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The Graymont Granger
Graymont Coop Association
April 2015
Volume 2, Issue 2
Words from the General Manager
“Perfection is
not attainable,
but if we chase
perfection we
can catch
excellence.”
—Vince
Lombardi
Inside this issue:
The Insurance Corner 2
Fly Control Starts
Now
2
The Agronomy Route 3
Long Point Pit
Project
4-5
Employee Spotlight 6
Grain Line
7
Gearing Up for
Another Crop
8
With the warmer weather
and spring field work
beginning, it lends to the
anticipation of another
growing season. This part of
the year is always a busy
time around the Coop with
the agronomy department
running long hours to get the
last of the Dry fertilizer
applied and switching
application equipment over
to focus on applying liquid
crop nutrients and
herbicides. Much of the seed
corn and seed beans have
been delivered and the Grain
department is busy moving
commodity in anticipation of
the harvest of 2015. The
Feed Mill is equally busy as it
keeps pushing out the tons
of livestock feed.
The board of directors just
recently approved the
auditor’s report for the fiscal
year completed on February
28th, 2015. The company had
another great year and we all
appreciate the support that
our patrons have shown the
company. Watch your mail
as Patronage checks will be
going out in May. Over the
winter the Board has been
busy planning construction
projects for the upcoming
season. This year the
company will be erecting a
new 105’ diameter grain bin
at the Graymont Location.
This bin will be the largest
bin constructed by the
company and will hold
almost 800,000 bushels of
corn. This new bin is part of
the company’s goal to build
permanent storage bins
when funds are available to
ease the Coop’s demand on
temporary storage space.
The company still plans on
using temporary storage
space for its intended
purpose in the future, but
adding permanent storage
will allow for more
merchandising flexibility for
the company.
To make room for this new
bin the existing dry fertilizer
shed will be resized. This
building was in need of major
repairs and it was decided to
spend that money on
improving an existing
building on site that could
make us more efficient with
dry fertilizer storage. This
building will be ready for this
fall’s dry fertilizer application
season.
Another improvement for
the grain department will be
the addition of a new
receiving pit and leg at our
Long Point location. This
new machinery will more
than double our corn
handling ability at this
growing location and we
believe it will allow for even
better service for the patrons
using this location. We have
also just finished a major 6
month upgrade of our
internet service. This ever
expanding department
highlights how important
high speed internet access is
to our patrons and also how
important it is to have a
system that allows for local
control. We feel that the
changes we have made will
allow us to adapt faster to
serve the needs of our
increasing customer base.
The Board of directors and
myself feel that your
company is positioning itself
very well to handle the needs
of the patrons while still
keeping to our mission
statement of being a
growing, technologically
oriented marketer of
customer focused products
and services. As always, we
greatly appreciate your
business and look forward to
serving your needs
throughout
the
upcoming
year.
Matt Jacobs
General
Manager/Grain
Manager
Page 2
The Graymont Granger
The Insurance Corner
Insurance Agent
Donna Van
Weelden
Insurance Agent
Dee Winterrowd
Springtime is a busy time when we all shake
off the cobwebs of winter’s inactivity.
Farmers are working the ground and planting
crops while others are cleaning up the yard
and sprucing up the house. Here at GCA
Insurance Services, we are encouraging
everyone to do some “insurance” sprucing up
as well by scheduling policy reviews in the
upcoming months.
It is easy to let your insurance policies renew
year after year and not pay any attention to
the coverages that you have. Your life may
have changed in ways that affect your
insurance coverages. Perhaps you have
made some upgrades in your home, such as
finishing a basement. Maybe you have a new
ATV that you forgot to add to your insurance
Insurance Agent
Abby Mays
policy. The possibilities are endless. Policy
reviews will help you take a look at your
insurance coverages and determine if they
will be adequate when a problem arises.
On your farm policy, do you have enough
coverage for outside wiring? Most policies
have a small amount of coverage written into
the policy which is not nearly enough to
cover the cost of replacing an electrical
panel. Do you have a generator that is not
listed on your policy? Are your farm
outbuildings adequately insured? Is your
farm inventory current? Have you finished
your basement and only have $5,000 for
damage from water backup?
