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MANAGER’S DESK
Jerald Kemmerer-CEO/GM
First of all, thanks for your harvest bushels. The employees worked hard to keep things running as smoothly as possible to take care of your harvest needs. For the most part, fall harvest is almost complete. It has been one of the quicker harvests in the last few years but also dryer the last few months. The fall crops had areas that were hit with hail late summer, combined with the lack of moisture, it was a surprise the yields have been as good as they are. The markets have been a wild ride this year. I have been in the grain business for over 30 years and have never
FOURTH QUARTER 2020
seen the milo basis this strong, especially during harvest time. Add that to rising futures price in corn and soybeans over the last several weeks, due to uncertainty in production and ending stock estimates. With China in the market buying milo, is this a new norm for milo basis or will it be just a one-year marketing opportunity? A similar marketing scenario in milo took place about 7 years ago but the basis never reached these level especially at harvest time. Even wheat has joined in the rally making attractive old and new crop prices. Contact the Pride Ag Resources grain team in marketing plans and strategies on how to average up in flat
prices or view different contracts offered. We all know that the markets can be very volatile and a change of direction can happen at a moment’s notice. October is always nationally known as Cooperative month. This year’s theme was: “Cooperatives CommitDiversity-Equity, Inclusion”. We participated in Coop Month by hosting appreciate lunches throughout our locations. I hope you were able to attend one of them. It is always a good time for us to interact with patrons as a team of employees at Pride Ag Resources. The most important thing, it allows us to
Inside This Issue 2 Safety – Ace Hardware 3 Grain - Agronomy 4 Agronomy - Feed 5 Feed -Turf 6 AV Energy 7 Employee Spot Light–Board of Directors
thank you for your daily business. The move to the new office at 908 W. Frontview is almost complete. We are planning an open house after harvest so you can come in and see your newer building. The building was a good buy, generating a little income each year and was very well built making it very utility efficient. Look for information on the open house and I hope you will be able to attend. I hope your fall harvest yields were better than you expected. We are needing an increase in fall moisture to enhance the planted wheat acres from its current potential. Pride Ag Resources appreciates the opportunity to help you with all your production agricultural needs and we appreciate your business! Jerald Kemmerer-CEO/GM Pride Ag Resources Safety Division
Roger Maple Safety Director
Bin safety is a topic that should be on the forefront of importance on the farm. There are many reasons to enter a bin but perhaps one of the most common reasons is to deal with out of condition grain. When breaking up crusted grain it is best to do it from the outside of the bin with a long nonferrous scraper. One thing to remember when using a scraper is to check conditions above your head to see that it doesn't come into contact with electric lines. If you must enter the bin, make sure to wear a harness attached to a properly secured rope. Also, make sure you aren’t doing it alone. When you go in, stay near the outer wall of the bin and keep walking if the grain should start to flow. Get to the bin ladder or safety rope as quickly as possible. Both you and your attendant should be trained in rescue procedures as well as know and follow safety procedures for entering the confined space. Over the past 50 years 62% of grain engulfment’s resulted with fatalities. More than 900 cases have been reported over this time span. Overall there have been 19 deaths from grain bin engulfment’s since August 2019. There were 39 total grain bin deaths in 2019. Up from 27 in 2018. 70% of the reported entrapments took place on the farm. At least 8 people have died already in 2020 due to grain bin accidents. Another alarming fact is that 62% of all attendants who enter the bin trying to save an entrant ends
up with the would be rescuer dying. If an emergency occurs never enter the bin to rescue anyone unless you have been trained to do so. That alone should be an encouragement to get proper training in confined space entry. If you would like information on how to complete a proper bin entry, please give me a call at the main office at 620-2254193. Stay safe!
ACE HARDWARE Jack Lane, ACE Manager
Ace is your place for all your holiday shopping. We have a huge inventory of Milwaukee tolls that include M18, M12 battery operated and corded as well. For everything in Milwaukee power to Milwaukee hand tools we have you covered. Other tools include Dewalt and Craftsman. If we don’t have an item, the employees will be more than happy to order it for you. Our Ace stores also have a large selection of Stihl equipment from blowers to chainsaws and everything in between. Stihl is the leader in power equipment and is extremely reliable. Traeger is also a strong partner of Ace. Look for some holiday specials on grills, covers and pellets in time for gift giving. All you bird lovers should stop into the Ace store in Dodge and check out the new display of bird feeders and 2
different bird feed as well. It is pretty impressive with all the items in stock. Come take a look. Ace as always appreciates your business and have a safe and happy holiday season.
