High
Flyer
Our best wishes to Sherryl, Russel & Gary as they retire! Russel Wright
Sherryl & Roger Young
Gary Wood
FEBRUARY 2017
888-762-2163 | topflightgrain.com
FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 1
TRENDS AND CYCLES by Scott Docherty, CEO/General Manager
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he Topflight Grain Cooperative, Inc. trade territory has a good trend going for crop yields. We have had 3 great years of outstanding yields for both corn and soybeans. When will this trend change? The weather cycles will tell the story on the next down year in yields. Following trends, and looking for a cycle change in trends, can help all of us to make good, sound business decisions. Just look at the big box stores and how they are looking at their business model. Online stores have changed the way we buy goods, and the younger generation will embrace this trend even beyond my life cycle. Topflight Grain had 4 locations set new fall corn receipt records, and 8 Topflight locations set new fall soybean receipt records. We set a new fall daily receipt record of 1,727,190 bushels of corn dumped in one day, and our total harvest receipts were the
largest on record. There is a very clear trend!! When you combine good soils, improved mechanical technology, new seed traits, and when Mother Nature cooperates, it gives you that greenhouse effect and opportunity for great production. Topflight Grain has plans to continue adding storage and updating equipment at multiple locations. We know where we have bottlenecks, issues with dumping speed, or a shortage of storage capacities. The next step is to determine how to expand so that it will not limit us from further expansion in years to come. The next step is putting together specific plans, including utilities upgrades, and then completing zoning and variance applications. Once those are reviewed and approved, we apply for the building permit and hopefully can break ground with a completion date before the next harvest begins. The timeline I just described to you is a 12- 18
Denise, Scott, Lindsey, Serge, Blaine, Dillon & Traci
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month process. We will be adding 3 new grain tanks this calendar year with more expansion beyond 2017. The trend is to continue adding/replacing storage until we can handle our total harvest receipts without making truck/rail sales during glut slot at harvest. When you look toward the spring of 2017, it is again very clear that the trend is to plant more bean acres this year versus last year. The high-water mark for corn acres planted was back in 2007. Will this trend change in 2018 and complete a cycle of crop rotation? I am not trying to predict when there will be change, I just want to monitor trends and anticipate change, and then be able to adapt quickly and enjoy the next trend until it completes another cycle. One trend that has not changed is Denise and I
are getting older and our family is expanding. Our son Dillon is getting married in June of 2017, so we will have another daughter-in-law. Traci is a nurse at Carle in Champaign, IL, and we are very excited about the wedding. Annie is currently working in Wyoming at Grand Targhee ski resort and they are getting the snow this year. Grand Targhee has received 266 inches of their expected 500 inches of snow for this season. Serge, Lindsey and Blaine are living in Bloomington, IL, and are enjoying the American dream of owning a house with 2 cars and a dog. Both Serge and Lindsey are managing their health as best as they can while enjoying Blaine, who will be 5 in April. Please call or stop by if you have any concerns or questions, and thank you for your business!
MAROA NEWS by Denny Hill, Maroa Grain Originator/Branch Manager
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fter another bumper crop was put away by the first part of November, things have stayed busy here in Maroa for the past couple months, shipping every day to Decatur. We try to get enough corn shipped out to where we can make plans to pick our bunker up by the first of March. Our corn and soybean receipts for this fall were pretty much along the lines of our projections. Corn bushel totals were 2.15 million, and soybeans came in at a little under 600,000 bushels. The corn harvest was especially busy the last week of September, as we saw anywhere from 90,000 to 155,000 bushels a day delivered in that period. Our bean harvest didn’t get in full swing until the corn harvest was pretty far along, and this left us with shorter days to get the bean harvest finished in a timely manner. Most farmers around here were pleased with the yields that they came up with this year, with corn running from 220 to 240 bushels an acre, and soybeans 60 to 80 bushels an acre. This gets me to
a question I have been asked often since I started in this business in 1975, what is an average crop for this area? I think most farmers now would be disappointed if their corn yield average doesn’t start with a 2 in front and beans at least 60. Mother Nature seems to always get our stocks back in line if they get too high or too low, so we can expect some weather problems to appear in the near future. The last few weeks, Gary Liggett, John Boehm and John Leach have been working on cleaning out our bean flats. Usually these don’t get emptied until spring or summer, but this year it looks like we will have them all cleaned by the end of January. If we can get the bunker of corn picked up by March, we will be in great shape here heading into spring. At the end of this school year, my wife, Terri, will be retiring from her teaching position at Meridian Middle School. She is looking forward to it, and hopefully she will find things to keep her busy with all the extra time she will have. FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 3
MY HOW TIME FLIES! by Todd Steinberg, Western Region Division Manager
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t’s hard to believe we have had 3 harvests go by since the merger of Topflight Grain and East Lincoln Farmers Grain. Wow, some things stay the same, and some don’t. For example, I have hit the double nickel birthday in 2016! Of course I still attempt to do as much as I did when I was much younger, (I started out as Operations at Kruger at age 24). I have found out that I am able to do whatever the task may be, but it may take longer for me to recover from the toll it will take on my body. I will have to see what I can do in 2017 to help both sides of that equation. The grandkids continue to grow and amaze us as grandparents, at what they are capable of doing at their
young ages. Bradley will be 5, Beau will be 4 and Zoey will be 3 in 2017. Holy cow!!! Not to mention that Kathy and I have been married 34 years in 2017. Time flies, that’s for certain! As far as here at Topflight, things continue to change with such things as software updates and process changes. Occasional personnel changes may also occur, from time to time, but for the most part we are status quo so far. I wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate Gerry Lolling on his upcoming retirement at the end of March, for his 33 years of dedicated service to the elevator. That is one heck of a performance, and we will wish him nothing but good luck as he retires. Gerry takes with
Todd & Kathy’s family.
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him a wealth of knowledge. Thanks, Gerry for all you have done for East Lincoln/Topflight!!! You can bet he has seen a lot of changes since he started in the fall of 1984! As a result of bountiful harvests, we look forward to the potential for growth and change at the facilities. Topflight will be reviewing potential changes at the facilities and working through the best use of land space, additional storage and traffic flow. There is a lot that goes into making those kinds of decisions, as you can imagine. We as a company need to continually look at the best and most efficient methods of doing business so we can take care of you, the customer in the most efficient and safe manner possible . Sometimes that is a complicated task and needs careful consideration on how to best serve all involved. Looking forward to 2017, we ask ourselves how can we be a better person, employee, husband, wife etc.… For me I realize that we all have a secret weapon. That secret weapon is our attitude. Attitudes are contagious and often define how we respond to situations in life. A positive attitude can make the difference between success and failure. It’s the little things, like a smile and friendly greeting every morning to your co-workers or customers
we serve. It’s such an easy gesture. If you weren’t a “carrier” of that contagious positive attitude in 2016, perhaps 2017 can be the year you will be! Let’s make 2017 a great year of positive change!
Bradley, Beau & Zoey.
