Interaction in the fields at FS Forage Launch

Detecting potato leafhopper at the test plots in Mitchell was just one of the many exercises and topics discussed at this year’s annual FS Green Plan Solutions™  Forage Launch.

Several Ontario FS crop specialists from across the Ontario FS System gathered at the Mitchell Community Center to hear from speakers covering timely topics such as forage fertility, the new WL Alfalfa line up of quality guaranteed seed varieties and hear about the most common pest problems and solutions this year.


Huron Bay Co-operative FS Crop Specialists John Verhoeve (L) and Jim Peeters (R) inspect for Potato Leafhopper at Mitchell test plot at recent FS Ontario Forage Launch.

After the formal sessions of the launch, the group headed to the FS PARTNERS Mitchell test plot where Bill Brown, GROWMARK Ontario field agronomist, Dave Gentry, GROWMARK product manager –forage and turf-grass, Mike Peterson of WL Research and Don McLean agronomist with FS PARTNERS followed up with some hands-on scouting techniques and seed variety identification.
Each crop specialist received a new 140-page, 2012 Forage Seed Guide to take with them as a reference tool.

Joint golf tournament raises more money for Ontario charities

UPI Energy LP and CASE ‘N DRUM OIL LP held their first Annual Invitational Charity Golf tournament together to make an already big event even better by raising more money for three deserving charities.

Together along with almost 50 proud sponsors and more than 120 dedicated golfers that showed up to support the day, $30,000 was raised providing $10,000 each to Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre, the London Regional Cancer Program and The Children’s Health Foundation.

UPI Energy has held an annual charity golf tournament for the past 11 years and has raised over $190,000 for various charities.

(L-R) Recieving $10,000 for the Children’s Health Foundation is Jill Osborne, Robert Sicard, UPI Energy LP and Suzanne Newington of CASE ’N DRUM OIL LP.

FS crop specialists Dave VanCasteren and Brent Troyer earn CCS credentials

Brent Troyer, FS Crop Specialist with North Wellington Co-operative Services in Harriston (R) and Dave VanCasteren, FS Crop Specialist with FS PARTNERS in Alliston both successfully completed the requirements necessary to hold credentials as Certified Crop Specialists (CCS) in the FS System. This prestigious achievement is the next level up in their extensive agricultural training. Both gentlemen already hold the designation of a certified crop advisor in Ontario. 

The Certified Crop Specialist accreditation recognizes crop advisors for their production expertise, says Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario marketing director. “These credentials prove a CCS’s ability to put his or her training to work in finding solutions that help producers optimize agronomic results, economic return and environmental stewardship.”

To earn the original title of Certified Crop Specialist, candidates are required to successfully complete a series of comprehensive written and verbal exams designed to establish base standards of knowledge on the topics of nutrient management practices, integrated pest management, soil erosion and water quality. Among the skill sets assessed are technical knowledge; the ability to discover, identify and analyze yield-limiting factors from a grower’s field records; identify common pest problems and recommend economic treatment measures; discuss and analyze the economic aspects of crop production; and understand the need-identification process.

The GROWMARK CCS program has been in existence for 25 years as a way to offer exemplary FS sales staff the opportunity to excel and receive recognition for achieving the highest level of excellence in sales ability, technical knowledge and outstanding customer service.

Enviromental Leadership honour for AGRIS Co-op

On March 31, AGRIS Co-operative was awarded with Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious “Environmental Leadership Award,” which was presented during the Chambers 123rd Annual Business Excellence Awards Banquet. The award was handed out at a gala event held at Club Lentina’s in Chatham. Board president Larry Pajot and general manager Jim Campbell accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

L-R Gail Antaya - President and Chief Executive Officer - Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, Jim Campbell - AGRIS Co-operative General Manager, Larry Pajot - AGRIS Co-operative Board President, Sarah Smith - Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce Administrative Assistant.

Ontario FS directors attend Summit

For the fifth year in a row, Ontario FS System directors got together to share information and gain more knowledge about the director's role, responsibilities and capabilities within the co-operative organization.

The three-day FS Director Summit was held at Blue Mountain Resort and Conference Centre and was attended by 90 people. The event itself and some of the specific training counted towards director certification credits.

Dan Kelley GROWMARK chairman of the board and president, Dennis Farmer senior vice president, Member Services & Retail, Jim Spradlin vice president Agronomy and Matt Hynes manager, Agronomy Marketing & Agronomic Services spoke on a variety of topics. There was also a youth component with Kerr Smith from the Ontario Co-operative Association and Sylvia Megans, 2011 4-H Ontario Ambassador spoke about the importance of supporting youth leadership programs. Chuck Spencer Director Government Affairs closed the program with an interesting presentation on American politics.

Dan Kelley, GROWMARK Chairman of the Board and President speaks to the group about GROWMARK’s strategic direction. Dennis Farmer, senior vice president Member Services & Retail (far right).

UPI Energy celebrates 20 years of success

In March UPI Energy LP proudly announced its 20th anniversary. Since 1991, UPI has provided quality petroleum, propane, and lubricant products and services to customers across rural Ontario. On an annual basis, UPI markets more than half a billion litres of petroleum, propane, lubricants and energy related services province-wide.

UPI’s 20 year history and timeline of success:

Early 90’s: UPI was renowned for pioneering province wide-marketing of Ethanol-blended gasolines.

2001: UPI opened its first EnviroStation™, a modern, cost effective, above ground storage and dispensing retail gasoline outlet.

