Co-operative roots grow deep in Dundalk

Steep in co-operative history,” is the best way to describe the community of Dundalk which is home to one of 10 branches of Huron Bay Co-operative.

New FS Dundalk crop centre 

I recently attended the grand opening of the co-op’s new crop centre in Dundalk with about 350 local supporters. “It is no wonder we had such a great turn out today,” said Dave Rogers branch manager. “There is a steep history here of co-op loyalty.” The co-operative has been a part of this region for 62 years and has a strong membership base with many multi-generational farms that have been a part of the co-op for a long time,” says Rogers.

Byron Monk, Huron Bay Co-operative president

I first got the chance to speak with the president of Huron Bay Co-operative Byron Monk, who has been a member of the co-op for 30 years. Not only was his dad, Orville Monk, on the United Co-operatives of Ontario (UCO) board in the early 80’s, but also his great grandfather Herman Monk was the president of the first co-op (North Brant 1) to join, what was then called, Farmer County Buying Clubs in the 1940’s.

I then chatted with Dale Pallister, past president of Dundalk Co-op and long-time member. He admits there have been ups and downs over the years, but when asked what kept him tied to the co-op during hard times he quickly replied, “If you don’t support your local community, it will starve!" He went on to say that it is not always about best price, but about the strong customer service and personal touch you get from your co-op. Pallister told me that his farm is now entering its seventh generation of family ownership.

During the day, staff cooked about 350 barbecue hamburgers and sausage-on-a-bun. The ribbon cutting ceremony was well attended and it was interesting, but not surprising, to hear from the mayor of the township, that he too, has co-operative roots that go back to when his father sat on the UCO board.

The new crop centre facility holds 2,000 metric tons of fertilizer compared to the old building that had a storage capacity of 350T. It now houses five, 200T bins and four, 250T bins compared to the previous building of five, 70T bins.

“The biggest impact for our members is the ability to have product on hand when needed,” says Rogers. “Not only do we now have six times more storage space, but we can now off-load product in half the time.” The facilities new ten-tonne vertical blender system replaces a four-tonne tub-blender.

During his comments at the grand opening ceremony, Byron Monk commended the employees of Huron Bay Co-op on their teamwork in getting this facility up and running for spring 2014. “It was imperative that we bring our farmer-members a more efficient system to accommodate the growing needs in this part of the province," said Monk. "And this spring, we did just that!"  

Ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 7 (L-R): Dave Rogers, Huron Bay Co-operative Dundalk branch manager; Brian Milne, mayor of the Township of Southgate; Bill Walker, MPP Grey/Bruce/Owen Sound; Byron Monk, Huron Bay Co-operative president; Jeff Hurst, Huron Bay Co-operative general manager and Jennifer MacDonald Huron Bay Co-operative crop specialist.

Road trip to NEXT!

Last week, on the way to the GROWMARK “NEXT” Conference held in Peoria, Illinois, about 30 Ontario FS crop specialists took part in a four-day agronomy focused road-trip filled with “excellent learning opportunities,” says Don McLean, GROWMARK Ontario agronomy business director.

The first stop at Pride Seeds AgReliant Genetics Research Station in Champaign, Illinois gave the group a better understanding of just how far Pride Seeds has come in the development of new hybrid seed varieties. “New hybrids are produced in half the time it used to take!,” says Bill Brown, GROWMARK Ontario field sales agronomist. “What used to be a seven to eight year timeframe, now we are introduced to new varieties in three to four years’ time.”

Next, the group arrived in Peoria, to attend GROWMARK’s FS Agronomy Event called “NEXT”. Just as its title suggests, this value-packed conference focused clearly on the future in agronomy trends and GROWMARK programs.

On the way back to Ontario, the bus stopped in Union Hill, Illinois to visit Bayer CropScience’s Research facility to learn more about what’s next in weed resistance science. The big eye-opener here for the group was witnessing first-hand the enormous threat that comes from the weed “Palmer amaranth”. “Unless multiple modes of action are put into play right at the onset of its presence, it will not take long for this mighty weed to completely takeover and highjack a full crop,” says Brown. “So far, we don’t have it here in Ontario, but we must take this weed very seriously and be prepared.”