LAPLACE 2017
by Vanessa Stinson, LaPlace Branch Manager/Grain Originator
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ello everyone! I hope you had a smooth harvest and very happy holidays. Your LaPlace facility had a smooth safe harvest. Our facility took in 2,778,828 bushels of corn and 946,795 bushels of beans. The corn was a bit below our projections and the beans were above our projections. Now that the harvest of 2016 is in the books, we are shipping grain out to the processors, making room for grain off the farm, and getting ready for the next harvest. It’s a cycle that never ends, which
is a good thing. Where would we be if it did end? Since my last writing, our youngest grandson, Dugan, has celebrated his first birthday, Brogan started pre-school, Brynnan is in kindergarten, and Chloe is in the 5th grade. They are growing so darned fast. They are so much fun. We at LaPlace would like to wish all of you a safe planting season and a good growing season. Until next time, be safe and take care.
FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 5
FLAT MARKETS IN THE FUTURE??? by Derrick Bruhn, Grain Merchandiser
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or the past year, we have seen corn remain in a fairly tight trading range. Most recently, beans seem to have caught the same virus. With world stocks of corn and beans at record levels, one would anticipate a lower market to come. The thing that is often underestimated is the large demand we have in the world. The focus on world weather, and the amount of outside money that can influence the US markets, are often unrealized. As it looks today, the Brazilian bean crop is in great shape and will likely be a record. However, by the time this article is published, it may be a replay of last year and the mature crop will be downgraded because of excess moisture during harvest. The Argentine crop is good, but will likely see abandoned acres increasing and changing their balance sheet. These types of changes can happen at any time when information is so readily accessible. As we look to spring and the markets start to focus on the US acreage battle, there will be a much anticipated March 31 report. Everyone is expecting an increase in bean acreage, but the question remains to be, how much? In our general area, we saw a 4-5% increase in bean acres last year, and I would anticipate something similar this year. Most operations are getting back to something in the 60/40, or 50/50, crop rotation. Our draw territory can grow some amazing corn and beans, as they have proved in the last couple years. As we look to start marketing the 2017 crops, Mabry & Mylin I like $10.00 fall
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beans, and I think we will see some corn start to move if we can get fall bids to $3.75. Given the historical yields for our area, those numbers work to cover cost and put a little money back into the operation. For old crop, we have bought the majority of the Mabry & Mylin beans and have producers looking for opportunities on the corn. Offers on corn are in the $3.50-$3.60 area. Lynne and I have been busy running the girls to swim meets this winter. Both of the girls are having fun and making us proud parents. We will be spending the first weekend of spring break in Indiana at the YMCA Illinois state swim meet. From there we will take a break, visiting my parents in Florida, to recover from the winter schedules. Lynne is still loving being with her kinder friends at school, and is having a great year. Mabry is in Middle School now and enjoying sports, chorus, and band, with homework in the middle. Mylin is having a great year in 3rd grade with Mr. Bluhm. It is amazing how quickly time is passing and the girls are growing. Lynne and I are on our 16th year living in Monticello and being part of the Topflight Grain family. We have truly been blessed with a great community and a great company to work for. The customers of Topflight Grain have been a big part of our joy. I work with some really great employees and some awesome customers! Have a safe and successful spring and summer!!
PIERSON NEWS by Gloria Litwiller, Pierson Branch Manager/Grain Originator
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s I’m sitting here trying to recall what has hapened in Pierson, nothing special comes to mind. Harvest went really smooth. We might have had a partial day that we were down, but, mostly, harvest went off without a hitch. One thing that happened different this year is that we put beans in our flat storage. It does look a little different in Pierson. Topflight purchased and tore down the house, known as “Jesse’s house”. On a personal note, Rob and I did have a special experience happen. I became a “Nana” and he became a “My Rob” again. Our youngest, Hilary, and her husband Nick, became 1st time parents to Harper Lynn Holdinghausen on August 16, 2016. Harper weighed in at 8lb 4oz and 20.5 inches long. I again got to experience the moment when my grandchild came into this world. I never thought there could be any more wonder in the world than having your own children. But being a grandparent is over the top. Harper is now 5 months old. I’ve never seen a child with more expressions than what she has. She is a joy to watch grow. Speaking of growing, I can’t believe how old my grandsons, Michael and
The expressions of Harper.
Andrew, are. It is still a joy to watch them play their favorite sport, hockey. Topflight does have several new faces around the company. Everyone at Pierson would like to WELCOME them to the Topflight family.
Michael, Andrew, and Harper.
Harper at 3 months old FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 7
THOUGHTS ... AS I RETIRE by Sherryl Young, Merchandiser Assistant
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never thought when I was asked to work during the 1996 harvest at Maroa Farmers Coop, that I was embarking on a new career. I enjoyed the experience and told them if needed, I would be available the next fall. After working that next harvest, I was offered, and accepted, a part-time position to replace an employee who was leaving. My duties included bill paying and taking care of payroll. I continued in that capacity until 2003, when Maroa merged with Topflight. My duties at Maroa would be taken over by the main office, and I wouldn’t be needed in Maroa. At that time, an employee in the Monticello office was leaving, and I was offered, and accepted, that position. The rest is history. I have enjoyed this job very much, and I have made many new friends. I feel like Topflight is an extension of my family. Sadly, we have lost several of our customers and employees, but the family has gotten bigger with the births of children of employees and customers. It is always a joy to welcome a new one and watch them grow. Since coming to the Monticello office, Derrick’s two daughters were born and I have watched them grow. Scott and
Rodd have become grandpas for the first time. And I personally have welcomed three new grandchildren of my own. I will miss everyone. I’m excited to start this new chapter in my life. I want to thank all of you, coworkers and customers, for all of your help and friendship over the years. I will keep in touch, and may even see some of you next harvest. Best wishes to everyone!
