FS System employee cookbooks are now available!

As part of an International Year of Co-operatives, GROWMARK has published a cookbook with more than 1,000 recipes submitted by employees throughout the FS System. Net proceeds will be donated to Farmers Feeding the World, an initiative that works to bring together North American agriculture to fight global hunger.

There is a limited number still available for order, on a first come-first served basis. They are $20 each, which includes the book, a CD with all the recipes and a code to access the cookbook on a e-reader.

Contact Pat Smale in the GROWMARK Ontario region office at psmale@growmark.com if you're interested in purchasing a book. Supplies are limited.

Congratulations to GROWMARK Ontario scholarship winner, Kim Hooey!

Kim Hooey, Ontario GROWMARK Summer
Intern and Scholarship winner. 

Kim Hooey, one of Ontario's 2012 GROWMARK Summer Interns was also one of 41 college and university students from Ontario, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Pensylvania and Wisconsin to receive a GROWMARK scholarship at the GROWMARK Annual Meeting in Chicago on Aug. 31.

This summer, Hooey worked at Lucknow District Co-operative as a crop intern and was in charge of implementing a new agronomy/accounting software program for the co-operative. 

Kim Hooey is now in her fourth year at the University of Guelph and will graduate this year with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Ag Honours. Kim is also very active in 4-H completing close to 30 projects. She sits on her local 4-H Association and recently completed a term as the Ontario youth representative on the Canadian 4-H Council's Youth Advisory Committee. She is a member of the Bruce County Junior Farmers' Association club and has completed full terms as president, secretary and provincial director.

GROWMARK invests in future talent by providing more than $44,000 in scholarships annually and has been supporting college and university students with scholarships since the early 1960s. Today, they are awarded to students majoring in agriculture or accounting at 16 universities and colleges throughout Ontario and the United States.

Youth take part in GROWMARK Annual Meeting

Marley Burgess on stage in Chicago.

“Have you ever been excited to try something new?” This was the opening line in Marley Burgess’s speech at the GROWMARK Annual Meeting in Chicago on Aug. 31. Something new, is exactly what Burgess did as she spoke in front of approximately 1,000 GROWMARK delegates, employees and friends at the GROWMARK Annual General Meeting at the Hilton Chicago.

Burgess was chosen as this year’s youth speaker along with FFA presidents from Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.

As part of the celebration for the International Year of Co-operatives, each of these four young leaders spoke for two minutes about the power of co-operatives in the categories of sustainability, resources, youth development and community impact.

Youth attending the three-day trip to Chicago were chosen by their affiliated organizations for their exemplary leadership skills and genuine enthusiasm for being the best they can be for the betterment of agriculture, their communities and society in general. Representing Junior Farmers Association of Ontario was Samantha Klaver from Perth County and representing 4-H Ontario was Jennifer Pollock from Wellington County. Burgess is a Co-operative Young Leaders Program graduate sponsored by North Wellington Co-operative Services.

Rehersal of Grand Entry of Colours Ceremony.

During their stay in Chicago, the young leaders took part in the Grand Entry of Colours Ceremony with nine other young leaders representing FFA in the United States. They attended an evening reception and banquet dinner complete with entertainment as well as a special youth-leader breakfast where they were given the opportunity to meet other young leaders and the many people that support youth development.

A tour of the Chicago Board of Trade and lunch at the historic Berghoff Restaurant was provided by AGRIS Co-operative and some free time to enjoy the architecture and sites in Chicago was included in the itinerary.

Ontario youth at GROWMARK Annual Meeting at the Hilton Chicago International Ballroom ( L-R) 4-H Ontario Ambassador Jennifer Pollock from Wellington County; Junior Farmers' Association of Ontario Samantha Klaver from Perth County; and Co-operative Young Leader representative and 2012 GROWMARK Ontario youth speaker Marley Burgess from Wellington County.

To hear an audio of Marley Burgess's interview posted on AgWire.com, click on the following link:
http://agwired.com/2012/09/06/growmark-honors-youth-in-ag/

You can view the speeches on YouTube at:  http://youtu.be/OO62cTk20xo

GROWMARK Reports Estimated Year-End Financial Results

Pride and Progress was an appropriate theme for the GROWMARK Annual Meeting held in Chicago on Aug. 31 when Jeff Solberg, chief executive officer, announced unaudited, estimated sales of $10 billion for the 2012 fiscal year. This is the highest in the co-operative’s history.

GROWMARK’s pretax income is estimated at $295 million, the second highest in the company’s history. An estimated $140 million in patronage refunds – also a company record -- will be returned to GROWMARK member co-operatives and farmer-owners.

“This is our 85th year as a co-operative system and we are proud of the progress from our founding to now reporting the strongest sales numbers in our history,” he said. “Our business is built around our mission to improve the long-term profitability of our member-owners. With our record sales this year, we are able to return a record amount of patronage to our owners. We remain committed to their success and to the unity of our co-operative system.”