2003: UPI became the first in Ontario to retail biodiesel to the agricultural community with the introduction of DIESEL3000™.

2004: UPI expanded its lubricant operations with the acquisition of CASE ’N DRUM OIL Corporation™. Later that same year, the company grew with the acquisition of Damar Fuels, an independent petroleum business which operated in Elmira.

2007 was the launch of E85, a blend of up to 85% ethanol for use in Flex Fuel vehicles. UPI Energy LP’s petroleum, gas bar and cardlock network experienced further expansion with the addition of Ed Taylor Fuels in Cambridge, in 2007, and most recently in June 2010, with Sylvite Fuels & Lubricants in Putnam and Beselaere Fuels & Lubricants in Delhi.

Most recently, Robert Sicard, UPI Energy President and CEO was elected to the Canadian Propane Association’s board of directors.

“Green Plan Solutions™.....Maximizing Every Acre”-this year’s theme at Ontario PROTRACK Agronomy Conference

It may be the best conference yet, was a recurring comment seen on participants’ evaluation forms who attended GROWMARK Ontario region’s Agronomy Conference held at Hockley Valley Resort in Orangeville.

“ Let’s plant some seeds!” stated Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario marketing director who opened the three-day program with a challenge to all participants to use the conference as a way to plant new ideas in their minds to take back and apply to their businesses and help customers maximize every acre through achieving bigger yields and improved profitability. The conference opened with the launch and positioning of Green Plan Solutions and the importance for members to promote this shared brand collectively.

The line up of speakers included conference co-ordinator and emcee Bill Brown, GROWMARK Ontario field sales agronomist, Dr. Peter Sikkema Ph. D M.Sc. B.Sc (Agr) from the University of Guelph who covered the topics of Glyphosate resistant Giant Ragweed and weed management in soybeans, Dale Cowan Southern Co-operative Services senior agronomist spoke on agronomic fertility solutions, Don McLean, FS PARTNERS/North Wellington Co-operative agronomist and Sean Dunnett, FS PARTNERS seed specialist reported on the Pursuit of Maximum Yield program and Don Kabbes of Great Lakes Grain talked about grain marketing strategies.

Attending from GROWMARK were Dave Gentry, forage/turf retail product manager, who spoke about seed partners and treatments, Kevin Black, insect & plant disease technical manager covered weed and insect identification, Barry Nash, weed science technical manager talked modes of action with herbicides and Joe Dillier, director plant food gave some insight into what is happening around the world in respect to fertilizers.

The final day focused on communication and social media with a session from Andrew Campbell who is owner of Fresh Air Media. “It is not a question as to whether you should use social media to promote your business, but rather how and what tools you should use in your social media strategies,” was Campbell’s key message to his audience.

Terry Stevenson, Southern Co-operative Services communication manager and Janice Johnson, GROWMARK Ontario marketing and communication specialist followed with a session on communicating with customers and provided examples of various website and electronic communication tools that can be adopted easily.

The closing session was given by, Barry Hannah, GROWMARK senior trainer who tied it all the together with his presentation on utilizing all tools to Maximize Every Acre.

The conference was generously sponsored by BASF, Bayer CropScience, DuPont, Monsanto, PRIDE Seeds and Syngenta. Representatives from each sponsor presented new product information and technical advice.

Certified Crop Advisors received 11 certified education units for attending the conference.

Brian Colville, Sunderland Co-operative crop sales & service specialist asks a question to one of the speakers presenting at the Agronomy Conference. Bill Brown, GROWMARK Ontario field sales agronomist (holding microphone). Kimberly Callaghan, Sunderland Co-op crop sales & services specialist listens.

Meet this year's 4-H Ontario Ambassador team

 

Having successfully passed through interviews by a panel of three judges five new ambassadors were selected as to represent 4-H Ontario across the province for the year.

The 2011 Ambassadors are: Jennifer Betzner (Lynden), Cassandra Chornoboy (Rockwood), Alissa Goodfellow (Napanee), Sylvia Megens (Goodwood), and Alex Mitchell (Pembroke).

This is the seventh year of the program and it has been sponsored each year by and GROWMARK, Inc., and UPI Energy LP.

Ambassadors will work to promote 4-H in Ontario provincially, regionally, locally and at some national events. During their reign they have and will continue to receive training in several areas, such as interview skills, public relations and communication.

We encourage FS member co-operatives to invite an ambassador to your local functions to take part in your activities and speak to your audiences about the importance of supporting 4-H. Contact Janice Johnson, at the GROWMARK Ontario office at 519-895-4286 if you want to book an ambassador.

4-H has come up with more innovative ways to promote the program. You can view a testimonial video from Valerie Stone, 2010 Ambassador posted at http://www.youtube.com/user/4HOntario and read more about the program at http://www.4-hontario.ca/youth/opportunities/youth-positions/default.aspx

(L-R) Dianne Kennedy-UPI Energy LP, 4-H Ambassadors Sylvia Megens, Jennifer Betzner, Alex Mitchell, Cassandra Chornoboy and Alissa Goodfellow of Napanee, Barry Hannah-GROWMARK, Inc.

Ninety years of growth celebrated at AGRIS Co-operative AGM

“Celebrating 90 years of farmer-owned innovation” was the theme presented to more than 150 member-owners, supporters and friends of AGRIS Co-operative at its Annual Meeting in Chatham, Ontario earlier this year with Jeff Solberg, CEO of GROWMARK there to pass on his congratulations.