Maroa Farmers Coop – Jill Kuykendall, Jay Whalen, Sherryl Young, & Sandy Davenport
Sherryl’s last day at Monticello – Jeremy Welch, Kelley Nelson, Rodd Runyen, Sherryl Young, Susan Kalita, Scott Docherty, Jim Rear & Derrick Bruhn
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LOOKING FOR SUN AND WARM WEATHER by Jack Warren, Central Region Operations Manager
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he harvest came and went, another season gone by, with bins full and bunkers tarped. I don’t know if it is just me but it seems they go by quicker every year. All three locations in the Central Region of your local COOP either broke records at one time or another, or pushed the envelope. With the help of the superintendents, Rick Stone at Cisco, Dan Greer at Emery, and Gary Liggett at Maroa, we were prepared and “sitting ready on go” for this bumper crop. The operators, in no small part got us through this last fall, Justin McCabe at Cisco, Travis Roberts at Emery, and John Boehm at Maroa. Their dedication and hard work is much appreciated. Without it, it would surely be impossible to accomplish the harvest season. You might have seen a couple of new faces around the region this year. In Cisco, we had Brad Foth, who hails originally from the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area. He started in Cisco last August, learning the operations and ran the dryers for us at night. He has since been transferred to Emery to take “the spot on the wall” vacated by retiring Gary Wood. Brad has had to learn the operations at a fast pace, but is quickly becoming a valuable asset to the company by floating between the three plants in this region to help when and where needed. He now resides in Mt Zion with his girl fiend; they each have a son. The second man up is Bryon Akers, who started in Maroa. He did a fine job working the bin site there, and was also responsible for the stacking of the corn in both Emery and Maroa bunkers. He is now stationed in Cisco and, as most operators in this region, floats from plant to plant when needed, picking up on operations in each plant as he goes. He lives in Maroa with his wife and two children. This philosophy in logistics makes us stronger and more efficient by having operators in all three plants that can work in any of the locations in this region. This winter we have been busy turning around and emptying what we have filled. By the end of January, we will have possibly three flats empty and a bunker picked up. At Cisco, the crew is working hard to get three concrete tanks vacced out, and
two upright bins at the bin site emptied and swept out. One bean flat has been cleaned also. At Maroa, the crew has been shipping corn in preparation of picking the bunker up, and has been working on bean flats, and hope to have all three empty by the third week of January. At Emery, they seem to be shipping corn or beans every day, rain or shine. With all the storage we have there, it is necessary to do this to insure we are empty in a timely manner and be ready for the next harvest. They are also making preparations to pick up their bunker. All this is being done just like last harvest, at a furious pace, determined to have the lion’s share of bin work done this year before the hot weather sets in. On a personal note, I would like to thank the crew for helping me through this harvest. My family found out in August that my youngest son Jesse, 36 years old, was diagnosed with colon cancer. The tumor was very large but thankfully had not spread to any other organs. He has been taking chemo treatments since and is still undergoing treatment as of this writing. He did not have much chance of recovery, but the treatments developed in France, along with a lot of prayer, seem to be working wonders. He is expected to have surgery, hopefully in March, and again, hopefully remove the tumor which has shrunk significantly, and any areas affected. It was quite a shock for him, waking up from an operation and being told he had cancer, as robust and healthy as he seemed to be. He has two children, both a girl and boy, who are in their early teen years that have had to grow up very quickly these last few months, helping around the house and with their dad while mom is at work. I am very proud of them both. Just as we are starting to see a glimmer of hope, a light at the end of the tunnel, we have news that my daughter in-law, my son Jesse’s wife, the daughter I never had, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. At this writing we are awaiting her scan results to see what our next step is. But together, we will make that step along with the help of friends and family, with eyes wide open and full of hope. My family has been through a lot this last six months, with a lot of cold and dark winter ahead still. Just looking for sun and warm weather. FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 9
LIFE IS ABOUT CHANGING by Rodd Runyen, Accountant
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n life, many times we wish we could stop the world and live in that moment forever. But in Patty Loveless’ song, “How Can I Help You Say Goodbye”, one line brings it home... “Life’s about changing, nothing ever stays the same”. And that is how I am tying my newsletter article together with my two topics. I have many family members who live over in the Quincy, Illinois, area. We go to visit them usually twice a year. I like to take Interstate 72 over to Jacksonville, then hit US 67/Illinois 104, and then take Illinois 104 from Meredosia to Quincy. This way is off of the interstate and goes through some beautiful country. As you leave Meredosia, you have to cross the Illinois River. This means crossing an old, steel truss bridge. This bridge was built in 1936 and is 72 feet above the Illinois River running below. It is only 12 feet wide, and the amount of steel girders that surround you can be intimidating. I love crossing this
The bridge at Meredosia
Autumn, Sara & Bailey
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bridge and made 2 of my kids, Sara and Bailey, drive across it when they were taking Drivers Ed. Autumn flatly refused to do it. When crossing it, it just feels like you keep going up forever before you reach the pinnacle and begin the descent down to the other side of the river. The lanes are narrow and it can be stressful for some, especially when meeting semis on it. Me? I love these old, metal bridges, Meredosia, Beardstown, Peoria, Peru. They are like a big metal monster with all their grandeur standing up in the air for all to see. They’re amazing examples of engineering designs. There were also many of these old steel truss bridges around in our area: the Coulters Mill Bridge outside Oreana that crossed
the Sangamon River, the double bridge between Oakley and Argenta over the Sangamon as well, the bridge between Newburg and Dantown over Friends Creek, and Cry Baby Bridge over the Sangamon River near Monticello are just a few. Sadly, these bridges are all gone now, replaced with concrete decking bridges. Only the Coulters Mill bridge remains, and it hasn’t had traffic over it in over 50 years. And sadly, in the fall of 2018, the Meredosia Bridge will join this list. The new bridge has been started and will be a concrete decking bridge built just to the north of the current bridge. Once completed, the grand steel lady will be torn down. Yes, it will be nice having a new bridge to drive over, but I hate to see yet another part of Americana die. But I do know one thing, I will get Autumn to drive across that bridge before it goes! So that’s how life goes, always changing. Like the Meredosia Bridge, we experienced change this year too. On July 3rd, we ended our beautiful, loving Pitbull, Athena’s, battle with cancer. It was very traumatic to tell our fur family member goodbye. She was a sweetheart and we will never forget her. A chapter closed in our lives.
Rodd’s dog, Athena, who lost her battle to cancer But then, on August 30, 2016, we had a new change come into our family’s lives. Our daughter, Sara, gave birth to Tera and I’s first grandchild, Daniel Wayne Eldred! We are so excited and love him so
Rodd & Tera’s new grandson, Daniel much! He is a bundle of joy and has made this new chapter in our lives so exciting! He is growing like a weed, and we see changes in him every day. There is so much promise and hope in our ever-changing lives. It’s a new chapter that brings us so much joy. Autumn and Bailey have had exciting news in their lives also. Autumn graduated from Cerro Gordo High School in May and is attending Richland Community College in Decatur. She is planning on going into Early Childhood Development or social work. Bailey returned to Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois. He is majoring in Business Administration and is getting ready to play baseball this spring for the Red Devils. We are excited for all of the changes in our children’s lives. So the bridge at Meredosia reminds us of the ever changing circle. Whether it is birth or death in life, or construction or destruction in material items, changes constantly happen and bring about new chapters in our lives. Life’s about changing, nothing ever stays the same. FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 11
JUST CALL ME HR
by Leslie Hess, Human Resources Generalist
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ou can call me HR,” I often joke when I’m introduced to those I’ve met at Topflight. My real name is Leslie Hess, and I started working out of the Monticello office this past harvest. Just last month I completed my master’s degree in Human Resources from the U of I. I’ve worn several hats in my professional life, you might say. I’ve been a dental hygienist, business owner, and medical buyer – I guess you could say I thrive on variety and tackling new challenges. I live in Mahomet with my 7 year-old daughter, Breckyn, while my two sons, Parker and Landon, are nearby at the U of I, both studying computer science. This past semester, my sons and I were all U of I college students – a fun experience we could share. My kids are my pride and joy, and I always refer to them as my “best work”. It’s one thing to love your kids, but to truly like who they are as individuals, that’s an incredible blessing. I am blessed indeed. I spend much of my time outside of work doing things a second grader enjoys. My daughter is into basketball and soccer, and is so much fun to
My two sons, Parker & Landon
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watch! She’s a natural athlete and PLAYS TO WIN. I think having two big brothers may have helped out with that, just a bit. I’m looking forward to having more time to do more of what I enjoy: kayaking with my daughter, fitness, golfing, projects around the house, anything outdoors - just to name a few. Spending time with family always has been, and always will be, my favorite thing. I would be remiss not to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience during my
Leslie’s family – Landon, Breckyn, Parker, and Leslie
transition. There is certainly a learning curve when starting to work for a new company, and everyone has been so gracious. I’m working hard to update personnel files, and other procedural “things”, and I know I can sometimes be a nuisance; as “HR”, it is what I’m paid to do, so thank you for putting up with me! If you’re at the Monticello office, stop by and say hi. Best wishes for a happy and healthy Spring!
