17M BUSHELS OF GRAIN STORAGE TO BE ADDED TO LOCATIONS
p.23 TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF FIVE AGTEGRA LOCATIONS
Matt Beaner and his son, Gabe, chat in a field at their family farm near Mellette, SD. Read more about what generational success means to a few Agtegra Cooperative directors on pages 4-13.
Pictured:
First Vice President
Heather Beaner | Mellette, SD
Second Vice President
Matt Johnson | Webster, SD
Secretary Steve Halverson | Pierre, SD
Directors
Chad Boekelheide | Northville, SD
Glen Crawford | Aberdeen, SD
Joel Erickson | Langford, SD
Jay Esser | Redfield, SD
Chris Eymer | Reliance, SD
Wallace Knock | Willow Lake, SD
Matt Micheel | Cavour, SD
Steve Pfeifer | McLaughlin, SD
Randy Sell | Oakes, ND
Kim Vanneman | Winner, SD
Andy Weisser | Roscoe, SD
Nonvoting Advisory Directors
Garrett Masat | Redfield, SD
Casey Nilsson | Mansfield, SD MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about Agtegra's governance, visit agtegra.com/ governance, or scan the QR code below!
CONTACT US
605-225-5500 | www.agtegra.com
Copyright 2025 Agtegra Cooperative. All rights reserved.
Agtegra Cooperative is a local agricultural cooperative headquartered in Aberdeen, South Dakota. It is owned by over 7,000 farmers and ranchers, predominantly in North and South Dakota, with a network of over 70 locations and 900 employees.
FROM THE CEO
JASON KLOOTWYK
JASON.KLOOTWYK@AGTEGRA.COM
Hello!
Thank you for your business! We are deep into the dog days of summer and are closing in on another successful fiscal year at Agtegra Cooperative. This summer marked my third year as CEO, and it is an honor to lead such a great organization! Our team focuses every day on the success of our members and customers. This is a critical mission now as we are in an operating environment with incredible uncertainty, increasing costs and risks and shrinking margins. This is putting a lot of pressure on the farm gate and the agriculture industry as a whole.
We wrapped up a solid spring agronomy season with the recent operational improvements and additions coming online in time to assist. While we were able to get into the fields early, Mother Nature challenged us well into summer with the volatile weather pattern. The potential is there for a good crop if we can get it across the finish line.
Our attention now turns to harvest and the potential for a third record-setting harvest in a row. Our board approved $42 million in additional capital funding that was put toward grain storage space, with anticipated completion in time for the 2025 harvest. These additions were targeted at locations that were most in need and could service the most customers.
We continue to work on several projects to bring more value to our core customers by adding new and improved assets, removing bottlenecks in operations and increasing customer access to fuel and animal nutrition products through upgraded and new energy and feed locations. We will continue to pursue growth where appropriate.
We are on the doorstep of completing another fiscal year, and Agtegra is performing well, led by strong performance in all major divisions of grain, agronomy, energy and feed. We are aware that some others in the ag business are struggling, and this will continue to drive consolidation in the industry. A big focus for Agtegra next year will be to make sure we are operating your cooperative as efficiently as possible and to keep costs contained in a very tight revenue environment. That’s just good stewardship and is appropriate at this time.
In closing, I know you have several places where you can do business, and I appreciate that you choose to consider our team at Agtegra for your needs. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you!
Stay safe and have a great rest of your summer!
GENERATIONALLY SUCCESSFUL
There’s something we have in common with many family farms. We’ve been around for generations and intend to be around for generations to come. Generational success can mean a lot of different things to different people, but to us, it’s about what you see in this picture. That’s who we are.
Keep reading to learn what generational success looks like to four of our directors and their family farms.
"Generational success means I can leave a prosperous and solid farm to my son, and that can only happen because my father worked hard to give me a financially firm and agronomically sound operation. Our farm's legacy continues to thrive on the great advice from the three generations before me: use the local co-op; you won't find a more dedicated or farmer-focused company."
- Heather Beaner
GENERATIONALLY SUCCESSFUL
"I believe that God found fortune in my life to give me my family, a farm, and this way of life. The ability to pass that on to the next generation is something special to me. It's about more than just my daughter coming back to the farm; it's that she wants to come back and be a part of this."