“We are very honoured to have you speak to our group especially knowing that this is the first annual meeting you have attended in your new role as CEO of GROWMARK,” said David Malott, AGRIS Co-operative president.

Solberg told AGRIS Co-operative members that they should be very proud of their accomplishments in reporting solid financial results. “A co-op has to be profitable to be able to grow and provide patronage refunds back to its farmer-owners and AGRIS is doing a great job of maintaining a high level of success.” The co-operative reported annual sales of nearly $50 million for 2010, income of $2.1 million and declared patronage refunds of $500,000 to its members for the second year in a row.

Solberg reiterated the strength of GROWMARK’s commitment to support and serve its members by saying, “GROWMARK values and sees every dollar we handle as a farmer’s dollar.”

During the meeting, AGRIS Co-operative filled four open board positions from a selection of eight strong nominees. “This was a great example of true democracy in action!” says Jim Campbell, AGRIS Co-operative general manager. “Seeing this many candidates come forward confirms that being farmer-owned and having a say in how the business is run means a lot to our members.”

The annual meeting also marked the retirement of the co-operative’s president David Malott from the board of directors, after more than 30 years of involvement with the co-op. Larry Pajot, of Windsor was elected as the new president.

Also attending from corporate GROWMARK was Davis Anderson, vice president grain, Marshall Bohbrink, vice president risk management and treasurer, Joe Kapraun, manager grain marketing division and Eric Smalley, grain business operations director all in support of Great Lakes Grain, a grain partnership between AGRIS Co-operative and GROWMARK.

As part of the 90th anniversary celebration, a tribute to past presidents was recognized, new testimonial banner displays and posters were displayed and a new video production was presented to the audience.

GROWMARK, Inc. Chief Executive Office Jeff Solberg brings greetings from GROWMARK at AGRIS Co-operative’s Annual General Meeting and 90^th anniversary celebration.

National biodiesel bumper sticker campaign launched by CRFA

FS PARTNERS is the first distributer of biofuels across Canada to be involved in the The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association and Grain Farmers of Ontario newly launched biodiesel bumper sticker campaign.

The initiative was announced March 21 in London at GFO annual meeting. The plan is to see that all vehicles fueled with biodiesel will have a bumper sticker that reads “Powered by Biodiesel” to show support for the federal government’s national biodiesel standard and promote awareness of the enviromentally friendlier fuel.

 Tom O'Neill, FS PARTNERS energy sales manager says that FS PARTNERS sees the value in using bumper stickers to spread the word. Almost 1300 school busses throughout Ontario have been labelled with Powered by Biodiesel stickers for the past few years. “We believe it is very important to continue the push for renewable fuels throughout Canada and being involved in the ‘Powered by Biodiesel’ bumper sticker initiative is part of that goal.”

“Farmers here and across the country are clearly enthusiastic about the increased production and promotion of biodiesel. This bumper sticker will let them proudly show their support,” said Canadian Renewable Fuels Association President Gordon Quaiattini in announcing the campaign. “The 2% renewable fuel standard for biodiesel is an investment in our future. It is creating good jobs, helping farmers find new ways to prosper and is helping protect our planet for future generations,”



A recent AgCall survey of active Canadian canola and soybean growers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario showed overwhelming support for the production and promotion of biodiesel in Canada. 87% of respondents supported using Canadian grown canola/soybeans in the production of biodiesel. 81% of respondents supported a federal renewable strategy that would promote the use of canola/soybeans in the production of biodiesel.

“Biodiesel is a great potential growth industry for Ontario’s grain and oilseed farmers, but in order for our 28,000 members to see any benefit, we need to see a biodiesel plant built in Ontario and a two per cent renewable diesel mandate passed,” added Don Kenny, Chair of the Grain Farmers of Ontario. “Our farmers have seen the benefits of the growth of the ethanol industry and they are hopeful for similar success in the biodiesel industry.”





(L) Tom O'Neill of FS PARTNERS with Gordon Quaiattini, president of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.

Announcing Frank Barron FS PARTNERS Division Manager

Frank Barron has been named the Division Manager of FS PARTNERS, a division of GROWMARK Inc., effective November 1, 2010.

Frank brings a wealth of experience to his new leadership role with FS PARTNERS. He was employed 11 years by Hudson Bay Company. Through its management development program, he worked his way up to managing all facets of large retail stores. In 1991, he entered the co-operative system as consumer manager for United Co-operatives of Ontario; and the following year, he joined Simcoe District Co-operative Services, serving as chief operating office/director of sales and marketing. In 2005, Frank joined the staff of FS PARTNERS, where he served as area manager. Additionally in 2008, Frank was awarded a master of business administration degree from the University of Guelph.

Frank and his wife Susanne reside in Coldwater, Ont., and are the proud parents of Brittany and Aynsley, both college students.

GROWMARK announces new Chief Executive Officer

The GROWMARK, Inc. Board of Directors announced this week that Jeff Solberg has been named CEO of GROWMARK effective Jan. 3, 2011. Solberg will follow current CEO Bill Davisson, who has announced his retirement for the same date.

