Agronomy Division

Mike Schmidt Grain Division/ Operations Manager

HerewearetheendofApril, and still no rain and very little chances for much rain in the near future. It is not information that we want to hear, but since August 1st, Dodge City has only received 4.45 inches of moisture. The worst part of this is that in the month of September we received half of this total precipitation. Looking at the next 10 day forecast, we do have a few chances of rain, and justmaybeoneofthosechances will come true and the sky’s

If we do finally receive enough rain before the wheat crop is ready to cut, then your Pride Ag Resources team will be here ready to take care of all your needs. If there is anything we can do better to get your wheat crop in the bin this harvest, please let us know.

Pride Ag Resources employees are here to help make your harvesttimethesafestandstress free part of your operation. Thanks for making Pride Ag Resources your business of choice.

Tim Spector Agronomy Division Manager

Fertilizer Markets

The globe has reshuffled in the past 6 months in regards to production. China has reentered the export market wide scale for the first time in 5 years. Anticipate the Chinese will export 5-7 MM tons of Urea and retain 5-10MM tons for domestic use. It is worth noting that China is the largest producer of Urea in the world and with their production capabilities we should see easing of markets. Russia is at capacity and have been exporting globally for the last year and a half. Russia filled all theordersforBrazilandmostof India, in addition, Russia has been the number 1 importer of UANintotheUSsincelastMay 2022. Europe is expected to bring more production facilities back on line for the 2024 crop needs. As production ramps up internationally one would anticipate a softening of Nitrogen values. However, if war escalates, if China invades Taiwanoranyothermajorevent then the market could turn bullish.

As of April 18, 2023, supply was the issue for Southwest Kansas and farming markets across the Midwest. Weather hasdelayedplantingintentions( too dry or too wet), supply chains can’t keep up from traditional port points. In our market the majority of dry fertilizer needs derive from the Inola, Ok port. Inthelastweeks of April , the truck lines were over a mile long and growing. Supply is unable to keep up with demand. Pride Ag Resources has the ability to receive rail delivered straight from production facilities and ports of entry ( NOLA and Galveston). Our number one issue is not the fertilizer markets, not supply limitations but lack of moisture. I am hoping that the last week of April we did receive a good level of moisture to end this drought. The best thing we can doisprayaccordinglyandwhen theraincomesbethankful.

Crop Protection –

There are not many positives with our drought conditions in SWKS or other areas of the Midwest being too wet. However, the market realized that farmers were not purchasing key herbicides since nothing was growing in the fields that warranted spraying. We have seen dramatic declines in the glyphosate, dicamba and phenoxymarketsinthefirsthalf of March. Assuming moisture arrives accordingly, make certain to remain flexible on your pre-herbicide choices. We have ample supply to take care of your needs via various key products lines, Syngenta, Bayer, Corteva, BASF, FMC and others. In addition the majority of the line offers flexibility to address planting options betweenMiloorCorn.

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 showistheinertingredientsand 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 –

Thank you for your continued support as we continue to grow our seed business. Croplan Genetics announced yesterday that they now have Milo seed in the portfoliofor2022cropyear.We are analyzing the varieties that will fit our area and they will have Imiflex hybrids in the lineup. Our front line supply partners are NK Seeds, Brevant Seeds,CroplanSeeds,LGSeeds and Sorghum partners. We have a robust offering of proven genetics to fit your farming needs.

Feed Division

Zach Brewer Dodge City Feed Division Manager

Drought had a long-reaching influence on the 2022 cattle industry. At the peak,a startling 89% of the United States cattle inventory was impacted by drought, with 46% categorized as severeto exceptional. Halfof the cattle stayed in moderate drought, or worse, for the entire year.

These conditions led to issues like lower cattle performance, poor forage availability, higher input prices and increased cull rates. If drought conditions continue through 2023, having a plan in place can help you weather the storm – orlackthereof.

Haveaplan

Looking back at those impacted by drought over the last couple of years, generally thosewhohadaplanandstarted making decisions early on fared betterthanthosewiththe“wait and see” mindset. Your plan must be tailored to your operation, but one place to start istothinkaheadaboutwhatyou candoifyoumissoutonspring moisture,orifitstartstogetdry laterinthesummer.

Evaluateyourresources

It’s important to knowwhat resources you have available to meet your herd’s needs. Comparing the carrying capacity and stocking density of yourpasturesandevaluatingthe availability and affordability of stored forages for winter are great starting points. From there, you can set a strategy for makingdifficultdecisions.

If you need to reduce your herd numbers, there are a few characteristics to consider. Depending on the timing of your breeding season, pregnancy checking can allow youtoremoveanyopencowsor those bred outside your ideal calving window. Cows with a history of producing calves that perform below average are justified for culling. Problem cows can also be moved to the topofyourculllist.

Body condition scoring is a valuable tool to assist you in evaluatingyourcurrentnutrition program, as well as look forward to long term impacts. If a cow is showing signs of subpar nutrition in a drought, it can also have lifelong impacts on her calf and the calf she is carryinginutero.

Aside from reducing overall herd numbers, early weaning is another method to manage droughtimpacts.Whenyoutake the calf off the cow, you are drastically reducing her nutritional requirements and decreasing forage intake. The cow can maintain or improve herconditionwhileyoufeedthe calves to add pounds until they reachtheidealsaleweight.