GRAIN DIVISION
Mike Schmidt Grain Division/ Operations Manager
Your cooperative is in the final stages of finishing up another very good harvest. Not everyone is completely finished at the time of writing this letter, but so far your cooperative has received more corn and milo than last year. A few locations have received more than their biggest ever receipts. With that being said congratulations on a very successful harvest, and thank you very much for making Pride Ag Resources your elevator of choice. Date Wheat 7/6/20 4.09 8/6/20 3.87 8/21/20 4.16 9/18/20 4.74 Last Year –Aug. 2019 AVG. 3.54
Corn 3.57 3.23 3.42 3.84
Milo 3.57 3.31 3.52 3.29
Soybean 8.09 7.88 7.15 9.39
3.62 3.07 7.34
The guys at the elevators work very hard to make sure you have a place to get your trucks dumped fast and back to the field. We did have to dump some milo on the ground this year but not much. We moved as much wheat as possible early so we had a good amount of room in the elevators. So far this year the markets have been wild and crazy to say the least. I can’t say that I have ever paid +1.00 basis on milo in my 32 years of grain marketing. This has been a very good thing for you, the producers, not only good yields but very good prices as well. With all the milo going on boats to China, this is keeping the demand good for the corn price as well. As long as we can keep the Chinese happy and buying grain, be it milo, beans, and yes even wheat, we can keep enjoying the positive grain prices. However, just make them mad and they go away. If we lose the Chinese business, the milo basis will drop 1.50 overnight or in a matter of minutes. As the year comes to a close we all here at Pride Ag Resources would like to wish you all the Happiest of Holidays! I know it’s hard to believe it’s that time of year again, but hoping everyone can spend time with family and friends and put this 2020 to a close. Again, thank you all so much for allowing Pride Ag Resources being your business of choice.
AGRONOMY
Tim Spector Agronomy Manager
Fertilizer: Current markets are a good investment for your Nitrogen needs. Nh3, Urea and UAN are at historic lows in the past 10 years. Take advantage of today’s markets for fall applied nutrients. Suppliers are not offering Spring 2020 contracts at this time, I anticipate the second week of December we will have contract offers available for the customers. Phosphates are at the highest value this year due to a pending ruling on the Mosaic case of Anti-Dumping from foreign suppliers into the U.S. If the ruling body decides in favor of Mosaic look for this market to remain firm. If they rule against Mosaics claim them look for a reset to market based on imports returning to the U.S. New Nh3 locations: Pride Ag Resources has brought on line two additional NH3 plants to service your needs. Dighton South plant and Jumbo plant south of Ensign. Crop Protection: Markets for the most part are in line with last year’s 3
values. Glyphosate on the other hand is higher due-to flooding in China. Most of the market sources their technical needs from China and the flood hit the market hard. Thus, the generic equation of the market is higher than last year. Each year we get questions on Generic Dual products and I would like to address some issues as it relates to difference in SMetolchlor (Charger and Medal brands) vs Metalchlor (Stalwart, Me-too-Lachlor and Parallel). Both have the same top-end use rates in terms of amount of product applied per acre. However, because S-metolchlor has more “S’” isomers- when both S-metolchlor and metochlor products are used at the high labeled rates- S metolachlor delivers more effective metochlor. A pint of metolchlor is 35% less effective than a pint of S Metolchlor. Seed: The sales team is out with pricing and early order specials for NK, Brevant (Mycogen), Croplan and LG Seed. This year we have added the LG Sorghum Seed to the lineup. Contact your Sales Agronomist for your seed needs. Operations: This month we consolidated our Richland Valley location and our Ensign location into one entity. Paul Weber is the Area Manager for the new business unit. Ensign will be the main location going forward for
your input needs. Richland Valley will be utilized in seasonal capacity and function as our repair shop. Nh3 will continues to be serviced from RV as well as our new Jumbo facility and Ensign. This move helps us manage our employee capital and better utilization of your investment in the Ensign Chemical Shed complex. Finance: Your Pride Ag Resources Agronomist have information available to discuss input financing options for your seed, chemical, Application and fertilizer needs for the 2021 crop year. Currently we offer CFA and Secure Finance options with terms to February 2022. Your Pride Ag Resources agronomy team has information available if you have an interest. Agronomy Sales Team Base Location: Dodge City Main Office Dave Seymore 620-338-5553 dseymore@prideag.com Casey Blackburn 620-7894003 cblackburn@prideag.com Base Location: Ingalls South Lawrence Baxa 620-789-1484 lbaxa@prideag.com Base Location: Garden City Darren Watson 620-290-2146 dwatson@prideag.com Dillon Gipson 620-805-2401 dgipson@prideag.com
Base Location: Offerle / RV Darryl Roane 620-682-2399 droane@prideag.com