Jeff Solberg is a 1974 business administration graduate of Illinois Wesleyan and received a master's of business administration degree from the University of Illinois in 1976. He has held the positions of financial analyst, cash manager, assistant treasurer, treasurer, vice president of finance, and senior vice president of finance for GROWMARK. Solberg is past president and chairman of the Institute for Cooperative Finance Officers, served on the board of directors for Citizens Savings Bank, and is a 2010 inductee into the Bloomington (Ill.) High School District 87 Hall of Fame.

GROWMARK is a $6 billion organization experiencing a period of significant growth. Selecting a chief executive is among the most important and impactful actions we are charged with taking, says Dan Kelley, chairman of the board and president. “Jeff has the skills, knowledge, experience and support to lead GROWMARK successfully into the future. The Board of Directors has great confidence in him and in the depth of talented employees throughout the GROWMARK System.”

To watch a video of Dan Kelley, GROWMARK Chairman of the Board and President speaking with GROWMARK CEO-Elect Jeff Solberg, click on http://bit.ly/c5BRJl

First FAST STOP gas station opens in Ontario

Just under 6,000 litres were pumped into the gas tanks of more than 100 vehicles that lined up to take advantage of the opportunity to get gas at a lower price and celebrate the opening of the first FAST STOP® fueling station in Canada in Welland, Ontario on Oct. 29.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony took place at 2:30 p.m. and a $1,500 donation to the Welland Hospital Foundation was made during the opening ceremonies through equal contributions from

FS PARTNERS, UPI Energy LP and Melna’s Service Centre. Local, federal and provincial government leaders showed support by coming out to say a few words and congratulate Nick Melna of Melna’s Service Centre on his new FAST STOP fueling station. After the ribbon was cut, gas prices were reduced for three hours.

“Not only did we have a great deal on gas, but customers also knew that a portion of the day’s sales were being donated to the Welland Hospital Foundation, so there was even more incentive for people to come out and fill up their tanks,” says Andrew Troyer, director of Energy for FS PARTNERS.

Designed for people on the run, the remotely-monitored fueling station was developed and implemented in 2007 by FS PARTNERS, a division of GROWMARK. Consumers can purchase fuel 24 hours a day, seven days a week paying with VISA, MasterCard, Interac, and FS Fuel cards. The FS Fuel card allows consumers to be part of a network of FS branded fueling sites across Ontario offering 24 hour convenience with just one card. The Welland station offers clear diesel fuel and environmentally friendlier ethanol blended fuels.

Local government officials commended Melna on his vision to go with the self-serve remotely monitored system that this FAST STOP offers. Melna said that the self-serve feature gives him more freedom to focus on his service centre customers but also provide a place for local residents to purchase gas easily.

“Being open 24 hours non-stop and convenient location will make life easier for a lot of people who used to drive quite a distance to get gas.” Melna was born and raised in Welland and has owned and operated Melna’s Service Centre since 1999.

In the United States, GROWMARK supports a network of more than 300 FAST STOP branded outlets.



From (L-R): Roman Groch, Board President, Welland Hospital Foundation; Andrew Troyer, Director of Energy, FS PARTNERS; Councillor Jim Larouche, Ward 6 Welland; Malcolm Allen, MP Welland; Nick and Sandy Melna, Melna's Service Centre; Peter Kormos, MPP Welland; Claude Gauthier, Ontario Region Manager, GROWMARK, Inc.; John Canjar, Director, Energy Marketing, Training & Development, UPI Energy LP; Emile Faddoul, Energy Logistics Co-ordinator, FS PARTNERS









Sunderland Co-operative announces new general manager

The board of directors of Sunderland Co-operative Inc. has named Blain Thompson as the company’s new general manager, effective December 1, 2010. He will succeed Clare Hayes, who has announced his retirement.

Blain has been associated with Sunderland since 1983, working 15 years in the agronomy, feed and fuel businesses. He was hired in 1998 as a full-time petroleum driver. Since 2003, he has served as the company’s petroleum manager.

Blain has been a firefighter for Brock Township since 1993, and has held the rank of Captain since 2007. He is a lifelong resident of Sunderland, active in his church and community. He and his wife Terri-Lynn are parents of two boys, ages 14 and 16.

FS System general manager receives Ontario Co-operative Spirit Award

During Co-op week in October, the Ontario Co-operative Association Conference and Gala unfolded with an eventful evening banquet revealing this year’s Spirit Award winners.

Among this year’s seven winners was Sunderland Co-operative General Manager Clare Hayes who was honoured with the Distinguished Co-operator Award.

Hayes began his career at Sunderland Co-operative in 1968. In 1980 he was promoted to assistant manager. During this time, Clare’s vision for the future started to unfold. He was instrumental in the building of a bulk fertilizer plant. This was before the days of computers, so it was up to Clare to formulate the blend sheets by hand. A daunting task for most, but Clare persevered until he was able to convince the board of directors to install its first computer system.

Clare Hayes has promoted co-operative values throughout his four decade career with Sunderland Co-operative and through his support of other co-ops and the community. His tenacity and vision propelled his co-operative from a humble existence of producing one million dollars of sales in 1968 to today reporting a significant $46.5 million for fiscal 2009. But most impressive is that this co-operative has managed to pay out patronage dividends to its farmer-members each consecutive year since its beginnings in 1950 and continued to do so under Clare’s direction and management team from 1983 on.

Sunderland Co-operative has achieved tremendous growth and success through Clare’s responsible business practices, such as maintaining a strong balance sheet, using savings for growth and returning surplus revenues to its members in the form of patronage on a consistent basis.

