MANAGER’S DESK
Jerald KemmererCEO/GM
Pride Ag Resources
The 2025 Fall Harvest is almost in the history books other than some late planted acres still in the process of drying down. Due to the growing conditions, harvest was about two weeks later than normal before we really got started. It was nice to have this year’s precipitation with great growing temperatures as it resulted in some recorder yields for some of you. The price may not be the best but yields are helping to offset some of the pain from this year’s input
cost. The market is still waitingforexportvolumesto increase with China who at the time of this writing, they were very involved in deep negotiations with United States. There is also some talk about additional support payments to be release when the government opens back up.
This year seems to be going by very quickly, we look forwardto the next year with the anticipation of continue yields but with improved prices for better opportunities for you as a producer. There are several current influencers in today’s markets with high input cost not adjusted to grain market values, still high interest rates, war conflicts, and
on/off again tariff talks that are causing havoc in the markets. Obviously we are dealing with input cost in a market that can lead to great opportunitiesoratleasttryto maximize dollars generated per acre if a person has a marketingplaninplace.
October is always nationally known as Cooperative month. It is also recognized in all the statesthatweoperatein.This year theme was: “Cooperative Build a Better World”. We participated in Coop Month by hosting appreciation lunches scattered throughout all of our locations. I hope you were able to attend one of them but with harvest going on we had to send several
meals to the fields. I want to thank the employees for the pulled pork sandwiches and the sides they prepared for the meal. It is always a good time for me to interact with all of our customers plus the team of employees at Pride Ag Resources. The most important thing is, it allows ustothankyouforyourdaily business and our employee’s long hours during harvest. I hope you have heard the Pride Ag Resources ads on the radio during harvest “Growing together while supportinglocal”. Theteam ofemployeesworkhardeach daytomakethathappen.
Ihopeyourfallharvest yields were better than you expected. So far the moisture we have received this fall has really enhanced the planted wheat acres from its current potential. The currentwheatstandisofftoa great start. Pride Ag Resources appreciates the opportunity to help you with all your production agricultural needs and we appreciateyourbusiness!
JeraldKemmererCEO PrideAgResources
Safety Division
Corey Ratzlaff Safety Director
PORTABLE AUGER SAFETY
With Fall Harvest in full swing, I will take this opportunity to address portable auger safety. A grain auger is designed to movealotofgraininahurry, but it can also do a lot of damage to a person’s body in a hurry. Following are some safety rules everyone should obey when working around portableaugers.
Keep children and untrained people away. Childrenarenaturallycurious anddonotalwaysunderstand the dangers of power equipment.
Have another person nearby whoknowshowtoshutdown the auger in case of an emergency.
Ensure the auger is empty beforeraisingorlowering. Do not allow the auger to come within ten feet of any electricallines.
Do not wear loose fitting clothing when working around the auger (or any other power driven equipment). Loose, floppy clothing, long shoestrings or drawstrings on hoodies or jacketscanbecomeentangled in moving parts. When clothing becomes entangled inrotatingparts,thebodycan be pulled into moving machinery.
Never use your hands or feet to remove debris such as stems, bee’s wings or trash frommovingmachinery.
Keepallsafetyshieldsand guards in place. Do not operate the auger without the shieldsandguardsinplace. Make certain that all people are clear of moving parts such as shafts, belts and augerflighting.
If repairs are required, disconnecttheenergysource.
In other words, shut off and lock out power before making adjustments, servicingorcleaning.
Never stand or sit under anauger.
Never run your hands along the hydraulic lines, because oil can be injected intoyourhands.
Make certain the PTO shaft is attached and secured properly, and keep all people at least three feet away from theshaft.
When raising or lowering theauger,doitslowly. Transporttheaugerinthefull downposition.
Never stand on the auger pan(hopper).
Always ensure both wheels arechokedandtheintakeend oftheaugerissecuredfirmly ontheground.
Do not allow anyone inside a grain bin or grain truck while it is being loaded orunloaded.
Fall is traditionally abusy time of year around a farm, andharvestaddsmoretothat busytime. Oftenpeoplewho are working around a farm during fall and harvest are younger or are unfamiliar with all the intricacies of a farming operation. Do not assume that everyone working on the farm understands the dangers of working around portable augers. Pleasetakethetime to go over the safe operating proceduresofportableaugers withyourharvesthelp.
ACE Hardware
Dave McCollum, ACE Manager
Anothersummerhas flownbye! Much appreciatedrainshave providedusacoolwet summer.Fallishereand BBQseasonisstilluponus. Wehaveanexcellentlineof Traegergrillsforsaleaswell aspellets,sauces,andother neededBBQsupplies. Check outtheBlackstonegriddles whenyoustopin,aswell Halogrills,griddlesand Gozneypizzaovens-they wouldbeanexcellentgiftfor thegrillmasterinyour family!