Cattlenutritionstrategy

As always, but especially in drought, your nutritional strategy is your largest investment as a cattle producer. During drought, feed prices typically increase, so you want to be as efficient as possible. You’ve got to know your economics. Your Purina representative can help develop astrategyforyouroperation.

When it starts to get dry and forage quality drops, protein supplementation can help cattle better utilize those low-quality forages. Purina® Accuration® products and Purina® RangeLand® tubs are designed specifically for this scenario. Strategic placement of protein supplements can also influence cattle’s grazing pattern and move them to underutilized partsofthepasture.

Purina® Accuration® Starter is ideal for your early weaned calves. It’s a complete feed with roughage, supporting optimal feed intake and gains, while sparing limited or expensiveforages.

Waterquality

Water is also a vital aspect of your cattle nutrition plan. In drought conditions, you’re likely thinking about the quantity of water available, but often, the quality of your water dropsfirst.

Poor water quality can have a negative impact on cattle health and production. Poor palatability of water may cause cattletolimittheirconsumption, affecting feed intake and ultimately, gains. Drought conditionscanalsoleadtoalgae bloom and high nitrate and sulfate concentrations, impactingcattlehealth.

Water sources can be monitored by testing for total dissolved solids (TDS), sulfates and nitrates. Knowing your water quality is always important, but especially during drought when using shallow water sources or sources with a history of quality issues.

Lessons learned from past droughts

•Be proactive, not reactive. Make a plan and stick to it. Drought decisions can be difficultandcostly,buttheycan be less costly the quicker you makethem.

•Don’t be afraid to try something different. Early weaning may make you uncomfortable if you’ve never doneit,butithasbenefits.Even weaning at six months instead of eight can aid your herd duringadrought.

•Beawareoflong-termimpacts. There may be impacts on your cows that don’t show immediately. Pregnancy rates could take a hit the year following a drought. Calves born to cows during drought may suffer from lower production later in life. Pastures not managed well during drought conditions will take timetorebound.

Planforproductivity

Weather struggles are inevitable for most cattle producers. Utilize lessons learned from previous droughtimpacted years to set a strategy for the future. Have a plan for dealing with reduced forages, higher feed prices and lower water quality to reduce the impact of drought on your herd’s productivity and your profitability.

AV Energy

Chris Klein AV Energy Manager

I hope everyone is having a great spring! With the arrival of spring and summer please remember to be cautious and look out for farm machinery traveling up and down the county roads. Also, remember the farm machinery sometimes hasimpairedvisonbehindthem, so be patient and take your time whentryingtopass.

800 Number

A few months ago we upgraded our phone system and for some reason during the changeover we ended up losing our800number(18007521580).

If you have been calling the number and cannot get thru that is the reason why. As of this time we have chosen not to get another 800 number, so please call our local number at 620225-4994fromnowon.

Propane Safety Checks

We are just wrapping up another propane season and as we do every year we will be starting our customer safety checks. We are required by our insurance company to do a five year inspection on all of our customer’s propane locations. These inspections are very important and we do them for the safety of our customers. Most of the time our safety checks take less than an hour and we do not charge for this service.

Bulk Oil/DEF Delivery

AV Energy offers many great Cenex lubricants at very completive prices. We would love to come out to your location and discuss your oil andDEFneeds.

Our Oil/DEF truck runs each Tuesday from March 1st to November 1st. If you do have anemergencywecandeliveron a different day, but there could be a delivery charge for an off daydelivery. Itisbesttotalkto Jordan or myself and most of thetimewecanworksomething out to get you by until the next delivery.

Refined Fuels

Our fuel customers continue to be very active when it comes to contracting. Ofcourse,thisyear we have a whole new problem with having very little to no moisture. At this time we are tellingourcustomerstocontract at least half of their normal usage for the summer/fall. This way they have some protection on the price. Please, remember that after the end of the contract term you could be charged for any unused gallons. Below is a portion of our contract that references the unused gallons whenthecontractistermed.

Any and all gallons not used by said “Purchaser” will be retained by “Dealer” and “Purchaser” will be charged for all non-delivered gallons, the difference between the contract price and the Cenex rack price FOB the Great Bend, KS terminal, based on the rack price the 10th day following the contract expiration.

Please contract Jordan or myself if you have any questions regarding contracting orourfueldeliveryservice. Have a great spring and summer!

Pride Ag Employee Spot Light

Name: Brooklyn Droste Resides:IncountryWestofford

Location:MainOffice

Position: Grain Merchandising / accounting

How long with Company: 6 months

Hobbies: Working on Cattle ranch, Watching Softball spending time with Husband

Taylor & Kids Peyton & Hayden

Voluntary Groups: Serve as Secretary on the Ford County Fair Board & on the board with FordCountyFarmBureau

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

Name: Molly Gleason Resides:Wright,KS

Location: Dodge City, Main Office

Position: Human Resources Manager

How long with Company:Since August2022

Hobbies: I love to go for walks, watch my kids’ sports and music activities, and I love listening to live music at local venues.

Voluntary Groups: SHRM of SouthwestKansas

Levi Salmans.…........Associate Director

Jerald Kemmerer………………CEO/GM

Kirstie Harrington….....Newsletter Editor