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MANAGER’S DESK
Jerald KemmererCEO/GM Pride Ag Resources I hope your New Year is starting out well for you. We have obviously received more moisture this winter than we have for the past several years. Our winter wheat is off to good start, plus the last drought monitor report was back to normal classification. We just need to continue to add to our sub soil moisture to aid in fall harvest planting this spring in order to continue to keep improving our wheat. It would be nice to get back to normal harvest receipts at the coop for a full year or two. When grain volumes are down, we are not able to have any recourse for lost revenue. This includes not
just on the grain intake but lack of wheat acres that was top dressed last spring. It’s been a challenging past few years with the impact of lack of business do to moisture level. This all leads up to changes we need to make at the cooperative to be cost efficient. You may see the information posted at all the locations regarding storage charges going from five cents per month to six cents per month starting the first of February. The last time we increase storage charges was in 2016, over 7 years ago. Since that time our property insurance has gone up 90%, property taxes have gone up 80%, interest rates have more than doubled, and labor has increased by 40%. Total cost of inflation should make our storage cost at over seven cents per month, but we are continuously trying to keep the increases to a minimum. Our focus is on our
First Quarter 2024 capital and service to the five main core business units: Agronomy, Farm Supply, Feed, Fuel, and Grain. It’s about speed, space, having the products you need in seed and crop protection, crop nutrients, feed for your livestock, fuel for your rolling stock, and farm supplies. You may have also seen posted at the locations that we are doing away with oil changes at our branches other than Jetmore. We will continue to sell oil as part of our farm supply. In order to do oil changes correctly on new vehicles we need to purchase certain computer equipment. With the labor that has the experience and education to service all the new vehicles, our cost would be four times our current rates. Having the experience, labor, and skill are the bigger challenges. The Farm Summit Meeting yield in the first of December brought in some
Inside This Issue 2 Safety 3 Ace Hardware - Grain 4 Grain - Agronomy 5 Agronomy 6 Feed 7 AV Energy
great speakers with some valuable knowledge for you to help make sound business decisions for this coming year. The attendance was down due to the nice weather we were experiencing at that time. The service of the Farmer Summit Meeting we find to be very valuable to you, therefore we are moving it to the first of February of 2025 in order to hit a time that would be more conducive for your farm. As in the past, we are not there to sell goods and service. It’s to bring in expert speakers to provide you the best information and advice that we can. We appreciate all of our suppliers and vendors help with sponsoring again this year event. As the fiscal year starts to wind down, we will bring in the auditors so we can share the information with you this spring. The success of your cooperative cannot happen without your patronage to Pride Ag Resources. The team focuses on helping your farms be successful so we can be successful. The employees strive to show you the value your cooperative provides every day. It’s that time of the year that we need to slow down just a little to say “thank you for your business” as we gear up to see what challenges this coming year brings all of us!
Safety Division •
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Corey Ratzlaff Safety Director Day in and day out, probably the most dangerous activity we participate in is driving. With that in mind, I would like to share twenty safe driving tips for anyone involved in the operation of a motor vehicle on a public road. • Always pay attention to your actions and the actions of other drivers when you are driving. • Drive defensively. Do not assume that other drivers are going to do what you think they should do. • Always use your turn signals when making a lane change or turning. This helps give you control over whether or not the other drivers have realistic expectations for your actions. • Always wear your seat belt, and insist that those riding with you buckle up as well. • Obey all traffic signs and traffic lights, even in rural areas. • Respect yellow lights. Remember that the intent of
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a yellow light is to notify drivers to slow down and prepare to stop. Always come to a complete stop at a stop sign or stop light, even if you think no other vehicles are coming. Never send text messages when operating a motor vehicle. Obey the speed limit at all times. Remember that the restrictions placed on vehicle speed are carefully selected to maximize safety for drivers and for individuals in the homes, businesses, and other organizations in the areas where roadways are located. When the weather in which you are driving is less than perfect, such as rainy, snowy or foggy, use appropriate cautions for that type of weather. This often means turning on your lights and slowing down. Please be patient. Accidents can be caused by someone rushing to get somewhere. It is better to arrive a little late than not to arrive at all. Don’t make sudden stops or lane changes. You want to ensure that other drivers are likely to be able to predict your actions to maximize safety. Never operate a vehicle if you have been drinking, taking certain types of prescription or nonprescription drugs, or are otherwise impaired. No matter if you have the right to go, yield if it seems 2
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that the other driver may not be observing standard practices for yielding. Plan your route ahead of time so that you are not trying to figure out where to go while you are operating a vehicle. When passing vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road, move over to get out of the way if the way is clear for you to change lanes. If changing lanes is not possible, slow down while passing stopped vehicles. Avoid distractions such as changing the radio, using cell phones, eating, and interacting with passengers. Turn on your headlights, not only at night, but also in rain, snow or fog. You may be able to see, but can the other drivers see you? Remember that you are not the only driver on the road, and that all drivers need to be treated with respect. Make sure that your vehicle stays in good working condition. This includes keeping fluids topped off, performing scheduled engine maintenance, making certain tires are inflated properly, and ensuring that the vehicle’s exterior lights are functional at all times.