My daughter Breckyn
HOW DO WE PROTECT OURSELVES? by Andrew Hanes, Safety Manager
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n years past, the machinery and equipment used around agriculture did not have as many safe guards in place to protect us from ourselves. Things like a cab on a tractor to protect us from the sun, dust or temperature extremes, have made farming more comfortable. Sensors have made it to where certain things shut off if we get out of a seat or something gets too hot. At Topflight, I look at different things that help protect our employees from falls, electrical shock, accidental exposure to machine movement, and various other items. There are many things companies and manufacturers do to try and prevent any injury or hazard. However, no matter how many preventative things are put into place, there are going to be risks that we inevitably will be working around. The question then becomes how to protect ourselves. Are we aware of the risks we are putting ourselves in? How much of the chemical you are using to spray weeds are you inhaling? Are you bypassing any of the safety items put in place by the manufacturer
because you need to fix something? Is there anyone else around that you may not be aware of, such as kids or grandkids? In Agriculture, like any manufacturing industry, there are inherent risks that we must take in order to complete our jobs successfully. As much as we may want to remove all risk, the best we can do is limit them. If we cannot manufacture a way to reduce risks, what can we do to limit those risks? Communicate with someone else about what you are doing and when you expect to be done. If you are doing something where you know there are risks, like spraying weeds or mixing chemicals, do you have the proper devices like a dust mask or respirator to ensure you are not inhaling toxic fumes? Ensure you have all of the proper protective equipment to complete your job safely. Be aware of your surroundings. Some of the best ways to make sure we protect ourselves are doing common sense things that limit our exposure to risk. Be safe! FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 13
MY FINAL ARTICLE by Russel Wright, Retired Atwood Grain Originator
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inter is coming; I guess you could say we are in the winter of our lives. Are we ready for this? Let’s start from the beginning; in the spring of our lives we were silly and out of control, but being in the Army and newlywed made us grow up fast. In the summer of our lives we were having babies, paying mortgages and struggling to get by. In the autumn of our lives, the children grew up; some went to college and they all found jobs to support themselves, as well as raising their own families. The winter of our lives will be the best yet; we can just look forward to a long, warm, happy one. Seasons are changing, now it’s time to take another step we are unsure of. Debby and I have thought, talked, and struggled with this for some time, then everything changed in our lives and the decisions became easier. On November 1, 2016, I decided to retire. Of course I will miss the many people I have done business with over the last 44 years and 2 months. In my lifetime, I have had only 4 jobs, not counting the Army years. I also have had only two managers to work for, at Bement Grain and Topflight Grain. I bet not many people can say that. We have made lots of friends along the way, sadly lost a few wonderful friends, too. Our kids grew up with Bement Grain. We did a lot of fun things back in those days, from picnics at Mechling’s pond to Santa visits at Christmas time. A few memories to pass along – When I was at Voorhies entering tickets by hand on customers’ delivery sheets, an airplane made a crash landing in drizzle and foggy conditions just south of the old binsite. Luckily no one was injured, but there was some light damage to the plane. I got to meet President Ronald Reagan when he came to ADM in August of 1984. That was pretty
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cool. I have a picture of the President and me shaking hands. I have always been proud of the job I have done, whether it was driving the company semi or becoming the Pierson, then Atwood location manager. What does one really get from hard work and dedication to a job? I think it makes your life rewarding and gives a great sense of value of a job well done. As the saying goes “there is a right time for everything”, and this seems to be the time. Debby and I have raised 3 boys, Matthew, his wife Jodi, Marcus, his wife Jenn, and Paul, his wife Katonna, and a daughter Sarah Auth, her husband Tedd. Now they have their own families. Grandson Zac will be graduating from Bement High School next spring, the class of 2017, exactly fifty years after I graduated, as well as being the fifth generation of Wrights to graduate from Bement High School. His sister, Kady, and cousin Tatum Auth are sophomores and they will graduate in 2019, fifty years after Debby. How cool is that? Kendyl is in the 6th grade, her brother Jaxon is in 3rd grade. We are also blessed with Rylee, 6th grade, as well, and her sister Kodee in 4th grade. They all go to school in Gibson City. We also have Marcus Hall, and Colin Auth, and our first great granddaughter Stella Auth. We have been having the time of our lives watching these youngsters grow up, and all the sporting events they all participate in. Debby and I will still be around and continue to live in Ivesdale. I’m sure we will be out and see many of you. We will also visit with the Army family when we get the chance, as well as enjoying whatever the good Lord sees fit for us to do. As Roy Rogers always said “Happy trails to you, until we meet again”.
TRACTOR DRIVES AND PARADES by Pam Jarboe, Assistant Manager
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t was a great summer, of 2 tractor drives and a parade. I drove my restored International 400 in the Piatt County Tractor drive, Macon County’s Emmett Sefton Memorial Tractor Drive, and the Bement 4th of July parade. Dan had done all the restoration work, then trailered the tractor, chained it down, and took him, me, and the tractor to our destination. Then he unchained it, unloaded it, and headed me toward the line-up. After the parade/ drive, he loaded the tractor back onto the trailer, and took us all home, unloading the tractor into the garage. Driving is certainly the easy part! It was a lot of fun, and I hope to continue the drives and parades again this summer. I did not grow up driving tractors, since my brother, Mark, was just a year younger than me, and Mike was 5 years younger. Dan made sure I practiced before we hit the “circuit”. He walked around the lot, simulating the pace of a parade, so that I could find the right speed for the 4th of July parade. Then, I took an occasional “Sunday” drive around the country side, so that I felt comfortable on the tractor drives. In Macon County, I was “rocking-chaired” between two good restoration mechanics, in case I needed help. That was a reassuring feeling! Harvest in Bement went fairly well. Andy pulled extra-duty this year as I was unable to work the full harvest schedule. He did a great job, and kept everyone in line. After all the harvest bookwork was completed, we jumped into other projects. Andy began work on the 2017 nongmo program, and continues to work with the crop insurance program. Several of us have been planning winter meetings, (or starting to think about the annual meeting in August) and it just seems like other “stuff” comes up.
Jim & Cody are shipping beans out of Bement. They opened up the flat in January, and hope to finish it by spring, before the weather gets scorching hot this summer. We had retirement parties for Russ Wright, Gary Wood, and Sherryl Young this winter. We wish them a Happy Retirement as they begin the next chapter of their lives. Gerry Lolling will be retiring this March, so we’ll be planning another party!
Pam, and the 400, in the Bement 4th of July parade Jim Fendley photo
FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 15
ANOTHER SEASON IN THE BOOKS by Jacob Quaid, Beason Grain Originator
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t seems that with my first harvest, I was quite spoiled with the weather conditions. Everything was quick, dry, and relatively smooth. This all changed for my second harvest. We had some weather that drew out harvest longer than the previous year, and both corn and beans were much wetter than last year. However, everything still went pretty smooth, and without any extra flair. It’s gone quickly over the last year and a half, and I feel that I’m finally getting a hang of the ins and outs of the grain industry. I feel pretty lucky that I’ve
got a great superintendent in Beason. This place wouldn’t be able to run if we didn’t have him on board. I’m very thankful that we had some seasonal workers that were able to catch on quickly and make things run smoothly for the farmers, and I’m glad that we had a safe harvest again. Lastly, I’m very thankful for all the farmers that continue to bring grain to Beason. We are here to help you all have a quick and safe harvest, and you can always call Beason with any questions that you may have. Wishing you all another year of big yields!