2012 is an historic year for GROWMARK. Along with celebrating its 85th anniversary of the formation of the predecessor companies that make up today’s GROWMARK System, 2012 is also the International Year of Co-operatives, designated by the United Nations.

"Pride and Progress provides an avenue to honour our co-operative heritage, showcase our success, and demonstrate our commitment to ongoing improvement," says Solberg.

Operational highlights for the company’s business units were also reported at the Annual Meeting and are available at: www.growmark.com

A growth experience - 2012 GROWMARK Interns

As we wind down another growing season, we also send off our 2012 GROWMARK Summer Interns back to university for their final years, with hopefully, a broader perspective and more practical work experience after spending the past 12 weeks with the GROWMARK System.

This year’s program consisted of 51 university students placed at either an FS member co-operative, a GROWMARK home office or facility throughout the GROWMARK network in the US and Ontario. The unique part of this Internship Program is that each student is assigned a substantial key project that requires strategic planning and creativity. The completion of this project, not only gives the intern a true workplace experience of accountability, but also provides value to the organization.

Six of these students were placed here in Ontario. All six interns finished up their summer experience by travelling to GROWMARK’s home office in Bloomington, Illinois to present their findings to other interns and to GROWMARK executives.

All Ontario Interns this year are from the University of Guelph. Seen below are this year's Ontario GROWMARK Interns listed with their placement location and their special summer project:

From Left to Right:
Ashly De Brouwer Grain Intern with Great Lakes Grain - SPECIAL PROJECT: Branch and Customer Survey CS project
Morgan Kluka Agronomy Intern with AGRIS Co-operative- SPECIAL PROJECT: Western Bean Cutworm scouting/management
Erin Campbell Energy Intern with FS PARTNERS - SPECIAL PROJECT: Carbon-tax credit system implementation
Kim Hooey Crops Intern with Lucknow District Co-operative - SPECIAL PROJECT: Implementing AgVance computer system
Cristina Ricciardi HR Intern with GROWMARK Ontario region office - SPECIAL PROJECT: Career Ladders and Training module
Philip Cameron Agronomy Intern with AGRIS Co-operative (Chatham Ontario area) -SPECIAL PROJECT: Western Bean Cutworm scouting/mgt.

Cristina Ricciardi, 2012 GROWMARK Intern

One intern's perspective of the program:
“I was interested in working for GROWMARK for many reasons. It provided me the opportunity to gain practical work experience in my area of study, develop valuable contacts and learn more about the agriculture industry as well as co-operatives. The internship program at GROWMARK truly values what each student has to contribute to the system. The individual summer project allowed me to apply classroom theory to real-world scenarios. This experience will definitely help me stand out from the crowd down the road!”

To learn more about the GROWMARK Intership Program visit:
http://www.growmark.com/OurCareers/Pages/Internships.aspx

Nine young leaders visit six different sites of GROWMARK Ontario System

The 2012 Ontario 4-H Ambassadors and GROWMARK's Summer Interns took a day away from their regular routine to learn more about the many facets of the GROWMARK System and better understand how the agriculture co-operative network all ties together.

The one-day tour consisted of a visit to UPI Energy’s bulk fuel plant in Guelph, an FS PARTNERS agronomy and Great Lakes Grain facility in Ayr, GROWMARK Ontario Distribution Centre, North Wellington Co-operative’s retail store and lawn and garden centre, an FS PARTNERS demonstration field plot called Pursuit of Maximum Yield and a 24 hour remotely monitored cardlock FAST STOP® fueling station.

Youth attended GROWMARK System tour shown here at their first stop of the day at UPI Energy's bulk fuel site. (From L-R) 4-H Ontario senior manager, programing Marianne Fallis; 4-H Ontario executive director Wraychel Horne; GROWMARK Intern Cristina Ricciardi; 4-H Ambassador Julia Romagnoli; GROWMARK Intern placed with FS PARTNERS Erin Campbell; 4-H Ambassadors Steven Stockdale and Samantha Klaver, GROWMARK Intern placed at Lucknow Co-op Kim Hooey; 4-H Ambassadors Jennifer Pollock and Victoria Kyle, FS PARTNERS accounting systems co-ordinator Natalie Brown, GROWMARK Intern placed with Great Lakes Grain Ashley Debrouwer and from UPI Energy, Dianne Kennedy manager customer relations and sales development and Bob Hodgson manager operations for southwestern Ontario.

Visit 4-H Ontario Ambassador Program and the GROWMARK Internship program. to learn more.

This year marks sixty years for Thunder Bay Co-op

This year, 2012 has been a milestone year for many in the co-operative sector and Thunder Bay
Co-operative Farm Supplies, the FS System’s most north-westerly located co-operative in the GROWMARK System is celebrating alongside GROWMARK’s 85th anniversary and the International Year of Co-operatives.

