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Merger Vote Results

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:40:01 GMT

We'd like to thank all voting members for your participation in the recent vote regarding the proposed merger with Sunrise Cooperative and Mercer Landmark. Less than 60% of the votes cast by Centerra members were in favor of this merger; therefore Centerra will not be merging with these 2 cooperatives.

We are especially appreciative of the strong member participation in this mail-in vote, which clearly reflects the democratic will of our membership.

Our commitment remains the same: your Centerra team will continue to serve your needs, working hard every day to earn your trust and business.

We appreciate the thoughtful engagement shown throughout this process and remain committed to strengthening our cooperative for the future.

USDA Announces Grants to Boost Business Innovation

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:42:31 GMT

Value-Added Producer Grant helps ag producers generate new products

USDA Rural Development announced the availability of funding for farmers and producers to help them create and market value-added products.

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps U.S. agricultural producers

generate new products from raw agricultural commodities or expand marketing opportunities for their value-added products, which can help strengthen rural economies.

Common value-added products include:

• Fruit pies and jams

• Cheeses, yogurts, and ice cream

• Tomato and pepper salsa

• Flavor-infused honey

• Dried meats and jerkies

Eligible applicants for the Value-Added Producer Grant program include:

• Agricultural producers

• Agricultural producer groups

• Farmer or rancher cooperatives

• Business ventures majority-owned by producers

Applicants must demonstrate that they own and produce more than 50% of the raw

commodity and that they will receive a greater revenue from the value-added product

than from the raw commodity alone. A maximum of $200,000 in grant funds per

applicant is available for operational working capital, and a maximum of $50,000 is

available for planning grants. The grants funds are subject to a 1:1 match requirement,

which may include cash or eligible in-kind contributions.

Value-Added Producer Grant program is currently taking applications

Electronic applications will be accepted via the VAPG application portal until 1:00 p.m.

Eastern Time on April 22, 2026. Approximately $25 million in VAPG funds is available

nationwide. Grants are awarded through a nationally competitive process.

The Value-Added Producer Grant program is administered locally by USDA Rural

Development staff in Ohio. If you have any questions related to VAPG funding or

eligibility, our Ohio staff is ready to assist. Please forward this information to any farmer

or producer who may be interested in beginning or expanding a value-added product

operation.

The Growmark Foundation Scholarship Program

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:15:04 GMT

Apply now for the 2026 GROWMARK Foundation Scholarship Program! Check out the eligibility requirements outlined below. If you or someone you know fits the criteria, make sure to pass along the details. Don't miss out on this chance to invest in your future!

Beck's National Collegiate Scholarships Available

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:53:50 GMT

Applications open through January 15

ELIGIBILITY: Pursuing a two or four-year degree in any area of agriculture except social services and non-ag-related majors. Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. One scholarship award per state. The applicant's family must be a Beck's seed customer.

AWARDS: Fifteen scholarships at $2,000 each , non-renewable.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY TODAY:

Area Corn and Bean Harvest Has Started

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 15:06:12 GMT

Local farmers will be busy as harvest gets underway

By Mike Schenk | Wooster Daily Record | October 5, 2025

It is fall, and area farmers are busy working in the fields. Working ground for fall and spring planting is underway. Fall planting of wheat, alfalfa or a winter cover crop has started.

The soybean harvest is dry, and combines are busy every day. Shelling corn is just starting.

Centerra Co-op branch manager in Smithville, Joe Wilson, said the long, wet spring delayed planting and the hot, dry summer has affected this year's harvest. Farmers are saying average or a little below this year.

The moisture content of the grain is checked before a field is harvested. Soybeans should be as close to 13 percent as possible and corn at 15 percent.

Most of the corn and beans in this area will be made into animal feed. Some farmers will dry and store if for their own use, while others will take it to a grain elevator to dry for later use or sell it.

Purchase of Coshocton Grain Co. Complete

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 16:58:39 GMT

Centerra Co-op Completes Acquisition of Coshocton Grain Co.

Centerra Co-op is pleased to announce the official acquisition of Coshocton Grain Company, effective Tuesday, September 2, 2025. The agreement adds Coshocton’s soybean processing plant and grain storage, and Hebron intermodal grain facility to Centerra’s expanding network. Centerra plans to continue operating both facilities, enhancing capacity, market access, and grain-handling services for members across Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.

“This acquisition is an important step forward for Centerra,” said Jean Bratton, CEO of Centerra Co-op. “By adding Coshocton’s assets and team, we are expanding opportunities for our members while continuing to provide the reliable, local service they expect.”

Rhoda Warnock, President of Coshocton Grain Company, added, “While we are excited for this next chapter, we have appreciated serving our local ag community for the past 77 years. Joining Centerra allows us to build on the strong foundation we’ve created, while ensuring our customers and employees benefit from greater resources and long-term stability.”

For more information, please visit www.centerracoop.com .

Growth in the Grain Industry

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 18:00:49 GMT

Centerra Co-op Expands with Purchase of Coshocton Grain Company

ASHLAND, OHIO – Centerra Co-op is pleased to announce that we are in the final stages of purchasing Coshocton Grain Company. This agreement will mark a positive step forward in strengthening Centerra’s ability to serve farmers across Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.

Coshocton Grain Company operates two key facilities: a soybean processing plant and a rail loading facility in Coshocton, Ohio, and a grain facility in Hebron, Ohio, just 30 miles east of Columbus. The Coshocton plant uses ExPress® technology to produce high-quality extruded soybean meal and soy oil. The Hebron location specializes in loading grain into intermodal containers for export.

“Coshocton Grain Company has been an integral part of this agricultural region since 1948, operating as an independent business. This transaction will be good for our shareholders, employees and customers. We are looking forward to our future with Centerra,” said CEO of Coshocton Grain, Rhoda Warnock.

Centerra will continue operating both facilities, adding them to its growing network of agricultural services. The Hebron site will complement Centerra’s existing intermodal shipping operations in Grafton, Ohio, giving the Co-op more capacity and flexibility when it comes to moving grain to market.

“This addition brings an exciting and innovative business unit to our Co-op,” said Jean Bratton, CEO of Centerra Co-op. “Diversifying our services is key to long-term success, and this opportunity will open up new markets for our members’ grain. It also helps spread our footprint across more geography, which can protect against weather-related risks.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome the Coshocton Grain team to Centerra Co-op and look forward to working together to support local farmers with reliable, forward-thinking services that help them succeed today and into the future.”

For more information on Centerra Co-op, visit www.centerracoop.com .

Centerra Co-op, Mercer Landmark and Sunrise Cooperative Explore Unification

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:00:13 GMT

Boards of Directors seek to maximize member value and long-term viability

On July 23, the boards of directors of Centerra Co-op, Mercer Landmark and Sunrise Cooperative held a meeting where each shared what makes their co-op successful and what challenges they face. At the end of this first meeting, all three boards agreed to begin exploring the potential benefits of unifying their cooperatives. (A letter explaining this initiative has been mailed to the members of all three co-ops, and leadership has informed their respective employees.)

Why explore unification?

All three cooperatives share a customer-focused mentality. They may have different ways of saying it, but all three co-ops believe they exist to make their members successful. For example, if Centerra is truly shoulder-to-shoulder with its members, then they owe it to the membership to recognize the impact of low commodity prices and investigate ways to minimize that impact.

The 2017 merger that created Centerra Co-op resulted in retention of talented employees and their experience, the ability to finance loyalty and risk management tools, higher patronage rates and investment in assets. The boards' deeper evaluation of this new opportunity will include both the member value impact and opportunities for the employees who champion your needs every day.

What's next?

The boards are likely to meet again before harvest, at which time they will dive into the financial, operational and cultural opportunities and challenges of unification. The results of each meeting will be shared with co-op members and employees. The goal of this strategic initiative is to assess how a unified cooperative could enhance value for members, strengthen opportunities for employees and create long-term sustainability for regional agriculture.

Centerra Co-op , Mercer Landmark and Sunrise Cooperative are three highly respected agricultural cooperatives in this area. Each has a strong legacy of service, innovation and delivering value to their farmer-owners. This joint exploration reflects their shared commitment to the future of agriculture and the prosperity of their members.

Your thoughts and questions are welcome.

Jean Bratton

CEO, Centerra Co-op

Email: jbratton@centerracoop.com
Phone: 567-203-8445

Vietnam Signs Agricultural Trade Pacts with Ohio Leaders

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:01:38 GMT

Centerra Co-op among Ohio ag leaders at international trade pact signing

A major international agreement with big implications for Ohio agriculture – Vietnamese leaders visited Columbus this week to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Ohio farm groups. The deal is part of a larger $2 billion commitment to purchase U.S. ag products like soybeans, corn, distiller’s grains, and more.

Brianna Smith of Ohio’s Country Journal has the full story in this video , including comments from H.E. Do Duc Duy, Vietnam’s Minister of Agriculture and Environment, as well as Ohio farm leaders Bill Bayliss, Patty Mann, and Owen Niese

A delegation from the Vietnamese government and business community, led by Minister of Agriculture and Environment H.E. Do Duc Duy, visited Ohio on June 4 to sign a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with U.S. agricultural leaders. The Columbus stop is part of a multi-state mission that began in Iowa on Monday, June 2, 2025. In total, the Vietnamese delegation is expected to enter into agreements to purchase more than $2 billion in U.S. agricultural products, including corn, soybeans, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGs), wheat, meat, and timber.