NEWS FROM THE SOUTH
by Andy Parsons, Southern Regional Operations Manager
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ell, another harvest has come and gone, and this year it was another big harvest. Atwood received close to 550,000 bushels of beans and over 1,400,000 bushels of corn. Pierson received 775,000 bushels of beans and over 2,700,000 bushels of corn, and Laplace received close to 950,000 bushels of beans and over 2,700,000 bushels of corn. Many of those totals are records for those facilities. With that being said,
the operations staff has been very busy this winter shipping corn and beans to Decatur, and Atwood has been shipping some wheat to Siemers Milling in Teutopolis. On the home front, my girlfriend and I are expecting our first child in late January, which is very exciting and nerve racking at the same time. Until next time, I hope everyone has a great winter and safe planting season.
When I was a child, I thought nap time was punishment. Now it’s like a mini-vacation. 16 FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER
COMMUNICATIONS IS KEY TO ACCURATE CUSTOMER INFORMATION AND RECORDS
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by Jeremy Welch, Controller
reetings to all! Hopefully by the time you read this we have made it through winter and are looking forward to the spring and good planting weather. In this article, I hope to give you a little background about our software and discuss the importance of having the most recent and accurate customer information. Topflight Grain uses a business management system called AGRIS. AGRIS includes several different modules to manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, banking, commodity movements, and customer/stockholder information. The software is a powerful tool that allows us to efficiently, and effectively, manage the cooperative business on a daily basis and maintain accurate records. As with any software, information gained is only as good as the information that went in at the beginning. As an example, if a landowner has changed and the producer does not alert the grain originator of the new farm split, bushels will continue to flow to the previous owner. In this sce-
nario, you can appreciate the surprise one would get if they called in to sell grain that is not in their account, and the other receiving a drying bill after they sold the land. This certainly can be fixed, however with a little planning and communication, the change could have been effective prior to delivery and no extra time would be required to correct the bushels. Allowing the software to manage the bushels based on good information, increases our productivity and reduces the risk of mistakes. Communication is critical to help all of us achieve our goals and avoid costly errors. The cooperative is at risk for steep IRS penalties for 1099-PATR name, address, and SSN inaccuracies. The member may run into trouble during their tax filing if payment information was not communicated properly. Please review all your records as you transact business and reach out to your grain originator with changes to your operation and/or customer information for us to provide you with the best possible service. Until next time, have a great spring and summer.
SIX LITTLE STORIES 1. Once all villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer all the people gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella. That’s FAITH. 2. When you throw babies in the air, they laugh because they know you will catch them. That’s TRUST. 3. Every night we go to bed without any assurance of being alive the next morning, but still we set the alarms to wake up. That’s HOPE.
4. We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of the future. That’s CONFIDENCE. 5. We see the world suffering, but still we get married and have children. That’s LOVE. 6. On an old man’s shirt was written a sentence ‘I am not 78 years old; ”I am sweet 16 with 62 years of experience.” That’s ATTITUDE.
FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 17
BEGINNER…GREENHORN…MEMBER…ASSISTANT… NEW COMER…SLAVE…SERVANT…DESK JOCKEY…PINK COLLAR…CLERK…AGENT…ATTENDANT…MEMBER OF STAFF... WORKER…ACQUISITION…RECRUIT…NEW ARRIVAL…NEW PLAYER…SIGNING…NEWBIE…NEW EMPLOYEE… by Kelley Nelson, Merchandising Assistant
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s all of the above terms are defined, they all go hand in hand with me, the new kid on the block. My name is Kelley Nelson, and I joined the Topflight family at the end of November. Since then, it has been full steam ahead, taking notes, notes, and more notes to learn all of Sherryl’s knowledge! I am very lucky to have learned from her, as I have ginormous shoes to fill. The beginning of January, I was having a bit of an anxiety attack as there was going to be no more Sherryl and how was I going to do this? I have to give special thanks to the Monticello team for being very patient and willing to spend that extra time for explanation. I arrived in just enough time for the Christmas Party
and the December open house, where I was able to meet a lot of fellow employees and customers which have all welcomed me with open arms! A little history on myself: I live in the Cerro Gordo/ Oakley area. I graduated from Argenta- Oreana in 1999. I have an AA degree in Business from Richland and a BA- Business Administration/ Organizational behavior from Benedictine University. My background is mostly retail-based, with the most recent coming from being the General Manager at The Limited in Forsyth. (You may have heard that the entire Limited Brand closed all of their retail stores. I got out just in time.) My fiancée-to-be (he loves when I say that), Dane
Lexus, Kelley, Dan & Lex
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and I have been together a little over 4 years now. This past December, he took on a big responsibility and adopted my 2 children, Lex, who is 15 and Lexus, who is 12. He has 2 boys, Chase and Rider, who we see every other weekend. They live in Palestine, IL. Lex and Lexus are very involved in sports at Cerro Gordo with both of them being Point Guards in Basketball, and Lexus is a setter in Volleyball. She has decided to try her hand‌ or feet, at Track in the spring, so they keep us hopping! Dane and I combined our Lawn & Landscaping businesses and renamed our business Above and Beyond Lawn Care, so Dane has ventured into snow removal this year. He has been busy salting with all of this ice! I am very excited to meet everyone and that I have joined the Topflight Team! Have a safe & Warm Winter! Lex & Lexus
Kelley and Lex
Kelley and Lexus
FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 19
UPDATE FROM EMERY by Chelsey White, Emery Grain Originator
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hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! The hardest part about writing these articles is trying to figure out what I want to write about. Luckily, it’s been awhile since I’ve written one, so I do have a few things to talk about. Harvest 2016 was another good year for Emery! We built a new 105’ diameter corn bin that came in very handy this year, and we still had to pile corn on the ground! At Emery, we did have record receiving days for both corn and beans. On September 19th, we took in 268,754 bu of corn, and on October 11th, we took in 84,940 bu of beans. Overall, we took in 3.6 million bu. of corn and 822,000 bu of beans. Overall, it was a very good year for Emery! We couldn’t have done it without the hard work of our inside and outside help. This harvest was the last for our inside scale help of Sharon Brown. After many years of covering the office and helping at harvest, she decided it was time to fully retire. We will definitely miss her, and I am grateful for the help she has been to me these last few years that I have been with TFG. This was also the last harvest for Gary Wood, who retired on November 30th after being with TFG for 22 yrs. With that being said, we have two new full time employees here at Emery. Taylor Kelsheimer is full time administrative assistant/scale operator, and Brad Foth is outside operations. Taylor started working for TFG last year as harvest help and transitioned into covering the office in my absence. Brad started out working in Cisco and transitioned to working in Emery this past December. The family is doing well! It’s hard to believe
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that Cooper is 7 and in first grade! We had a good Christmas at home and were just thankful to be spending it with our families. There’s not much more news to write about, so I wish everyone a safe and great planting season this spring!
Cooper & Jeremy on Cooper’s birthday.
Emery, during a harvest sundown.