The Co-op was established in 1952 when a group of Thunder Bay area farmers began pooling their resources and purchasing power to keep the prices of seed, supplies and equipment affordable. Although mostly dairy farmers, the group's efforts and foresight have benefited the agricultural community as a whole, and 60 years later the operation has become a focal point for agriculture in the region, continuing to supply farmers of all types with feed, seed, fertilizer and other necessary supplies like fencing, metal roofing and siding, livestock equipment and tractor implements.

Since its opening, the co-op has expanded its product lines to suit the needs of area residents for farm and home. The growing retail side of the business provides additional support for the farm community, providing some stability in a sector which has seen decreases in the number of farms almost everywhere in Ontario except for Thunder Bay, where the number of farms, according to the 2009 District Agriculture Economic Impact Study, is actually increasing.

For farm and for home, Thunder Bay Co-operative also provides lawn seed, pet products and hardware for local residents and farmers. The co-operative reported more than $4 million in sales this year and has just under 120 members.

Michel Chenier honoured for business excellence

On April 21, Michel Chenier, general manager of La Co-operative Agricole d’Embrun Limitee was awarded with the 2012 Award of Excellence and named Executive of the Year (in the private sector category) by (RGA) Le Regroupment des gens d’affaires de la Capitale Nationale (The National Capital Association of French and Bilingual Businesses. The RGA brings together approximately 600 francophone and bilingual business entrepreneurs and executives within the city of Ottawa and surrounding communities.

Chenier attended the RGA Gala with the three finalists from his award category not knowing who would receive this prestigious award. “It was an honour to be placed in the same light with other such esteemed colleagues that are all very well respected in the community,” says Chenier.

The nomination was submitted by BDO, a major Canadian accounting and consulting firm. In the nomination, Chenier was noted as having great passion, strong leadership aptitude and high regard for community care.

Left –Michel Chenier receives Executive of the Year Award (private sector) for the city of Ottawa.

In the 14 years, that Chenier has held the position of general manager, the co-operative has seen sales growth from $37 million to $72 million annually and increased reserves from $3.6 to $11 million and today employs 250 people. Its membership base has grown from 3000 to 5000 members since 1997 and $1.5 million in patronage has been paid out to the co-operative’s member-owners.

This is not the first time we have seen Chenier standing in the winner’s circle for achieving business excellence. In 2011, he was recognized by the Ontario Co-operative Association with the prestigious Ontario Distinguished Co-operator Award.

Under his management, Embrum Co-operative was awarded with GROWMARK’s Best Performance Improvement Award in 1999 and has received several annual Top Twenty Percent Awards in various categories over the years.

For 11 consecutive years, Chenier’s sales force has been recognized through GROWMARK’s Annual Sales Program that rewards exemplary sales staff and management.

Chenier’s community spirit remains constant with his commitment to providing ongoing contributions and fundraising efforts through employee involvement for local food banks, the United Way and several local hospitals.

Embrun Co-operative offers its customers a diverse line of products and services through its various facilities with everything from agronomy products and solutions, grain handling, bulk energy distribution, animal nutrition services, two full gas stations, car wash and garage service, an Independent Grocery store as well as a RONA hardware and home-improvement store.

Through the co-operatives affiliation with GROWMARK, Inc., Embrun Co-operative is a member of the Canadian Co-operative Association, the Ontario Co-operative Association and the Association of Co-operative Educators, all of which Chenier has taken a personal approach, by getting involved to help promote the co-operative business model, its values and principles.

During his acceptance speech on April, 21, Chenier took a moment to acknowledge 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives named by the United Nations.

This year's Ontario 4-H Ambassadors are well on their way!

This is the eighth year for the Ontario 4-H Ambasssador program sponsored by GROWMARK, Inc., and UPI Energy LP.

Ambassadors work hard all year while having fun 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.

To read a bio on each of this year's 4-H Ambassadors or if you would like to invite an ambassador to a local event to help promote the program, visit:  http://www.4-hontario.ca/youth/opportunities/youth-positions/default.aspx

From (L-R): 2012 Ontario 4-H Ambassadors:

Julia Romagnoli of Niagara, Samantha Klaver of Perth, Steven Stockdale of Peterborough, Victoria Kyle of Brant and Jennifer Pollock of Wellington with Dianne Kennedy of UPI Energy LP and Barry Hannah of GROWMARK, Inc.

565,000 bushel grain storage capacity added for Stoney Point area farmers

Construction of a new 565,000 steel grain bin at the AGRIS Co-operative Stoney Point location was formally announced recently by AGRIS Co-operative Ltd. board president, Larry Pajot.

Construction of the new steel grain bin, receiving pit and legs is expected to start immediately with completion expected early this September and in time for fall harvest.

