elevators. We are constantly evaluating new opportunities, so you
can be assured CPI has its pulse on local, domestic, and export markets. CPI
knows that our job has just begun when a grain contract is made. We now
have to fulfill our obligations, and we work hard to make it happen.
Since we started CPI Direct two years ago, we have delivered all of our FOB
Farmer
contracts within terms of the contract. The bottom line is contracts that get
cleans out
delivered on time get paid on time. The entire team at CPI is working together
bin to make
to earn your business and meet your needs. Our accounting staff, transportaroom for
2014 crop.
tion team, and merchandisers all work together to provide excellent service
and competitive prices. The accounting staff understands how important it
is to process tickets and issue checks once grain is delivered. They focus on
fast payment for your grain. When picking grain up at your farm we have the
best drivers in the business. They are experienced, courteous, and dedicated to customer satisfaction. We take pride
that CPI is also a local company owned by our customers.
Our employees are also your friends and members of the communities we service. What an advantage to do
business with a company you own and people you know and trust. When you consider CPI is a locally owned, financially strong cooperative committed to our producers, we truly are the new market leader in direct ship grain.
TIPS
What’s In The Barge
FAMILY VACATION LEADS TO LEARNING EXPERIENCE by becky kindschuh
This spring we loaded up the kids and hit the road headed east to visit family. 550 miles of farms and
fields in four states, across the Missouri, the Mississippi, and the Illinois Rivers. Being in the industry
of agriculture there is no lack of interesting things to study on a road trip. One evening we ate at a restaurant on the
east bank of the Illinois River. Not long into the evening a barge tow came slowly down the river, and being “tourists”
we ran outside to watch it go by. Kids always ask the best questions: how does this work, why do they do that, and on
and on. Talking about what might be in the barges, I explained it could be corn or beans, something the kids are familiar with. And the very next question; how much corn does a barge hold? Thanks to the wonders of the smart phone
I looked it up. We learned that a typical barge would hold around 55,000 bushels, the same as about 55 semi trucks.
The 15 barge tow that we watched floating by that evening could hold around 800,000 bushels, about the
as 2
Iowasame
Department
of the trains we load at CPI in Nebraska. Interesting and fun to see different areas of the country and learn
something
of Transportation
along the way.
Source: Iowa Department of Transportation - 800 Lincoln Way - Ames, IA 50010 - 515-239-1520
Compare...
Cargo Capacity
ONE BARGE
1,500 TON
52,500 BUSHELS
453,600 GALLONS
ONE 15 BARGE TOW
22,500 TON
787,500 BUSHELS
6,804,000 GALLONS
ONE JUMBO HOPPER CAR
112 TON
4,000 BUSHELS
33,870 GALLONS
ONE 100 CAR TRAIN
11,200 TON
400,000 BUSHELS
3,387,000 GALLONS
ONE LARGE SEMI
26 TON
910 BUSHELS
7,865 GALLONS
Equivalent Units
ONE BARGE
18 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
13.4 JUMBO HOPPER CARS
58 LARGE SEMIS
CPICOOP.COM 19
Agronomy division Handbook
CS
MORE
THAN JUST
SEED
cover story
SEED & TECH
crop fertility, improvements in technology
and yield enhancements are converging in new
ways TO COMBINE WITH YOUR SEED for higher
yields. by JON BOTSCH
20 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
CPICOOP.COM 21
agronomy division handbook
a gCrOoOnPoEmRyA TdIiVvEi ’ssi ognu ihdaEnBdObOoKo k
I
have heard some
experts in the
field of agronomy
say the size of an ear
of corn hasn’t changed
much in the last 20 plus
years, so the only way
to increase yields is to
increase population.
That is partially correct
in my opinion. Let’s
look at this theory a little closer. Yes, genetics
have changed to allow
higher populations to
be planted to increase
yields. Along with that
there have also been
a lot of new developments that will make
each individual plant
produce the
best, highest
yielding ear
possible.
Jon Botsch
Seed Coordinator
22 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
Also remember that at 30,000
plant population every 3 kernels
per ear will produce a bushel per
acre. We can’t control the weather, which has the biggest impact
on yield, so we have to look at
the things we have control over
that will impact yield. A quick list
of some of them include planting
depth and spacing, pop-up and
starter fertilizer, foliar fungicides
and proper fertility. These are
things we are well aware of and
have focused on the most. I think
though, to increase yields in a
consistent manner we have to
look at things a little differently
and be willing to look at some
new products and technology.