An important facet to Clare is his commitment to supporting youth development. He maintains strong support from his co-op in regards to local youth through sponsoring 4-H clubs, local fairs, sending teens and young couples to conferences and accepting co-op students from local high schools.

Presenting the award to Hayes was 2008 Distinguished Co-operator Award winner Claude Gauthier, Ontario region manager for GROWMARK, Inc.

In his acceptance speech, Clare paid special tribute to his board of directors, loyal member-customers and strong supportive staff that he says truly paved the way to his success. After nearly 42 years of service with Sunderland Co-operative Hayes announced earlier this year that he will retire at the end of 2010.

On Co-op produces the Conference and Gala – one of the largest co-op conferences in Canada. The event, hosted by On Co-op and sponsored by a number of Ontario co-operatives, was held at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario.

Other 2010 On Co-op Conference and Gala highlights

This year’s conference and Gala was themed “2020-Expand your Co-op Vision”. The Conference began with an intensive four-part plenary session, facilitated by Global TV’s Sean Mallen, designed to mobilize the sector in long-term strategic planning. The all-morning session included a taped presentation by Ed Mayo, secretary general of Co-ops UK, a live video link with Rachel Griffiths, creator of the UK’s Co-operatives Fortnight project, and small-group discussions on policy development and the potential for growth and new opportunities in the coming decade. As 2012 has been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Co-operatives, session participants also began to discuss plans to celebrate! The two videos and many workshop presentations have been posted to the conference pages of the On Co-op website.

Co-op Crocodiles was one of 14 activities presented during the 10th annual Co-op Conference and Gala and for the first time, the conference included a co-op Showcase and Tradeshow, featuring displays by 22 organizations.

Silent and live auctions, featuring items donated by Ontario co-operatives including FS Co-operatives, raised more than $8000 for On Co-op’s Co-operative Young Leaders program. To learn more about the Gala and see videos from the award winners, visit http://www.ontario.coop/

GROWMARK Senior Trainer elected President of On Co-op Board

The Ontario Co-operative Association Board of Directors elected Barry Hannah as board president at On Co-op's Annual General Meeting in June.

Aside from Barry’s extensive duties as senior trainer for the GROWMARK Ontario System, he has been on the board of directors with the Ontario Co-operative Association for the past three years, elected to vice chair in 2009 and just prior to becoming president was appointed to acting chair this spring.

As well as his board duties, Barry has been a strong advocate to promoting life-long learning and co-op education. He sits on the Ontario Co-operative Association’s Life-long Learning Committee and the Human Resources Committee.

Barry Hannah has worked in the Ontario agriculture co-operative system for 20 years. In his earlier years, he was a buyer and then went on to become a manager for GROWMARK’s consumer division. It is during this time that Barry got to know the people in the field that made up the co-operative spirit of the organization. He gained great exposure and began to develop life-long relationships and a passion for the co-operative way of doing business.

AGRIS Co-operative to purchase Nutreco assets at Oungah, Ontario

AGRIS Co-operative is pleased to announce that in co-operation with its grain partner Great Lakes Grain, that they have entered into a an agreement which will see AGRIS purchase the assets of Nutreco Canada Inc. at Oungah, Ontario.

The agreement contemplates that the transaction will be completed by September 30, 2010 so that AGRIS Co-operative on behalf of Great Lakes Grain can be prepared to receive soybeans and corn at the site this fall. It is the intent of Great Lakes Grain to receive and then transfer the corn, beans and wheat to other facilities that it operates.

“While not a large site, this transfer elevator provides the co-operative competitive access to the area between Chatham and Wallaceburg for grain origination and crop input sales,” says AGRIS Co-operative general manager Jim Campbell.

 

AGRIS Co-operative Ltd. is a one hundred percent farmer-owned grain marketing and farm-input supply company and serves more than 1,200 farmer members in 14 locations in Essex, Kent, Elgin, Middlesex and Lambton Counties. It is a leader in precision farming technology, seed, agronomy and petroleum services. The co-operative is majority owner of Wheatley Elevators specializing in identity preserved grain markets and partner of Great Lakes Grain, a grain merchandising company. AGRIS Co-operative is a member-owner of GROWMARK, Inc. and markets products and services under the FS banner.

Great Lakes Grain is a grain marketing partnership between GROWMARK, Inc. and AGRIS Co-operative Ltd. Great Lakes Grain is one of the largest operators of Ontario country elevators. It represents close to 460,000 MT (18 million bushels) of storage capacity with total marketing in excess of 30 million bushels serving farmers at more than 30 AGRIS Co-operative and FS PARTNERS branded locations from Windsor through to Toronto and north to Georgian Bay.

GROWMARK reports estimated Year-End financial results

GROWMARK officials reported unaudited, estimated results for the fiscal year that ended August 31, 2010 at its Annual General Meeting in Chicago on Aug 27. Senior Vice President of Finance Jeff Solberg announced sales of $6 billion (US) for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. GROWMARK net income is estimated to be $81 million.

“Fiscal 2010 was another good year in a series of good years,” Solberg said. “The result of this strong performance is a very strong balance sheet with a sound equity base built on a substantial layer of retained earnings, which minimizes the stock investment required of members, which is supplemented by a prudent level of long-term debt.”

An estimated $55 million in patronage refunds will be returned to GROWMARK member co-operatives in the co-operative’s Plant Food, Crop Protection, Seed, Energy, and Facility Planning & Supply business units.