The more than $3 million investment by AGRIS will significantly improve unloading times and storage capacity for the co-operatives member-owners and customers in the Stoney Point area. The initiative will increase intake capacity to 25,000 bushels an hour and overall storage will increase to 1.6 MM bushels.

Pajot told owners that the investment by AGRIS Co-operative will help strengthen its farmer owners’ ability to deliver their crops more efficiently and take better advantage of marketing opportunities through its grain partner, Great Lakes Grain.

Recognizing top seed sales performers for Ontario GROWMARK System

This year, was the first year for the Winner's Circle seed sales incentive program for FS crop specialists in Ontario. Top seed sales performers along with their spouses were treated to an awards banquet complete with dining and entertainment while overlooking the falls from high up at the Marriott Fallsview-Niagara Falls.

Recognized for excellence in seed sales this year are:

Top marks went to Kent Wolfe of AGRIS Co-operative who reached PLATINUM level status followed by:

GOLD level achievers: Chris Snip of AGRIS Co-operative and  Nathan Saarloos of FS PARTNERS.

SILVER level: Dave VanCasteren, David Curry, Quentin Hopcraft, Tony Balkwill, Stefan Dewaele and Scott Snowe of FS PARTNERS and Mark McKerrall of AGRIS Co-operative.

BRONZE level:  Al Broad, Clark Aitken and Dan Vanek of AGRIS Co-operative and Sean Chase of FS PARTNERS.



AGRIS Co-operative Winners Circle team (L-R): FS crop sales specialist Mark McKerrall, seed specialist Scott Vandehogen, FS crop sales specialists Clark Aitken, Kent Wolfe, Chris Snip, Dan Vanek, senior agronomist Dale Cowan. Not present: FS crop sales specialist Al Broad.





FS PARTNERS Winner's Circle team (L-R): Andrew Troyer, sales & marketing manager, FS crop specialists Scott Snowe, David Curry, Tony Balkwill, Sean Chase, seed sales specialist Sean Dunnett, FS crop specialists Dave VanCasteren, Nathan Saarloos and FS PARTNERS division manager Frank Barron. Not present, FS crop specialists Quentin Hopcraft and Stefan Dewaele.



Certified Crop Specialist credentials earned by three FS agribusiness professionals

Nathan Saaloos-FS PARTNERS

Mitchell area crop specialist Nathan Saarloos with FS PARTNERS and Chatham area crop sales specialists John Couwenberg and Graham McLean with AGRIS Co-operative have all successfully completed the requirements necessary to hold credentials as a Certified Crop Specialist (CCS) in the FS Co-operative System. All three are already certified crop advisors in Ontario and this latest achievement of earning CCS status within the GROWMARK System is the next level up in their extensive agricultural training.

To earn the prestigious 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.

Graham McLean-AGRIS Co-operative

John Couwenberg-AGRIS Co-operative

The GROWMARK System prides itself in its commitment to provide employees with on-going training to ensure its farmer-customers are recieving the best technical expertise and recommendations to help them maximize yields and increase profits.

If you would like to send congratulations to Nathan Saarloos, John Couwenberg and Graham McLean, please do so by posting a comment below!

New essay contest for 4-H Ontario high school students starts now!

As part of the International Year of Co-operatives, GROWMARK Ontario Region wanted to find a way to help educate more young people about co-operative principles and values. 

GROWMARK and the FS Co-operatives have launched a new opportunity for 4-H members attending high school. Students accross Ontario can enter an essay-writing competition that will give them more insight into the unique role of co-operatives, a better understanding of current issues in agriculture and help them develop their writing skills.

The essay topic is "Co-operatives in a Global Environment." Postmarked entry deadline is May 15 and essays must be 500 words in length. The provincial winner will receive $500 and the winner’s 4-H Association will earn a $300 award. Four runners-up in Ontario will win $125 each.

Additional program details can be reviewed at http://www.growmark.com/ (click on Our Commitments/Youth & Young Farmers/Essay Contest) or on 4-H Ontario website under youth opportunities/scholarships.

AGRIS Co-operative returns $786,000 to its farmer-owners

Submitted by Terry Stevenson, AGRIS Co-operative communication manager

An income before tax of $1.7 million for 2011 was reported by AGRIS Co-operative Ltd. board president, Larry Pajot to the co-operative’s shareholders at its annual meeting held at Club Lentinas, in Chatham. Based on these results, Pajot announced that the board of directors has declared a patronage of $375,000 in addition to the $411,000 paid on interest bearing investments.

In his year-end report, Larry Pajot told owners that, “In 2011 AGRIS has been celebrating 90 years of serving its owners. Our owners are technology savvy, aggressive and competitive. With our net income we re-invest a large portion to modernize our operations.” It was also reported that with direction from its owners, AGRIS Co-operative sponsored a new sister co-operative, AGRIS Solar Co-operative. “This is now a standalone company and the largest solar co-operative in Ontario,” Pajot added.