Now, let’s dig a little deeper,
and I mean that quite literally. If
you take a look at your different
fields, what is the soil health in
each of those fields? It’s all about
the size of the engine underneath
and its ability to feed the crop.
Your soil is as much alive as the
crop you grow in it. We have a
tendency to think more about
plant health than we do about
soil health. Some things that help
improve soil health could be cover crops, no-till and new products
like mycorrhizae fungi and other
biologicals that are coming to
the ag industry. Also, in this living
environment are pathogens and
parasites that can hurt yields, but
we now have products like our
Force Field seed treatments that
can help control them along with
vendor applied seed treatments.
As we dig a little deeper let’s
look at what the environment
is at planting time: usually it is
cold and wet when the seed is
trying to germinate and grow.
These seedlings are trying to find
the nutrients they need to grow
and, at the same time, fight any
diseases and insects that are
attacking them. At this vunerable
stage seedlings need any help
they can get. Products like Force
Field help fight diseases and
insects, and products like Quick
Roots, which help stimulate root
growth, both are necessary at
this stage. Also, products like OptiStart provide those micro nutrients
that are much needed at this time.
After emergence, a plant needs
to find the major nutrients nitrogen,
phosphates, sulfur and potassium
that are going to have an impact on
final yield and late plant health. That
is why it is important to protect and
have nutrients available for the crop.
Products like Avail and NutriSphere–N
help do this work. During this growth
stage it is also important that the
plant is not deficient in micro nutrients. At this time foliar fertilizer like
Brandt Smart Trio can help fill these
needs.
As nitrogen costs remain volatile,
farmers are looking to safeguard their
valuable investment. Up to 50 percent
of nitrogen can be lost due to volatilization, denitrification, and leaching
which is a significant financial loss for
farmers. Year after year, farmers are
seeing the difference NutriSphere-N
makes in their fields.
The demand for a higher yielding
crop comes from the growing global
demand for food, feed, fiber and fuel.
One key to managing your ground
with precision ag is with programs
like CPI300. This involves a lot of different components such as grid samples, variable rate fertilizing, planting
and irrigating to name a few. Moisture
probes like our Sentek probes bring
many benefits for managing water,
so you aren’t over or under watering,
and helping manage your nitrogen.
Over watering can actually decrease
yields. We are also finding that
learning blocks are bringing valuable
information.
So what does this all have to do
with seed? Well, when you get a bag
of seed from CPI, we first want to
help make the right seed choice for
each farm and have it perform to its
max, and we know utilizing these
programs will help do that. Every
extra kernel on each ear and every
bean in a soybean pod (4 average
size beans per pod = 1 bushel per
acre) increases yield. When you plant
your seed, you expect it grow. When
you pick a partner to do business, you
expect that they will also be there to
help you grow. As you go through the
season, consider what things you can
do that you have control over to help
maximize your yield. Always remember, CPI will be there with you to help
get those top yields.
UPDATE
ENOGEN CORN...
Bringing More Value
to Agriculture?
by DERRICK NISSEN
IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGY, COMPANIES ARE
WORKING HARD TO MAKE THE CORN WE GROW
WORK MORE EFFICIENTLY
Syngenta has found an enzyme that they have inserted into the
DNA chain of a kernel of corn that will help ethanol plants be more efficient. It will replace a product called Alpha Amylase that the ethanol
plants currently have to buy and inject into the mash prep phase to
help break down the starches before the fermentation process. Enogen can save up to $.10 per gallon for the plant by reducing natural
gas energy, water usage, and chemical usage, along with reducing the
slurry viscosity as it moves through the process which will create less
wear and tear on pumps and equipment. Syngenta has estimated that
“in a 100 million gallon plant it can create annual savings of up to 68
million gallons of water, 10 million kilo-watts of energy, 350 billion BTUs
of natural gas, and reduce 100 million lbs of CO2 emissions.” Syngenta
has also estimated that Enogen “has reduced gasoline prices by $1.09
per gallon in (2011).” Enogen can do this all while offering the producer
an average of $.40 premium per bushel when delivered to the plant.
The producer will market the grain directly through the local ethanol
plant that has signed a commercial agreement with Syngenta.