“Change has been the strategic theme for this decade,” Solberg said. “More change has occurred in this decade than in any other in our history, and that change has produced record levels of success and profitability for the GROWMARK System.”

For more detail on the estimated year end results for each of the GROWMARK System’s core businesses, visit: http://www.growmark.com/NewsRoom/2010GROWMARKEstimatedFinancials.pdf

GROWMARK hosts Ontario young leaders in Chicago at its 2010 Annual General Meeting

Nicole Atkins of Delhi was this year’s youth speaker at the GROWMARK Annual Meeting in Chicago last month. She was chosen by GROWMARK for this prestigious role after graduating from the Ontario Co-operative Association's Co-operative Young Leaders Program. Atkins spoke to several hundred people during the evening banquet about her thoughts on what agriculture technology will look like by the year 2020.

"Youth attending the three day trip to Chicago were chosen by their affiliated organizations because they have shown exemplary leadership skills and have a genuine enthusiasm for being the best they can be for the betterment of agriculture, their communities and society in general," says Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK Ontario Region Manager.

Five other youth traveled with Atkins from Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario, 4-H Ontario and the Co-operative Young Leaders Program to participate in the annual meeting’s opening ceremonies. See photo below:

Ontario youth at GROWMARK Annual Meeting preparing for the Grand Entry of Colours Ceremony. ( L-R) 4-H Ontario Ambassador Nicole Charlton of Brantford, Junior Farmers Association of Ontario Shannon Kelly of Millbrook, Co-operative Young Leader representatives’ Gerrit Herrema of Uxbridge and Nicole Atkins of Delhi (youth speaker). 4-H Ambassador Jessie Groniger of Carlsbad Springs and JFAO representative Kurtis Smith of Strathroy.

GROWMARK Top 20% Award winners announced at FS Ontario Director Forum

Over 50 Ontario FS member co-operative directors gathered together at the Holiday Inn in Kitchener to attend the Annual FS Ontario Director Forum on Aug. 6 to celebrate this year’s GROWMARK Top 20% Improvement Award winners.

This year, GROWMARK business performance awards went to Sunderland Co-operative Ltd. who received two awards, La Co-operative Agricole d’Embrun Limitee, Lucknow District Co-operative Inc., Huron Bay Co-operative Inc., Thunder Bay Co-operative Farm Supplies and Wanstead Farmers Co-operative Co. Ltd., giving Ontario a total of seven Top 20% Improvement Awards. Ontario received awards in the following areas:

At the FS Director Forum, FS Ontario directors also took the opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. Bill Davisson, GROWMARK’s Chief Executive Officer. Davisson will be retiring from GROWMARK at the end of this calendar year after 40 years of service. To say thank you to Bill for all his contributions to the GROWMARK System, Ontario directors presented him with a parting gift.

Vineland Co-op named one of most improved in FS System

Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd. was one of five FS member

co-operatives throughout Ontario and the United States recognized by GROWMARK, Inc. for business performance improvement during the GROWMARK Annual Meeting in Chicago on Aug. 27.

GROWMARK measures the improvement in the performance of member co-operatives based on return on invested capital. Over a
five-year time frame, each co-operative's return on invested capital improvement is measured in comparison to other co-operatives in the System. From this measurement, the Performance Improvement Award was developed.

Vineland Growers Co-operative also received GROWMARK’s Top Twenty Percent Award in 2005 and 2007. In 2001, it was honoured with the Ontario Co-operative Association’s Co-operative Innovator Award and last year, the co-operative was the proud recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Achievement Award in the town of Lincoln (in the larger business category).

Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd. was established in 1913, and was founded by four forward-thinking farmers who realized there were benefits to working together. Now the company represents over 300 members in tender fruit and grape production, most of which hail from the Niagara region. Today, Vineland Co-operative has 29 full time employees but grows to an employee base of three times that amount in the peak growing season. The co-operative’s manager is George Mitges and Phil Tregunno is the president.

Other recipients of the GROWMARK Annual Most Improvement Award were: in first place,  Ag View FS, Inc., Princeton, Ill., Lincoln Land FS, Inc., Jacksonville, Ill., Conserv FS, Inc., Woodstock, Ill., and Southern FS, Inc., Marion, Ill.

 On the left, Dan Kelley, GROWMARK Chairman and President of the Board and Bill Davisson, GROWMARK Chief Executive Officer, present  George Mitges, Vineland Growers Co-operative general manager with a GROWMARK Most Improvement Award.

2010 Ontario 4-H Ambassadors tour FS System

This year marks the fifth year for the 4-H Ontario Ambassador Program and GROWMARK and UPI Energy are again proud supporters. The objective of the program is to spread the word about 4-H through the ambassadors efforts and participation at various community events throughout Ontario. "It is a more hands on approach to supporting the program and it allows us as sponsors to make closer connections to these young leaders,” says Claude Gauthier, Ontario region manager for GROWMARK.

Earlier this spring, 4-H Ambassador Valerie Stone of Paris, attended the FS Ontario Director Summit where she talked to a large group of FS member co-operative directors about the value of supporting 4-H. The young ambassadors recently took part in a tour of the Ontario FS System where they visited several key sites that showcase the GROWMARK System’s core businesses.

The one-day tour consisted of a visit to UPI Energy’s bulk fuel plant in Guelph, an FS PARTNERS grain and agronomy facility in Ayr, North Wellington Co-operative’s unique retail store and lawn and garden centre, a demonstration field plot called Pursuit of Maximum Yield and a 24 hour remotely monitored cardlock system called Swipe & Go. The Ambassadors will also attend UPI Energy’s annual meeting and participate as flag bearers during the opening ceremonies.