AGRIS Co-operative general manager Jim Campbell reviewed the operational highlights of 2011 for owners. Campbell highlighted that during its first full five years of operation, sales have increased significantly. “More importantly, profitability has been positive during these past five years allowing us to distribute more than $1.5 million in patronage back to our owners,” says Campbell. Retained earnings have nearly doubled to $10.3 million with AGRIS owners investing $8.7 million in the co-operative, an increase of 35 per cent since 2006. “This increased owner investment and retained earnings has allowed the AGRIS board of directors to have aggressive capital spending budgets, increasing our grain storage capacity, custom application capabilities and overall maintain and expand our physical assets,” added Campbell.

The owners of AGRIS Co-operative also acknowledged the service and contributions of Pat Vanheule and Ken Barrette who are leaving the board with a commemorative plaque. The election of five directors for the co-operative was held and re-elected to a three-year term was Kim Fysh from the Thamesville area, Jim Maw from Mooretown, Stan Towers from Glencoe and newly elected was Stan Gillier from Chatham and John Nooyen from Kent Bridge. The board of directors met immediately after the meeting and conducted the election of officers. The following were elected; as president- Larry Pajot, vice-president – Jim Maw and secretary – Paul Repko.

L- R are: Emma Anger, Sarah McDonald and Amy McDonald were all sponsored by AGRIS Co-operative to attend the 2011 Co-operative Young Leaders program last summer. All three youth spoke about their experiences at CYL and the many leadership skills they learned.

To view more photos of the Annual Meeting link to: ttps://picasaweb.google.com/southerncooperativeservices/2012AGRISAnnualMeeting?authkey=Gv1sRgCKW_k5T-7YiecQ&feat=email#

Health & Safety education matters to Ontario FS employees

For the fourth year in a row, Erin Aldred, GROWMARK Health & Safety specialist has held an annual FS Ontario Health and Safety training day. Each year attendance grows and yesterday’s meeting saw the biggest turn out yet with about 30 people in total from North Wellington Co-operative, FS PARTNERS, Huron Bay Co-operative, GROWMARK and AGRIS Co-operative.

The meeting opened up with an exercise in teamwork with Barry Hannah, GROWMARK senior trainer, leading the group through an imaginary Subarctic Survival Situation™, where participants had to work together to figure out the best tools and strategies needed to keep their team alive! The exercise reinforced the need to communicate effectively by listening, participating and keeping focused.

Environmental awareness, precisely in respect to protecting ground water was the topic delivered by Dennis Newman, GROWMARK environmental services manager and Bernie Benoit, with the Agriculture Warehouse Standards Association (AWSA) engaged the group in several interactive mock emergency scenarios such as chemical spills or serious on-site injuries. Participants had to determine what steps to take and in what sequence during an emergency situation. Benoit’s overall key message to the group was the importance of having a good (but simple) plan in place, keeping a cool head and using common sense.

Aldred briefed the group on government legislative changes and introduced upcoming Bill 160, noting that the new bill will have a major impact on how we manage many of our health and safety practices. As well, it is expected that the Ontario Ministry of Labour will be putting a stronger emphasis on health and safety prevention in the future.

Aldred closed the meeting by challenging everyone to keep focused on possible hazards at their branch and home and continue to keep health and safety in the forefront every day.



Erin Aldred, GROWMARK Health & Safety specialist quizzes participants at FS Annual Health & Safety Conference. Jerry VanCasteren of FS PARTNERS receives a prize for answering correctly! 



Monster billboards in place throughout Ontario communities to promote 2012-International Year of Co-operatives

For its first-ever provincial co-operative awareness campaign, the Ontario Co-operative Association has produced a series of billboards across the province highlighting the number of co-ops in Ontario communities. The billboards, are up this month in most areas. They are tailored to the community in which they're located and include messages such as, "Guelph's 45 co-operatives build a better community." The signs all include a QR barcode that, when scanned by a smart phone, provide more information on the province's co-operative movement.

Canadian co-operatives unite to launch International Year of Co-operatives on Jan. 12

Submitted by: Mark Ventry, Co-op Community Manager
The Ontario Co-operative Association

Thousands of co-operative and credit union members across Canada will be taking part in events on Thursday, January 12th to officially launch the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives.

The national launch will take place in Ottawa, while 13 regions across the country, including Guelph, Ontario, will be conducting their own festivities on the same day. Events will also be happening in Europe and elsewhere.

The Ontario launch will take place in Guelph, where event organizer, the Ontario Co-operative Association – the provincial organization which is a key resource for all co-ops and credit unions in Ontario - is located. Celebrations begin at 11:30 a.m. with a public flag-raising ceremony at City Hall, including opening remarks from Guelph Mayor Karen Farbridge, as well as from Guelph MPP Liz Sandals who will be bringing greetings on behalf of the Premier. Planet Bean Coffee, owned by Sumac Community Worker Co-op, will be serving up some hot beverages for attendees.