- Jay Esser
"A family farm is built upon previous generations of sacrifice and hard work. Continuing that legacy honors the work and wisdom of my parents and grandparents. Building upon the knowledge and assets from prior generations gives future generations the opportunity for success."
- Chad Boekelheide
GENERATIONALLY SUCCESSFUL
"The hours are long but the rewards are huge, and having my family be a part of it makes it that much more enjoyable. It's the next generation taking care of the land my ancestors put their life into - that's generational success to me."
- Rick Osterday
GENERATIONALLY SUCCESSFUL
TRUCK & AUTO
new look
Agtegra Cooperative's Truck & Auto division revamps strategy and atmosphere of facilities.
If you've driven down the main road through Oakes, ND, recently, you may have noticed Agtegra's Oakes Tire Center building transform from red siding to white. And, if you walked into the lobby to wait for your car's oil change, you would have found a renovated waiting room, complete with a coffee station, carpeted seating area and free internet access.
The refreshed look at Oakes is the first in a series of updates to
Agtegra's Truck & Auto division.
"Our goal is to create an inviting environment where our customers are comfortable to wait for their vehicle," says Jared Hanis, Agtegra VP of Operations - Fleet Services.
Jared joined the Agtegra team in October 2024 and now leads Agtegra's Truck & Auto team alongside Asset Procurement Manager Randy Herrick. Jared also leads the Innovation Centers and
trucking fleet teams.
The Truck & Auto team serves Agtegra's internal fleet and external customers at four of its locations, including Ipswich, SD, Leola, SD, Oakes, ND and Presho, SD. This means that the technicians service Agtegra's internal fleet of trucks and vehicles in addition to external customers' oil changes and tire and brake repairs on their personal and farm vehicles.
Oakes Tire Center Team (l-r): Location Manager/Bookkeeper Heather Fiala, Automotive Technicians Kwentin Stearns and Jeremiah Hansen and Asset Procurement Manager Randy Herrick stand in the newly renovated Oakes Tire Center lobby.
The Oakes Tire Center outside renovations include new siding and wrapped window coverings.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS:
The fifth Truck & Auto location in Bath, SD, came online earlier this spring. Its primary focus includes serving Agtegra's internal fleet.
Like the facelift in Oakes and the addition of the Bath location, the team plans to continue upgrading Truck & Auto facilities and growing the team to better serve customers.
"We're investing to help grow the business to be successful. We have to invest in them to ensure they can continue to be a part of the communities they are in," Jared says.
In towns such as Presho and Leola, the Truck & Auto location may be one of the few auto centers for several miles.
"Like many Agtegra locations, we're in small communities where they may be far from anything. Our goal is to provide a hometown, quality service that they can trust and will be here for years to come," Jared says.
Each of the locations can perform small vehicle maintenance such as oil changes, brakes and tires, and order and install large tractor tires. Ipswich and Bath are equipped to perform large tractor,
semi and trailer repairs as well. The team has multiple national tire brand accounts, which enables them to serve a wide variety of customers' tire needs and preferences.
In addition to upgrading the facilities, the team is creating more user-friendly customer experiences through other avenues in the near future. One of these features includes providing oil change customers with a windshield sticker that includes when they should schedule their next oil change and a QR code so that they can submit an online scheduling request. After submitting the form, the customer will receive a call from Agtegra to confirm the appointment.
Internally, similar operational improvements are being made to allow Agtegra truck drivers and employees with company vehicles the ability to quickly and efficiently receive service.
From exceptional service to a welcoming atmosphere, Jared wants to ensure that customers have a positive experience at Agtegra's Truck & Auto locations.
"When you do business at Agtegra, your dollar is being
Meet three of our Truck & Auto employees!
reinvested into the community. Whether you're a farmer or not, our cooperative business model keeps that money local," Jared says.
CONTACT A TRUCK & AUTO LOCATION NEAR YOU!
Need your brakes repaired, oil changed or new tires installed? Walk in or make an appointment at one of our Truck & Auto locations below!