This is the second year of production of Enogen corn in the state of
Nebraska ,and we have seen great success with this product. Please let
me take a few minutes to explain this product. It is what you may have
heard referred to as “Ethanol Corn.” It is the only corn grown right now
that has an output trait called Alpha Amylase that is needed in the process of making Ethanol, yet still has all the current traits that farmers
have come to expect for their current farming practices. This will be
the fourth year of trial or commercial production for the Enogen trait in
the United States. The first year that it was introduced in the southern
states it was planted on 12,000 acres of production; the second year
23,000 acres were planted. Last year when it was introduced in Nebraska the production acres jumped to 64,000
acres with a projection of over 110,000 acres for
the 2014 growing season. So as you can see,
this product has been very successful in the central Corn Belt. Last year I watched a few farms
that were planted to Enogen, and all
season long they looked really good and
had very high yields. There is always one
concern of producers, will it have a “yield
drag?” I can say that it does not. If you
would like to learn more about this product please give your local CPI agronomist a call, and they can tell you all
about it.
CPICOOP.COM 23
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AVAIL, NutriSphere-N, N-N, More Than Manure and MTM are registered trademarks of Specialty Fertilizer Products (SFP), LLC. © 2013 SFP. All rights reserved.
agronomy division handbook
Q&A
Questions
Are Key
ARE YOU BEING ASKED
ENOUGH QUESITONS?
by daryl Mcneil
Questions, questions, questions! Is
your agronomist asking enough questions? Is your agronomist asking the
right questions? Asking enough of the
right questions allows your agronomist to know you, your farm, and your
needs. If your agronomist isn’t asking
questions, chances are you’ve limited
the potential of your success. The level
of your success depends on the level of
knowledge your agronomist has about
your farm. Your agronomist will help
you prepare for success by knowing your
farm and knowing the products that will
meet your needs. The more we know the
more value you receive. Is there a limit to
what you know about your farm? Is there
more to know? Have we just scratched
the surface? What questions lay beneath
the surface? What can we learn from
what we can’t see? What methods do we
use to obtain a look under the surface?
Is the information we retrieve from under
the surface useful?
Composite samples are a useful tool
but limit our view; grid samples give a
more accurate view of the fertility in your
field. With the additional information
from grid samples, we can better address
your needs, increase the success of our
recommendations, and you can successfully increase your bottom line.
We can dig a little deeper with the
use of an EM38 sled and uncover additional layers of information. The EM38
measures the electroconductivity of the
soil and RTK elevation. It gives us an
accurate mapping of soil types, the texture of the soil beneath the surface, and
elevation. This information allows us to
more accurately determine seed population, seed placement, water placement,
water application, and placement of soil
moisture probes. Are you limited by the
lack of questions? Let questions provide
us the information that leads to more
accurate solutions that help you prepare
for success.
The INSIGHT
Technology
Way
simplifying your operation in the age of
technology while strengthening your
bottom line by kirt watson
As the concerns continue to be heard over the value of crops
versus the value of inputs, I see the producers that are boosting
yields taking a holistic approach to achieving high yields. Growers
need to be focusing on the interaction among nutirents. For example, when you change your N management, how is that going to
affect the other nutrients in your field? By working with your agronomist and really looking individually at each of your fields, you will
be able to make a plan of action to optimize the crop fertility across
your farm and maximize your total farm yields.
As I look at industry trends, I see growing interest in technology,
including products produced to enhance yield. CPI’s YEP (Yield
Enhancement Products) program has really taken off this last year.
A majority of the products used last season returned a minimum of
a 3:1 return on investment. Many of these products are keeping the
plants healthier, providing micro nutrients, and relieving stress from
the plant which relates to better yield.
One of the most apparent benefits a grower can see from using
YEP products is that by keeping plants healthier, it is allowing
plants to mature earlier making for a little earlier harvest. YEP
products are applied in various crop stages from in-furrow up until
the grain filling time depending on what products fit your needs
best. CPI has a couple of new products that will be tested this
crop season for various crops and potentially adding them into the
program in the near future. This coming year, one goal at CPI is
to make huge strides in soybean yields. We feel like we may have
a product that could help us do that, so we are very excited to
see what our trials show this coming season. Normally when you
inquire about these products, it will have you saying “YEP” I want
that on my field.
There has been a lot of work with farmer focus groups exploring trends and interest about crop fertility and yield enhancement.