ACE Hardware
Grain Division
Dave McCollum, ACE Manager
Mike Schmidt Grain Division/ Operations Manager
Spring is on its way! At least for this week! The big reset is ongoing! We appreciate all the customers who have continued to shop Ace and let us prove we are the helpful hardware store. Act now to get some bargains on a huge variety of products during the remodel (tentative finish date Feb 15) Please come see us after the reset as well. We will be sporting the latest, greatest products that Ace offers. I think everyone will love the new layout. As always, thanks for making Ace the place for spring shopping needs. Milwaukee jackets are still available. We have men’s and women’s sizes and are the perfect gift for anyone that wants a stylish heated jacket. P.S. We also have a few snow blowers left at a deep discount if you have had enough of the shovel work!
With the ringing of the New Year, hopefully everyone had a great Christmas and you brought in the New Year with bells on! In addition, I really hope everyone ate your share of black-eyed peas! Not that last year was terrible, but let us all hope for a great 2024! Your coop has finished with fall harvest and it was a good year. Over all, your coop took in 45% more corn, 60% more milo, but handled 50% less soybeans. The majority of this increase comes from the acquisition out west, but some also comes from better yields and different crops that were planted. As always, the employees at Pride Ag Resources would like to thank you all for your business and allowing us to take care of your harvest needs. We don’t take it for granted, and if there is anything we can do to make your harvest time needs less stressful or helpful, then let us know and we will help all we can. It seems like every time this newsletter comes out, I look back at the grain prices since the last newsletter and it is always lower than 4 months ago. Since the last writing, wheat has 3
dropped .30 cents, corn has dropped .34 cents, milo has dropped .39 cents, and soybeans are .90 cents lower. In the market not much has changed. The wheat market has no reason to go up because there is no export business with the US, and the local mills and users have all they need. The corn market is about the exact same, not much export business and a good size carry out number is keeping this corn market in check. The only bright spot is the milo market, there is a little export business to keep the trains loading but it is not as hot as it has been in the past with China in buying milo. The good thing is the amount of moisture that we have been receiving in the last few months. The rains and the snows have made our wheat crop look the best it has in years at this time. Maybe some timely rains this spring and early summer we can cut a bumper wheat crop! Again everyone at Pride Ag Resources would like to thank you all for your business. For all the new customers out west, thank you all for your patience this first year during harvest with all the setting up accounts, being shorthanded, and everyone trying to learn the new system and how things need to be done. It was a difficult time, but I believe the employees handled it very well and worked their tails off
handling a good crop with what hand they were dealt.
Agronomy Division
Tim Spector Agronomy Division Manager
Fertilizer Markets NH3 – the market has stabilized for the time being. The weather pattern will be the best indicator if values firm upward or remain flat. At the time of this writing, NH3 per pound of Nitrogen is running .381 cent/lb. of actual of which is a good value if the weather pattern provides a dry spell to have favorable application conditions. Urea – The escalating vessel attacks in the Persian Gulf have resulted in a $35/ton increase
the last full week of January. As stated many times, Urea is the global nitrogen source and the balance of nitrogen fertilizers are benchmarked against Urea NOLA values. It appears we have stabilized for the interim, however keep an eye on the activities in the Arab Gulf region any further activity will have a direct impact on the NOLA values. UAN – stabilized and the price per lb. of actual N is almost equal to Urea values. Given we have had an abnormal Nov- Jan. moisture levels and soil conditions do not allow for NH3 application then UAN and Urea are the play. I suggest working with your Pride Ag ABM to contract UAN and Urea at todays’ value. WHY? If you analyze the Mid-west inventories, most of the dealers are sitting on historically low inventory levels until the Farmer commits to specified tons. As a result of the new market trend, we are going to see a collision of limited local supply coupled with high demand hitting at the same time throughout the Midwest.