Ambassadors are available to speak at special events at your co-operative, so please keep this in mind during the year when planning annual meetings or other prominent events. 

4-H Ontario Ambassadors gather for a group photo after touring North Wellington Co-operative Services in Harriston. From L-R: GROWMARK Interns Shuang Li and Erin Dubecki, Kelly Boyle, North Wellington Co-operative Services general manager, Amy Baillie, GROWMARK Ontario administrative assistant, Ontario 4-H Ambassadors Valerie Stone of Paris, Jessie Groniger of Carlsbad Springs, Nicole Charlton of Brantford and Eleri Morris of Elmvale, Janice Johnson, GROWMARK Ontario marketing & communication specialist, Andrew Moore, 4-H Ontario marketing & events co-ordinator. Missing from this photo is 2010 4-H Ambassador Anikka Bolender of Stoufville. 

4-H Ambassadors learn about the UPI Energy business from Bob Hodgson, UPI Energy manager, operations, southwestern Ontario. 

Sucessful results achieved through Great Lakes Grain first Crop Assessment Tour

A three day odyssey across southern and mid-western Ontario concluded on Aug. 27 where FS agronomy and grain staff went on a crop scouting blitz capturing new field data to analyse and share with producers.

The Great Lakes Grain Crop Assessment Tour was a team effort that involved 20 two-men teams made up of FS crop specialists, certified crop specialists, customer service managers from FS PARTNERS and AGRIS Co-operative as well as grain originators from Great Lakes Grain.

  

Don Kabbes, marketing development manager for Great Lakes Grain reports that at each stop there was a soybean and corn field in close proximity. Ten teams scouted soybeans while the other 10 teams scouted corn. “On the first night of the tour we trained for yield estimation protocols for corn and soybeans so that all teams observed and recorded data consistently throughout the tour stops,” added Kabbes.

A total of 17 stops resulted in 2,800 corn and 1,575 soybean yield checks. “This experience provided the opportunity for new and seasoned staff to learn together while raising the bar on cropping knowledge,” says Dale Cowan, senior agronomist for Southern Co-operative Services. Don McLean, agronomist for FS PARTNERS added that “this type of mentoring, sharing, teaching and observing crop conditions in our trading areas provided invaluable opportunities to sharpen our skills.”

The tour’s findings were reported daily through video footage on AGRIS Co-operative's and Great Lakes Grain's web sites giving producers a personal close-up view of the daily activities and findings as they happened.

As a follow up, FS crop specialists will continue to scout an additional five corn and soybean sites together with their growers as a whole field assessment. This will provide an additional 200 yield data points to enhance the tour’s current collection.

More follow up videos will be posted to the Great Lakes Grain, FS PARTNERS and AGRIS Co-operative websites over the next few weeks. “This tour provided us with a wonderful opportunity to learn to become better agronomists who in turn will help us to help our customers become better farmers,” says McLean.

The Crop Assessment tour was generously sponsored by Dekalb Seeds, Syngenta Crop Protection and GROWMARK, Inc.

The preliminary results from the Great Lakes Grain Crop Assessment Tour are estimations only and not final research data, but rather observations. To read about the data results collected from the tour, please visit http://www.greatlakesgrain.com/, or http://www.agris.coop/

(Photo above) Vicky Michinski, zone grain originator with Great Lakes Grain and Bill Dunbar, FS PARTNERS director of operations scout for European Cut Worm at Crop Assesment Tour.

FS PARTNERS and Rothsay Biodiesel announce strategic partnership

FS PARTNERS and Rothsay Biodiesel, one of Canada’s leading biodiesel producers, have announced a new partnership to deliver  blended biodiesel to Maple Leaf Foods fleets in Ontario.

With this alliance, FS PARTNERS further solidifies its reputation as an innovator in the Canadian energy market by developing a solution to deliver blended fuel using Rothsay biodiesel for Maple Leaf fleets. The final blended product will be shipped out of the Port of Hamilton, where both companies store their biodiesel products.

“With each new business venture, it becomes more apparent that biodiesel is the way of the future,” says Tom O’Neill, FS PARTNERS Energy Sales Manager. “Partnering with a company like Rothsay Biodiesel, that is also a leader in driving sustainability in agriculture and the environment, is a positive step forward for both organizations.”

“This is a very positive development for Rothsay Biodiesel and the Canadian biofuels industry,” says Todd Moser, Vice President Alternative Energy for Rothsay. “This partnership advances our biofuels fleet fuelling program by coupling our high quality, sustainable biodiesel with FS PARTNERS’ established petroleum and biofuels distribution and blending capabilities. It gives us the platform to continue expanding the benefits of using cleaner, environmentally friendly renewable commercial fuels in the Canadian market.”

Rothsay, a division of Maple Leaf Foods Inc., is a leader in the Canadian biodiesel industry and one of the largest producers of recycled value-added products including the production of animal feed ingredients, amino acid supplements, and alternative fuel by converting edible and inedible by-products. It operates five rendering facilities nationwide and a commercial-scale biodiesel facility in Montreal.