What these group sessions have found is that you, the farmer, want
more simplicity and less complications. Expanding your fertility and
yield programs might require a higher level of management, but I
strongly believe that it will pay out over the next few seasons.
CPICOOP.COM 25
Agronomy division Handbook
APPLYING
your crop
plan
management
by kevin royal
26 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
CPICOOP.COM 27
W
agronomy division handbook
agronomy division handbook
PROUD
PARTNER
ith changing commodity prices, managing every acre to maximize your profitability
becomes more important. Precision Ag is all about using the tools you have to optimize your inputs in different parts of your fields to generate the most net income
possible. A great definition of Precision Ag is to call it a way to allocate your crop input dollars within a field in a spatial way to maximize your potential income. The goal
of Precision Ag at CPI is to help you get started with the equipment you already have
while working towards combining several site-specific, spatial layers of data to refine
your management plans and on to monitoring and managing the water you apply to
your growing crop. CPI can help you develop and apply a management plan that lets
you reach the full potential of every acre you farm in a responsible way using the tools
you may already have. It’s important to get started today using the tools you already
have with an eye towards refining your management plans tomorrow.
CPI TAKES THE POSITION AS THE AREA
LEADER IN PRECISION AG
by HArlan schafer
CPI300
THE RIGHT FIELD, THE RIGHT TIME,
THE RIGHT POPULATION
x
x
PRECISION
FARM
SOLUTIONS
COMBINE WHAT YOU HAVE
WITH WHAT YOU NEED AND
TAKE YOUR OPERATIONS
TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Kevin Royal
Precision Ag
Manager
28 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
You can work
with several
different types
of Precision Ag
on your farm.
You may already
have equipment
that can apply
variable rates of
seed or other
inputs, but you
may not have
the mapping
software or the
time to spend
making maps
that place your
inputs in parts
of your field that
maximize your
income. A lot
of growers like
to start out with
basic Precision
Farming Services (PFS), trying one or two
different ways
to vary inputs in
a field. Maybe
you’d like to
try one field of
variable rate fertilizer by trying
the Basic Grid –
a four year
program. Another
good way to get
started with VR
Planting equipment
you may already
have is to let CPI
make flat-rate seed
plans that simply
drop the plant population in the dry
corners of one of
your center pivot irrigated fields. You’ll
gain experience
with your planter’s
ability to read a map
and change seed
rates on the go.
“HELPED ME EXPAND
MY PRECISION
PROGRAM”
- GILTNER FARMER
After a season of viewing your field’s
fertility and working out the mechanics of changing seed rates from a
simple planting map, you’ll be ready
to bundle additional services through
the CPI300 program. For a flat per
acre charge, you gain Electro-Conductivity (EC) maps showing soil
texture, slope, and elevation changes
in your field. Advanced Grid – a two
year program – lets you view fertility
changes in your field over a shorter
length of time. You can vary seed
rates throughout your field, adjusting
for changes in slope, elevation, soil
texture, and yield history as well as irrigated and dryland areas. Compare
different population rates to the final
yield in different parts of your field
automatically to make sure you’re
optimizing yields in parts of the field
that can return more grain for the
dollars you put in. View NDVI imagery during the growing season to see
how different parts of your field are
maturing and get a preview of potential yield distribution in your corn
field. You’ll get reports showing what
parts of your field have the most potential for increased yields. CPI300
is the centerpiece that can help you
manage and combine many spatial
layers to gain the most complete
picture of variability in your field.
WMS
TODAY’S TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS FARMERS
TO CONTROL WATER APPLICATION
You already know that water is one
of the most important inputs you
manage in your field. Adding a
moisture probe allows you to actually
“see” your crop stair-step through
daylight hours as the roots take up
water during the day and rest at
night. CPI’s probes also indicate N
movement through 5 depths you can
monitor online from your favorite
browser. If your pivot is equipped to
vary its speed based on an uploaded map, CPI can make Variable Rate
Irrigation (VRI) plans that make every
drop of water you apply to your crop
count.
“THIS WAS A HOME
RUN DECISION!”
- MINDEN FARMER
We are very proud of the
leadership position CPI has
taken in the area of precision
ag. Our expert agronomy team
recognized over two years ago
that industry tools were being
developed that were ideally
suited to enabling our grower-partners to enhance their
profitability. With a consistent
eye on “growing more with
less” the precision ag commitment at CPI is all about bringing together all the information
available for every field.