FEED DIVISION Respiratory challenges come with a hefty price tag, but there’s an innovative solution to help tackle those calf health challenges head on when weaning calves. Calf health challenges are costly and widespread. And despite improving vaccinations, management practices and genetics, USDA feedlot data shows respiratory challenges aren’t decreasing. One in five head1 is affected by respiratory challenges costing the beef industry about $1 billion annually2,3. It’s a staggering economic loss, but overcoming it starts at the producer level. What can you do to join in the fight against respiratory challenges? Start by monitoring calf health and the impact of respiratory challenges on your operation. Poor calf health can lead to a hefty price tag Studies show a respiratory challenge could cut a calf’s rate of gain in half for 30 days or more. Assuming healthy calves gain around 3 pounds per day, that’s 45 potential pounds lost per calf. And guess what? Healthchallenged calves don't catch up. If the days spent feeding weaned calves is equal, 4
you’ve lost 45 pounds of outweight compared to a healthy calf. Based on a $1.20 per cwt market price, that’s $54 of lost profit per calf. Add an extra $30 for time and money to doctor the calf,4 and each respiratory-challenged calf can cost approximately $90. However, there’s more to the story. Respiratory challenges at weaning can lead to longerterm consequences that often go unnoticed. Overlooked consequences Following the same math, if a respiratory challenged heifer gets bred the first time, she’ll calve 45 pounds lighter than her contemporaries. And she’s still growing, so it takes more for her to catch up body condition post-calving. A first-calf heifer that is playing catch-up on body condition will have a hard time getting bred back. If she does breed back, it will probably be later in the breeding season. And, the later she gets bred, the further she will fall behind in subsequent breeding seasons. Additionally, producers who retain ownership could miss out on profit for every respiratory-challenged calf they send to the feedlot. Cattle never diagnosed with respiratory challenges have heavier carcasses and more muscle on the rail, meaning a more valuable carcass.5 But even if you don’t retain ownership, calf health status affects your reputation.
Healthy cattle build a positive reputation with cattle buyers. A good reputation can result in better prices and less time spent marketing. Proactive strategies when weaning calves and innovative feed technology can make having more healthy calves a reality. Feeding weaned calves for a strong start. Keeping calves healthy begins well before weaning. It starts with proper sanitation, vaccination, weaning calves using lowstress methods and feeding weaned calves proper nutrition. When weaning calves, they face many barriers to health while their immune system is at its most vulnerable. Even the best calf health management can be infiltrated by respiratory challenges. The good news? There’s an innovative weapon in the fight against weaning time stressors and respiratory challenges. RX3® Immune Support Technology is a precise combination of prebiotics, probiotics and plant extracts exclusively available in Purina® Precon® Complete and Purina® Accuration® Starter feeds, and Stress Care 5. Feeding weaned calves Purina® starters with RX3® Immune Support Technology does more than provide highquality nutrition. Research shows the technology primes a calf’s immune system, so it can better recognize respiratory challenges and bounce back quickly. Keeping calves healthy means less time and money invested
in reacting to respiratory challenges, putting more potential dollars back in producers’ pockets.
Pride Ag Resources“Pride Turf”
“Turf Talk” Nathan Ratzlaff nratzlaff@prideag.com
2020 has been the year that just keeps giving us surprises but it is still hard to believe the year coming to an end and the Holiday Season is fast approaching. I hope everyone has had a great fall from harvest to planting to maintaining your yards. We have had our first frost of the year, so if you have not put your Winterizer fertilizer down yet you should get that done. This late fall application is one of the most beneficial applications you can do as it will promote good root growth which is needed for a healthy plant. This fall application will also provide a quicker green up next spring. The Ensign Turf plant is had some changes recently; Willie Bratton has taken over as the head of production. Trent Haverkamp has also been helping Willie out when 5
it is needed. We continue to try to pick up more business and produce high quality products for homeowners, school districts, golf courses and lawn care professionals. As always, our goal is to get our products into more hands of people across the region. If you have not purchased our products from one of our Ace Hardware stores or local branches, I encourage you to give us a shot! Our ability to customize our blends to fit your lawn needs is something special. If you ever have any questions or comments, please send them to me as I am here to help in any way. As we move from Winterizer to Ice Melts, be sure to be stocked up and ready for the winter months. The “GREEN MELTER” is a combo product with 97% Sodium Chloride and 3% Calcium Carbonate, it is dyed a light green for easy indication, this product is great for large applications and has an anti-slip material added in. This product has melting capabilities from 20 degrees to -15 degrees. We are no longer offering the “ROYAL BLUE MELTER”. It was a great product but it just could not ever find its place in our market. We are going to look at possibly providing our “GREEN MELTER” in some other forms of packaging such as buckets or shaker jugs.