Will your house burn down? Hopefully not,
but if it does, you want to make sure that it is
adequately insured. Call us to schedule a
policy review. We are here to answer any
questions you may have and to help in any
way possible. Thank you for your business!
Donna, Dee, and Abby
“It is easy to
let your
insurance
policies renew
and not pay
any attention
to the
coverages that
you have.”
Graymont Coop Feed Mill
Fly Control Starts Now
While spring is finally upon us, there are
some negatives that accompany the many
positives of nice weather. A major one of
these is the increase of livestock pests. It is
estimated that fly infestations cost the U.S.
beef industry 1.5 billion in economic loss per
year. To combat this loss we recommend
using Altosid IGR in your mineral program.
Altosid IGR works in the manure to prevent
the fly from developing. This product is very
effective on horn flies, which are the many
flies that attract on pasture cattle. We will
have Purina Wind and Rain tubs and lose
mineral available, which will contain Altosid
IGR.
Clarifly is the product we recommend for
animals in confinement. Clarifly Larvicide
breaks the life cycle of flies developing in
treat manure by not allowing the larvae to
successfully molt from one instar to the next.
Clarify works on house flies, stable flies, face
flies and horn flies. Our milk replacers and
Ampli-calf calf starter will contain Clarifly.
We can add Clarifly protein blends and grain
mixes.
To ensure that your livestock are comfortable
this summer, it is essential to take a proactive
approach in protecting them. If you have any
questions, please contact us at the Mill.
Thank you for your business.
Tim Roarhig-Feed and Seed Specialist
Page 3
Volume 2, Issue 2
Taking Control of Your Crop’s Threats—The Agronomy Route
use of the pre plant
herbicides as they come out
of ground.
Pre plants also help us with
another mode of action to
fight weed resistance issues.
I believe it is a little early to
apply 28% with the
chemistry, but if these
moderate temps persist into
the first or second week of
April, spray with confidence.
It will attach to the soil
particle and remain in the soil
profile.
The winter seems to be
finally coming to an end and
moisture levels seem to be
adequate for this time of the
year. There are several
things to be watchful for,
such as early weed growth
and soil conditions. It does
not seem possible that weeds
would germinate when
temperatures dip into the
twenties, but the angle of the
sun coupled with windy
conditions dry the top several
inches of soil. Additionally,
the previous crop residue
creates an environment to
promote early weed growth.
It is hard to identify the weed
species at this early stage but
as it continues to warm up in
soybeans, typical burn down
products like Touchdown or 2
-4D at one pint each per acre
work extremely well. This
would also be a great time to
put down your residual
herbicide such as either
Boundary (Dual/Sencor) at
1.5 pts per acre, Prefix (Dual/
Reflex) at 2 pts per acre, or
Broad Axe XC (Dual/
Sulfentazone) at 22-25 oz.
per acre. There are a
multitude of pre plant
products in both corn and
soybeans, so stop in and we
can decide which products
works best under your weed
pressures and tillage
practices.
In regards to soil conditions,
we all want to get out as
early as possible to work the
fields. The earlier we can all
get into the field creates
benefits that have proven
themselves over the last
several years. The chemistry
portion can be applied,
receiving early rains that sets
a barrier against germinating
weeds. We want to control
the majority of them with the
We are weighing out our first
NH3 tanks today. If soil
conditions are adequate,
there is no reason for waiting
to apply ammonia. Just
remember the old “Rule of
Thumb;” apply NH3 seven to
ten days prior to planting.
This will allow the anhydrous
to dissipate into the soil
structure and reduce the
chances of seedling injury.
Best of luck in the 2015
growing season! Please call
us with any questions or
needs. We are here to serve
you!
Tom Miller-Agronomy
Manager
Tom Miller, Agronomy
Manager
“The earlier we
can all get into
the field
creates
benefits that
have proven
themselves
over the last
several years.”
The Graymont Granger
Planting and New Long Point Pit
Page 4
Volume 2, Issue 2
Page 5
Page 6
The Graymont Granger
Employee Spotlight—Dan Herr: GCA Seed Specialist
“Getting out
and visiting
farmers and
seeing their
operations is
the best part
of my job.”