IPSWICH, SD | 605-846-1711 511 Alma Ave. Ipswich, SD 57451
LEOLA, SD | 605-846-1245
809 Main St. Leola, SD 57456
OAKES, ND | 605-846-1100 817 7th St. S Oakes, ND 58474
PRESHO, SD | 605-846-1559
101 Willow St. Presho, SD 57568
Dave Gohl
Ipswich Truck & Auto Service Technician
Tammy Heupel Leola Truck & Auto Location Manager
Shawn Fronce Bath Truck & Auto Diesel Technician
MITIGATING
With record corn and soybean volumes received at Agtegra locations over the past two harvest seasons, Agtegra has taken extra steps to pile and protect grain on the ground to keep our member-owners going throughout harvest. While piling grain on the ground can raise concerns on grain quality, which can result in discounts, Agtegra has implemented technologies and procedures to strive to ensure that quality is maintained by the time the rail cars roll into town.
One of these technology adoptions has included utilizing drone images and a thermal analyzing tool to
identify hot spots in the grain piles, which was implemented in the fall of 2023 following the first recordbreaking harvest intake.
"The use of flying those grain piles with the drones and thermal tools gives us the ability to spot issues before they occur," says Travis Antonsen, Agtegra SVP of Grain Marketing & Rail Logistics. "We have had very minimal issues the past two seasons, and a large part of that is attributed to the proactive use of drone technology."
Once harvest wraps up and grain operations teams begin reclaiming
piles, the drone is flown over piles every two weeks. After taking pictures of a pile, the pictures are uploaded to a thermal analyzing tool, which provides the team with thermal images and data that shows where hot spots are at in the pile.
Jeff Bennett, Agtegra Director, Grain Operations, reviews these reports with his team and location and regional managers. If hot spots are identified, the group can plan and execute a different pile pick-up strategy based on where the spots are and where they are currently reclaiming grain at the location.
HOT SPOTS
"If we've already started reclaiming a pile and identify a hot spot in the middle, we'll direct reclaiming efforts to that area instead," Jeff says.
This scenario proved true in Hague, ND, in December 2023. The drone captured the image on the bottom left on December 28th. After reviewing the report, the team decided to divert reclaim efforts to the hot spot towards the middle of the pile, which can be depicted in red. The two images to the right show both a thermal and the real image of the pile after reclaim efforts were diverted to the area of concern. The team was able to start reclaiming corn that was going out of condition further below where the hot spot peaks were identified. By identifying the issue early, the team was able to avoid drastic quality discounts when shipped on the rail.
The image on the bottom right also depicts snow covering the pile. Since temporary ground storage piles cannot be covered by a tarp like they can in bunker or center pile storage
Ground
sites, they are susceptible to more weather and quality risks. Moisture such as snow is the number one factor causing hot spots. Flying drones over the piles is just another risk management strategy to ensuring the moisture susceptibility does not decrease quality prior to shipping.
In 2023, Agtegra piled a record 29.3 million bushels in temporary ground piles. In 2024, that record was crushed with 34.6 million in temporary ground piles. In addition to watching grain quality closely, the grain operations team also had to safely and efficiently reclaim those piles in a timely manner.
"Following harvest, we were reclaiming a million bushels a day for a couple weeks," Jeff says. "But with our strategies in place, we are able to spread it out so that it is still a manageable quantity each day for our team. If we have to modify the approach to address a hot spot, we can."
Before the drone technology was adopted, the team had to rely on factors such as a sweet smell or snow melt to determine where hot spots might be. Now, the team has a safe and effective method to identify where these issue areas are and how to pivot the reclaim strategy appropriately.
"This is just another layer of risk management that allows us to pile grain on dirt and reclaim it with minimal discounts on the rail," Jeff says.
Pile | Hague, ND | Harvest 2023
THE EXTRA MILE
Over the course of this summer, Agtegra is adding 17 million bushels in grain storage and investing in dumping speed at nine grain receiving locations – ensuring we’re ready to serve farmers this fall. Every spring, our grain team plans for harvest, making freight investment and storage plans before planting starts. This early, thorough planning helps our member-owners get their crops to market efficiently and at the best value.
Offering risk-mitigating grain contract options, timely market insights and expanded storage are just a few of those great things we do for our farmers that nobody else will.