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Crop Protection – 2024 Crystal Ball Pre Herbicides – in meetings with each of the basic suppliers (Syngenta, Bayer etc.) the common thread they do not foresee any price decreases on their line (Fulltime NXT, Lexar, Lumax, Acuron, Degree Extra, Resicore etc.) Post Herbicides- Since January 2nd , we have seen the predicted price decreases in Dicamba and Phenoxy products, however, I recommend purchasing your needs through the first half of May. Glyphosates have settled and there is no market indication of dramatic swings. Purchase what you need through burn down. Wheat Top Dress – Given the moisture profile in addition to the forward forecast of additional moisture our application windows will be short. When the weather (cold) provides us running time prior to afternoon thaws we will cover as many acres as possible each day. Therefore, getting on the books today it is recommended, so we can stay on top of the acres. Get with your ABM to discuss the 2024 Wheat Top Dress program. Note: Use caution when choosing a generic platform for HIF needs. In my experience, there are 4 levels of generics and even though a product might have the same percentage AI, what the label does not show is the inert ingredients and that is where the topline separates from the bottoms line. Mixing issues, stability in the tank, crop damage and layers of sludge in the shuttle or jugs. Pride Ag Resources offers top
Brand products along with topline generics that are formulate with quality inert ingredients. Seed – with the additional moisture we received in the past few months developing a deep profile we have had many new orders for Corn Seed. Our suppliers are seeing higher than anticipated demand, thus the high demand Corn Seeds are getting shorter. If you’re
damages, lesions, different nutrient deficiencies, weed species and more. 2. Full-service delivery means no flying, uploading, data stitching or hardware failures. 3. Delivery and data at scale means no matter how many acres, no matter where you are, we execute seamlessly to provide effortless and valuable insights. 4. Your Pride Ag Resources Agronomy Business Manager can assist you how to benefit from this tool in the management of your operation.
planning to increase your corn seed get with your ABM to secure the product of choice.
Feed Division
Advantage RX – Taranis New for 2023 “Six Flights vs 5 Flights
John O’Leary Dodge City Feed Division Manager
THE DIFFERENCE:
TARANIS
1. Our submillimeter image resolution is so clear you can distinguish between different insect
Calving season is upon us, which means the nutrient requirements for both heifers, cows, and their calves are extremely high. Makin sure your cow’s nutritional requirements are being properly met is among the most important factors to determine the health of the cow and calf at 5
birth, how quickly the cow recovers from birthing, and how quickly she goes back into heat and is able to be re-bred. Maternal nutrition during gestation and during milking is also very important to calf growth and calf vigor. Here are some tips for calving and rebreeding success: Four Tips for Beef Cattle Calving and Rebreeding Success: Calving and rebreeding are two sides of a coin; a calf is ultimately the result of a yearround breeding plan for cattle. Simultaneously preparing for beef cattle calving and rebreeding puts you in position to achieve your breeding herd goals, such as a 365-day calving cycle, a tight calving window, or more and bigger calves. How a heifer or cow calves out will impact how quickly she can be rebred. Speed of rebreeding will impact her ability to stay on a 365-day calving cycle. Because calving and rebreeding are so intrinsically linked and tied to herd success, this timeframe is vital for the herd performance and profitability. Follow these four tips for beef cattle calving and rebreeding success: 1. Maintain BCS before beef cattle calving season Cow body condition score (BCS) at calving impacts how quickly a cow returns to heat and helps prepare her for the next calving season. Cows managed for optimal body condition at calving (6 BCS) have shown to rebreed with conception rates of 88 percent or greater. You want cows cycling prior to the breeding season so when they come into
heat during breeding season, you have a better chance of getting them bred in the first 21 days. Cows bred early in the breeding season result in calves born early in calving season. Why does it matter if a calf is born early in the season? Calf age has the biggest impact on weaning weight. Calves born in the first 21 days of the season are likely heavier at weaning. Assuming a calf gains between 2.25 and 2.5 pounds per day, every cow heat cycle is worth roughly 50 pounds. The cow’s body condition score also impacts calf performance. Ideal BCS at calving supports colostrum quality, the cow’s stamina during calving and calf vigor. Aim for a minimum BCS of 5.5 at calving for mature cows; 6 is preferable. The minimum BCS for first-calf heifers is 6. Cattle supplementation can help maintain a consistent body condition score. 2. Evaluate your cattle mineral program Mineral nutrition is one of the most commonly overlooked items on the preparation list for beef cattle calving and rebreeding. Make sure you’re providing an adequate mineral program year-round versus right at calving or before breeding. Minerals are especially important 60 to 90 days before calving, since they impact colostrum quality, calf trace mineral status and calf health. Cattle mineral also plays a role in tissue repair, helping the cow’s reproductive tract repair from calving and prepare for breeding. If the tract is not fully repaired, a cow may have challenges being rebred or she may not breed back at all. Cows must be rebred within 85 days of calving to have one calf per