As you may have gathered
from our other articles,
planting season is on the
minds of many of our
customers. When thinking
about companies, they are a
lot like a planter. You are not
going to get your seed in the
ground and accomplish your
ultimate goal unless all parts
are functioning as it should
be. In our last two April
newsletters, we have taken a
look at different “parts” that
help define the Graymont
Coop and keep our company
running well. In keeping with
tradition we decided to
interview Dan Herr to get a
perspective on one of the
employees that makes up our
seed department.
Dan Herr was born January 2,
1983 in Peoria, IL. He was
Dan with his cousin
the third in a line of 7
kids. He grew up
outside of Chenoa on
their family’s
Farrow-to-Finish Hog
and crop operation,
sparking his love and
interest in
Agriculture. Being an
avid sports fan, he
participated in every
sport he was able to
through his school years
playing football, baseball, and
basketball. He attended
Chenoa grade school and
high school and decided to go
to work shortly after that.
Along with his continuation
of farming on his
own, his first job
out of school
was in
construction.
While working
for a local crew,
he helped build
houses, repair
roofs, remodel
kitchens, and
various other
jobs. After 4-5
years of working at this, he
decided to get back to his
love of farming by working
for a local hog operation for
the next 3 years and
continuing with another for 3
years after that. At the same
time he was selling Beck’s
Seeds as an independent
dealer. Finally in the fall of
2013 he was hired on at the
Graymont Coop when they
acquired a Beck’s Seeds
license as a salesman
specializing in their hybrids.
When asked what drew him
to the Agronomy Industry he
stated, “I really enjoy the
sales side of it. Getting out
and visiting farmers and
seeing their operations is the
best part of my job. Farming
is still my passion and this
gets me as close to that as I’ll
ever be.”
When he’s not working, Dan
has a number of hobbies to
keep him occupied. He and
his wife TeAnna have 4
children named Zach, KayTe,
Garrison, and the newest
member Adalyn. When not
making the most of his time
at home with them, he has
coached Jr. High Basketball
for El Paso/Gridley for the
last 12 years. He has always
been a huge basketball fan
and even attended the NCAA
National Championship game
earlier this month in
Indianapolis, IN. Even though
he doesn’t care for the NBA,
he tries to watch as many
college games as possible
while cheering for his favorite
team the Illini. Aside from
sports however, he stays true
to his roots and still raises
hogs for a local farmer near
his hometown of Gridley.
Finally, I asked Dan where he
saw himself in the next 10-20
years. After thinking a bit, he
claimed “probably something
Page 7
Volume 2, Issue 2
Employee Spotlight—continued
The Grain Line
bushels for the 2014 corn. This is a
staggering number will not help keep
old crop corn supported after 2
successful years in a row, but the farmer
ownership has helped keep ideas that
there is a fair amount of corn to be
released yet.
The crop of 2015 is finally being put
into the ground and we are smelling
freshly worked dirt again. While we
are in our production mode, we may
tend to put our marketing plan on the
backburner. While starting the
groundwork for the new crop, it is
important to keep analyzing the data
in order to take care of any old crop
that may be left while also getting a
base set up for new crop sales.
In terms of the new, the March 31st
planting intentions report showed about
1.5 million less acres of corn and 1
million more acres of beans. Where we
are seeing the greatest shift is in
southern and western states where
cotton and wheat acres are being
replaced with beans. This is another
reason why beans are failing to find
strong turnaround support. The fewer
acres does help offset the balance zone
for the old crop corn, but weather will
start to dictate where it goes from here.
While we did see some favorable snow
this winter, we have yet to see
significant rainfall. Ground conditions
are still fairly dry, but no immediate
threat is present. Rain and degree days
will be the main factor pushing prices
from here on out.