Ohio Soybean Council Chairman Bill Bayliss signed the MOU on behalf of the Ohio Soybean Council. Vietnam is the 13th-largest consumer of U.S. soy, importing 1.44 million metric tons last year. There is growth potential in the country to supply its growing pork and aquaculture sectors with feed. Vietnam’s growing middle class has contributed to an increase in demand for soy foods – a demand that can be met by Ohio’s high-quality food grade soybean production.

“We are excited about the potential for this MOU to create more export demand for Ohio soybeans,” said Bayliss. “This agreement comes at a crucial time as farmers look to expand market opportunities.”

Ohio’s agricultural strength, infrastructure, and innovation made the state a key stop on the Vietnamese delegation’s tour, which will continue in Washington, D.C., and Maryland. The group also visited an Ohio farm and The Ohio State University during their stop.

“Food and agriculture are Ohio’s number one industry, and we depend on our farmers to fuel our economy and support the global food supply,” said Brian Baldridge, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. “We’re proud to work alongside our agricultural partners to strengthen international connections and create new opportunities for farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities.”

“These agreements represent a major win for Ohio corn farmers,” said Patty Mann, Chair of the Ohio Corn Checkoff. “Vietnam continues to be a growing and reliable export market, and partnerships like this help ensure we can keep delivering high-quality, Ohio-grown products to the world.”

The timing of these new agreements is significant for Ohio’s farm economy, as producers face rising costs, lower commodity prices, and an urgent need to access new markets for soybeans, grains, meat, timber, and other agricultural products.

Owen Niese, Chair of the Ohio Small Grains Checkoff, noted, “These agreements generate momentum not only for farmers but also for rural economies statewide. We’re pleased to have Ohio wheat and small grains featured in this new trade venture with Vietnam.”

Minister Duy concluded, “Ohio exemplifies the best of American agriculture due to its productive, innovative, and globally engaged agricultural community. With these MOU agreements, we are strengthening our commitment to a robust and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States.”

Original Article

Growmark Foundation Scholarship

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 16:09:48 GMT

55 $2,000 Scholarships Available through The Growmark Foundation

Click on the image above to go to The Growmark Foundation Scholarship application.

For any questions, please contact: recruiting@growmark.com

OABA 2025 Industry Excellence Awards

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 17:30:14 GMT

Ohio AgriBusiness Association Announces 2025 Industry Excellence Awards Recipients

The Ohio AgriBusiness Association is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Industry Excellence Awards:

2025 Excellence in Customer Service – Andrea Jenkins , Centerra Co-op

2025 Achievement as an Emerging Leader – Ben Hastings , Centerra Co-op

2025 Excellence in Safety & Stewardship – Randy Digby , Legacy Farmers Cooperative

Award recipients will be recognized at the 2025 OABA Industry Conference on Jan. 29. Winners will receive a plaque and $1,000 cash award, sponsored by Assured Partners – J.H. Ward Agency.

“Recognizing exceptional individuals like Andrea, Ben and Randy underscores the values that drive our industry forward,” said Melinda Witten, President and CEO of OABA. “These award winners demonstrate the innovation, leadership, and dedication that keep Ohio’s agribusiness thriving.”

Excellence in Customer Service

The Excellence in Customer Service Award is presented to an individual who goes “above and beyond” in their service to customers in order to define what excellent customer service looks like and recognize those whose contributions may often go unnoticed. The 2025 award recipient is Andrea Jenkins of Sullivan, Ohio.

Jenkins, credit analyst at Centerra Co-op, consistently ensures her customers’ needs are met, often going beyond her formal job responsibilities to provide exceptional service. Known for her ability to build strong client relationships, she has been instrumental in fostering trust and loyalty within the customer base. “Andrea’s professionalism and dedication make her a shining example of customer service excellence,” said Trent Ardrey, CFO of Centerra Co-op.

Achievement as an Emerging Leader

The Achievement as an Emerging Leader Award is presented to an individual who represents the spirit of leadership as a growing agribusiness professional. Leadership is often difficult to define in everyday business activities, but it remains an important ability to cultivate. The 2025 award recipient is Ben Hastings of West Salem, Ohio.

Hastings, propane site manager and service technician at Centerra Co-op, has demonstrated exemplary leadership in implementing new technologies, managing operations and mentoring his team. Beyond his professional contributions, Hastings actively volunteers with local 4-H groups, sharing his knowledge and encouraging young agriculturalists. “Ben’s leadership and commitment to excellence inspire everyone around him,” said Matt Fugate, VP of Propane at Centerra Co-op.

Excellence in Safety & Stewardship

The Excellence in Safety & Stewardship Award is presented to an individual who exemplifies outstanding dedication to fostering a safe and responsible workplace while demonstrating exceptional stewardship. The 2025 award recipient is Randy Digby of Delaware, Ohio.

Digby, safety manager at Legacy Farmers Cooperative, has been a steadfast advocate for improving workplace safety and implementing robust safety protocols. His efforts have significantly enhanced the well-being of employees and the operational integrity of numerous business activities. “Randy’s dedication to safety and stewardship serves as a benchmark for the entire industry,” said Mark Sunderman, president and CEO of Legacy Farmers Cooperative.

2025 OABA Industry Conference

The three-day Industry Conference event, Jan. 28-30 at the Columbus Renaissance Westerville, is packed with widely respected speakers and industry professionals, sharing their expertise on a variety of topics relating to agronomy, grain and feed, safety and more. More details are available at www.oaba.net/events_conference .

Beck's National Collegiate Scholarships Available

jwarden@centerracoop.com (Jen Warden) — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:38:57 GMT

Applications open until 5PM on Jan. 9, 2025

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY TODAY:

CFAES Alumni Award Recipient

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 20:18:09 GMT

Distinguished Alumni Award

Charles A. “Al” Holdren

BS ’72 Agricultural Economics

Ashland, Ohio

Charles A. “Al” Holdren began his cooperative journey with management training at Fayette Landmark, before transitioning to CEO of Ottawa Landmark. He seasoned many company changes and mergers, landing as the CEO of Town and Country Co-op. Holdren served as CEO for 26 years, retiring in 2017 after leading the merger of Western Reserve Farm Cooperative to form Centerra Co-op.

In his cooperative career, Holdren committed his company to improving the industry. He established the annual Ladies Luncheon to recognize and honor the never-ending work of women on the farm and female employees of Town and Country Co-op. He also worked with CEOs from other cooperatives in Ohio to form Cooperatives for the Cure to raise cancer research funds through initiatives like Fueling the Cure and Growing the Cure. Holdren has a passion for student scholarships, working tirelessly to raise funds for students in Ohio and abroad. He started the Ohio AgriBusiness Association’s Bowling for Scholarship event, which raises funds that help award more than $35,000 annually in scholarships to college students studying agriculture.

Holdren spent time dedicated to his home county of Ashland; serving twice as the chair of the Ashland County United Way campain, exceeding the established fundraising goal each year and also serving on the Ashland County Foundation Board for 8 years. Holdren also volunteered his time by visiting Moldova twice, supporting farmers transition from collective farming to a more capitalistic system.

After retirement, Holdren was tapped to serve as the Chairman of the Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) Industry Education Committee. This committee develops and implements all OABA educational programming which includes the annual industry conference, grain operations and merchandising courses, grain grading schools, anhydrous ammonia safety workshops, the OABA Agronomy College, 4R Technology Review Field Day, and more.

As a student at Ohio State, Holdren was a member of Alpha Gamma Sigma and the OSU LEAD II class from 1987-1989, for which he was recognized as its Distinguished Alumni in 2006. Holdren was inducted into the Ohio Ag Hall of Fame in 2019.

Evaluating Corn Pollination

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 14:14:03 GMT

AGRONOMY UPDATE 2024

Evaluating Corn Pollination

Mike Hannewald of Beck’s Hybrids joins us for this agronomy update video in which he goes over how to evaluate the success of your corn crop’s pollination.

Agronomy Update 2024

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 14:40:16 GMT

Adjustments for the First Day of Planting

The first day of planting often tends to be a little hectic. Check out the video below to learn what tricks and tips our Beck’s PFR team has learned over the years to accurately set planter depth, prepare a clean seed trench, and apply ideal downforce.

Local community recently trained to help keep workers safe from manure pit accidents

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 17:04:39 GMT

Local first responders and members of the ag community are one of the first to receive life-saving manure pit safety training from Nationwide and NECAS

Mansfield, OHIO – On March 20 and 21, over 150 local first responders and members of the ag community received specialized manure pit safety and rescue training from Crawford, Marion, Morrow and Richland County Farm Bureaus. The training is a result of a partnership between Nationwide and the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to train first responders, farmers and agricultural professionals to help protect against manure pit accidents and entrapments. On average, 60% of deaths on farms that happen in confined spaces involve the people who tried to rescue someone else — a family member, a co-worker or a rescue worker without the proper equipment.

“It only takes seconds, or a simple mistake, for a loved one in the ag community to find themselves in a dangerous situation when working in a confined space, like a manure pit,” said Brad Liggett , president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “Though manure pit injuries are rare, they have a very high fatality rate when they do take place. We thank NECAS for their partnership to help lead the fight against these hazards, keeping ag workers and their families safe.”