LEFT- Scott Vandehogen, AGRIS Co-operative seed specialist stands beside corn field impacted by Palmer amaranth in Union Hill, Illinois. Note: Scott is six feet tall!   RIGHT- Don McLean posing with massive Palmer amaranth weed!

Attending the conference and road trip were FS crop specialists from AGRIS Co-operative, County Farm Centre, FS PARTNERS, Huron Bay Co-operative, North Wellington Co-operative, Sunderland Co-operative, Thunder Bay Co-op and Wanstead Farmers’ Co-operative. “It was an excellent networking opportunity for crop specialists from all over the province to share stories, ideas and discuss what’s NEXT!” says McLean.

  Ontario FS crop specialists visit Pride Seeds AgReliant Reaserch site in Champaign, Illionois:

BACK ROW (L-R): Kyle Beatty and Ryan Beatty (County Farm Centre), Bill Brown (GROWMARK), Jeremy Tanner (AGRIS Co-op), Tyler Sabelli (AGRIS Co-op), Sean Chase (FS PARTNERS), Scott Vandehogen (AGRIS Co-op),  Chris Snip (AGRIS Co-op),  Marty Osborne (AGRIS Co-op), Kevin Van Eerd (AGRIS Co-op), Jeff Wilson (County Farm Centre). SECOND ROW (L-R) Mike Parker (Wanstead Farmers Co-op), Brent Troyer (North Wellington Co-op), Jennifer MacDonald (Huron Bay Co-op), Dave VanCasteren (FS PARTNERS), Seamus Postuma (Thunder Bay Co-op), Nathan Saarloos (FS PARTNERS), Dale Bolton (Sunderland Co-op), Mark McKerrall (AGRIS Co-op), Sandy McAllister (Huron Bay Co-op).  FRONT ROW (L-R): Adam Bent (Sunderland Co-op),  Luke Hartung (North Wellington Co-op), Graham McLean (AGRIS Co-op), Clarke Aitken (AGRIS Co-op), Don McLean (GROWMARK), Kent Wolfe (AGRIS Co-op), Jessica Gaukel (AGRIS Co-op), Mike Pedlar (Huron Bay Co-op).

This year's new 4-H Ambassadors and GROWMARK Interns tour FS

The 2014 Ontario 4-H Ambassadors along with GROWMARK’s summer interns and summer students took a day away from their regular routine to learn more about the FS System.

Below is the full group together posing in front of  a 1942 Ford Stake truck purchased by North Wellington Co-operative as part of its 70^th anniversary celebration at the co-opertive's site in Harriston. 

Introducing this year's 4-H Ambassadors and GROWMARK Summer Interns:
Top (L-R): 2014 4-H Ontario Ambassador Paul Knoops of Oxford county, FS Interns Leslie Bowman (Co-operative Regional Nipissing Sudbury), Matt Sikorski (Lucknow District Co-operative), summer student Tomas Mcmanus (FS PARTNERS) and Alex Richardson (AGRIS Co-operative). Bottom L-R: Jeff McCallum, North Wellington Co-operative marketing & communication specialist, GROWMARK Interns Mary Walton (FS PARTNERS), Bryce Rodman (Sunderland Co-operative), Justin McNally (FS PARTNERS), 4-H Ambassadors Chris DeKlein of Middlesex county, Brook Thompson of York region, Kate Higgins of Huron county, Sarina Goodfellow of Lennox county and Kelly Boyle, North Wellington Co-operative general manager. 4-H Ambassador Tamara Hamilton is not present.

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, North Wellington Co-operative’s unique retail store and lawn and garden centre, and a quick glimpse of the 24-hour remotely monitored cardlock FAST STOP® fueling station. 

The group learns about the complex operations of UPI Energy LP from 

Bob Hodgson, manager, propane dispatch and logistics.

Kevin Stumpf, FS PARTNERS branch manager gives an overview of 

the grain and agronomy business at the Ayr site.  

This is the 9th year for the 4-H Ontario Ambassador Program sponsored by GROWMARK, Inc. and UPI Energy LP. Ambassadors promote 4-H in Ontario provincially, regionally, locally and at some national events. 