Nine of Agtegra's grain locations are part of this investment:
• Alpena: Extending our center pile by 2.3 million bushels
• Craven: Adding a 598,000-bushel grain bin
• Highmore: Extending our center pile by 4.2 million bushels
• Kennebec: Constructing a 2-million bushel center pile
• Leola: Constructing a 1.2-million bushel bunker
• McLaughlin: Constructing a 2-million bushel grain barn
• Mellette: Constructing a 1.8-million bushel center pile
• Roscoe: Adding a new 1.4-million bushel grain bin
• West Terminal: Constructing a 1.5-million bushel center pile
"The investment allows Agtegra to be able to store grain longer to capture more value from the market and have the ability to avoid times of really expensive freight. Our goal is to provide exceptional service when our producers rely on us the most!" says Travis Antonsen, Agtegra SVP of Grain Marketing & Rail Logistics.
Going the extra mile for our farmers – that’s who we are.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE: Section 199A Made Permanent Law
Agtegra Cooperative’s top government affairs priority, making Section 199A permanent, was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. Section 199A(g), a subsection of 199A that applies to agricultural cooperatives, was set to expire and sunset at the end of 2025.
“Section 199A(g) has been absolutely essential for agricultural cooperatives like Agtegra to return value to our farmer member-owners and reinvest in the rural communities we serve,” says Jason Klootwyk, Agtegra CEO. “Without it, many producers would have faced a devastating tax increase at a time when they’re already dealing with rising costs and uncertain markets.”
Agtegra is grateful for the support of the members of the South Dakota and North Dakota congressional delegations for championing making 199A(g) permanent for our farmer member-owners and their cooperative.
Section 199A(g) is a federal tax deduction that applies to proceeds from agricultural goods produced and marketed by farmer cooperatives, benefits farmer-owned cooperatives and their member-owners, as cooperatives often pass a significant portion of the deduction through to their member-owners.
Earlier this spring, Agtegra directors and staff traveled to Washington, D.C. for a National Council of Farmer Cooperatives event to meet with members of Congress and their staff about the importance of making Section 199A(g) permanent.
Agtegra team and board members met with members of Congress during their visit to Washington, D.C., alongside other National Council of Farmer Cooperatives event participants
A recent South Dakota State University study estimated that the 2022 economic impact of Section 199A(g) showed:
$710.1 million in Minnesota
$295.7 million in North Dakota
$255.4 million in South Dakota
Apply to serve as a delegate or nonvoting advisory director for Agtegra Cooperative!
Candidates must be a current Agtegra Cooperative member in good standing who meets the requirements for the position set forth in the bylaws and board policies.
Interested in applying for a nonvoting advisory director position? Contact Mike Traxinger at Mike.Traxinger@agtegra.com or (605) 725-8325.
Interested in running for a delegate position? Contact Val Weisser at Val.Weisser@agtegra.com or (605) 725-8341.
Applications are due September 1. Visit www.agtegra.com/governance to learn more.
2025 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Agtegra Cooperative awarded $1,000 scholarships to nine high school seniors and one current college student for the 2025-2026 school year. All recipients are attending a post-secondary institution in North Dakota or South Dakota this fall and plan to pursue a career in agriculture upon graduation. Congratulations to our recipients!
BUILD DAKOTA SCHOLARS
The Build Dakota Scholarship program was established in 2015 to address South Dakota's workforce shortage by providing students a full-ride scholarship to one of four of the state's technical schools. Starting in 2023, Agtegra became an industry partner of the program in supporting a portion of students' educational expenses. In exchange, these students intern with Agtegra and transition to full-time roles after graduating college. This year, Agtegra committed to supporting three more students through this program. Congratulations to the following students on being selected this year!