When we partner YOUR
best technology with OURS,
farming becomes prescriptive
as opposed to “guess and be
darned”. Perhaps more importantly, our commitment is to
manage and protect YOUR data
in whatever format or platform
that comes. So you’re free to
use the equipment best suited
for your operation and your
valuable data is just that, YOUR
data.
All of this is happening at a
time when we are challenged
with being highly accountable
for the inputs we use, both
from a cost perspective AND
an environmental perspective.
CPI partners with local NRD’s
and The Fertilizer Institute in
promoting 4R Nutrient Stewardship, a commitment to best
practices that enhance crop nutrient utilization with a resultant
benefit to your productivity,
profitability, and responsible
stewardship. 4R Nutrient Stewardship is a very real win-winwin proposition. Learn more at
www.nutrientstewardship.com .
CPICOOP.COM 29
agronomy division handbook
Bi-Annual Moisture Probes
AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT GENERATIONS’ WATER SUPPLY
MAKE SURE YOU ARE DOING YOUR PART TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE
by chad daugherty
It is a well-known fact that water management is a big concern
in agriculture right now. In Nebraska alone, we use 2.2 trillion gallons of water to irrigate each year. In 2012, Nebraska had one of the
worst droughts of all time, and in the same year had one of the
highest yielding years of all time as well. When looking at this fact you have to ask yourself,
are we using too much water?
When you start asking yourself the tough questions about water management, you
probably start to wonder if you are doing enough to maximize your water. Most of the time
the first step to answering that question is to get a moisture probe. You may have seen a
neighbor with a moisture probe, or maybe you have one of your own. In my opinion, if it’s
not a Sentek probe it probably leaves a lot to be desired.
Sentek moisture probes are a superior product for many reasons. With a Sentek you
get a very good estimate for how much moisture is in your soil profile, and you can see
when your plants are utilizing what they have as well as when they are stressed. You can
see where your plants have root activity. You can even track salinity, which is an indicator of
nitrogen, through your soil profile with a Sentek probe through a website from your PC or
Tablet. These are just a few reasons why I believe Sentek probes are the best option available.
Having a moisture probe is becoming more and more beneficial. Water regulations are
only going to get tighter, and you need to make every drop of water count. I have talked
to growers in water regulated areas that have said they could have used two more irrigations in the season but ran out of water. The same growers said that they had the competitor’s probes in the field but couldn’t figure out how much water was in the profile. We are
confident in the equipment and the Certified Water Professionals we have; we can help to
conserve that water in the growing season to give you those needed late season irrigations.
We need to keep in mind that water management and conservation is all of our responsibilities. We need to think about water management as if we were 50 years further down the
road. Will we be wasteful with the resources we have now, or will we do our best to conserve
them so that our children will have the same resources? Let CPI help you manage your soil’s
moisture profile by placing a probe in your field.
Bi-Annual
Grid Samples
2.5 ACRE GRIDS MAKE MANAGING YOUR ENTIRE FIELD
MORE EFFECTIVE AND PUTS DOLLARS IN YOUR POCKET
As harvest came to a close last year, it brought
with it a shift of focus for growers. In the winter
months you may be working on equipment in your
shop. You might enjoy a day off to go hunting. No
matter what you are doing in the winter, the upcoming growing season is on your mind. CPI has made a
commitment to bring value to your operation even
when your not in the field, and this past winter we
have demonstrated that commitment with our grid
sampling programs.
The whole process starts when the growing season ends, by getting the maps for your fields, and
putting them into a handheld GPS system. Sample
points are created through software in the GPS
tablet. Once we have the sample points created, we
set a traffic cone at the center of each grid. The rest
is collecting all of the correct samples in the right
spots throughout each grid. Once we have all of the
samples, they are sent off to the lab along with the
map of grid points. The lab analyzes the samples
and links them to the map which will allow our specialists to make the correct fertilizer prescriptions.
30 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
by chad daugherty
To get the grid samples done, we utilized
personnel from five different CPI locations.
These individuals worked hard as a team to
cover 17,000 acres over the winter. Samples
were taken in whatever weather mother
nature threw at us. I was proud to be a part
of this team and to show you that we will
work hard to add value to your operation.
No matter what the markets look like,
you need to be able to maximize your inputs. I feel like our grid program really hits
the nail on the head when it comes to maximizing those inputs. By doing grid sampling, you will effectively break your field
down into numerous 2.5 acre grids which
can be managed individually to make your
dollars work harder for you.