FS PARTNERS takes the board room to the field in Pursuit of Maximum Yields

Dressed in bright orange shirts and engulfed in 12 foot high corn stalks, the FS PARTNERS agronomy team in partnership with Syngenta held its Green Plan Solutions road show at a variety of optimum demonstration field plots throughout central and south western Ontario to promote the Pursuit of Maximum Yield Program to its progressive producers.

The show began on Aug. 11 in Ayr and then continued for the next week at four other locations that covered FS PARTNERS trade territories in and surrounding Drayton, Mitchell, Harmony, Delhi, Stayner, Alliston and Elmvale representing corn, wheat and soybeans.

"With an excellent turn out at each field plot and next-to-perfect weather, the event was a huge success," says Dan Clarke, FS PARTNERS sales manager.

More than 160 producers attended in total and participated in an outdoor rotation of information stations. Each station was equipped with expert advisors that spent about 20 minutes on specific topics such as the importance of good information gathering, proper soil fertility or farming by prescription, plant nutrition, managing energy prices and genetics, traits and refuge management.

Each station was equipped with a series of colourful story boards that were used as a presentation tool much like a PowerPoint presentation on a computer. “It was like bringing a high-tech boardroom presentation to the outdoors,” says Don McLean, FS PARTNERS agronomist. Guests were comfortably seated on bales of hay and offered a cooler of refreshments at each station.

Based on Dr. Below of the University of Illinois’s research, the FS PARTNERS team summed up each presentation with an analysis of his findings that showed how much yield is reduced when removing one of the recommended high-tech components of corn production.

(L-R) Don McLean, FS PARTNERS agronomist and Dan Clarke, FS PARTNERS Agromony sales manager provide an overview of the Whole Farm Proposal.

“It is all about being better with the pencil,” says Crop Specialist Tony Balkwill at the information-management station. Producer Brett Schuyler of Schuyler Farms Ltd. commented that he is convinced that soil sampling can be beneficial based on the results he received. “Right along my pig barn, soil sample results showed high levels of fertility that can be easily explained. So obviously the numbers are accurate,” he explains. 

In conclusion, Dan Clarke stated that there is not just one silver bullet to help a producer gain maximum yield, but it is more to do with a full approach of utilizing all aspects of farming technology and market planning. Participants finished the morning with a hearty barbecue lunch and social time with friends and colleagues.

The Pursuit of Maximum Yield Demonstration Plot Program is a multi-year project that will provide long-term results for producers to help them make the best decisions for their operations.

Using outdoor story boards Devin Homick, zone originator specialist of Great Lakes Grain (left) and Morley Friesen, FS PARTNERS area manager (right) describe what FS PARTNERS can offer in grain and fuel options.

FS managers presented with results of the 2010 Large Commercial Producer Study

Earlier this summer, FS Co-operative general managers and agronomy staff attended a meeting with Tom Funk of Agri Studies Inc. who presented the results of the Large Commercial Producer Study (LCPS) that took place in the winter of this year.

GROWMARK was one of 18 Canadian organizations that supported this project. The study was done in partnership with Agri Studies Inc (ASI) and Ipsos Forward Research (IFR) in co-operation with Top Crop Manager (TCM) and the Western Producer (TWP).

With over 500 respondents, the study targeted only those farmers whose main income was generated from farming crops including corn, soy, wheat, barley or canola, livestock and dairy, swine and poultry and included some comparison data on Hutterite colonies versus traditional farming practices.

The LCPS Study is a comprehensive survey of large farms in all parts of Canada. It focused on understanding the behaviours and attitudes of this important group and took a good look at the following key topics:
• Who are commercial producers?
• What do they want?
• How do they make buying decisions?
• How do they sell/market their products?
• How can they be reached?
• What are their management challenges?

Unlike market research that is focused on a specific product or issue, the LCPS took a higher level look at the underlying trends in the Canadian farm market. It not only revealed the data mentioned above but also shared some deeper analysis into what farmers are feeling in regards to their personal and business goals and what they value most.

“It was good to confirm that most of the main values and concerns coming from producers, based on this study, fit well with what the FS System is working to achieve for its customers, such as: increasing farmers’ profits, reducing their risk, becoming more competitive and making their lives easier,” says Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario marketing director.

Campbell has organized an extensive workshop planned for Sept. 28 with the goal of developing key strategies for the FS System customized to specific markets.

Key findings from the study will be posted on GROWMARK eresource/marketing research after October 1st.

Tom Funk, Agri Studies Inc. provides GROWMARK and FS Co-operative managers with new facts about farmer trends.

Introducing new environmentally approved hydraulic fluid

UPI Energy is pleased to announce that Power Flo Environmentally Approved Hydraulic Fluid is now available through CASE ’N DRUM OIL LP.

Power Flo is a premium high pressure hydraulic fluid that is non-toxic, biodegradable, water soluble and "EcoLogo" approved. It is being successfully used in a wide variety of hydraulic systems operating in sensitive environments. Power Flo is fire resistant and will not burn or flame even when misted under high pressure.

Since Power Flo is a top-of-the-line, synthetic, water soluble hydraulic fluid, it provides a more responsible environmental option over mineral or vegetable based fluids. Power Flo dissolves entirely and its technical performance is equal to or better than premium mineral oil hydraulic fluids in service today.

Whether the concern is environmental stewardship or avoiding the crushing costs of polluting incidents, mobile hydraulic equipment operators and fleet managers are looking harder than ever for a working alternative to mineral oil hydraulic fluids, and Power Flo meets that need. Contact UPI Energy for more information on this product.