The Ambassadors will also attend UPI Energy’s annual meeting next month called Rendezvous and participate as flag bearers during the opening ceremonies. Ambassador Brooke Thompson will be travelling to Chicago at the end of August to attend the GROWMARK Annual Meeting to represent 4-H Ontario. Also selected to attend as youth representative from Junior Farmers of Ontario is Kim Hooey and representing Co-operative Young Leader Program, Matthew Gerrits who has been chosen as Ontario's youth speaker along with other youth speakers from FFA Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.

GROWMARK names Spradlin new CEO

Jim Spradlin has been named chief executive officer of GROWMARK, Inc. effective September 16, 2014. He replaces Jeff Solberg who will retire in September.  

Spradlin is a 1982 business administration and economics graduate of Illinois College, Jacksonville, Ill.  He has held various positions within the GROWMARK System of co-operatives, including controller of Schuyler-Brown FS, regional administrative director, general manager of Piatt Service Company, general manager of Ag-Land FS, and region manager (Central Ill.), energy division manager, agronomy division manager, and vice president of agronomy for GROWMARK. Jim is one of five members of the Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture’s Industry Advisory Council. He serves on the board of directors for The Fertilizer Institute, and is a former local director of Rotary International.

In announcing Spradlin as CEO, GROWMARK Chairman of the Board and President, John Reifsteck, said:  “Selecting a CEO to lead GROWMARK’s management team is among the most important and impactful decisions the Board can make. Jim has the skills, knowledge, experience, and support to successfully lead GROWMARK into the future. The Board has great confidence in him and his ability to lead the multitude of talented employees throughout the GROWMARK System.”

It is well worth the trip to Verner!

Co-op Régionale director Sylviane Beaulieu

As part of GROWMARK’s upcoming Annual General Meeting, several co-operative board directors will be featured and Sylviane Beaulieu from Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury  was one of the few selected for this honour.

Recently, the GROWMARK videoography team travelled to Verner, Ontario to meet up with Sylviane and found her to be a true ambassador of the co-op.  

Like her father-in-law before her, Sylviane exhibits commitment and passion for the success of the co-op and more importantly, its members. “The most important attribute a director can have is to be transparent and honest,” she says. When asked about her leadership, she replied that she thinks of herself as more of a team-player on a board of strong and committed team-mates.

“Education is key,” she admits that the younger generation have not felt the growing pains and struggles that the older generation of members have endured to make the co-op the success it is today. “And that is my mission as a director to provide our younger members with a stronger sense of pride for their local co-op,” she adds.

When asked about her perspective on being a female on the board, Sylviane just went on to say that her gender isn't really what matters, it is more about one’s experiences and history that bring a unique perspective to the board.

Gerry Duquette, petroleum manager

Having a female on the board of directors is not an anomaly for the co-operative says general manager Raymond Savage. Since Diane Smits first took on the role of director in 1987, three more female directors including Sylviane served on the Board of Nipissing-Sudbury with a combined 24 years of service. And, in 2002, Colleen Carriere served as president and chairman of the Board for a three year period.

During our one-day visit to Verner, we were graciously chaperoned to the various Co-opérative Régionale FS sites by petroleum manager Gerry Duquette. We visited the FS Verner Gas Bar and diner and took time to enjoy generous helpings of scrumptious burgers and poutine served liberally with friendly northern hospitality.

Paul Serre,
Verner Food Town
store manager

Verner petroleum bulk plant

 I had the opportunity to drop in quickly to the co-op’s grocery store (Verner Food Town) and chatted for a few minutes with store manager Paul Serre. He explained the many renovations in play to expand office space and product lines, making the store more of a one-stop-shop for local residents and summer tourists.

The GROWMARK video crew left northern Ontario knowing the Co-op Régionale team is proud of its co-op and the many values it brings to its members and local community.

Verner FS gas bar and restaurant

Co-op Régionale Verner feed & grain facility

Libro Credit Union picks FS Co-operative leaders for local TV ads!

You may have already seen our very own Jeff McCallum, marketing and communication specialist for North Wellington Co-operative on a recent Libro Credit Union TV ad, but just in case you haven’t... take a look at it here.

As an active owner-representative and chair of Libro's Listowel Branch Council, Jeff was recommended for the part. “This ad was also great exposure for North Wellington Co-op,” he says

He goes on to explain that there is something a little extra special embedded in this 15 second clip that has some personal historical meaning to him. The young fellow on the right in the historical photo is Jeff’s grandfather. Both Jeff’s grandpa and his father served as directors and as board presidents for the Elgin Co-operative Association in Elgin county, many years ago.