THE END GAME
x
x
Technology and fossil fuels: IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL DIESEL
POWERED EQUIPMENT AND WHAT WILL THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY DEMAND?
by Gary Brandt
31
THE END GAME
x
x
I have always been a
bit of a gear head. For
me it was not old school
muscle cars or antiques.
I was always more interested in the technology
of change. Transitions
that supplanted brute
force with new ideas like
forced induction instead
of more displacement,
fuel injection versus
carburation, steam
locomotives changing
to diesel electric, just to
name a few. For those
who think this technology is a long way off
for everyday use I think
the answer is in the way
manufacturers are experimenting with hybrid
technology in motor
sports.
32 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
For the 2014 24 Hours
of Le Mans Toyota and
Porsche have gas/electric hybrids while Audi
is using a diesel/electric
system. In Formula 1
racing this year all the
cars must have motor/
generators on both the
crank and turbo shafts
along with battery storage. These new Formula 1 rules have enticed
both Toyota and Honda
back into the sport because they can use the
race cars as a technology platform to develop road going hybrid
systems. The Indy Car
series is talking about
implementing some
type of hybrid technology while the NASCAR
series is focusing on
renewable fuels.
While I like to watch
racing and motor sports,
at the same time I must
admit to spending too
much time on YouTube
watching gigantic old
radial airplane engines
and big stationary diesel
engines fire up. One of
the videos that eventually popped up on
YouTube was about the Caterpillar D7E. This medium sized
bulldozer uses the same drive technology as railroad locomotives. The diesel engine in this machine runs in a narrow
power band to turn a generator. By running in this way the
engine uses 20% less diesel fuel than the same size conventional bulldozer doing the same work.
Additionally Caterpillar claims 60% fewer moving parts, far
fewer lubricating fluids, and much less maintenance. John
Deere is also using traction engines to power equipment. The
644K Hybrid loader claims a 25% reduction in fuel use and a
50% quieter cab. Komatsu’s Hybrid HB215LC-1 hydraulic excavator goes one step further and uses regenerative braking
to create and store electricity. This 20-ton hybrid excavator
reduces emissions and averages fuel savings of 25% when
compared to traditional heavy construction
equipment of the same size. That equals the
emission reduction equivalent of 14 hybrid
cars on the road. In the average work year
the HB215LC-1 hybrid excavator will save its
operators the equivalent of 1,500 gallons
of diesel fuel and will give off 25% less CO2
emissions than a standard excavator without hybrid technology. Can this technology
be far off for farm equipment? I think the
answer is no. Diesel electric farm tractors
cannot be far off.
For the Energy department of CPI these
changes will impact us with fewer diesel gallon sales and less lubricant sales. While this
is distressing from a “sales success” point
of view, it should be better for our farmers
and the environment they work so hard to
protect and nurture. These new engines
and drivetrain technologies will need special
products to keep them going. Most of you
already use Ruby FieldMaster in your high
pressure common rail engines to control injector deposits. If you do not use Ruby, and
you have filter plugging issues or injector
failures give us a call. We can provide you
with a fuel that should prevent both of these
problems. You are all-familiar with Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) that is now added to Tier 4
diesel engines.
New diesel engines run lean to ensure
full combustion and to prevent the exhaust
of unburnt fuel. The excess oxygen leads to
generation of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Diesel
exhaust fluid is injected into the exhaust and
the aqueous urea vaporizes to form ammonia
and carbon dioxide which turns the NOx into
water (H2O) and nitrogen (N2), which are
both harmless. CPI’s Mid-Nebraska Lubricants division sells DEF in package and bulk
and the demand is growing steadily. DEF is a
simple product that is becoming less expensive. As margins shrink along with the price,
we are becoming concerned about the quality of some DEF. CPI buys DEF only from
established vendors with a quality assurance
program. For the small cost it is not worth
taking chances on “do-it-yourself” urea/water blends.
Soon you will be faced with new lubricants to keep this special equipment
running longer. Currently the latest in
diesel engine oil is the CJ4 API rated oils.
Our Maxtron Enviro-Edge 5W-40 is on the
cutting edge of this class of oils, and I will
put it up against any lubricant available for
wear protection and the elimination of efficiency robbing drag. However, as good as
this oil is the engine manufacturers are demanding more. The next series of oil being
discussed will be CJ4+ or CK4 lubricants
scheduled to be in on road equipment
in 2016 and off road equipment in 2018.
