By Mimi Falkman, senior marketing specialist, CHS Lubricants
Planting season is always a busy time of year on the farm,
but it can be especially tight when winter overstays its welcome. A short spring means there’s even less time than usual for farmers to complete some of the most important work of the year.
During a condensed planting season, equipment is under added
stress because it needs to work overtime to meet demands. To keep machines protected and operating at peak performance during a shorter spring, farmers can set themselves up for success by
preparing their equipment and fluids while the fields are still wet.
CHS Inc.
reported net income of $248.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and
$596.3 million for the first six months of fiscal 2019.
“Our
strong performance in the second quarter reflects our hard work at serving our
owners and other customers better. We’ve refocused on serving our customers and
improving our operations, and that has shown positive results in our financials
for the first half of fiscal 2019,” said Jay Debertin, CHS president and
chief executive officer. “Our performance also reflects the benefit of a
diverse platform across business units that serves our cooperative and
farmer-owners.”
Grain powers American agriculture. During Stand-Up for Grain Safety Week, March 25 through 29, we want to remind everyone working on farms and in grain-handling facilities to respect and understand the risks associated with working with grain.
“It’s important to continue to work with the industry, our
employees and our farmer-owners on the hazards in the grain industry, while
stressing safe practices and controls to ensure their safety,” says Matt
Surdick, manager, Country Operations Environment, Health and Safety, CHS.
When most people think of agriculture, they wonder how we are going to feed the growing population of 9.6 billion by 2050. And while that’s an important question to consider, I find myself thinking more often about the individuals needed to fill the talent pipeline to feed that growing population.
With nearly 4 in 10 agriculture jobs going unfilled each
year and the average-age of farmers ever increasing, it’s going to take a
pragmatic, creative approach to encourage young people to pursue careers in
agriculture.
CHS has completed the acquisition of West Central Distribution, LLC, a full-service wholesale distributor of agronomy products headquartered in Willmar, Minnesota.
“Completing the acquisition of West Central demonstrates
our commitment to provide more of the products, services and technologies
cooperatives, retailers and our farmer-owners need to compete,” said Gary
Halvorson, senior vice president, CHS Agronomy. “Ownership of West Central
expands our agronomy platform, positions CHS as a leading supply partner to
cooperatives and retailers serving growers throughout the United States and
adds value for CHS owners.”
It may be impossible to tell with complete certainty where a disease
will be an issue, but most people can agree on the conditions that can lead to
disease. These conditions, otherwise known as the Disease Triangle, include a
susceptible host, a conducive environment and a pathogen. When those three
things collide, there will be a disease issue.
Though
we can see the triangle forming, we can’t always predict how strong the
pathogen will spread or how strong it will be. Because we are unable to make
this prediction, prevention and planning are key to stopping the spread of
diseases.
One of the largest rural youth leadership organizations, FFA, kicks off National FFA Week, Feb. 16-23 to celebrate all things ag leaders, blue corduroy and agricultural education. Many CHS employees are former FFA members and many CHS locations are involved with their local FFA chapters.
CHS has announced plans to build a new 24,000-ton fertilizer facility at its Langdon, North Dakota, location, part of its Country Operations retail division. This expansion is meant to broaden both supply and services to growers in Cavalier County, providing much-needed speed and space to meet growing demand. The new dry fertilizer facility will include two 16-ton blenders, five big bins and four micro-bins. When finished, the state-of-the-art hub plant will provide 1,200 per ton per hour unloading. Access to the BNSF via the existing CHS loop track at Langdon takes full advantage of the CHS integrated supply chain and position as a leading crop nutrients wholesale distributor in North America ensuring area producers have the product they need when they need it.
“This investment on behalf of our farmer-owners helps ensure we continue to drive value for them and their farms,” said Mark Greicar, CHS general manager. “We’re proud to be able to grow our operations to meet our patrons’ growing needs.” CHS expects to break ground as soon as weather permits this spring.
CHS Inc. has reported a net income of $347.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2019. “Our strong first quarter results position us well as we start our 2019 fiscal year,” said Jay Debertin, CHS president and chief executive officer. “We are focused on making CHS our customers’ first choice by advancing our technology solutions and equipping employees to meet the changing needs of our customers around the world. We will do this while maintaining financial discipline and rigor.”
CHS elected five directors at the CHS Annual Meeting. Pictured (left to right) are: David Beckman, David Johnsrud, David Kayser, Russ Kehl and Steve Fritel.
The 2018 CHS Annual Meeting wrapped up December 7 as more than 1,900 CHS member-owners took part in educational sessions, board elections and governance, and heard company updates in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A recap of the meeting, including the 2018 CHS Annual Report, videos and photos is ready to view.
During CHS Board elections Friday morning, CHS owners elected a farmer from Nebraska and re-elected four other farmers to serve three-year terms on the board. CHS Directors must be full-time farmers or ranchers to be eligible for election to the 17-member board.
Newly elected Director David Beckman of Elgin, Nebraska, succeeds Don Anthony of Lexington, Nebraska, who retired after serving on the board since 2006. Along with his wife, brother and their families, Beckman raises irrigated corn and soybeans and operates a custom hog-feeding operation. He received his bachelor’s degree in agronomy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and he serves as board chairman for Central Valley Ag Cooperative, York, Nebraska, and secretary of the Nebraska Cooperative Council.
Re-elected were Steve Fritel, Rugby, North Dakota; David Johnsrud, Starbuck, Minnesota; David Kayser, Alexandria, South Dakota; and Russ Kehl, Quincy, Washington.
Following the annual meeting, the CHS Board re-elected Dan Schurr, LeClaire, Iowa, to a one-year term as chairman. Other directors selected as officers for 2019 were:
J. Blew, Castleton, Kansas, first vice chairman
David Johnsrud, Starbuck, Minnesota, secretary-treasurer
Jon Erickson, Minot, North Dakota, second vice chairman
Steve Riegel, Ford, Kansas, assistant secretary-treasurer