Something to think about for next spring would be to apply Gypsum along areas of high applications of ice melt such as sidewalks and driveways. Gypsum helps flush the salts from the soil. So if next spring you notice these areas of your yard are struggling and you had been putting ice melt down all winter, maybe try applying some Gypsum to these areas. We carry Gypsum in all of our locations. As always, if you have questions, don’t hesitate so send me an email as I would be happy to help where I can. I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday season and I look forward to 2021! Nathan Ratzlaff nratzlaff@prideag.com
AV Energy
Chris Klein AV Energy Manager As we see Fall go by the wayside it is time to turn our attention to winter and what we have to look forward to in the next couple months. Before I start my rambling about winter fuel and propane safety I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season. PROPANE
As of the end of October we have finished most of our Fall routes and will begin our next fill after Thanksgiving. During our downtime we have been busy finishing up our five-year safety checks and performing tank maintenance on our customer tanks. For all propane customers we are required by state regulations to not only perform a safety check when you first become a propane customer, but to also do a follow up inspection every five years. AV Energy’s number one priority is the safety of our customers and this is why we do way more for our propane customer than any other supplier in our area. REFINED FUELS As most of you have noticed we began November with some of the lowest prices we have seen in quite some time, which I hope you have been able to take advantage of. Some of our customers have locked in their fuel supply for next summer and I believe they will be very happy with their price when it comes time to take delivery. What some of you may or may not know is that all the diesel fuel sold through Pride Ag and AV Energy locations between November and March is blended with #1 diesel. Blending #2 diesel with #1diesel lowers the cloud point of the fuel making the fuel less likely to freeze in colder temperatures. Most of the fuel we purchase comes from the terminal with a cloud point around 14º, when we 6
add our winterizer package and blend the fuel with at least 30% #1 diesel the cloud point is dropped to around 10º below zero. With the high amount of schools, ambulances, police and fire departments using our fuel we would rather error on the side of caution then to have someone stranded. Happy Holidays, and please feel free to give me call with any question or comments you may have. Thanks, and we appreciate your business! Pride Ag Employee Spot Light
Name: Gary Friesen Resides: Dodge City, Ks Location: Main Office Position: Grain Merchandizer, Accounting Gary has been employed with Pride Ag for 5 years. Gary is married to Carol. Gary was born and raised in Johnson, Kansas, and his hobbies are, yard work, playing golf and reading.
Name: Megan Estrada Resides: Dodge City, Ks Location: Main Office Position: Agronomy Accounting Megan has been with Pride Ag for little under a year. Megan is a mother of 3 children, that keep her very busy. She also has extended family in, Texas, Nebraska and Colorado. Her hobbies are cooking, traveling and watching her kids play sports. She also enjoys Scentsy and attending craft shows.
Name: Casey Blackburn Resides: Dodge City, Ks Location: Main Office and Ensign Position: Sales Agronomist Casey has been employed with Pride Ag for just over 1 month. Casey is married to Jamie, and have two children, Hunter and Delaney. Casey grew up in Hutchinson Kansas, and his hobbies are Golfing when he has time, taking his family to the zoo, and relaxing in his backyard.
Name: Chelsey Herrera Resides: Dodge City, Ks Location: Dodge City Ace Hardware Position: Head Cashier, Book keeper, and Asst. Manager Chelsey has been employed with Pride Ag Ace for 8 years. Chelsey has a teenage daughter Xena who she loves spending time with. She is from Woodward Ok but grew up in Wilroads. Chelsey’s hobbies are working outside, reading, hanging out with family and friends and sitting on her front porch.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Scott Mac Nair ........................ Chairman Tony Bleumer………..... .. Vice-Chairman Clint Hamilton ......... Secretary-Treasurer Butch Irsik.................................. Director Toby Whipple ............................ Director Jacob Tarman............................ Director Weston Vogel ............................ Director Brian Pinkney.…........Associate Director Phillip Woods …..…..Associate Director Jerald Kemmerer………………CEO/GM Debby Kennedy….......Newsletter Editor
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Pride Ag Resources
Published quarterly by the
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Pride Ag Resources
PAID
4th Quarter 2020
710 West Trail, Dodge City, KS 67801
DODGE CITY, KS PERMIT #399
(620) 225-4193
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