These oils are rumored to have a viscosity
of 0W-16. Think about that. The thickest
these new oils will be when hot is the same
as the thinnest diesel oil (15W-40) used to
be in freezing temperatures. That is quite
a change. There is one more issue with
these newest proposed diesel engine oils –
they are NOT backwards compatible. Until
now you could get the best, newest oil and
use it in all your new and old equipment
saving you the hassle of multiple products
and storage totes. Not anymore. The new
CJ4+ and/or CK4 oils cannot be used in
old equipment. And the old CJ4 oil should
not be used in new equipment calling for
the new oil.
Technology is a blessing and a curse.
The payback is usually there in the long run
in terms of efficiency or the environment.
Seeing the payback can be hard though
when faced with increased equipment and
maintenance costs in the short run. CPI
understands these issues and we commit
to knowing the facts about your equipment’s fuel and lubricants needs.
CPICOOP.COM 33
Feed division handbook
It's
OFFICIAL
E
H
T
S
’
A
K
S
A
R
B
E
N
E
T
A
T
S
F
E
E
B
by tim uden
WE’RE #1. It’s been a while since we have chanted that in Nebraska, but this
past February USDA announced that Nebraska is the number one cattle
feeding state in the nation. Nebraska has become a very attractive place
to feed cattle with our ample supplies of corn, roughages, water, ethanol
plants, processing plants, and progressive farmers and ranchers.
34 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
CPICOOP.COM 35
Feed division handbook
In 2013, Nebraska ranked second in ethanol production capacity with 23 operating plants providing valuable byproducts to the feed industry. One out of every three Ne
braskans derives their income from working directly with agriculture. How can we
maintain this competitive advantage? We are in a world that is growing and changing. We need
to continue to find ways to raise crops and livestock more efficiently. A consumer wants to know
more about where their food comes from. Is it safe? Is it GMO? What is GMO? We have McDonalds saying that they will only buy sustainable beef. That’s fine except nobody has a definition
of what sustainable beef means. The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef is a multi-industry
group that is trying to give some shape to the term. Here is a summary of their ideas.
Natural
·
·
·
·
·
·
Resources
Minimize negative impacts on air quality, deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions
Use water efficiently and manage runoff
Maintain soil quality
Use feed from verified sustainable sources
Maintain wildlife and plant biodiversity through appropriate grazing, production, and pest management practices
Develop grazing, foraging, and cropping management practices that are resilient to climate change
Animal Health
& Welfare
·
·
·
·
·
·
Provide animals with adequate feed and potable water
Take action to address conditions like malnutrition
Provide cattle with preventative health care to control and treat disease
Ensure cattle are free of pain, injury, and disease
Minimize the animals’ stress
Maintain an environment (including stocking density, air quality, and surfaces) that is conducive to good health and minimizes discomfort
· Slaughter, transport, and handling procedures should be consistent with guidelines from the World Organization for Animal Health
The
FOOD
Feed division handbook
People
·
·
·
·
·
& Community
Protect human rights in accordance with United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
Provide a safe work environment through training and appropriate equipment
Pay at least the minimum wage and promote career development
Respect the cultural heritage and way of life of all parties throughout the value chain
Acknowledge property rights of landowners, tenants, and communities
Efficiency
& innovation
·
·
·
·
·
·
Minimize waste
Responsible use of pharmaceuticals
Optimize energy, water, and land use
Promote renewable energy use
Use technology to improve profitability and efficiency, and respond to climate and resource changes
Maximize carcass utilization
The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is a law that was approved in 2011 and is nearing the end of the public
comment period. FSMA covers all food (human or animal); we have to remember that everything we raise is a food
for something. FSMA has a science and risk based approach and focus on prevention. It will allow FDA to establish a
product tracing system to effectively track and trace food for consumption in the U.S. It will require us to have a written
food safety plan including hazard analysis, preventative controls, recall plans, monitoring, corrective actions, verification, and supplier approval program. We take food safety very seriously at CPI, and our feedmills are award winning for
their dedication to quality. Traceability is very important to our consumers, and many niche markets are already providing traceability from farm to plate.