Leaders and stakeholders from the co-operative movement across the province, along with members of the Guelph Co-op Network and business community, will gather at The Co-operators in downtown Guelph following the flag-raising ceremony, for a networking luncheon that is by special invitation only. Attendees will watch a live webcast from the nation’s capital at 12:30 EST, which will include remarks by Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators, and Monique Leroux, President and CEO of Desjardins and the Honourable Steven Blaney, federal Minister of Veterans Affairs and the MP for Lévis-Bellechasse.

The webcast, which will also include the premiere of a co-operative musical work by the Montreal group Samajam, will be available for public viewing at http://s.coop/canada2012live Co-operatives and others are encouraged to gather in groups to watch the broadcast.

Co-operative Partners Retreat 2011

Submitted by Dianne Kennedy, UPI Energy manager, corporate events and public relations

The 4th Annual Co-operative Partners Retreat (“CPR”) was held at the beautiful Blue Mountain Resort near Collingwood, Ontario from September 23 to 25, 2011.

CPR is an annual event sponsored by UPI Energy LP and partners of GROWMARK, Inc. and is hosted by UPI Energy, GROWMARK and the local FS Co-operative. This year’s Co-operative host was Huron Bay Co-operative Inc.

CPR provides the Co-operative general managers and senior management with networking opportunities to share results and successes from the previous year and look towards the coming year. The attendees received updates from UPI Energy president & CEO Robert Sicard. From GROWMARK, particpants heard from vice president of Member Services and Retail Dennis Farmer, vice president Agronomy Jim Spradlin and Claude Gauthier, Ontario region manager. Jeff Hurst, general manager of Huron Bay Co-operative presented an overview of the co-operative’s history and current dealings.

UPI presented the Millennium Joint Venture Audit Award to North Wellington Co-operative Services in recognition of excellence in energy marketing and operations. This was the third consecutive year that North Wellington Co-operative received this award, and the fourth time in five years. The co-operative's general manager Kelly Boyle and Allan Williamson, Energy Division manager were on hand to accept the award from Robert Sicard and Tony Silvestro, UPI director, Member Services.

Other FS Co-operatives participating this year were AGRIS Co-operative Ltd., La Co-opérative Agricole d’Embrun Limitée, Lucknow District Co-operative Inc., Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury Limited, Sunderland Co-operative Inc., Thunder Bay Co-operative Farm Supply and Vineland Growers’ Co-operative, Ltd. Also in attendance were representatives from County Farm Centre and FS PARTNERS.

From L-R- Robert Sicard, president & CEO UPI Energy LP,  North Wellington Co-operative's Energy Division manager Allan Williamson, general manager Kelly Boyle and Tony Silvestro, UPI Energy director, Member Services.



AALP Class 14 visits GROWMARK Ontario office and distribution centre

AALP Class 14 at GROWMARK, Kitchener office

“It is an excellent time to be in agriculture, an innovative, growing and diverse sector offering great opportunities for industry leaders like you,” said Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario marketing director as he welcomed the 30 new Advanced Agriculture Leadership Program students to GROWMARK’s Ontario region office in Kitchener. "It is good to see such diversity in the room," says Campbell. "Whether you are involved in agriculture production or pursuing a career in agribuisness, your leadership will help drive the sector forward."

The main reason for the visit to GROWMARK was to get a better understanding of the co-operative model as well as GROWMARK’s leadership in the industry. After hearing from presenters about the co-operative model and GROWMARK’s initiatives in agronomy, energy, grain marketing, youth development and social media, the AALP Class 14 was given a tour of the GROWMARK distribution center. Pat Gallagher, GROWMARK Ontario logistics manager led the group and spoke about the complexity of crop protection and seed logistics, such as, the many regulatory agency compliance requirements and the state-of-the-art safe-storage practices.

Will Heeman, one of the AALP students present, was recognized as a graduate of the Co-operative Young Leaders Program in which GROWMARK supports. In 2007 Heeman was chosen to be the Ontario youth speaker at the GROWMARK’s Annual Meeting.

Pat Gallagher, GROWMARK Ontario logistics manager

gives tour of GROWMARK Ontario distribution centre.

AALP IS DELIVERED BY THE Rural Ontario Institute (ROI). Established in 1984, the program has graduated over 380 leaders who are now making a positive difference across Ontario and beyond.  Graduates use their increased skills and knowledge of the entire agri-food system to work with others to lead, direct and manage change within the industry. For more information visit http://www.aalp.on.ca/

Final yield and crop quality report for 2011 Crop Assesment Tour

By:    Don Kabbes, Great Lakes Grain marketing development manager
          Dale Cowan, Southern Co-operative Services senior agronomist


Reporting on 30 corn and 31 soybean sites, the Great Lakes Grain 2011 Crop Assesment Tour covered the trading area from Essex County to Simcoe County. On Sept 6, two smaller tours took place prior to the entire team meeting for the main two day event on September 7 and 8.