The training utilizes a state-of-the-art manure pit safety simulator covers proper rescue procedures for safely entering a manure pit in a low-oxygen situation or with a toxic gas hazard and the importance of air-quality, harnessing, rope rigging, rescue tripods, and using a breathing apparatus during and after rescues.

First Responders from 30 fire departments and the ag community in Crawford, Marion, Morrow and Richland Counties are one of the first to receive the life-saving manure pit safety training session from Nationwide and NECAS, however the two parties have teamed up for more than a decade to protect those in the agriculture industry from the life-threatening hazards of grain bin entrapment .

“We are grateful so many fire departments and farmers participated in this training. Its our goal to provide resources to keep our farmers and rescuers safe in these types of situations,” said Abra Dunn, organization director at Ohio Farm Bureau. Sponsors of the training were Farm Credit Mid-America, Centerra Co-op, Hord Family Farms, Farmer Boy Ag, The First Citizens National Bank, CSI Insurance, Douce Insurance, Gerber Insurance and Hempy Water. To learn more or view manure pit safety resources, visit Nationwide’s Ag Insight center .

About Nationwide

Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance.

For more information, visit www.nationwide.com .

1 Manure Pit Fatalities Spur Toxic Fumes Awareness , Ohio State University, Aug. 19, 2021 (updated July 15, 2022 at lancasterfarming.com).

Fertilizer Outlook: Brace for tight profit margins

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 14:00:31 GMT

Farm Futures ©

With much of the supply chain chaos from the past few years smoothed out, fertilizer producers are keeping close tabs on supplies as global applications increase

Jacqueline Holland, Grain Market Analyst

March 14, 2024 | FarmProgress

When the Illinois USDA released their bi-weekly retail Production Cost report last Thursday, the slight uptick in anhydrous ammonia, urea, DAP, MAP, and potash prices suggested that the market has moved past winter lows and is already anticipating seasonal demand shifts ahead of peak application season.

To be sure, the aggregate price bundle of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizers along with diesel fuel is currently 19% lower than the same time a year ago – a good sign for inflation-weary farmers. On a per acre basis, nitrogen expenses have experienced the biggest decline in the past year, shedding 20% - 31% ($20-$40/acre) of their value during that time.

During that period, December 2024 corn futures prices fell 16% lower. Assuming an average yield of 200 bushels per acre, that would result in a per acre revenue loss of $178/acre, leaving 2024 per acre corn revenues at $938/acre.

The lower commodity prices have largely offset accompanying decreases in lower fertilizer costs. This means that margins will remain tight during the 2024 growing season – likely the tightest farmers have endured since the 2019/20 marketing year.

With tighter profit margins penciling out for 2024, farmers will need to anticipate fertilizer producers’ next moves to ensure their own profitability. Supply chain considerations will also need to be made and crop price economics will inevitably play a role in farmers’ 2024 acreage decisions.

Fertilizer producers’ plans for #Plant24

High fertilizer prices across the globe have limited farmer applications since 2021. Nutrien expects to see that trend begin to reverse during the 2023/24 marketing year, which should encourage higher crop yields. Global wheat and rice stocks remain tight relative to historical patterns, so farmers should see some price incentive to plant those crops – and apply necessary fertilizer treatments – this year.

Mosaic noted that aggregate grain and oilseed consumption continues to outpace production, which should sustain farmer demand for crop nutrients throughout the upcoming growing season. Corn and soybean crops account for nearly a third of global potash and phosphate consumption, with Mosaic observing that fewer non-nitrogen inputs are required to maintain yields.

This upcoming spring, Nutrien expects potash consumption to “recover towards trend levels,” continuing a late-2023 buying rally by farmers. Mosaic echoed these sentiments in their annual earnings report in mid-February 2024. Both companies acknowledged that fertilizer prices fell faster last year, which triggered more farmer sales in the U.S. at the end of 2023.

Global nitrogen markets are expected to remain constrained by fluctuations in European production, Chinese urea export restrictions, and small Russian ammonia pipeline exports. The U.S. exported more nitrogen fertilizers in the second half of 2023, which is also keeping domestic stocks tight. Nutrien expects tight nitrogen inventories ahead of spring planting, which could constrain growers looking to make some last-minute applications.

It might not matter – there was a lot of anhydrous that was applied late last year. My brother, who is an agronomist in Northern Illinois, observed to me in late February that his company had never ran so many anhydrous bars during that month as the company tried to reconcile prepaid farmer purchases.

CF Industries echoed Mosaic and Nutrien’s expectations that fertilizer volumes consumed by farmers will continue to grow over the next year – especially in Brazil – but that limited urea exports by China will keep the market tight.

Phosphate inventories remain tight in North America. Nutrien does not expect that China’s phosphate volumes will significantly return to the export market in 2024 and that India will be a competitive buyer of phosphate products going into their planting season. Similarly, Mosaic expects phosphate shipments will continue to climb in 2024.

After battling the massive pendulum swings of the 2020 pandemic, global acreage expansion, Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the ensuing supply chain madness following these events, fertilizer producers are reigning in what they view as “excess” production, tightening up inventories, and shortening the time product is spending in the supply chain. Essentially, the supply chain issues of the past few years have finally been smoothed out.

This reversion back to “just-in-time” inventory management will keep a floor under fertilizer prices through spring planting season, so the time to capitalize on deals may be in the past for farmers. However, the summer production season could result in lower prices for growers who may be looking to lock in prices for 2025 inputs next fall.

“There will likely be more price elasticity during the summer 2024 reset period,” Josh Linville of StoneX forecasted. He notes that fertilizer producers are not likely to make significant changes to production schedules beyond immediate restocking needs during that period.

Logistics and supply chain considerations

Tighter fertilizer inventories mean that retailers will likely be running truckload to truckload this spring, so Linville advises talking with your ag retailer early and often about 2024 planting and application plans.

Linville also expects that retailers will be “more conservative” this summer, even as many fertilizer producers are expected to start early on summer reset production ahead of fall application season.

“Ag retailers took a bath on higher inventories and falling prices in 2023,” Linville warns. “They aren’t going to repeat that this year.”

Mississippi River water levels are in good condition for fertilizer shipments up from the Gulf, though low snowpack and dry conditions in the Upper Midwest continue to loom large in everyone’s mind. Since little fertilizer products traverse the Panama Canal, Linville is also not worrying too much about shipping constraints in the channel that handles around 6% of all global trade .

The Red Sea shipping vessel attacks could impact urea prices, which would trickle down into other nitrogen fertilizer derivatives, like anhydrous ammonia and UAN. But so far, the ongoing conflict has not had major price impacts on the domestic fertilizer market in the U.S. “Some Saudi Arabian phosphate could be impacted, but not much,” Linville reasons.

What farmers should know

From a price perspective, farmers can expect flat phosphate and potash prices this winter to undergo a seasonal uptick later this spring as peak application activities get underway. An increase in global demand will keep phosphate and potash prices from falling too much before planting season starts but increases in production over the past couple years will keep those price gains limited.

Nutrien has increased production volumes of UAN, which bodes favorably for U.S. growers looking to apply nitrogen fertilizers this spring. But globally, nitrogen supplies remain constrained, which might limit deal opportunities for farmers still looking to make nitrogen purchases.

Mosaic’s CEO Bruce Bodine said in the company’s mid-February 2024 earnings call that the company doesn’t expect farmers to continue foregoing phosphate and potash applications amid high prices. Potash prices are showing some signs of increasing amid ongoing conflicts in the Red Sea, but not yet to a level that would reduce demand.

Nutrien’s CEO Ken Seitz echoed concerns about the Red Sea Conflict constraining global potash flows but noted that if Russia and Belarus can find alternative shipping routes, those volumes could keep the global potash balance sheet – and prices – in check.

All three of the major fertilizer companies cited lower 2023 earnings after breaking record highs in 2022. But with many of the supply chain kinks from the pandemic and Ukrainian conflict worked out, each company is focused on lower prices ushering in stalled farmer demand through the remainder of 2024. Excess inventories have largely been cleaned out, so producers are likely going to be closely monitoring production levels to ensure they don’t significantly outpace farmer demand in the coming months.

Linville expects low nitrogen supplies will stay tight through this spring, though if farmers already applied anhydrous ammonia last fall, this may be of little concern. The January 2024 Farm Futures growers survey found that 37% of respondents were using cash from 2023 profits to pay for 2024 inputs. Over 23% of respondents reported locking in 2024 pricing for inputs last fall, which was down slightly from a year prior.

“Corn prices are still playing a factor,” Linville cautions, noting the recent drop in corn prices helped pressure potash prices lower. Usually, fertilizer prices stubbornly stay higher after corn prices drop, but the fall in potash values tells Linville there is “no stickiness this time.”

Overall, high prices are likely going to linger in the fertilizer market this year, even as revenues from crop sales are poised to shrink.

Farmers’ 2024 planting expectations

Linville notes that last fall saw 2.3 million metric tonnes of anhydrous ammonia applied in the U.S., which was about 300,000 metric tonnes higher than pre-harvest forecasts. That difference may not seem significant, “but it was a huge swing that kept anhydrous ammonia supplies tight headed into the spring season,” Linville explains, observing that last fall’s applications were the third largest for the time of year since 2000.

More anhydrous sales paired with lower nitrogen prices favors corn production, even though the per acre profit margins for corn are currently projected at a loss, given recent Dec24 corn futures contract prices.