Also check out the Sauve family feature:

The Sauve family also has a strong co-operative leadership history. John Sauve has been a long-standing certified director on the AGRIS Co-operative board and prior to that, he served as president on the board of La Co-opérative de Pointe-aux-Roches. His son Eddie Sauve has been an active co-op young leader who was selected to represent the Co-operative Young Leaders Program and speak at the GROWMARK Annual Meeting in Chicago in 2011.  

Congratulations to our FS Co-operative System leaders!

Co-ops come full circle in Sunderland

An 80 year relationship between two Ontario co-ops

It was an almost unanimous decision for the members of both 
Sunderland Co-operative and Peterborough District Co-operative when they voted in favour of the recent amalgamation of the two co-operatives.

 “With over 80 years of history in the Peterborough region, it was no surprise that the meetings were well represented,” said Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK Ontario region manager. “The participation exceeded our expectations as members were eager to come out and put their stamp of approval on moving forward with this amalgamation as a way to strengthen their co-operative heritage in the region.”

The two co-ops have a long history together dating back to the 1930’s when Peterborough District Co-operative was established and then opened three branch locations; one being in the town of Sunderland.

FS Store in Sunderland, ON

Almost 20 years later, a small group of farmers in Sunderland got together and raised an initial investment of $25,000 to purchase the assets of the Sunderland branch; thus forming Sunderland Co-operative Inc. in 1950.

And today, with this latest amalgamation, Sunderland Co-operative, now the parent company has expanded to embrace the Peterborough site as one of its own, allowing for a strong co-operative presence to carry on in a community that is home to its rural roots. 

To read more about the full story on the evolution of Sunderland Co-op visit the May issue of GROWMARK's The Source

Recognizing GROWMARK University of Guelph Scholarship winners

As students finish up another year of academic growth, it is a good time for us to recognize the University of Guelph students who received GROWMARK scholarships this year.

The Glen Webb Education Scholarship Program (named after a former GROWMARK president) has been in place for more than 50 years. In Ontario GROWMARK awards six students per year (two from University of Guelph campus, two from Ridgetown Campus, one from Kemptville Campus and one from Campus d'Alfred).

This year’s scholarship winners are:

Guelph campus recipeints: Robert Bos and Sylvia Megans.

Presenting the award to Robert Bos is Dr. Peter Pauls, chair of Plant Agriculture at OAC.

Robert Bos was as a GROWMARK Intern last summer and this year was part of the University's Canadian Agri-Marketing Association Student Chapter team of which he recently competed in the prestigious National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) student competition in Kansas City, placing second of 29 teams from across North America. This is the highest that a team from the University of Guelph has placed in the NAMA competition since 2004.

Ridgetown Campus GROWMARK scholarship recipients are: Robert Lukacs and Jennah Carere. Seen here is Kevin Couture, AGRIS Co-operative Muirkirk branch manager, presenting to Ridgetown Campus scholarship recipient Robert Lukacs.

As well, Robin Crossley from Kemptville Campus and Hélène Lauzon from Campus d'Alfred were among this year's GROWMARK scholarship winners.

To obtain a GROWMARK Scholarship, students must have a minimum cumulative average of 70 per cent, must demonstrate leadership abilities, and be involved in extracurricular activities, community service or agricultural employment. Preference will be given to students with an Ontario farm background and interested in pursuing full time employment in agriculture in the province of Ontario after graduation.

Congratulations to these young ag leaders!

Many connections were made for FS Co-ops at the GFO March Classic!

It has been a while since the FS Ontario agriculture co-ops have come together for a provincial trade show presence, but this week Ontario FS Co-operatives did just that by attending the GFO (Grain Farmers of Ont.) March Classic Trade Show and Conference in London.

FS Co-operative exhibit at GFO March Classic 

FS System representatives from AGRIS Co-operative, Wanstead Farmers Co-operative, FS PARTNERS, North Wellington Co-operative Services, County Farm Centre, Sunderland Co-operative, Lucknow District Co-operative and GROWMARK all took part in manning the booth and greeting visitors throughout the day.

Guests entering the FS exhibit were asked to plot where they farm on a large eight foot map of Ontario noting the FS location closest to them. A spinning wheel was on site for folks to spin and learn a fact about Ontario ag co-ops and everyone was given a set of FS branded work gloves to take home.