The average corn yield in the co-operative trading area came in at 159 bushels per acre. May planted corn was estimated at 169 bushels based on plant populations of 30,807, June planted corn was estimated at 146 bushels per acre based on 28,605 plants per acre on average. As reported in the preliminary issue the two main factors affecting yields the most from observations were plant population and Nitrogen deficiencies.

At approximately 5.3 bushels per 1000 plants the June planted populations have given up 12 bushels of corn yield to May planted corn. Western Bean Cutworm damage was most pronounced in the Bothwell area, however Smartstax and Herculex traited corn limited the damage. The affected cobs however may have been prone to ear mold infection.

All fields showed Nitrogen deficiency to various degrees. We encourage you to check your own fields to obtain plant harvest populations, observe N deficiency, ear molds and to check on stalk quality to determine standability. At the time of the tour stalk quality was quite good. However as grain fill continues and the cob dominates the sugar demand, cooler nights and shortening hours of sunshine, stalks may have weaken significantly from early September. Determining which fields should be prioritized for harvest will help to conserve yield and maintain combine efficiencies.
The main deviation from estimated yield to actual will be due to the extent and the number of areas challenged by drainage.

The two sites of Oakwald are interesting to note from the Ayr location of FS PARTNERS. It is the site of the Max Yield Plots (field scale). The main difference is an aggressive fertilizer build program as soil fertility is very low and the application of a fungicide. Between those two treatments we estimated a 63.2 bushel / acre yield increase over the farmer’s standard practice this is a highly responsive site.

The soybeans are coming in at 44.8 bushel per acre average. With a more diligent effort to count only beans filling the pod cavity we may have underestimated soybean yields slightly. There were a significant number of pods on the upper most nodes that were yet to be filled or aborted. If they fill before harvest there will be many fields in the upper 40 and low to mid 50 bushel per acre range. The final ten bushels will be weather driven.

Most noticeable was the onset of leaf diseases. Septoria Brown spot was higher up on the canopy due to rain splash in August. In August of 2010 the trading areas had less than 10 mm of rain this August we are well in excess of 100 mm. Rain in August makes soybeans! It also brings on plant disease. Bacterial Blight was evident and Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) was easy to find in most fields in the southwest. Soybean Cyst Nematode was also noted. All of these disease point to too high of frequency of soybeans in the rotation.

Soybeans in seven inch rows continue to be the most variable in plant populations and the most difficult to estimate yield. Row spacing of 15 inch offered similar yield and the opportunity to lower plant populations by approximately 30,000 seeds per acre or 14 per cent reduction in seeding costs. Overall it appears the trend in 2011 was to reduce seeding rates.

Again the two sites of Oakwald are interesting to note from the Ayr location of FS PARTNERS. It is the site of their Max Yield Plots (field scale). The main difference is an aggressive fertilizer build program as soil fertility is very low and the application of a fungicide. Between those two treatments we estimated a 9 bushel / acre yield increase over the farmer’s standard practice.

We wish to thank the co-operators who allowed us onto their farms, without them this tour would not be possible. This affords us an opportunity to sharpen our skills as crop specialist in a field classroom. There is no better way to learn than being in the field. We do not do this tour alone, the generous support from DEKALB who were our single sponsor in 2011 and valued supply chain partner allowed us to do this in a first class way.

This tour along with many hours of training throughout the year from GROWMARK and supply chain partners allows us to become better agronomists so we in turn can help you reach your goals and objectives of being better farmers.

Visit http://http://www.agris.coop/ or http://www.greatlakesgrain.com/ or http://www.fspartners.ca/ for more information.

Cochrane area residents made FAST STOP their first stop at succesful grand opening

Almost 10,000 litres of fuel pumped and 200 donuts consumed during the FAST STOP service centre’s grand opening celebration on Wed. Sept. 21 in beautiful northern Cochrane Ontario.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony kicked off with support from the Mayor of Cochrane Peter Politis, MPP Ramsay’s constituency assistant for the Cochrane District, Paul Latondress and Keven Robin, president of the Cochrane Board of Trade stopped by to say a few words as well as representatives of the station from FS PARTNERS and Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury.

After the ceremony, customers filled up their tanks at reduced prices from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a portion of the sales donated to the local Tim Horton Events Centre.

Mario and Mariel Vachon are the owners of the FAST STOP site and long time residents of Cochrane. They were very pleased with the support they received by the community and thrilled to see the long line ups of people that came out to fill up at the reduced prices. “We are very happy with the new FAST STOP branding and the overall look of the station and look forward to working with the FS team. Also, being open 24 hours non-stop along with our convenient location and many amenities, we feel the station is very handy for both local residents and for truckers travelling long distances in northern Ontario,” says Mario Vachon.