Through early March, there were no definitive signs of early planting progress. But over the past couple days, soil temperatures across the Corn Belt have been breaking past the 50-degree-Farenhiet benchmark critical to seed germination.

With La Niña weather conditions expected to develop as summer begins in the Northern Hemisphere, farmers could face drought risks at pollination if they plant too soon. La Niña summers often lead to dry growing conditions in the Heartland, especially the U.S. Plains.

Through March 5, 32% of U.S. corn ground and 31% of soybean area was in drought. With farmers balancing tighter profit margins this year, they face higher downside yield risks if weather does not cooperate. And in a year where inputs still require a significant investment before that crop return is realized, will farmers risk all that capital just to plant a week or two early?

Time will tell!

Take a Buddy with you to the Bunker

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 17:41:06 GMT

Feed-out of new-crop corn silage has begun on most dairies, and it appears this crop may be more prone than normal to silage collapses.

Jordan Hunt, PAS, a northeast Iowa-based consultant with GPS Dairy Consulting, LLC, noted in a recent blog post that producers are reporting regular avalanches of a day’s worth or more of feed from the feed-out faces of silage bunkers and piles.

Hunt cautioned producers and their crews to be mindful of the safety hazards that silage can create. “Use a buddy system when working near the pile and managing the plastic,” he advised. “In the event something happens, one person can call for help.”

He also advised defacing silage so the top of the face is pitched back 2-3 feet from the base. “Undercutting” silage piles can lead to hanging shelves at heights as high as 30 feet, which Hunt reminded are up to 65% moisture, and thus very heavy and prone to collapsing.

Defacing a precise volume each day is also important. Hunt said if the amount for the day is short, avoid using a loader bucket on the face to grab a little more. “Either deface more, or if space allows, do a side-scrape with a wheel loader bucket,” he suggested.

If this year’s crop is showing instability, Hunt advised re-evaluating packing procedures next year, with a packing density goal of greater than 20#DM/cu. ft. Feed-out of new-crop corn silage has begun on most dairies, and it appears this crop may be more prone than normal to silage collapses.

Jordan Hunt, PAS, a northeast Iowa-based consultant with GPS Dairy Consulting, LLC , noted in a recent blog post that producers are reporting regular avalanches of a day’s worth or more of feed from the feed-out faces of silage bunkers and piles.

The late Keith Bolsen, silage expert and staunch advocate of silage safety from Kansas State University, promoted the rule-of-thumb to never stand closer to the silage face that three times its height. To safely collect samples, he advised staying away from the face and pulling samples instead from a loader bucket or sample pile that has been moved a safe distance away from the feed-out face.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition developed a comprehensive silage safety handbook authored by Bolsen, which addresses additional bunker and pile safety measures, along with safety education on silage harvest, equipment operation, and dangerous gases.

“I think we all understand the danger associated with this [silage collapses and avalanches],” stated Hunt. “But I do want to remind us all that it can happen in split second, and can be deadly.”

https://www.dairyherd.com/news/education/take-buddy-you-bunker

Corn Drydown

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 20:06:51 GMT

Agronomy Update 2023: Corn Drydown

Corn across the state is wetter than we would like to see at this point of the year, and there are a few reasons why. Check out this update from Beck's Field Agronomist Mike Hannewald for insights on corn moisture, drydown, and what you can expect for the rest of harvest. Contact your Centerra Agronomist for more insights on these conditions.

2023 Wayne County Farm Tour

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:22:03 GMT

2023 Farm Tour showcases Agricultural Community - Here's Where it's Happening

WOOSTER — An opportunity to showcase area farms, suppliers and agriculture-related businesses is what the annual Fall Farm Tour is all about.

The Wayne County Farm Bureau invites you to the 2023 Farm Tour on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 7 and 8, from noon to 5 p.m. This tour will feature eight stops in the northwest quadrant of Wayne County.

This is a free, family-friendly event that offers a variety of activities at each stop as well as food for purchase, according to Farm Bureau Organization Director Lindsay Tournoux . Spend the weekend touring all eight stops, but note that three of the stops are only open on Saturday, so plan accordingly.

Tournoux said that she has heard from families that have been attending the farm tour together for over 30 years.

"We get people from places like Cuyahoga County and Summit County, and it is a great opportunity for them to learn about agriculture in a fun, friendly atmosphere," she said. " "It is an event that is really looked forward to by the public. We get a lot of people from outside the area who come."

Finding host farms and businesses

Tournoux serves on a committee of volunteers who work throughout the spring and summer to develop the program for tour each fall.

"We consider ideally who is available, and we try to offer a variety," she said. "We are very appreciative of every farm and business that is willing to host on the tour."

Centerra , 1009 W Old Lincoln Way, is one of the stops on the tour. Centerra is a progressive agricultural cooperative with locations in Ohio and Western PA specializing in agronomy services, feed, grain storage and merchandising.

Marketing Specialist Jen Warden explained that the Wooster Country Store is Centerra's newest location, and it offers many products and services that appeal to the broader community, from gardening supplies and tools to pet food and supplies, along with livestock feed an traditional farming needs.

"We can showcase a little of the country side of our store, and appeal to the local folks who are looking for a good deal on their dog food," Warden said. "We thought since our Wooster store is relatively new, this would be a great opportunity to showcase the store."

Buckeye Agricultural Museum & Education Center at 877 W. OId Lincoln Way, Wooster, is another stop on the tour.

The museum features an ever-growing collection of tools and pieces of equipment and photographs. The museum attempts to bring to life the experience of agriculture in Ohio from 1800 to World War II.

Historical background

Tournoux said that the farm tour began nearly 40 years ago in the 1980s and has continued to thrive, drawing thousands of visitors to Wayne County for the annual event. She explained the tour was divided into quadrants several years ago in order to make the tour more accessible for visitors.

"It has existed for a long time in the four areas, because if it was countywide, you would spend most of the time driving," Tournoux said. "By consolidating it, you can get to more stops in the set amount of time that we have."

Badger Farms at 9122 N. Elyria Rd., in West Salem is another stop on the tour. Jerry Badger said his family farm has been a regular stop on the tour for nearly 35 years.

"My dad dad started this, but he passed away about seven years ago," Badger said. "I took over the farm with my two boys and my wife. We'll have pumpkins, corn stalks, bales of straw, gourds, fresh vegetables and hayride. We will also have a petting zoo."

Badger added that weather affected the pumpkin harvest this year, but they will have plenty to accommodate the visitors on the tour.

Other stops on the farm tour include Winkler Farms, 13344 Kauffman Ave., in Sterling; and Ross Maple, 9076 Stair Rd., in West Salem.

The three stops that will only be open on Saturday are: Ag-Pro, located at 7762 Cleveland Rd., Wooster; Yoder Hardware, 15077 Rickel Rd. West Salem; Yoder Farm and Greenhouse, 5454 Ruff Rd., in West Salem.

Story by Kevin Lynch. Published in the Wooster Daily Record on Sept. 28, 2023

NGFA Member Profile - Jean Bratton

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 21:29:39 GMT

Q&A with Centerra CEO and NGFA Executive Board Member Jean Bratton

From NGFA Newsletter, Sept. 15, 2023

Jean Bratton, CEO of Centerra Co-op and member of the NGFA Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Arbitration Appeals Panel, answered some questions about her experience volunteering her time and expertise to the NGFA.

NGFA will continue to feature active members of the association in this newsletter. Contact ngfa@ngfa.org with any questions about participating as a committee member, attending or sponsoring an event, or contributing to NGFA communications.

Q: Why did you begin participating in the NGFA?

Bratton: I first became aware of NGFA when I worked for a grain company that was working through disputes with counterparties; some of the disputes involved the legal system, while most were working their way through NGFA and other trade associations’ arbitration. This gave me a firsthand appreciation for the speed and expertise shown by NGFA arbitration committees. From this initial exposure, it made sense to volunteer to be on an arbitration committee; this in turn led to other committee opportunities, culminating in my current role on the executive board of NGFA. The NGFA rulemaking and arbitration process were and are the gold standard for how intra-industry disputes should be handled.

Q: How has your participation in the NGFA influenced your career in the grain and feed industry?

Bratton: Every NGFA committee of which I’ve been a part has been led by persons who had decades of experience in the industry. Not only did they know more about the intricacies of trading than I could ever hope to learn, but they were kind, ethical people who were always ready to share ideas on how to conquer issues. The individuals who serve on committees encouraged my personal development and the overall advancement of our industry.

Q: Are there any specific projects or events that you see as highlights of your time with NGFA?

Bratton: The hiring of a new CEO is always an opportunity to assess the future needs of the organization vs. the skillset of the team. I believe that the board did a great job taking a step back to assess these aspects and searching for the right person to fill our key needs. I hope that those who have worked with Mike would agree that our leadership and strategic direction are on the right track.

Q: What do you wish all NGFA members knew about the Association?

Bratton: The true work of NGFA is done in committees by a diverse group of people. They represent a mixture of company sizes, years of expertise and other factors. The committees are asked to consider issues ranging from our response to proposed railroad mergers to seed technology changes; they make recommendations for NGFA’s official response on these issues. Sometimes they are asked to form an opinion within days of receiving the request; and they always rise to the request. If you are considering an NGFA membership, I’d suggest that you look at the committee structure and speak to a committee chairperson – I hope that you come away with not only a “yes” on the membership decision, but also a desire to join one of our committees.