This is the third year for the GFO March Classic that has grown rapidly in popularity. This year, the event expected approximately 1000 guests comprised of GFO members and delegates, sponsors and industry folks who all have a common passion for farming.

This year is the 100 year anniversary for a unified farmer-owned co-operative system network in Ontario.

Participating FS representatives at GFO March Classic this Monday were: (L-R) Allan Scott, Lucknow District Co-operative general manager; Jeff Wilson, County Farm Centre agronomy manager; Juli Paladino, FS PARTNERS marketing assistant; Tim Davey, County Farm Centre energy manager; Nathan Saarloos, FS PARTNERS crop specialist; Bill Brown, GROWMARK Ontario field sales agronomist, Cathleen Verhallen, AGRIS Co-operative customer service manager; Blain Thompson, Sunderland Co-operative general manager; Janice Johnson, GROWMARK Ontario marketing & communication specialist; Bruce Thomson, FS PARTNERS energy specialist; Terry Stevenson, Southern Co-operative Services communication manager; Mike Dotterman, AGRIS Co-operative fuel specialist. Also participating but not present for the photo were: Jeff McCallum, North Wellington Co-operative marketing & communication specialist, Darrin Angus, Wanstead Farmers Co-operative crop sales specialist; Sean Chase, FS PARTNERS crop specialist, Jim Campbell, AGRIS Co-operative general manager and  Tom O'NeilL, FS PARTNERS energy sales manager.

March marks 100 years for Ontario ag co-ops!

2014 is the 100^th anniversary of the formation of a unified Ontario ag co-op system.

It all started in March of 1914, when 300 farmers met in Toronto’s Labour Temple to address issues of economic grievances and social unrest in the farm community. Farmers were keen on uniting into one organization and thus, the United Farmers of Ontario and the United Farmers Co-operative Company (UFCC) emerged. It was not very long after that the UFCC became the accepted trading medium. Its first commercial venture as a co-operative was to purchase twine from Ireland to break a monopoly of Canadian twine manufacturers.

Later UFCC bought coal, fencing materials and fertilizer in a co-operative mode. In 1927, it established a grain marketing pool based on the model of prairie wheat pools. During the 30’s, extensive educational programs were developed and leadership provided for the formation of the Ontario Chamber of Agriculture (now known as (OFA) Ontario Federation of Agriculture).

In 1948, ownership was converted from membership control of individual farmers to member control by member co-operatives. With this change, United Co-operatives of Ontario (UCO) was formed and for the next 46 years, UCO contributed much to the growth and development of the co-operative movement in the province.

In 1994, UCO’s assets were purchased by GROWMARK, Inc. where members of UCO chose to become shareholder owners of GROWMARK and create a co-operative system serving farmers internationally in both Canada and the United States.

Members of United Farmers of Ontario (UFO) pose for group picture at the UFO Annual Convention in Dec. 1929.

Today, 100 years later the Ontario ag co-operative system is thriving. The FS brand has been the leading brand for the Ontario co-op network for the past 20 years. In 1994, most Ontario employees had never heard of FS, but it soon became the cornerstone of everything we do. 

Today, Ontario has over 250 FS branded trucks on the road, 55 FS signed facilities and over 600 System-wide employees sporting the FS logo while serving more than 32,000 members and rural customers. 

In the past five years, Ontario FS Co-operatives have returned over $11.5 million in patronage refunds to Ontario farmers. 

Find an FS Co-operative near you! Visit www.fssystem.com for links to each FS Co-operative website.

Measuring up with WL Alfalfa

If you were a dairy producer visiting the FS booth at the Canadian Dairy XPO show earlier this month, you not only had the advantage of learning more about how WLAlfalfa can help produce high quality forages for your dairy herd, but you also had the opportunity to pick up a 25’ heavy-duty measuring tape to take back to your farm.

For the first time, FS Co-operatives took part at the Canadian Dairy XPO show in Stratford. With participation from Huron Bay Co-operative, Lucknow District Co-operative, FS PARTNERS and North WellingtonCo-operative, the FS booth was well represented. The two day show saw  approximately 11,000 in attendance.