Is it time to do some painting before winter sets in? It’s still nice enough to open windows in the evening or morning for indoor projects! We have Ben Moore, Clark Kensington, Royal and more paints. We also have stains and wood preservatives for the deck. It’snottoolatetobethinking about those exterior paint projects!
Milwaukee days are comingagain. December2-5 we have a Milwaukee show near you. We will be in Lyons on the 2nd, Maize on the3rd,Meadeonthe4hand Dodge City on the 5th. We will be be having terrific saleswithourMilwaukeerep on site to help give you a great deal and answer all your questions. Milwaukee pack outs, power tools and hand tools are big sellers. We have expanded our line of these high quality,
professional quality tools. Milwaukee tools are made very well and come backed withaterrificwarranty. This istheperfecttimetofillthose Christmas list wishes for everyoneinthefamily!
For those of you who still need to get some fencing done- wehave creosote posts in popular sizes of 4 ½ to 8 inches. Also in stock are t postsincommonlengths,and Red Brand 2 point wire for those fencing projects. Milwaukee offers a fence staple driver that has proved popularwitharearanchers.
Thanks for making Ace the place to get your warm summerseasonbuyingdone!
Grain Division
Mike Schmidt Grain Division/ Operations Manager
A Remarkable Harvest Season at Pride Ag Resources
If you read our last newsletter, you may remember the optimism surrounding this year’s wheat
crop and our expectations for a strong fall harvest thanks to all the timely moisture. We’re happy to report that it has not disappointed!
We’re wrapping up corn harvest and preparing to begin milo, and the consensus across the board has been the same: Wow! What a difference rain makes. Dryland corn yields have been exceptional, and irrigated fields have performed very well, too. In fact, your cooperative has handled the largest corn crop in the past 20 years! Andifconditionscontinueas they have, we’re on track to receive the biggest milo crop in our history.
This success is due not only to the excellent growing conditions but also to you our producers and your continued dedication to Pride Ag Resources. Our team has been working tirelessly since wheat harvest, loading out andcleaningbinstocreateas much space as possible for thistremendouscrop.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone from the producers delivering grain to our elevators, to our hardworking employees keeping things running smoothly. As we continue through harvest, please know we have grain sold and moving to make additional space for incoming milo. If you have concerns about delivery space, don’t hesitate to reach out. We also have
capacity available at our Cimarron and Dodge City locations.
As we bring this harvest season to a close, we wish everyone a safe and successful finish to the year andfromallofusatPride Ag Resources, a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year!
Agronomy Division
Jeffery Jensby Agronomy Division Manager
Our recent moisture across Pride Ag country has been truly welcome and prospectsforagoodfall2024 harvest are much appreciated! Of course we’ve got another main crop, wheat, and your Pride Ag agronomy team has been busily planning to help you successfully spray, seed and fertilize your 2025 wheat crop to get it off to a profitablestart!
Business-minded agronomy recommendations to our cooperative owners is top of mindasweputthisnextcrop in the ground. Plan for success! Soil sampling, proper fertility, the right variety and blend selections, and proper seeding rates all impact the crop outcome. Please visit with your agronomy business manager today to create a plan for winning!
Crop Nutrition
With the current geopoliticalsituationsaroundthe globe phosphates are in tight supply. They are not something that you want to leave out of your wheat crop fertility plan however. Pride Ag has procured a good supply of 12-40-0-10S-1Zn to arrive by rail for your fall wheat seeding needs. Nitrogenstabilizationofyour N investment is also something you ought to consider. We cannot predict heat,rain,orsunshineandall three can contribute significantly to nitrogen losses some as much as 50%! Pride Ag can stabilize urea, UAN or ammonia to help you protect your crop nutrition investment. Simply visit with your agronomy business manager to make this practice happen on your farm.
Wheat Seeding
Varietyselectionisextremely important for the different
soil situations on your farm. Consideration of planting straight varieties or seed wheat blends is also a matter of importance. Our agronomy team can help you in both areas. Our KCIA certified seed wheat options will help you harvest more bushels on each acre! Early booking to get the varieties and blends you prefer is alwayswise.
Crop Protection
Believe it or not we are making product decisions now for the 2025 summer growing season. For the most part crop protection products are valued similarly compared to the past. Don’t forget to fungicide your late planted corn and bean crops to help maximize fall harvest yield!
Again, we would like to thank each and every one of you for your support of our Pride Ag agronomy division thisyear. Yourcooperatively owned agronomy assets and business has seen excellent growth this year and look forward to listening to your needs and helping you prepareandplantaprofitable 2025crop!