year. Most cattle operations have room for improvement; more than half of cattle operations do not have a defined breeding season. Of operations that have a defined breeding season, more than 60 percent had a breeding season longer than 84 days. A quality yearround supplementation program ensures cows have the nutrition they need to thrive, no matter the forages available. A balanced cattle mineral is the best choice leading up to calving season and through breeding. 3. Discuss cattle health with your veterinarian If you don’t have a comprehensive herd health program, now is the time to talk with your veterinarian or animal health supplier to develop one. If you have a program, it can be beneficial to re-evaluate and ensure the protocols still make sense. Make sure cow and calf vaccinations are part of your calving and breeding plan for cattle. Since every operation has a different risk level in how and when they calve, the program should be specific to your operation and region. For operations with multiple employees, make sure everyone is familiar and comfortable with the cattle vaccination program ahead of time. Getting everyone on the same page before beef cattle calving begins can help ensure protocols are followed correctly and consistently. 4. Take time to troubleshoot Beef cattle calving and rebreeding are two of the most important events for your bottom line. It can be stressful when things don’t go as planned, but overreaction could make things even worse. Take an objective approach when a 6
challenge arises. Troubleshoot and try to figure out what the true cause is versus making a knee-jerk decision. Involve your nutritionist, veterinarian, suppliers, employees, and other key personnel to help identify the cause and potential solutions. A team discussion can help identify the diagnostic work needed to find a solution.
AV Energy
Chris Klein AV Energy Manager As we kick off a New Year, I hope this letter finds you well. 2023 was a great year for AV Energy, and we are looking forward to another great year in 2024. Well, Mother Nature decided to throw us a couple curve balls to start off the year. With the blizzard and the below zero temperatures it has been quite challenging for our drivers and staff. Luckily, AV Energy has a great group of employees and we were able to weather the storm! With the cold weather, the propane drivers have been working from the early morning to well past dark to keep our customers propane tanks filled, and as of this writing we are caught up and back on schedule. February Bulk Oil and Grease Sale! AV Energy is having a bulk oil and grease sale in February in
which you can save up to 50 cents per gallon on bulk oil and up to 25 cents per tube on grease. If you would like to get in on this deal all you need to do is call Jordan (620-338-6652) or myself and we will get everything setup. The sale price is only good through February, but we can hold delivery all the way to the end of April. We will also offer a discount if you decide to prepay your order. The minimum delivery amount is 50 gallons per product of oil and you must have at least 100 gallons total to take a delivery. There is also a 40 tube minimum on grease and that must be picked up at AV Energy’s warehouse, or we can bring it out with your bulk order. Below is the bulk oil items that will apply to the discount.
Energy wish Jarry the best of luck on his retirement and thank him for his 43 years of service. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tony Bleumer ......................... Chairman Toby Whipple………..... .. Vice-Chairman Clint Hamilton ......... Secretary-Treasurer Butch Irsik.................................. Director Brian Pinkney ............................ Director Jacob Tarman............................ Director Weston Vogel ............................ Director Levi Salmans.….........Associate Director Curtis Ellis ….….........Associate Director David Self ..…..........Associate Director Jerald Kemmerer………………CEO/GM Miranda De La Cruz.....Newsletter Editor
Superlube TMS 15W40 HTB Drip Oil Irriflex 30 Irriflex 20W40 Jarry Bryant Well we all knew this time would come and it has. Jarry Bryant has decided to put up his propane gloves for good and will be retiring on April 26th. Jarry began his career with the Coop in Ensign when he was 19 years old. Since that time Jarry has been with the Coop and AV Energy for 43 years. Jarry has dedicated his working career to AV Energy and the Coop, and we appreciate everything he has done. We are going to miss Jarry’s sense of humor and his smile. I personally will miss our daily conversations of all sorts of topics, but I will mainly miss having a reliable, dedicated employee that would do anything for the company and his customers. We at AV 7
Pride Ag Resources First Quarter 2024 Published quarterly by the Pride Ag Resources 908 W. Frontview, Dodge City, KS 67801 (620) 225-4193
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