Bill Brown, GROWMARK Ontario field sales agronomist and organizer of the event for the FS System, said that he was pleased with the overall energy at the show, especially with one of the largest snow storms to hit, dairy farmers still made their way to the show. “The WL brand is not widely recognized, but we don’t think it will take long for farmers to realize its high yield potential and excellent quality giving the producer more milk in the pail,” says Brown. 

Brent Lamont, FS crop specialist with
Huron Bay Co-operative at FS booth at Dairy XPO, Feb 4th. 

The WL Alfalfa  brand has been in existence for more than 50 years, providing top quality alfalfa forage seed varieties to farmers across North America. FS Co-operatives are exclusive suppliers of the WL brand.

CleanFARMS cleans up!

An excerpt from recent CleanFARMS News Release..........................


Ontario farmers returned more than 114,000 kilograms of obsolete pesticides and over 4,400 kilograms of animal health medications for safe disposal in 2013. The combined collection program was made possible through a unique partnership between CleanFARMS - a national industry-led agricultural waste stewardship organization - and the Canadian Animal Health Institute(CAHI).

"It's always a good thing when we can offer expanded programs to help farmers responsibly manage waste on their farms," says Barry Friesen, general manager of CleanFARMS. "Partnering with the Canadian Animal Health Institute on this initiative proved to be a win-win for everyone involved."

Ontario farmers were invited to participate at no charge, by dropping off their obsolete or unwanted agricultural pesticides and animal health medications to 31 ag-retail collection sites throughout the province in October for safe and environmentally responsible disposal.

Since the program launched in 1998, more than 1.9 million kilograms of obsolete pesticide has been collected across Canada and safely destroyed. The first animal health medication collection was piloted in 2009 and returned in 2013. After collection, all products are taken to a licensed waste management facility where they are safely disposed of through high-temperature incineration.

The obsolete collection program generally comes to the province every three years. In between collections, farmers are encouraged to safely store their unwanted pesticides and animal health medications until they can properly dispose of them through the program.

Thank you to the FS System for its part in this important program:

Sunderland Co-operative -- Oakwood Ag Centre
Lucknow District Co-operative
AGRIS Co-operative -- Leamington & Tupperville
Co-operative Regionale de Nipissing Sudbury -- Verner & Thornloe Ag Centres
North Wellington Co-operative -- Harriston
Huron Bay Co-operative -- Walkerton
Bradford Co-operative Storage
County Farm Centre -- Picton
GROWMARK, Inc. -- Kitchener

Calling 4-H Ontario High School students...2014 GROWMARK Essay Contest is now open!

Promoting Sustainability and Conservation of Natural Resources is this year's theme for the GROWMARK annual essay contest. It is open to all high school students who are members of  4-H in Ontario. 

Essays should be approximately 500 words, typed and double-spaced. The postmarked entry deadline for Ontario 4-H members is May 15. The Ontario provincial winner earns a $500 award and the winner’s 4-H Association receives a $300 award. Four runners-up each win $125.

Congratulations to Nicole Lauzon
2013 Provincial winner
4-H Hastings County

The essay contest has been in place in the United States for 21 years, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member co-operatives to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues affecting agriculture, and understand the unique role of co-operatives. This year, students will focus on four questions:  What does sustainability mean? Why should farmers be concerned with conservation and sustainable practices? What role do co-operative play in this effort?

Additional program details can be viewed at GROWMARK  or 4-H Ontario.

On the road with two more Dieselex® Gold rolling billboards!

Latest customized  Dieselex Gold
fuel truck delivered to North
Wellington Co-op just last month.

With Dieselex Gold growing in popularity for Ontario FS members and customers, AGRIS Co-operative and North Wellington Co-operative Services together with UPI Energy LP have just introduced two more Dieselex Gold branded fuel trucks in Ontario.

UPI Energy, the creator of the design, had its first truck painted in 2012 and now with increased demand for the product, there are now four new trucks sporting the gold and burgundy Dieselex Gold colour palette.

AGRIS Co-operative general manager Jim Campbell says that his staff was very enthusiastic about the new addition to its fleet.”It is a great looking vehicle that will certainly create a big impact at local farm shows with our farmer-owners as well as drum up more interest in our local area,” says Campbell.