In terms of the old, it is hard to get a
good feel on what is left in store for
Front: Son Zach, Daughter KayTe, Son Garrison
Back: Dan and Wife TeAnna with newest addition the 2014 crop. On the bean side,
there is not a whole lot of news to
Adalyn
rekindle some optimism on a solid
very similar to what I’m doing now.
rally anytime soon. Exports have
Since I really enjoy the sales side of
been fairly strong in regards to the
my job, I would like to continue that. current trading year, being ahead of
The flexibility of that also allows me
where we stood last year at this time.
to still continue farming on the side.” With Argentina and Brazil harvest
He added that he would probably
coming to an end, we start to see
still be coaching. Especially since he
some of the demand and interest
gets the joy of having his oldest son
shift towards the remaining unsold
on the team next year.
crop from South America. They have
been hampered, notably in Brazil,
Life can get pretty crazy sometimes.
during their harvest due to more
As many people will claim, it just
gets wilder as you get older, married, logistical issues and an on-again-offagain trucker strike that has slow
and kids come along. Priorities
exports and shipments. There is
change and it gets tougher and
currently about a 20 cent spread for
tougher to find a balance of family,
work, and extra-curriculars. Keeping the SN-SX showing that the market is
leaning towards a weakening bean
sight of what is important and
value the closer fall gets. The corn
maintaining all of the parts on our
side is just the opposite however. We
“planters” can reduce a lot of stress
are looking at a –15 spread between
and make the day a little more
CN-CZ meaning there is still some
enjoyable. As Dan mentions, “You
don’t have to quit anything. You just value in the carry. Some recent
speculation has shown that the corn
get better at managing time.”
carryout could possibly reach 2 billion
GCA Cash Bean Bids
GCA Cash Corn Bids
Dec
Oct
Nov
2015
Sep
Dec
Oct
Nov
Sep
July
Aug
May
June
Apr
Mar
Jan
Feb
$0.00
2012
July
2015
Aug
$2.00
2013
May
2012
June
$4.00
2014
Apr
2013
Feb
2014
Mar
$8.00
$18.00
$17.00
$16.00
$15.00
$14.00
$13.00
$12.00
$11.00
$10.00
$9.00
$8.00
Jan
$10.00
$6.00
In terms of what the prices are going to
do, that is the golden question. Beans
show little support and corn does not
show enough steam for a big recovery
swing. We do offer an average pricing
program to hit some of the highs if you
are interested in this. The biggest key is
to keep updated on what is happening
everyday and try to market and plan
accordingly. If you have any questions,
you can reach the Graymont or Long
Point offices. Thanks for your business
and have a safe and successful planting
season.
Grain Department
PO Box 98
407 N. Main St.
Graymont, IL 61743
Phone: 815-743-5321
Fax: 815-743-5759
E-mail: [email protected]
Have a Safe and Happy Spring from
Everyone at the Graymont Coop!!
www.graymontcoop.com
Feed Department
(815)743-5747
Agronomy Department
(815)743-5701
Insurance Department
(815)743-5982
Long Point and Dana
(815)854-2444 Long Point
Internet Department
(815)867-0016
Gearing Up For Another Crop
Another
planting
season has
snuck up on
us. In
general,
seed
companies
have large inventory supplies again
this year. Corn and beans both still
have sizeable stocks available for
anyone looking to make last minute
purchases or looking
for in-season seed. So
if there’s something
new you might be
looking at trying or
maybe a
miscalculation on
what you thought you
would need, be sure
to give us a call and
we can help you get
whatever you need lined up.
We will again be offering the Becks
PFR (Practical Farm Research)
partners program this year. The PFR
partners program is an opportunity
for growers to do on farm research
on their own ground at no cost.
Becks Hybrids provides a high
clearance machine to take to your
farm and do the research. We will
be doing late season side dress
nitrogen trials again this year by
testing
multiple
various rates
with 28%.
Alongside of
this, we will
be adding a
top dress
urea trial in
this year as
well. All of
these trials will be tested against the grower’s
normal rate of nitrogen. We will also be doing
fungicide and foliar feed trials in both corn and
soybeans. The fungicide trials will consist of
putting out three different fungicide products
and one foliar product in a side by side
scenario. If you would like to participate in
this program or get more information, please
give me a call at (815) 867-0042. We are
more than happy to help assist you. Thanks
for your business and have a safe planting
season.
Dan Herr—Seed Specialist