Adam Strei Big Stone City, SD College Recipient
Addison Uglem Northwood, ND High School Recipient
Aidan Ferens Highmore, SD High School Recipient
Alex Jaspers Sioux Falls, SD High School Recipient
Blaise McGregor Webster, SD High School Recipient
Dallas Stoltenberg Stratford, SD High School Recipient
Ginny Warkenthien Willow Lake, SD High School Recipient
Kathryn Kilber Ipswich, SD High School Recipient
MaKayla Wall Sheldon, ND High School Recipient
Rylan Grassel Woonsocket, SD High School Recipient
Kailynn Eggleston Virgil, SD Mitchell Technical College Interest Area: Agricultural Business
Tyson Eddy Woonsocket, SD Lake Area Technical College Interest Area: Precision Agriculture
Zoey Morgan Ipswich, SD Mitchell Technical College Interest Area: Diesel Technology
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Gain hands-on experience while working side by side with industry experts through our Agtegra First internship program! With opportunities available across our business, an internship with us enables you to utilize your knowledge in real-world situations. Our summer intern recruitment begins in the fall, and interns are selected on a rolling basis.
WHY AGTEGRA FIRST?
• Competitive pay
• $750 scholarship upon completion
• Flexible start/end dates with school
• Variety of networking events
• Opportunity to earn college internship credit
• Connect with Agtegra Leadership Team members
• Build relationships with other interns
INTERNSHIP FOCUS AREAS:
• Agronomy
• Sales Agronomy
• Crop Scouting
• Grain Marketing
• Grain Operations
• Energy Sales
• Marketing/Comms
• Accounting
PROGRAM EVENTS:
Kickoff • Meet other interns, identify program goals, networking & training Agronomy/Grain Day • Learn from agronomy and grain experts in the field Etiquette Class • Learn about business and professional networking best practices
Wrap-Up • Share achievements & learning experiences with the team Volunteer Day • Develop a perspective of service, purpose, and community
My internship with Agtegra allowed me to grow and learn in the agronomy field. The team was willing to help me in any way they could and let me try new things that I was interested in. I gained many valuable lessons through real-life experiences during my internship that will help me in the future. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to experience and be a part of this internship program.
-Landon H., Agtegra First Sales Agronomist Intern
Don’t see an internship area you’re interested in? Contact our Agtegra First Internship Lead, McKenzie, at McKenzie.DuFresne@agtegra.com to discuss other opportunities!
FAULKTON
STICKNEY KIMBALL
V I R T U A L T O U R
Scan the QR code to take a virtual tour of five Agtegra Cooperative locations!
Check out our facilities in Bristol, Faulkton, Kimball, Stickney and Miller in the 2025 edition of our virtual tour series.
DIRECTOR
JOEL ERICKSON Spotlight
Joel Erickson and his wife, Karen, farm near Langford, South Dakota, alongside their daughter, Kristen, and her husband, Austin; their son, James, and his wife, Morgan; and their three grandkids. Together, they manage a dynamic, diversified crop operation that includes corn, soybeans, small grains, alfalfa and cover crops. In addition, they operate a commercial cow/calf and feedlot enterprise, creating a truly integrated approach to farming and livestock production.
Joel’s commitment to his community and the agricultural industry extends far beyond the farm. He currently serves on the Dakotaland Feeds Board of Governors and is his township’s supervisor. His previous roles include serving on the church board, the local extension board, and the board of a no-till demonstration farm. Joel is also a graduate of the South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership (SDARL) program,
having enhanced his knowledge and governance expertise through training with the South Dakota Association of Cooperatives and the FCCS Advanced Governance Series. At Agtegra Cooperative, Joel has dedicated over 20 years as a director, helping to guide the cooperative through challenges and opportunities. His extensive experience in governance and leadership, combined with his practical farming background, uniquely positions him to represent the interests of both Agtegra’s members and its employees.
“By being involved in the governance of Agtegra, I have a voice in the decision-making process of the cooperative, and I’m able to consider how those decisions will impact the membership as well as the employees of Agtegra.”
- Joel Erickson
Left: Joel with his family. Right: Joel interacts with fellow Agtegra Director Chris Eymer at a board meeting.
MEET THE FEED SALES TEAM
Agtegra works closely with Land O'Lakes Purina Animal Nutrition and Dakotaland Feeds, with Dakotaland Feeds operating as a joint venture company between Agtegra and Land O'Lakes. Together, the three companies have a team of livestock nutrition experts who are ready to serve Agtegra member-owners and their livestock. Meet some of our key customer contacts below!
OUR NUTRITIONAL PARTNERS:
Beth Baloun Redfield, St. Lawrence, Tulare, Carpenter, Willow Lake