Q: What are you most looking forward to for the NGFA?

Bratton: All of us are adjusting to the reality that we need ideas to improve our productivity. The Barge Digital Transformation (BDT) project was an idea that NGFA implemented to improve document processing productivity. I look forward to other ideas from NGFA that improve productivity and transparency of document flows.

To see the full National Grain and Feed Association newsletter, go to: https://www.ngfa.org/wp-content/uploads/Newsletter-09-15-2023.pdf

Ashland County Farm Tire Collection Event

jwarden@centerracoop.com (Jen Warden) — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 15:19:39 GMT

Ashland Co. SWCD and Ohio EPA

are hosting a Farm Tire Collection

The Gift of Grain

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 19:06:35 GMT

Gift of Grain Fund receives first donation and awards grant

The Richland County Foundation Gift of Grain Fund received its first donation of grain. Brian Alt of Alt Farms in Shelby gave bushels of corn to the Foundation’s account at Sunrise Cooperative Inc. in Crestline recently. The foundation sold the corn on the same day as the delivery.

The Gift of Grain Fund Committee also awarded its first grant to the Richland County Junior Fair Board to provide a variety of learning opportunities to Junior Fair exhibitors from 4-H and FFA including clinics, project evaluation, Malabar Fun on the Farm Day and county fair.

Farmers looking to minimize their tax liability while contributing to their community can donate crops to the Foundation at a local elevator. Gift of Grain accounts are set up at Centerra Co-op in Mansfield, Sunrise Cooperative in Crestline, Central Ohio Co-op in Fredericktown/Mount Vernon and Poet Bioprocessing in Marion.

Farmers should consult with their tax adviser to determine whether a donation of commodities is appropriate to their tax situation. Contributing to the Gift of Grain Fund allows farmers to avoid the sale of the commodity as income, while the production costs may still be deductible. The Gift of Grain Fund can accept grain, cash, stocks, bonds, marketable assets or a transfer from an IRA account from farmers, companies and individuals.

For instructions on how to make a Gift of Grain, go to the “Ways to Give Smarter” tab on richlandcountyfoundation.org .

To read the original article, click HERE .

OABA Attends National Grain & Feed Association Fly-In

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:57:48 GMT

Centerra CEO Among Participants

This past week Ohio AgriBusiness Association leaders participated in a congressional fly in with our national partner, the National Grain and Feed Association. While in Washington DC, our delegation visited several of our Members of Congress and networked with other agriculture organizations in attendance.

Attending on behalf of OABA were Chris Henney, OABA President & CEO; Eli Earich, Barrett, Easterday, Cunningham & Eselgroth LLP; Andy Swerlein and Heath Barnes, Mercer Landmark, Inc.; Jean Bratton, Centerra Co-op; and Bill Wallbrown, Deerfield Ag Services, Inc.

Discussions topics included farm bill priorities, transportation issues, trade and other topics important to the grain, feed and processing industry.

Several NGFA fly-in topics are outlined below:

Farm Bill: Support the CRP Reform Act of 2023 sponsored by Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; and support bills introduced in the House and Senate to increase funding to USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMDP) -- the Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2023 (HR 648) and Expanding Agricultural Exports Act (S. 176).
Rail Service: Pass an STB reauthorization, which expired in 2020; support legislation that would better define rail carriers’ common carrier obligation; and insist that any rail safety legislation balances enhanced safety measures with efficient rail network service.
Trade with Mexico: If a resolution to Mexico’s ban on some biotech corn imports cannot be reached, the U.S. should take steps to enforce its rights under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Waterways: Maintain navigational access to the Lower Snake River Dams; and oversee investments to modernize locks and dams on the inland waterways.
Trucking: Support several NGFA-backed bills approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in May, including the Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safety and Efficiently (LICENSE) Act of 2023 (HR 3013) sponsored by Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill.; 10% Axle Variance for Dry Bulk, sponsored by Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark.; Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) Safe Integrity Act, sponsored by Rep. Crawford; and 91,000- lb. Weight Exemption Pilot Program, sponsored by Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D.

Agronomy Update 2023

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 14:08:50 GMT

Being Proactive, Given the Dry Conditions

In this video, Beck's Field Agronomist Luke Schulte explains how the dry weather will impact this season's crops, and what management steps should be taken to get to the later part of the growing season.

Contact your Centerra Agronomist for more insights on these conditions.

Sidedressing in Hot, Dry Conditions

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 15:00:21 GMT

Many farmers are wondering, "should I wait to sidedress until rain and/or cooler temperatures are in the forecast?"

It's important to remember that timeliness is key when it comes to sidedress AND we have moisture within our soils.
Check in with your Centerra Agronomist for more information.

Optinyte® Technology: The Inside Story

Tue, 23 May 2023 16:55:47 GMT

See why your customers can count on nitrogen stabilizers powered by Optinyte ^® technology to improve nitrogen use efficiency in their fields

Whether your customers typically apply nitrogen in the spring, fall or at sidedress, they should protect their investment with a proven nitrogen stabilizer. Optinyte ^® technology is the active ingredient that powers N-Serve ^® and Instinct NXTGEN ^® nitrogen stabilizers. This short video explains how Optinyte technology works and why this technology is superior to DCD-based nitrogen stabilizers.

Learn more about the benefits of Optinyte technology and review research data on Optinyte versus DCD at NutrientMaximizers.com .

Instinct NXTGEN ^® is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Do not fall-apply anhydrous ammonia south of Highway 16 in the state of Illinois. Optinyte ^® is a registered active ingredient. Always read and follow label directions.

SICKNESS SILENCES SONGBIRDS

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 18:26:28 GMT

By Allie Vugrincic
The Tribune Chronicle
Monday, July 26, 2021

Brian Hall, manager of Centerra Country Store in Cortland, talks about local birders and their enthusiasm for feeding their feathery friends. Centerra goes through about four tons of bird food a week, Hall said.

Heather Merritt, longtime operator of Birds in Flight Sanctuary, is not taking in sick songbirds for fear they may infect her other injured and educational birds with a mysterious and deadly illness that has been spreading quickly across the country.

“We’re here to help, and we’re not able to help,” said Merritt, who has been receiving upward of 100 calls per day to the Howland sanctuary from residents of about 40 nearby counties who have noticed birds with swollen or “crusty” eyes and off-balance movements that suggest neurological problems.

Merritt has started asking people to send photos or videos of the birds before she accepts them. If the bird appears to have the symptoms of the mystery ailment, she tells people to wait and call back if the bird is still alive the next day. “And I have yet to get one call back that they are alive,” Merritt said.

THE SICKNESS

Wildlife managers, rehabilitators and veterinarians first received reports in late April and May of sick birds in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Washington, D.C., but recent reports from Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Indiana and Ohio indicate the malady — whatever it may be — is spreading, despite the fact that birds are not migrating and are fairly stationary as they raise their young.

So far, the majority of birds reported as ailing have been fledgling blue jays, American robins, European starlings and common grackles, but other songbirds also may be affected.

“This is very alarming,” said Carol Babyak, a Howland bird enthusiast and member of the Mahoning Valley Chapter of the National Audubon Society. “The birds are telling us something. Having this happen, it’s not good.”

Not much is known about the seemingly contagious sickness. Hayley Shoemaker, program coordinator with the Ohio State University Extension in Mahoning County, has an information sheet on hand to answer questions from callers who want to know what is happening to their backyard birds.

“Right now, the cause of this is still something they’re trying to figure out,” Shoemaker said.

Diagnostic laboratories, including the U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Center and universities, are working to determine the cause. Connections to pesticide exposure, the recent cicada emergence and possible viral illness are being explored — but so far, there are no clear answers.

FEEDING THE BIRDS

Wildlife agencies are asking people to take down bird feeders and birdbaths temporarily in an attempt to curb the spread of the disease.

“A lot of people are hesitant to do that because we don’t want to see the birds not coming to their usual bird bath or bird feeder,” Shoemaker said. Removing those items, however, reduces congregation.

“When you think back to the beginning of the (COVID-19) pandemic when we told everybody to respect everybody’s space — that’s essentially what we’re doing with the birds,” Shoemaker explained.

Asking die-hard birders to remove their feeders is a tall order, though. Brian Hall, manager at Centerra County Store in Cortland , said the store goes through almost four tons of birdseed in a week. It’s flying off the shelves.

“People are still continuing to feed the birds,” Hall said. “The recommendation that I’ve been making is that if they do notice sickness at their feeders, stop feeding (for) two weeks, wash their feeders, then go back to feeding them.”

The USGS recommends disinfecting bird feeders and baths with a solution of 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water.

Hall said while people usually feed wild birds from early fall to late spring and “let nature take its course” in the summer when natural food sources for birds are abundant, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in late March 2019, “we’re still hot and heavy feeding birds.

“People are home. They’re bored, and the birds are a lot of fun to watch,” he said.

CLOSE TO HOME

Hall said he has not seen any sick birds and has heard the illness still is not prevalent in the Mahoning Valley. Babyak also has not seen any of her backyard birds fall ill but said a neighbor about half a mile north of her has found four dead robins within the past month. Merritt said the sickness is here, and has been for about three weeks.