Antibiotic use in animal feed is also an important consumer issue. Many feel that animals fed antibiotics are creating antimicrobial resistance in humans. They are afraid it is creating a drug resistant “super bug.” Antibiotic use as we
know it will be phased out in the next three years. We will be required to have a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) to mix
antibiotics with feed. This will require your veterinarian to provide us with a script to use or buy a medication. With less
antibiotic use, nutrition provides a more important impact on the health and wellness of your animals. Higher quality
minerals that enhance fetal programing and cost effective feeds that provide sustained nutrition can very effectively
help reduce the use of antibiotics.
As you can see, there are many challenges and changes in the future of food production. If we want to continue to
be the best, we have to expect the unexpected and have the vision to move forward. At the CPI Feed Division, we have
always and will always continue to strive to keep our customers informed and provide you with a high quality, safe feed to keep you competitive in this ever changing world.
· Develop third-party validation of practices carried out by all members of the production chain
· Document management systems throughout production to ensure beef quality
36 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
CPICOOP.COM 37
What They Didn’t
Expect To Learn...
Providing the future leaders of agriculture with valuable knowledge and experience to keep
agriculture sustainable for future generations. by scott bieck
Preparing academically for your career shows your intelligence and ability to learn, but internships give you the
opportunity to apply your knowledge to the real world and develop your qualifications. You can research the
agriculture industry, but there is no more effective way of finding out if you like something than actually doing it. The
Agronomy Internship opportunities at Cooperative Producers, Inc. immerse students in the field, giving them “hands
on” experience. Agronomy interns receive training in scouting practices, weed identification, insect and disease
identification, crop growing stages, and record keeping. Internships are designed to allow students to put their
classroom knowledge and agronomy education to good use diagnosing actual farm practice situations. What our
interns didn’t expect to learn is our passion for agriculture; what it means to be a 2nd, 3rd, or 7th generation farmer;
What sustainable agriculture means. How we work together to protect the land and the water for future generations.
how hard we work to grow the food that feeds the world; how to deliver value by applying a strong work ethic and
integrity. What they didn’t expect, is how a summer job taught them the values they will draw from for the rest of
their lives. We are pleased to have four interns with us this summer. I hope you have the opportunity to meet with
these students and tell them your story. They are the future. They will be our advocates for our way of life, Nebraska,
and the Agriculture Industry.
Hannah Gaebel
Hannah Gaebel is from Ashland, NE. She is
attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
Hannah is pursuing a degree in Agronomy and
this will be her second year as an intern with
CPI. Hannah will be working throughout CPI
and will serve as a mentor for the other interns.
Spencer Lenz
Spencer Lenz is from Kearney, NE. He is
attending Iowa Western Community College
in Council Bluffs, IA. Spencer is pursing an
Agribusiness degree and will be working in the
Minden area.
Intern Gives Back by Anthony Pingel
While most were enjoying time celebrating with their families on Sunday May 11, 2014, one mother had other plans,
and was doing anything but relaxing. Mother Nature sent a string of heavy and violent storms across the southeastern
part of the state this past Mother’s Day, ripping roofs off homes, destroying farm sheds and tossing grain bins miles
down the road. The damage to a number of the area communities was immense. CPI intern, Dillon Bieck, spent the next
day helping farmers in Sutton clean up. The first time intern and son of CPI Agronomy Lead, Scott Bieck, volunteered
his efforts to helping farmers in the community try to put their farms back together. Bieck spent the day picking up
debris and later helped deliver CPI bottled water to the Sutton Fire Station and Community Building.
Conner Wells
Conner Wells is from Axtell, NE. He is attending
Central Community College in Hastings, NE.
Conner is pursuing an Agribusiness degree and
will be working in the Axtell area.
38 COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS INC.
Dillon Bieck
Dillon Bieck is from Trumbull, NE. He is
attending the University of Nebraska at
Kearney. Dillon is pursuing a degree in Biology
and will be working in the Giltner area.
CPICOOP.COM 39
SECURIT Y.
SHIELD.
LD.
YOUR MAXIMIZED YIE
When you buy from
CPI, you’re getting
more value than just a
bag of seed.
You plant a seed expecting it to
grow... but unfriendly elements
and soil-borne diseases can
weaken the seed and hinder your
crop. Protect your investment
from the start; treat your seeds
with FORCE FIELD. FORCE FIELD
is a shield designed to stimulate
early growth and protect against
diseases to maximize your yield.
Minimize your risk next season
and protect your seed with a
FORCE FIELD treatment from CPI.