95-YEAR OLD PIERSON FARMER RETIRES On Thursday, August 11, 2016, Dale Fulton (a 95 year-old bachelor) auctioned his farming equipment. On this day, folks from far and wide gathered at the farm to bid on large machinery that – even at the age of 95- Dale relied on to harvest corn and soybeans. Dale will not sell a single acre of flat land his family has owned since nearly the Civil War. He has outlived his kin by a long shot. So it will fall to a younger business partner, at this time that is Rob Flavin, and a small local bank to see his plan for the farm forward. Dale, who was born during the Depression, is dedicated to the family farm. That wasn’t always the case. When he was 17, his parents bought him his first airplane. As a teenager, Dale would buzz overhead and land in pastures as he learned to fly. His first major trip was in 1940. He flew to an air show in Miami. During one of these flights, he recalled landing at the airport in Atlanta without a radio. Dale saw a job advertisement where pilots were needed, which took him to England to ferry planes from factories to fighter fields. His credentials were thin, but they didn’t care as long as he could fly. Over two years he learned to fly all sorts of aircraft. In 1942, as the United States became more heavily involved into World War II, Fulton signed on with Transcontinental and Western Air, which later became TWA. The company had a government contract to fly transport planes. He was the commander of various types of cargo planes that flew across the ocean. One common route was from Natal, Brazil, to Dakar, West Africa, then over to Khartoum, Sudan, and up the Nile Valley to Cairo. Dale liked to push the performance of smaller planes. Around 1946, he bought a used P-51 Mustang from the War Department. While on vacation that year, he won notoriety with a first place trophy at the National Air Races in Cleveland with an average speed of 352 mph. In 1981, at the age of 60 when Dale retired from TWA, he had a decision to make: move to Singapore to fly for a different company and continue to wear
tailor-made clothes or take on the fertile land of Illinois. He chose to put countless hours on the farm. Dale has become a well-known and highly respected farmer. He is also known as the farmer who was meticulous about his machinery. He wanted the new stuff delivered straight from the factory. He demanded that the machinery be maintained, washed, and even waxed before leaving the shed for the next season, even after it had all that done before it was put away. HAPPY RETIREMENT DALE!!
Dale and one of his tractors.
Dale, driving his tractor out of the shed for the last time. FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 21
Dick Agee Bill Auth Bill Bailey
Clyde Clarkson Betty Crose Bruce Bastert
Shirley Fogerson Robert E Foran Wayne Foran Thurman Gaitros Linda Grabowski Delores Greve Thelma Harshbarger Steve Hendrix Joel Hertz Larry Higgins Ivan Horsman Duane Hupp Rosalie James Velma Jinks
Dean Beazly Beverly Bell Avis Bennett Mac Boyd
Bob Cundiff Charles Cutright Charlie Disbrow Carl Dresback Ruth Madden Eades Bill Edgecombe Naomi Brandenburg Nancy Lou Brinner Peg Burnett Mildred Burns Ron Cain Gordon Clarke Vince Early
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Richard Johnson Donna Swartz Johnson George Jones Vivian Jones Marilyn Keiss Robert Kopetz Jeanne LaBree Bill Lamb Deloris Lawson Thelma Leever Norma Leinard Mary Loftus Tom Loftus Rita Marley
Jerry McDowell Harriet McGuire Donna McKinley Billy McPherson Dick Munson Howard Myerscough Marjean Neibuhr Burr Nelson Cleo Nickell Nicole Norfleet Arthur Park Mark Patient Vernon Poling Joanne Robinson Marvin Robinson Rose Rose
Willard Shoemaker James Smith Angie Springman Dave Stewardson
Lena Lamb Sullivan Violet Swaim Beatrice Swanson Berniece Turner Albert Vermillion Judy Weaver Charlotte Webb Elmina Wildman Mark Wildman John Winings Vi Winters Cleolyn Young
Tonya Stiverson
And all others who have lost loved ones
FARM SAFETY WEEK Farm Safety Week was recognized by Topflight Grain, with a daily drawing of three customers, who received a first aid kit to keep in their combine, tractor, or truck. This harvest’s winners were Travis Reynolds, Trent Brandenburg, Gary McConnell, Cory Farmer, Andy Foran, Dan Marsh, Jason White, Mike Myers, Jim Nibling, Herman Schwantz, Brad McCool, John Muse, Jeff Elsas, Reed Fombelle, and David Adcock.
David Adcock, winner of the safety week drawing at PIerson.
FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 23
RENDEZVOUS by Jack Warren
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e met years ago at a rendezvous of hunters and outdoorsmen. Now long gone, this event and most of the participants are a causality of time and general consensus of society. So few are left of these hardy men, maybe two or three of a group that were baptized by the trials of life and death, men of all walks of life but had one thing in common, the love of the land and nature and this country. My dad had taught me some skills in hunting and the ways of nature. But I was in awe in the company that I was in at this gathering. They had been doing this for years, long before I was brought into this world. They knew secrets that I could only imagine must have been how the first people here survived. My father- in- law though, he did not hunt, found his place with these lifelong friends as the camp cook. I was invited one year to come and camp out with the group and do some fishing. Though I only got to go to this the last few years before the end, it left a deep impression on my mind that has carried on in me to this day, the belief that man was ordained to hold dominion of this earth and all things thereof, but to do it with compassion; that to never take from nature more than you can use, and never kill for the sake of killing. I sat around the campfire quietly soaking up the wisdom and knowledge that was unselfishly given to anyone that wanted to learn, listening to stories already old and from a by-gone time, time referred to as “the good olé days”, when things seemed cleaner and fresh and life’s simple joys were all that was needed. But sadly, as with all things, it seems they never last. The property was sold, some moved away, and time caught up with the rest. As a boy growing up on Hennepin bend in north central Illinois, I always had some kind of a dog to knock around in the woods with. With my dad and a whole slew of uncles, I had plenty of supervision to help show me the “do’s and don’ts” on how to handle guns and dogs. As I grew into my teenage years, motorcycles and other interest came to the
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forefront, but the woods never seemed to be far off from my mind. I would, on occasion, run across this man of the woods from time to time. Not until the last couple years did I start venturing to the field and wood with him. Being both champions of the ancient partnership of dog and man, from the time when man used a dog not just for comfort and companionship, but also to help run down sustenance and to keep such away that would in turn make us into food, we struck up a bond. Our time together is both rewarding and fulfilling, filling a gap that I did not even know I had, a yearning for something more than job, gains in wealth or even house and home. At times we mostly talk about how things used to be, how much has changed, and in his opinion, not for the better. There are times when we are out running our beagle hounds he talks about what he has seen and done in life, his experience abroad during “the great war” when he left at an age that was far too young, dogs he has raised, some better than others and some he misses to this day, places he has hunted that now have homes or businesses on, and raising a family. He has told me things that I know I am probably one of the few people he has confided in, some things that might raise an eyebrow or two. In turn he has tried to teach me all the knowledge that he can in ways of dog handling and the ways of the woods. I firmly believe that if society ever did collapse, he and people like him would be okay, living off the land like our ancestors did, by knowing the long forgotten secrets of game, where to fish, what you can eat and what you can’t. He is not naive to the point that he does not realize his time here is growing short. He has the character to meet his end with no regrets other than out living his body to where he can no longer keep up with a coon hound, eager it seems the more we talk to meet old friends that have gone on before him both man and dog, and to reunite with the love of
his life. I look at our time together as a nephew would of his favorite uncle, an uncle that would come by and introduce him to his peers of outdoorsmen and include him in any adventure that he wanted to be part of, whether it be hunting, fishing or meeting up with a bunch of rabbit or coon hunters. He told me not long ago that he remembered the first time he saw me, at the rendezvous. That was nearly 35
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years ago. I had hair down my back and was trying to do my best not to get in the way and embarrass myself among these outdoorsmen. I find it hard in searching for words that would describe how I feel knowing he thinks this much of me. For the time being, I will take one of his lessons in life and look at our time together with no regrets, to be a woodsman and that life is just one big patch of timber.