With now, over 30 fuel trucks equipped with Dieselex Gold fuel injectors (including UPI Energy, UPI/FS member co-op joint ventures and FSPARTNERS, a retail division of GROWMARK), the product has earned a good reputation in Ontario for restoring lost horsepower, improving fuel efficiency and protecting today's sophisticated fuel systems. To learn more about Dieselex Gold visit any of the website links in this blog post.

AGRIS Co-operative’s energy team here with new Dieselex Gold branded fuel truck. (L-R) driver/salesmen Pete Caza, Pat Coggans, Dean Gyori, Rick VanRycheghm and  Jeff Walters, customer service representative  Debbie Plourde, energy manager Charlie Mailloux, customer service rep. Sherry Newman, driver & fuel specialist Mike Dotterman, driver salesman Terry McClarty, driver & equipment installer specialist Rob Clark and driver salesman  Darrell Dutry.

Congratulations to Michel Chénier!

Michel Chénier

La Co-operative Agricole d"Embrun president and CEO Michel Chénier recently received a FCGA (Fellowship Certified General Accountant) designation for 2013.  

The FCGA designation is the highest national award granted by the CGA Association. It is presented each year to exceptional CGAs who have brought distinction to the profession.  The 30 recipients for 2013 hail from across Canada and beyond. All have been nominated by their peers, and have one thing in common:  they have provided exemplary service to the Association, the accounting profession and the communities in which they live and work. 

Michel Chenier seen here in the CGA November magazine as one of 2013 FCGA recipeints. To view the electronic magazine click on: http://docs.cgamagazine-digital.ca/doc/cga-magazine/2013-11-november-december/2013110701/#66

CGA electronic November magazine lists 2013 FCGA recipients.
Michel Chenier (fourth row, fifth column)

Expansion creates more than 700,000 bushels of grain storage for Thamesville area producers

Investment and construction of four new steel grain bins for Great Lakes Grain site in Thamesville was formally announced last week by AGRIS Co-operative board president, Jim Maw.

The $2.15 million investment by AGRIS Co-operative will significantly improve storage capacity and traffic flow by removing some existing storage and adding additional storage. The new layout improves flow and allows future storage expansion and intake capacity as market conditions demand.

The expansion will make way for an additional 700,000 bushels of grain storage for the co-operatives member-owners and customers in the Thamesville area. “These improvements will allow us to utilize the Thamesville elevator to its capacity, giving us added volume for wet grain,” says Don Kabbes, market development manager for Great Lakes Grain. The expansion will allow the site to receive greater volumes throughout the harvest period, allowing the co-operative's member-owners to move the crop more efficiently.

The project is expected to be completed by fall harvest (Sept. 2014).

Media launch at  Great Lakes Grain Thamesville site on Dec. 12 with AGRIS Co-operative board of directors (L-R) Jim Anderson, Larry Pajot – board vice-president, Richard Tanner, Ray Simard, Dave Sherman, Jim Maw – board president, John Sauvé, Paul Repko – board secretary, John Nooyen, Stan Gillier, Kim Fysh. 

Great Lakes Grain is a grain marketing partnership between GROWMARK, Inc. and AGRISCo-operative Ltd. Great Lakes Grain is one of the largest operators of Ontario country elevators. It represents close to 440,000 MT (17 million bushels) of storage capacity with total marketing of more than of 46 million bushels serving farmers at more than 24 AGRIS Co-operative and FS PARTNERS branded locations from Windsor through to Toronto and north to Georgian Bay.

FS is larger than life!

The next time you are travelling the 401 about half way between London and  Chatham, you'll most likely notice a very large FS sign along the way.   

This particular FS logo is perched high at the top of one of the grain silos at AGRIS Co-operative's/Great Lakes Grain site in Dutton. Measuring 35 ft wide, it is by far the biggest FS in Ontario. 

This particular facility was considered to be the best location in the province to warrant moving forward with a project of this magnitude. “There is clear visibility to the thousands of travellers each day driving the 401,” says Terry Stevenson, communications manager for AGRIS Co-operative.  

The sign company that was contracted for the job confirmed that painting the FS directly onto the silo provided the best visual impact allowing it to hug the curves of the structure giving it a wider girth and maximizing the distance it can be seen.  The painted sign will also be able to tolerate the affects of wind and other environmental elements more efficiently, therefore extending the life span of the project.

Next time you are in the area, make sure you check it out.