“People needed to take their bird feeders down like a month ago, and they still need to continue to keep their feeders down,” Merritt said.

Shoemaker said the OSU extension is encouraging people who see birds exhibiting symptoms to report them through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources species sighting portal at https://apps.ohiodnr.gov/wildlife/speciessighting/.

She’s also asking people not to touch sick or dying birds, as it is unclear how the disease is being transmitted. Dead birds should be removed with gloves and placed into the trash in a disposable plastic bag so that animals or neighbors won’t come into contact with them.

So far, no other animals are being affected, according to the OSU extension fact sheet, but it is possible it is spreading to other species of birds. Merritt has sent several hawks that were displaying similar symptoms to be tested by the Division

of Wildlife.

Her Birds in Flight Sanctuary is in the process of moving from Howland to a new location in Vienna, where Merritt will have a quarantine unit to care for birds and wild animals with unknown diseases.

She said if the sickness now affecting songbirds still is prevalent by the end of August, it may spread even faster as migration begins.

Hall said he expects that local birders will continue feeding their birds despite all, but with precautions — they’re not going to let their birds die, if they can help it.

“People around here are die-hard birders,” Hall said. “If it comes to a choice, not feeding the birds or feeding the birds,

they’re going to feed the birds.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

OHIO HB 95 AIMS TO HELP FARMERS, BUT HOW MUCH HELP IS IT REALLY?

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 18:18:43 GMT

July 27, 2021

According to HB 95 legislation text: “The purpose of this act is to help the next generation enter agriculture by removing some of the existing barriers to entry and exit. The current tax code structure incentivizes farmers to hold onto their land until the time of death. The change proposed by this act will more readily allow succession to occur during the lifetime of a farmer, allowing beginning farmers to acquire assets sooner.” The bill, sponsored primarily by Susan Manchester of Ohio’s 84th District and Mary Lightbody from District 19, was created in the hopes of easing and encouraging the transition of land, equipment and other real property from aging farmers to the ownership of new, emerging farmers.

The agricultural industry continues to become an increasingly difficult one to earn a sustainable living from. According to the USDA, U.S. Dairy Farm numbers continue to decline year after year. A 2021 Milk Production Report confirms that statistic, citing a year-over-year decline in the number of dairy operations and a long trend of farmers deciding to exit the dairy business. Since 2003, the U.S. has lost more than half of its licensed dairy operations, now just shy of 32,000 dairy operations.

State legislators, particularly those from Ohio’s agricultural regions, have come up with a bill that they hope will help increase new farming endeavors throughout our state. In addition to easing some of the strict regulations that often prevent smooth transfer of property among retiring and new farmers, the bill provides tax credits for farmers who meet certain criteria. In order to qualify for these tax incentives, farmers must be new to the industry (by either newly seeking entry or having entered within the last 10-years), they must farm land in the state of Ohio, not be a partner or trustee of any assets they are seeking to buy or rent, have a total net worth of less than $800,000 in 2021, provide the majority of the labor on the farm, and satisfy several other requirements as are defined in the legislation. To learn more about the bill or to read it for yourself, you can visit the Ohio Legislature website .

While all of this sounds like a great benefit to farmers, some feel as though the bill could be better. A recent article in The Daily Record featured an Ashland-area couple who began farming in 2015. While they are grateful for any help they can get when it comes to sustaining their farm, they explain that it has been family support that has helped them more than anything thus far. The article goes on to say that HB 95 may be well-intentioned, but it is weak and is unlikely to provide farmers with the financial help nor the educational guidance they need to successfully run a farm.

Agricultural cooperatives such as Centerra Co-Op offer help to farmers in the form of low-interest loans, education, equipment training and rental, expertise, buying power and even manpower. If you’re interested in becoming a member of Centerra’s cooperative community, call Andrea Jenkins at 419-207-3661.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN 2021 WORLD FORAGE ANALYSIS SUPERBOWL

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 18:03:56 GMT

Published Oct. 3, 2021 by Morning Ag Clips

MADISON — The World Forage Analysis Superbowl evaluated 343 entries and presented awards to top five finishers at the Brevant seeds Forage Superbowl Luncheon during World Dairy Expo. Herrington Farms Inc. of Troy, N.Y., was awarded as the Grand Champion Forage Producer with their BMR Corn Silage and was presented $2,500 from Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health for that honor. The Grand Champion First-Time Entrant cash award of $2,000, sponsored by New Holland, went to Marty Farms of Sterling, Ohio.

Additionally, two Quality Counts Awards were presented to competitors. In the area of Quality Counts Corn Silage, Kensinger Farms, Martinsburg, Pa.., took home top honors, sponsored by Silostop. The top award for the Quality Counts Hay/Haylage went to Legacy Farms, Shell Lake, Wis., and was sponsored by CROPLAN by WinField.

Sponsors of the 2021 World Forage Analysis Superbowl were led by Platinum Sponsor, Brevant seeds. Other supporters included division sponsors, Ag-Bag by RCI, Agri-King, Inc., Barenbrug USA, Lallemand Animal Nutrition, NEXGROW Alfalfa, Scherer Inc. and W-L Research. Additional funds were provided by Micro Technologies, Passion Ag, Inc. and Provimi.

The top five placings from each category are:

Grand Champion Baleage – Sponsored by Agri-King Inc.

1st Place – Jenks Jerseys, Marathon, Wis.
2nd Place – Denmar Acres, Greenleaf, Wis.
3rd Place – Eric Speltz, Altura, Minn.
4th Place – Coulee Crest LLC, Cashton, Wis.
5th Place – Freysbush Dairy LLC, Fort Plain, N.Y.

Grand Champion Commercial Hay – Sponsored by NEXGROW Alfalfa

1st Place – Hardrock Farms Inc., Wheatland, Wyo.
2nd Place – Carlson Brothers Farm, Jewell, Iowa.
3rd Place – Little Hay Company, Wilsonville, Neb.
4th Place – Calvin Carlson, Jewell, Iowa.5th Place – Lazy 2K Livestock, Wheatland, Wyo.

Grand Champion Dairy Hay – Sponsored by W-L Research

1st Place – Olson Farms, Lena, Wis.
2nd Place – Donald and Nancy Hasselquist, Osceola, Wis.
3rd Place – Mark Rueth, Oxford, Wis.
4th Place – E & A Milkers, Sigourney, Iowa.
5th Place – Schroeder Farms, Odebolt, Iowa.

Grand Champion Grass Hay – Sponsored by Barenbrug USA

1st Place – Cozy Nook Farm, Waukesha, Wis.
2nd Place – Lazy 2K Livestock, Wheatland, Wyo.
3rd Place – Hardrock Farms Inc., Wheatland, Wyo.
4th Place – Donald and Nancy Hasselquist, Osceola, Wis
5th Place – Stefan Hay Company, North Collins, N.Y.

Grand Champion Alfalfa Haylage – Sponsored by Ag-Bag by RCI

1st Place – Todd Mark, Elmwood, Wis.
2nd Place – Opportunity Acres, Lena, Wis.
3rd Place – Ciolkosz Dairy, Thorp, Wis.
4th Place – Mike Redetzke, Colby, Wis.
5th Place – Sand Creek Dairy, Hastings, Mich.

Grand Champion Mixed/Grass Haylage – Sponsored by Lallemand Animal Nutrition

1st Place – Opportunity Acres, Lena, Wis.
2nd Place – Morning View Dairy LLC, Merrill, Wis.
3rd Place – Leuer Dairy, Oconto, Wis.
4th Place – Legacy Farms, Shell Lake, Wis.
5th Place – Four Cubs Farm, Grantsburg, Wis.

Grand Champion Standard Corn Silage – Sponsored by Scherer Inc.

1st Place – Egan Family Dairy, Omro, Wis.
2nd Place – Herrington Farms Inc., Troy, N.Y.
3rd Place – Jenson Family Farms, Elk Mound, Wis.
4th Place – Enos Lehman, Chambersburg, Pa.
5th Place – Olson Farms, Lena, Wis.

Grand Champion BMR Corn Silage – Sponsored by Brevant Seeds

1st Place – Rothlisberger Dairy, Upper Sandusky, Ohio
2nd Place – Larry Doody, Tully, N.Y.
3rd Place – Old Acres Farms, Perry, N.Y.
4th Place – Conrad Farms, Grafton, Ohio.
5th Place – Harold Zimmerman, Shiloh, Ohio.

The World Forage Analysis Superbowl is organized in partnership between Dairyland Laboratories Inc., Hay & Forage Grower, US Dairy Forage Research Center, University of Wisconsin and World Dairy Expo. To learn more, visit foragesuperbowl.org .

Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo brings together the latest in dairy innovation and the best cattle in North America. The dairy industry will return to Madison, Wis. for the 54th event, September 28 – October 2, 2021, when the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, dairy and forage seminars, a world-class dairy cattle show and more will be on display. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile event app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , Spotify , Instagram or YouTube for more information.

— World Dairy Expo

*A special congratulations to the winners in BOLD GREEN type who also happen to be Centerra Co-Op customers!

STORAGE SPACE ADDED

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 18:00:07 GMT

There has been quite a bit of construction going on at some of our
Agronomy sites recently. We’re adding storage space and additional equipment
so that we may continue to provide top-notch products and services for our
co-op members and customers. Below is a photo of warehouse space being
built in Sullivan, OH. Similar projects are underway or have been completed
at Loudonville and Middlefield in Ohio, and at Volant and Mill Village in
Pennsylvania.