2016 ANNUAL MEETING
he Topflight Grain annual meeting was held on August 18, at the Cisco Center, in Cisco, Illinois. Following a review of the 2015 minutes, Jeremy Welch, CFO/Controller, presented the year’s financial statement. General Manager Scott Docherty then summarized the past fiscal year. He recognized Jeff Tibbs and Laura Tomlinson, for their 20 years of employment, and Derrick Bruhn, Rob Dick and Henry Lust for 15 years of employment. Scott thanked Bill Schable for his 22 years as director, and George Riley for his 15 years as a director. Tim Schable was elected new to the board of directors.
Derrick Bruhn, Laura Tomlinson, and Jeff Tibbs were recognized for their years of employment. Henry Lust and Rob Dick were each recognized in a separate presentation. FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 25
Remember With Us
Russel &Kirk, filling the LaPlace bunker, 1986
Mylinda Blickenstaff, running totals at Voorhies, 1988
Linda Bowlby, 1993
Janet Perry, 1991
Semis, circling at Shacks, filling the big flat, 1987
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Warren & Eileen Taylor, 1993
George Hiser, 1993
Jasper Burton, 1992
Dean Shepherd, 1993
Stan Wright, 1992
Lowell Redman, 1992
Wayne Redman, 1992
Bill White, 1992
Mary Flenniken, 1992 FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 27
Our Congratulations to ... Paolo Kinsella, named Bement High School November Student of the Month;
Cim-Tek, local Bement company, in business for 60 years;
Megan Phipps and Andrew Brown, engaged to be married in July;
Michelle Paulus, crowned Miss Logan County Fair 2016;
Emilee Seevers and Kirk Adkisson, engaged to be married in April;
Jean Hendrickson, celebrating her 90th birthday in August;
Tom Dobson, retiring after 12 years on the Piatt County Board;
Mylin Bruhn, one of the winners on the Monticello Marlins swim team;
Bob Morgan and Wayne Foran (deceased), receiving their 70-year American Legion continuous membership certificates;
Mabry Bruhn, also one of the winners on the Monticello Marlins swim team;
Heather Lawhead, recognized for her service to the Monticello Chamber of Commerce board;
Alyssa Hendrix, Anna Hendrix and Jacqueline Matsela, awarded Thomas Dixon Memorial Scholarships;
James Leach, celebrating his 90th birthday in November;
Mia Brandenburg, winner of the 2016 Cerro Gordo Bement Pageant;
Rob Wood, honored for his 50 years of service to the Masonic Lodge;
Rebekah Seevers and Cecil Brimmage, engaged to be married in May;
Cleo Leggett, celebrating her 90th birthday in October;
Jean Hendrickson, honored by Our Lady of Good Counsel Women of Distinction in June;
George & Carolyn Ruff, celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary in October;
Jerry & Joyce Alexander, married 50 years in June;
Zac Wright, chosen as Bement Homecoming King; Gary & Annette Durbin, celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in October; Twilia Mackey, who celebrated her 100th birthday in October; Sara Runyen and Derrick Eldred, proud parents of a son born in August; proud grandparents are Rodd & Tera Runyen and Darrell & Dee Eldred; proud greatgrandparents are Chuck & Judy Runyen; Gaylord Hendrix, who celebrated his 90th birthday in September; Greg & Kathlene Plunk, married 25 years in August; Dick & Ann Skagenberg, married 70 years in August;
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Celeste Walsh, winner of the National Choral Award; Sierra Day, Cerro Gordo Co-Valedictorian; Jordyn Eads, Cerro Gordo Co-Valedictorian; Jeanetta Vogelzang, 100 years young last April; Harold & Eleanor Nickey, married 65 years last February; Autumn Runyen, recipient of the Illinois American Legion scholarship; Katie Gingerich, awarded the Star Greenhand award; Stan & Miriam Seevers, married 60 years in May;
Our Congratulations to ... Paige Shull, appearing on WAND-TV in November to talk about the Maroa-Forsyth Middle School play; she had the lead role in the production, “High School Musical”; Larry & Pam Hissong, married 50 years in November;
Marlena & Duane Robson, Richard & Beulah Robson and Linda & Charlie Rumler, gathered to celebrate Richard & Beulah’s 68th wedding anniversary last September;
Larry Clark, retired!!!
Elsie & Don Westerman, married 60 years in June. Chad Larimore, elected to the Eastern Illinois Electric Cooperative board of directors; Brittany Miller, winner of Monticello FFA awards FFA Alumni/Rick Ridings, Huisinga Family Farms, First Annual Terry Lieb Memorial, Black & Red from University of Central MO; Kathy & Dan March, with their LAST last load.
Noel & Donna Alexander, married 60 years in November;
Elliott Brammer, promoted to director of Risk Management, South America, in August. FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 29
Our Congratulations to ... Callie Wildman received her FFA American Degree on October 22, 2016. The American Degree is awarded to members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experiences (SAE’s). The American FFA Degree is awarded at the National Convention each year to less than 1% of FFA members making it one of the organizations highest honors. She will be graduating in the spring with a degree in Grain Merchandising and Marketing.
Bob & Kristi Day, proud new parents of a son, Luke. Proud grandparents are Dean & Pam Day;
Austin & Danielle Dillman, proud 1st time parents, of Lucas Dale, born in December; Jordan Wright and Ben Flaugher, students of the month at Cerro Gordo;
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Hilary & Nick Holdinghausen, proud 1st time parents of Harper Lynn, born in August. Proud grandparents are Rob & Gloria Litwiller; Scot & Sharlie Berry, Mindy & Jake Romano and Clayton Herschberger, selected to attend the CHS New Leadership Forum, hosted by CHS, during late November and early December Sierra Day, excelling in her FFA awards. She was recognized as WYXY 2016 Exceptional FFA All-Stars, and 2016 Farm Credit Agriculture Scholar. A very significant 2016 award was the Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education. She was one of 20 students in the nation (2 in Illinois) to be chosen for the award during a program in Washington DC in June. Sierra is continuing her education at Lake Land College, with plans to transfer to Iowa State University in Ames to study ruminant nutrition. Sharlie Berry, Stacy Welch, and Dave & Mary Alexander, participants in the Monticello to Peoria Run for St Jude Children’s Hospital.
Dan & Brooke Larson, parents of a new daughter, Cora. Proud grandparents are Lynn & Vicki Larson and Steve & Jody Shonkwiler.
Dan & Melissa Morris, proud parents of a new daughter, Charlotte, born in July. Proud grandparents are John & Doris Morris. Jeff Lolling, gold medal winner in track & field at the Illinois Special Olympics.