Designed for people on the run, customers 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 large network of fueling sites across Ontario offering 24-hour convenience with just one card. The Cochrane FAST STOP station offers clear diesel fuel and environmentally friendlier ethanol blended gasolines. The site also features a full-service restaurant, convenient store, laundry facilities, a comfortable lounge area and personal showers. 

This station is part of network of more than 250 FAST STOP branded stations in the United States and now the third in Ontario. Through the Ontario FS Co-operative System, FS PARTNERS and Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury have worked together to provide the newly branded FAST STOP station to the Cochrane area community.



From (L-R) Emile Faddoul, FS PARTNERS energy logistics manager; Paul Lantondress representing MPP Cochrane-Temiskaming (David Ramsey); Keven Robin, president Cochrane Board of Trade, Raymond Savage, general manager Co-operative Regionale de Nipissing Sudbury, Terry Vachon, Cochrane development officer; Mayor of Cochrane, Peter Politis; FAST STOP owners Mariel and Ginette Vachon, Jen and Mario Vachon and their two children, Andrew Troyer, FS PARTNERS sales and marketing manager.



Bigger is better when it comes to grain bins

Mayor Dennis Travale, thanked the Great Lakes Grain and FS PARTNERS team for making Norfolk County “the home to the largest steel grain bin in Ontario” when he spoke to approximately 200 farmers and guests at an open house event in Delhi on Sept 14.

Construction of the newly enhanced grain facility began in May of this year and was completed in September. It can store up to 735,000 bushels or 20,000 metric tons of grain, making it the largest storage capacity for Ontario.

“The intake improvements and new bin is going to dramatically reduce delivery times in harvest season for our farmers,” says Don Kabbes, marketing development manager for Great Lakes Grain. “The reduced congestion and our faster intake speed will allow them to quickly get back on their combines to continue their harvest.”

During a demonstration of the faster intake system at the open house, Devin Homick, Great Lakes Grain Delhi area grain originator, pointed out how the enhancements will move drivers in and out of the facility in half the time. A simple change in driveway access along with additional staging areas for probing, significantly speeds up traffic flow reducing congestion at peak times. Intake time is twice as fast resulting in approximately 44 tonnes of grain dumped in five minutes or nine tonnes per minute.

“This is all part of a three year expansion project with more storage and drying capabilities planned for Delhi and Straffordville in 2012 and 2013,” says Alex Elliott, Great Lakes Grain general manager. Elliott spoke about the power of working together, being farmer owned and making every dollar count for the betterment of the farmer.

Ribbon cutting ceremony -Sept. 14-Delhi
(L-R) Alex Elliott, Great Lakes Grain general manager; Dennis Travale, mayor of Norfolk County; Kim Fysh, GROWMARK director and AGRIS Co-operative director; Ed Benjamins, FS PARTNERS Board of Directors Chair; Don Kabbes, Great Lakes Grain market development manager and Devin Homick, Geat Lakes Grain Delhi area grain originator.

Local youth attend GROWMARK's Annual Meeting

Ed Sauve of Woodslee, Ontario, recently attended the 2011 GROWMARK, Inc. Annual Meeting in Chicago as this year’s youth speaker where he spoke in front of more than 1000 attendees about his views on co-operative leadership. Sauve was one of three young people chosen to take part in the travel opportunity sponsored by GROWMARK.

Also travelling to Chicago was Alissa Goodfellow of Napanee, a 2011 4-H Ontario Ambassador and Sarah McLaren of Courtice, representing Junior Farmers Association of Ontario.

Ed Sauve is a graduate and now a volunteer facilitator at the Ontario Co-operative Association’s Co-operative Young Leaders summer camp program. In his closing remarks in Chicago, Sauve commented on the need to promote co-operatives more than ever especially with 2012 being named by the United Nations as the International Year of Co-operatives.

Ed Sauve was sponsored to attend CYL camp by AGRIS Co-operative based out of Chatham. Attending camp gives young people like Sauve the opportunity to learn about co-operatives and build strong leadership skills through their roles as a facilitator or camp participant.

Each year GROWMARK provides travel opportunities to youth who have shown dedication to leadership development. They travel to Chicago to learn more about GROWMARK and network with business people and other young leaders. As part of their experience, they took part in the annual meeting’s grand opening ceremonies with young leaders from (FFA) also known as Future Farmers of America and had the opportunity to visit the Chicago Board of Trade.

Twelve young represenatatives from FFA and Ontario's Co-op Young Leaders Program, 4-H Ontario
and Junior Farmers' Association of Ontario took part in the
 Colour of Flags opening ceremony at GROWMARK's 2011 Annual Meeting in Chicago in August.