FeedDivision
JohnO’Leary Dodge City Feed Division Manager
Winter Livestock Update: Nutrition, Health, and Preparation for the Cold Months
As winter sets in across southwest Kansas, cold weather management becomes one of the most important parts of keeping a herd productive and healthy. When wind chills drop, cows burn more calories to stay warm raising energy needs by 10–20 percent. Ensuring proper nutrition now, especially for bred cows, prevents weight loss, supports strong calves, and improves conception rates next spring. A balanced ration with the right mix of energy, protein, and minerals is the foundation of successfulwinterfeeding.
Feed quality can vary widely this time of year, especially when hay has weathered or been carried over. Knowing exactly what’s in your hay helps you
feed smarter, not heavier. Pride Ag Resources will come to your farm and collect hay samples for free, then send them off for a full lab analysis. You’ll receive detailed results for protein, TDN, and fiber so our feed team can help build the most efficient ration for your herd. Accurate hay testing often saves producers money by matching supplement levels preciselytoforagequality.
Custom Feed Solutions for Every Operation
Every herd and operation isunique,andthere’snoonesize-fits-all winter ration. That’s why Pride Ag Resources offers custom feed mixing, formulated by our third-party consulting nutritionist to meet the specific needs of your cattle and available forages. Whether you’re backgrounding calves, feeding replacement heifers, or maintaining mature cows, we can create a ration built aroundyourgoals.
OurDodgeCityFeedMill produces a wide range of rolled corn, rolled milo, and DDG-basedmixes,aswellas custom mineral and protein blends. We can tailor formulations for energy balance, cost efficiency, and delivery preference bagged or bulk. If you’d like to reviewyourfeedingprogram, our team can analyze your hay results and design a ration that makes the most of what you already have on hand.
Purina &
Rangeland
Mineral Programs
Mineral nutrition remains a key piece of the winter puzzle. Pride Ag Resources proudlycarriesthefulllineof Purina Wind and Rain® minerals,includingtheW&R AS SF 7.5 Complete, the backbone of our mineral program, and W&R Hi-Mag 4 Complete for magnesium supplementation on winter forages. We also offer Rangeland® Pro Wheat Pasture Mineral, designed specifically for stockers and cowsgrazingsmallgrains.
In addition to our stocked products, we can formulate custom mineral blends to meet your herd’s specific needs whether that’s balancing trace minerals, addingflyorbloatcontrol,or integrating Rumensin® or Bova-Tech® for improved feedefficiency.Ourgoalisto help you deliver consistent, targeted nutrition that supports health and performance through the toughestconditions.
Supporting Your Herd All WinterLong
Don’t overlook water and shelter. Frozen or dirty tanks reduce intake and feed efficiency, while wind and mud increase energy requirements. Heated tanks, clean bedding, and solid windbreaks help minimize stressandkeepcattleonfeed. Check herds often during coldsnaps,especiallycalving
cows,forsignsoffrostbiteor stress.
This winter, let Pride Ag Resources help you get the most from your feed and forage. Contact the Dodge City Feed Division to schedule your free on-farm haysampling,discusscustom feed and mineral options, or review your winter supplementation program. Small adjustments today can makea big differencein cow condition, calf vigor, and yourbottom-linenextspring.
AV Energy
Chris Klein AV Energy Manager
Be Ready Before Winter Hits
Cold weather is tough on diesel fuel, but it doesn’t have to be tough on your equipment. Prevent gelling, hard starts, and costly downtime this season with Pride Ag Resources and AV Energy.
Winterized Fuel You Can Count On
Starting in October, we pretreat all diesel delivered
off our route trucks and all diesel at Pride Ag’s cardtrol locations with a premium winterizer. This treatment lowers the cloud point to around 0°F, helping ensure dependableperformanceeven whentemperaturesdrop.
Beginning in November, we add another layer of protection by blending with #1dieselatalllocations.This brings the cloud point down to about -20°F for enhanced cold-weather reliability. In severe conditions, blending #1 and #2 diesel offers the best defense for keeping enginesrunningsmoothly.
Stay Running No Matter the Weather
By combining AV Energy’s pre-treated fuel with #1 diesel blending, you get the ultimate protection againstwinterfuelissues.No gelling. No downtime. Just dependable operation all seasonlong.
For more information on winter fuel options, give Jordan (620-338-6652) or myself(620-682-5088)acall.
Haveagreatholidayseason!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tony Bleumer Chairman
Toby Whipple………..... Vice-Chairman
Levi Salmans Secretary-Treasurer
Butch Irsik Director
Curtis Ellis Director
Garrett Love Director
Weston Vogel Director
David Self ….….........Associate Director
Calvin Williamson..........Associate Director
Jerald Kemmerer………………CEO/GM
Adiana Morales…Newsletter Editor