Friends & Family
Troy Tilton and Tim Donovan Khloe Hendrix, Kaleb Hendrix, Larry Lecrone, Diane Hendrix, Roger Hendrix, Sue Lecrone and Andy Hendrix
Russel with John & Kathy Terrill
Kelley Nelson & Dane Lawhorn FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 31
Friends & Family
Wendy & Larry Ackerman
Farm Credit, serving lunch at Maroa this past harvest.
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Kenny Stahl & Doug Stahl
Jack Mentz and Collin Brandenburg
Friends & Family
Toni & Gerry Lolling
Karen & Dan Greer
Caden, Sam, Collin & Kim Brandenburg
Drew Larimore, pulling at the Illinois State Fair
Tool Farms
Kyle, Makenna, Madisyn & Kristle Meece FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 33
Friends & Family
We enjoyed a great visit from the Ron & Susan Durbin family, to Bement, this summer.
Eric Miller, in the Piatt County Tractor Drive
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Chris Plunk & Hunter, in the Piatt County Tractor Drive
Friends & Family
Heather, Emma, Wyatt, & Andy Lawhead on the Santa train
Bob Ferrill and Janet Frye
The Rubel/Meece float, Bement & Seymour 4th of July
Grandpa Dean, and Luke
FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 35
2nd Grade Fun We’ve had several great adventures with our Bement 2nd grade class:
This year, we introduced ourselves to the class in December. One of the activities was agricultural Bingo. Andy described each word on the sheet as he called out the words related to the grain business. Corn kernels were used as the Bingo markers.
At the end of the 2015-16 school year, the students answered quiz questions about our activities during the year.
Then we went outside, for games including tug-of-war, three-legged races, wheelbarrow races, and many more.
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2nd Grade Fun
In late December, the class came to the office, where we described how trucks are weighed and probed.
In the office basement, the students enjoyed Christmas cookies, and sang Christmas carols. Then Santa arrived!!!
FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 37
TOPFLIGHT KIDS
Emma Lawhead, Makenna Meece, Wyatt Lawhead & Madisyn Meece Paige Shull, first day of school, 2016
Mike Leach
Vanessa’s grandsons, Dugan and Brogan
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Bob Morgan gave a “lasso” lesson to Drew Larimore
TOPFLIGHT KIDS
Collin Brandenburg (Austin Brandenburg photo)
Caden Brandenburg (Austin Brandenburg photo)
Cooper White
Dana’s granddaughter, Lucy
Wyatt & Emma Lawhead, waiting to open Christmas gifts
FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 39
TOPFLIGHT KIDS
Laura’s grandson, Cash, and his “kid”
Vanessa’s granddaughter, Brynnan
Vanessa & Keith’s grandkids, Brynnan, Brogan, Dugan, and Chloe
Roger & Sherry’s grandson, Bronson
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Andy & Wyatt Lawhead
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2016 CROP TOUR
fter much scouting throughout the Topflight trade area, results of the teams’ yield calculations were presented at the annual crop tour meeting in August, at the 2nd Story Banquet Center. Roy Huckabay, from the LinnGroup, opened up the meeting, reviewing the latest USDA reports, the Chinese situation, weather and prices in South America, and other market factors. Derrick discussed the local crop conditions as seen on the tour, and then presented the results of the tour. Corn yields were predicted at 211-223 and bean pod counts showed 52 pods per plant.
Maps, courtesy of Kestrel Technologies
Anne Schable & Eva Harshbarger
Bill Gallagher & Dylan Gallagher
Jack Fombelle and Reed Fombelle
FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 41
HARVEST 2016
Filling the bunker at Johnston Siding.
The new bin at Emery.
Farm Credit served up a great lunch to the Bement farmers. Road work near the Monticello elevator.
Creating the corn pile at the General Cable lot in Monticello.
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United Prairie prepared lunch for the Bement farmers.
Mike McHale handed Gary Turner “snack sacks”, compliments of the State Bank of Bement, at the Bement elevator. Snack sacks were also given to the farmers at the Milmine elevator.
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AROUND TOPFLIGHT ...... We welcome our new operations employees:
Steve Reynolds, working at Atwood and Pierson;
Zach Lantz, working out of the Atwood location;
Bryon Akers, working in the Cisco location;
Brad Foth, working out of the Cisco, Emery & Maroa locations,
Aaron Simmons, working with Bement maintenance crew,
Jacob Hunt, superintendent at Monticello
Brandi Long, working in operations, at Topflight Grain West
Cody Taylor, working in the Bement location.
Anthony White, working the Bement, Monticello, Seymour areas
44 FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER
AROUND TOPFLIGHT ...... We welcome our new office employees:
Taylor Kelsheimer, who will be working in the Emery & Cisco offices;
April Morgan, grain originator in Atwood;
Leslie Hess, HR Generalist, in the Monticello office, and
Kelley Nelson, merchandising assistant in the Monticello office.
Evan, working in Seymour under the supervision of Martin & “Maynard” FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 45
AROUND TOPFLIGHT ......
Roger & Aaron, working on a fan motor at the bean flat in Bement
Rodd, holding his new grandson, Daniel
Andy, Matt & Cody put up the TFG sign at the Bement office.
Gary Liggett
46 FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER
AROUND TOPFLIGHT ...... We said “thanks for all the years” to four employees this fall & winter:
Amy has moved to South America, as Elliott accepted a new job.
Russel Wright, who retired this fall, after 44 years.
Gary Wood retired after 22 years on the operations staff
Gloria’s new granddaughter, Harper, born last August Sherryl Young (with husband Roger), retiring from the Monticello office, after 14 years
FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 47
AROUND TOPFLIGHT ......
Wyatt, Andy & Emma Lawhead, in the Bement 4th of July parade
The new probe at Atwood
48 FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER
Andy became our company technician for the moisture meters.
AROUND TOPFLIGHT ......
Chris and Andy wished Russ a Happy Retirement
Improvements and upgrades at Seymour this past summer
John Leach, and his new TFG semi truck
FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 49
Dylan Gallagher, tearing down the house next to the Pierson elevator.
Mike McHale and Dylan Gallagher
Russel and Jerry Alexander
Larry Bartram
50 FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER
GRAIN PAGE
AS OF DECEMBER 31, TFG farmers had sold 32,724,748 bu of their 2016 corn at an average price of $3.41; this represents 60.3% of the crop, compared to 58.7% sold at this time last year. TFG farmers had sold 8,654,964 bu of their 2016 beans at an average price of $9.69, this represents 77.9% of the crop, compared with 54% sold at this time last year. FOR THE 2017 FALL CROP, TFG farmers have sold 211,900 bu corn, at an average price of $3.60. This represents .7% of the estimated crop. TFG farmers have sold 402,951 bu, at an average price of $9.93. This represents 5.6% of the estimated crop.
Topflight Grain wrote 1685 grain checks during the first three days of 2017, totaling $72,592,344. FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER 51
Topflight Grain 420 W Marion Monticello IL 61856
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CHAMPAIGN, IL PERMIT NO. 880
TOPFLIGHT GRAIN MISSION STATEMENT:
Our Topflight Grain Cooperative team is committed to the future of agriculture by improving the prosperity of our customers and employees through outstanding customer service, education, technology, and dedication.
Wyatt Lawhead As we watch harvest, and the 2016 year, come to a close, we wish you a very prosperous 2017! 52 FEBRUARY 2017 / TOPFLIGHT NEWSLETTER