PATRONAGE PAID FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 17:49:46 GMT

We are pleased to share with you that this is our fifth consecutive year paying patronage, continuing our commitment of returning Centerra’s profitability to you, our valued member.

In addition to this achievement, we are particularly proud that the amount of patronage we are paying is significantly more than what we paid out last year. Thanks to your loyal support, each of our businesses (grain, agronomy, feed, fuel, and propane) will be paying patronage this year.

As this patronage payment is 50/50 cash and equity, your ownership in the co-op will increase by the same amount as your check. We have currently redeemed all equity through 2007 and we are committed to consistently redeeming equity in the years to come.

In addition to patronage, we pass “DPAD” tax credits to you. We estimate that the tax credits to members will match the amount of patronage dollars. In other words, for most co-op members, this this patronage payment is tax free .

We are working as hard as possible to get our suppliers to lock in prices for inputs with us. As soon as that happens, you have our commitment that we will contact you with our lock-in input price programs.

In the meantime, we are offering you, our loyal member who is receiving patronage this year, this proposal: If you use this patronage payment to prepay next year’s agronomy inputs , we will add an additional 5% to the amount prepaid. You will have about a month to decide whether this is something of interest to you (deadline is December 15.) We will set up your prepay by the category(s) of ag input (Ex: dry fertilizer or chemicals) that you want. The amount that you prepay can be any amount from $1 up to the amount of the patronage check attached .

You are at the center of all our efforts. Thank you for your business.

VOTING NOW OPEN FOR BOARD MEMBERS

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 17:43:59 GMT

Voting is now closed .

Join us for our annual meeting , scheduled for January 31 at 10 am at 489 N. Main Street, Mansfield, Ohio. We want to showcase Mansfield’s speed and ease of use for you.

We have 3 board positions with terms that expire at our annual meeting. Five people have stepped forward to say they would appreciate the chance to represent you and help set the direction of your co-op. You can vote for 1 of the 5 candidates .

I am pleased that this last year we were able to:

Respond creatively and quickly to challenges including volatile prices and lack of supply
Take in high vomitoxin corn when others rejected it or charged very high discounts
Make significant investments in assets you told us were needed
Make $7.5 million before taxes; a significant portion of this from non-member business
Put $1.5 million of cash in your hands through cash patronage and equity redemptions
Show appreciation for your business through many programs

Please come to our annual meeting for more information. Or if you have 4 minutes, go to https://youtu.be/4OJVymv_WrU to watch a short summary of our year.

Our balance sheet remains strong, and our team is committed to serving you as effectively as possible. In short, we are eager to handle your future needs. Thank you for your business.

Jean Bratton, CEO

ON A MISSION OF LOVE, VOLUNTEERS DRIVE TRACTOR-TRAILER TO KENTUCKY AFTER TORNADOES

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 17:36:57 GMT

Bob Gaetjens Record-Courier

Published December 28, 2021

On Monday, Dec. 27, several volunteers helped fill a 53-foot Centerra Co-Op tractor trailer which was driven to Bowling Green, KY to help victims of the recent tornadoes. From left to right: Ashton Kemp, Brian Royean, Patrick Paisley, Tom Kline, Mission of Love founder Kathy Price and Bob Crooks, driver for Centerra Co-Op. Kline will ride in the tractor trailer with Crooks. Photo by Bob Gaetjens

Ravenna — Mission of Love, with help from Bob Crooks and Tom Kline, is sending a truckload of hope to residents of Bowling Green, Ky., which was among the towns hit by a serious tornado outbreak Dec. 11.

According to Kathy Price, founder of Mission of Love , there are around 4,000 newly homeless families in Bowling Green. On Tuesday, they’ll get a boost from a truckload of humanitarian goods driven down by Kline and Crooks, a driver for Centerra Co-op which is donating the truck and fuel for the trip.

“Kathy’s the organizer,” said Crooks. “We just of kind jumped into this. We ran into a bunch of [dead ends], and we were close to giving up when Tom ran into Kathy, and it just kind of fell together after that.”

Price said it’s people like Kline and Crooks who make these kinds of missions possible.

“It takes a lot of networking to get to the right people and fill the trailer up,” she said. “That takes a lot of hands and a lot of hearts. This is not just about one person.”

In all, she estimated about 200 people had a hand in sending the Centerra Co-op truck south with a load of food, clothing, mattresses and other basic needs.

Items that are heading to Kentucky include cases of bottled water, clothing and coats, furniture and medical assistance equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs. The operation is the result of coordination between Kathy Price, founder of Mission of Love, Bob Crooks, driver for Centerra Co-Op, and Tom Kline, Crooks’ neighbor and friend. Photo by Bob Gaetjens

On Monday, Crooks, Kline and Price traveled from a warehouse in Alliance where they picked up water to a warehouse at Camp Garfield where they added a variety of other basic necessities for Bowling Green families.

“We’re going to leave [Tuesday] morning at about 6 a.m.,” said Crooks. “We’re going to spend the night and come back.”

Kline said the timing was perfect to provide aid to Kentuckians.

“With Bob being on vacation, the timing was perfect,” he said. “I wanted to go to help with Katrina years ago, but the timing wasn’t right for me. I was able to take a week of vacation, and then Bob had the truck … everything just fell into place.”

Crooks said friends and family also pitched in on the effort.

“Everybody came together within four days, and we got 20 extra-large boxes of clothing and coats we’re loading up in this truck later today,” he said. “The clothing’s just as important as the bottled water.”

Price said Mission of Love focuses on giving aid to people facing crises around the world year-round.

“In October, we sent a trailer of humanitarian aid to Louisiana after Hurricane Ida,” she said, adding Mission of Love was also among the earliest contributors of aid following Hurricane Katrina in 2004, which inundated parts of Louisiana, including New Orleans.

Although Price said she’s able to coordinate supplies and pinpoint areas of need, volunteers are always needed to complete humanitarian missions.

“The bottom line is, everybody is born to give,” she said. “Everybody has passion and love, and if I can facilitate that through volunteers, I’m doing my job.”

Price also said she established a GoFundme page where people can contribute to helping Kentucky tornado survivors.

Those interested in learning more about Mission of Love may email Price at kathy@missionoflove.org .

OABA INDUSTRY CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS AWARD WINNERS

josiah@crossbridgemarketing.com (Josiah Martin) — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 16:45:44 GMT

From Ohio’s Country Journal

The 2022 Ohio AgriBusiness Association Industry Conference is underway and members from around the state heard a wide array of diverse presentations.

In addition, OABA presented 2022 Industry Excellence Awards:

2022 Excellence in Customer Service — Holly Cotter, Centerra Co-op
2022 Achievement as an Emerging Leader — Brian Spangler, Centerra Co-op
2022 Excellence in Safety & Stewardship — Tim Flock, Central Ohio Farmers Co-op, Inc.

Winners received a plaque and $1,000 cash award, sponsored by Assured Partners — J.H. Ward Agency. OABA has a distinguished history of serving the agricultural industry and its members through advocacy, policy leadership and educational programs. The Industry Excellence Awards honor excellence, professionalism and achievement among OABA member companies and their employees, and thereby encourage that same excellence in others.

“Now more than ever, it is important to take time to recognize outstanding individuals in our industry,” said Chris Henney, OABA president and CEO. “These leaders set a high standard that agribusiness employees across all levels should aspire to achieve.”

Holly Cotter

Photo Credit: Ohio’s Country Journal

Excellence in Customer Service

The Excellence in Customer Service Award is presented to an individual who goes “above and beyond” in their service to customers, in order to define what excellent customer service looks like and recognize those whose contributions may often go unnoticed. The 2022 award recipient is Holly Cotter of Ashland.

Cotter, Grain Merchandising Assistant at Centerra Co-op, is responsible for grain logistics and communicating with stakeholders, including farmers and brokers. With more than 20 years of experience at Centerra, she strives to deliver a positive customer experience, making each interaction personal to better serve her customers.

“Holly lives to serve other people,” said Paxton Wood, Grain Merchandiser for Centerra Co-op. “She’ll do anything for her coworkers, anything for their family, her family. She lives to help other people, even outside of work.”

Watch a video about Holly here: https://youtu.be/iIUvV9JrlEo

Brian Spangler

Photo Credit Ohio’s Country Journal

Achievement as an Emerging Leader

The Achievement as an Emerging Leader Award is presented to an individual who represents the spirit of leadership as a growing agribusiness professional. Leadership is often difficult to define in everyday business activities, but it remains an important ability to cultivate. The 2022 award recipient is Brian Spangler of Mansfield, Ohio.

Spangler, Grain Operations Manger for Centerra Co-op’s Mansfield and Grafton locations, is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations at both branches, managing nearly two-thirds the grain Centerra handles, as well as the employees at each location. He continually pushes his employees to strive for new heights and grow together as a team.

“He has an uncanny ability to lead people,” said Kevin Berger, Grain Operations Vice President for Centerra Co-op. “He’s very likable when it comes to his work here at the facility. He definitely leads by example; he doesn’t ask anything of his employees that he doesn’t do himself.”

Watch a video about Brian here: https://youtu.be/X9714iDbe5Y

Tim Flock

Excellence in Safety & Stewardship

The Excellence in Safety & Stewardship Award is presented to an individual that demonstrates safety and stewardship in day-to-day activities and interactions with customers, encouraging others to put safety first and be good stewards of equipment and land. The 2022 award recipient is Tim Flock of Marion, Ohio.

Flock, Safety Manager for Central Ohio Farmers Co-op, exudes safety as his daily life. With a hands-on, collaborative approach, he spends much of his time working directly with employees to implement best practices, to ensure all employees take safety as seriously as he does.

“He absorbs safety throughout everything in his life; it’s not just something where he’s bringing it to work,” said Heather Ferrell, HR Manager for Central Ohio Farmers Co-op. “As our safety manager, people feel that they can go to him with anything. He going to listen and he’s going to try their different ideas.”

Ohio Agribusiness Association

2022 OABA Industry Conference

The three-day Industry Conference event, Jan. 25-27 at the Columbus Renaissance Westerville, was packed with widely-respected speakers and industry professionals, sharing their expertise on a variety of topics relating to agronomy, grain and feed, safety and more. More details will be made available at www.oaba.net/events_conference .

OABA INDUSTRY CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS AWARD WINNERS

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 16:52:17 GMT

From Ohio’s Country Journal

The 2022 Ohio AgriBusiness Association Industry Conference is underway and members from around the state heard a wide array of diverse presentations.

In addition, OABA presented 2022 Industry Excellence Awards:

2022 Excellence in Customer Service — Holly Cotter, Centerra Co-op
2022 Achievement as an Emerging Leader — Brian Spangler, Centerra Co-op
2022 Excellence in Safety & Stewardship — Tim Flock, Central Ohio Farmers Co-op, Inc.

Holly Cotter

Photo Credit: Ohio’s Country Journal

Excellence in Customer Service

Watch a video about Holly here: https://youtu.be/iIUvV9JrlEo

Brian Spangler

Photo Credit Ohio’s Country Journal

Achievement as an Emerging Leader

The Achievement as an Emerging Leader Award is presented to an individual who represents the spirit of leadership as a growing agribusiness professional. Leadership is often difficult to define in everyday business activities, but it remains an important ability to cultivate. The 2022 award recipient is Brian Spangler of Mansfield, Ohio.

Watch a video about Brian here: https://youtu.be/X9714iDbe5Y

Tim Flock

Excellence in Safety & Stewardship

Ohio Agribusiness Association

2022 OABA Industry Conference

www.oaba.net/events_conference .

WAR IN UKRAINE, OTHER GLOBAL FACTORS DRIVING UP COST OF FERTILIZER

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 16:31:10 GMT

Photo Credit: SHANNON ROAE, Meadville Tribune. James Tobin, Manager of Centerra Co-Op’s Cambridge Springs and Mill Village, PA locations is seeing a lot of fluctuation in the price of fertilizer.

By Sean P. Ray Meadville Tribune Mar 21, 2022

Major global events, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, are driving up the cost of a relatively mundane but necessary resource for farmers: fertilizer.

“We haven’t seen anything as volatile as it has been this year,” said James Tobin, manager of the Cambridge Springs Centerra Co-op location. “Price fluctuations of $100 a time.”

Tobin listed the conflict in Ukraine as one of the factors driving up the price, mentioning that Russia is “one of the top three sources of fertilizer.” However, he said there were other events at play, ranging from cleanup operations done by China ahead of the Winter Olympics to rumors of a possible rail strike in Canada.

Still, the war is taking its toll on an already expensive necessity for farmers. Kelly Hyde, manager of Erie Crawford Co-op, said prices were already high last year, and while it looked like they were starting to go down again, the conflict has pushed those costs right back up and then some.

Hyde said he’d seen increases from $600 a ton last year, to $950 or $1,000 a ton this year.

Bill Zeiders, media communications director for Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, explained that Russia and neighboring Belarus, which is also involved in the conflict, are among the biggest exporters of the ingredients necessary to make artificial fertilizer. Sanctions resulting from the war targeting Russia have, as a result, driven up the cost of those ingredients.

“It’s not the farmers’ fault this is happening,” Zeiders said. “This is obviously a result of a lot of factors that are global in nature in a lot of cases.”

While many people might not think of it like that, fertilizer is a traded commodity, Hyde said. It has investors who try to buy it up and then sell when the price is higher. Global events can affect how much these investments are worth and whether they’re being sold or not.

Joe Paxton, of Irishtown Acres in Mercer County, is one farmer who has felt the pain of the high cost of fertilizer. Despite buying an order before the conflict began, he paid several times more for his nitrogen fertilizer.

“We’ve bought some of this year’s fertilizer at the end of last year,” Paxton said. “Comparing that to the year before, well, nitrogen is up almost 300 percent.”

Paxton has a herd of cattle at his farm, being primarily a dairy operation. As such, he’s able to use manure as a stand-in for fertilizer, but that only gets him enough to cover about one-fourth of the acreage he plants on.

As such, Paxton is aiming to be careful in how he utilizes his fertilizer supply this year.

“We’re certainly going to use it sparingly,” he said. “We’re not going to put anything in excess.”

Joey Atkins, field and forage crops educator at the Mercer County Penn State Extension, said most fertilizer production is done overseas, with some in Canada. While he’s sure there are domestic operations, he said ramping up such production to meet the demand would prove incredibly challenging.

Photo Credit: SHANNON ROAE, Meadville Tribune. Piles of nitrogen for fertilizer mixtures at Centerra Co-Op’s Cambridge Springs location.

Getting hands on fertilizer could also prove a challenge. Atkins said one co-op he speaks with already has all of its fertilizer stock spoken for, and the supplier the co-op purchases its supply from “won’t even quote them a price.”

Fertilizer is critical for farming. While garden growers might be able to get away without it, Atkins said to get the yield necessary to make a profit takes proper fertilization.

“The lion’s share of the yield is made in the nutrients that are there,” he said.

Atkins gave some suggestions on farmers looking to save where they can. He recommended farmers get their soils tested in order to optimize where fertilizer is most needed and where less can be applied.

“You might have a lot more fertility in the soil than you think, and there’s some guys who over-apply,” he said.

He also suggested farmers take a look at their pest pressure, and try to pare back where possible. He said some farmers spray fungicide on their crops no matter what, even if crops often aren’t affected anyways.

As to the long-term effects of the price increases, those involved in the agricultural industry can only speculate. While fertilizer is more expensive, Zeiders said prices for crops like grain, wheat, soybeans and corn are also high currently, and farmers could see profits to meet the higher expense.

On a more negative note, Hyde said he could foresee farmers having issues getting a line of credit from banks for up-front cost to get the planting season started. Hyde said farmers often need credit for buying things like bulk fertilizer, and the amount they ask for may be much higher with prices the way they are.

“They would have to go back to their creditors and say, ‘Hey, I need twice the money,’” Hyde said. “Well, what if their creditors don’t agree to that?”

Over at Centerra, Tobin said the co-op has had to be “a little more strategical” in the amount it pre-pays for fertilizer this year. The co-op is further trying to get as much fertilizer in stock as it can, ensuring there will be enough to meet potential later demand.

Whatever the outcome, however, the price increase, alongside other cost increases from inflation, is causing plenty of trouble now.

“It’s just going to be a tough year for everyone,” Paxton said. “Every aspect of food production right now is going to get more expensive.”

Sean P. Ray can be reached at (814) 724-6370 or by email at sray@meadvilletribune.com .

Read the article or subscribe to the Meadville Tribune HERE

NEW DISPATCH SOFTWARE CREATES MORE EFFICIENCY

josiah@crossbridgemarketing.com (Josiah Martin) — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 15:46:56 GMT

NEW DISPATCH SOFTWARE CREATES MORE EFFICIENCY
Centerra has recently partnered with DispatchTrack, a delivery management software, to increase our trucking efficiencies.

“We thought we were fully utilizing our assets and planning our routes very efficiently. With the implementation of DispatchTrack we quickly realized that there were many opportunities to improve our operations,” said Todd Willeke, SVP of Retail and Logistics at Centerra. “DispatchTrack gives us greater visibility, enabling us to optimize loads on each truck and use all of our existing capacity. Within weeks of implementing DispatchTrack, we saw a substantial increase in profitability simply by becoming more efficient with our current fleet of trucks and drivers.”

Since the implementation of this software we have been able to complete more deliveries of feed and birdseed each day and it has allowed us to deliver more gallons of propane per day while driving less miles on each route. With the success we’ve seen so far, we hope to use DispatchTrack in the future to manage the delivery of grain, fertilizer, and liquid fuels as well.

centerra1fcc6fd1

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Published Oct. 3, 2021 by Morning Ag Clips ﻿

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ON A MISSION OF LOVE, VOLUNTEERS DRIVE TRACTOR-TRAILER TO KENTUCKY AFTER TORNADOES

OABA INDUSTRY CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS AWARD WINNERS

OABA INDUSTRY CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS AWARD WINNERS

WAR IN UKRAINE, OTHER GLOBAL FACTORS DRIVING UP COST OF FERTILIZER

NEW DISPATCH SOFTWARE CREATES MORE EFFICIENCY

are hosting a Farm Tire Collection

See why your customers can count on nitrogen stabilizers powered by Optinyte ^® technology to improve nitrogen use efficiency in their fields

Published Oct. 3, 2021 by Morning Ag Clips