The study on the economic impact of the Co-operative Sector in Canada - Just released!

GROWMARK, Inc. and the FS Co-operatives provide sustainability and strong economic impact for Ontario farmers.

Conducted earlier this year, using data collected in 2015 from 5,730 co-operatives, a new and comprehensive study was released and provides a detailed portrait of Canadian co-operatives. Among other things, it presents descriptive statistics for 2015, five and ten-year trends, and the economic impact of the sector on the Canadian economy.

Commenting on the study, Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK,Inc. executive director Ontario operations, stated: “Co-operatives need to be recognized as a sustainable democratic business model. The agriculture co-operative network in Ontario has served its farmer-owners for more thanr 100 years, and today, FS Co-operatives account for more than one billion dollars to the Ontario economy.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE STUDY

 Co-operatives

·       In 2015, there were 5,730 co-operatives that reported in Canada.

·       Their volume of business was $85.9 billion, with assets of $503.2 billion. This represents 20.9% growth in volume of business and 42.5% growth in assets.

·       Memberships totalled 31.8 million, and the number of reported full-time equivalent employees was 182,253. This represents a 13.3% increase in membership and a 2.5% increase in the number of employees.

 The economy

·        The co-operative sector in Canada contributes $61.2 billion yearly to Canada’s GDP, an increase of 12% since 2010.

·           The sector injects $34.3 billion in taxes to all orders of government, an increase of 11.1% in five years.

·       The contribution of the co-operative sector to Canada’s GDP in 2015 was estimated at $61.2 billion, representing 3.4% of the national figure of $1,813.9 billion.

To view complete study, click here. 

The release of the study took place last week at the Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC)’s Congress 2019, Scott Banda of Federated Cooperatives Limited and Guy Cormier of Desjardins Group released the Study on the Economic Impact of the Co-operative Sector in Canada in 2015. Led by Dr. Fiona Duguid in partnership with George Karaphillis, the study confirms that co-operatives are an economic driver that contributes to the development of the Canadian economy.

Sunderland Co-op kicks-off big expansion at new site in Peterborough region

This week, Sunderland Co-operative opened the first phase of a multi-expansion project at its new site in Otonabee, serving the farmers and residents of Peterborough region and beyond.

The new 8,000 sq. ft. retail farm supply store and large-capacity feed warehouse is the first chapter for this expansive 12.9-acre property.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony Otonabee-South Monaghan mayor Joe Taylor "thanked the Co-op for having the confidence in our township to locate here. I know that our residents and the residents of County of Peterborough will support it for years to come,” said Taylor.

(L-R) Sunderland Co-operative Inc., general manager Jake Vancuren, president Urs Kressibucher and Otonabee-South Monaghan mayor Joe Taylor cut the ribbon to open Sunderland Co-op’s new retail and warehouse facility south east of Peterborough.

“We are undergoing a full feasibility study right now, but our strategy is to build the site into a multifaceted facility that will provide product and services in all our core businesses," says Urs Kressibucher, Sunderland Co-operative president. “We plan to offer a Whole Farm Plan experience to area farmers by delivering everything they need from seed to harvest to run a successful, prosperous and sustainable operation.”

"This move will help us grow our business," says Sunderland Co-operative general manager Jake Vancuren. "We are coming to our 70^th year of business and with this vision for the region, we plan to be here for at least 70 more.”

FS continues to bring you what's next with two more large fertilizer facility expansions

Just in time for spring, FS PARTNERS recently held the official grand opening of its new high-efficiency, large-capacity fertilizer plant in Ayr, and AGRIS Co-operative unveiled its newly enhanced fertilizer blending system in Thamesville. 

The new 36,000 square foot state-of-the-art, facility in Ayr has 5,000 metric tons flat storage and is fully equipped with eight bulk bins that allow for a variety of retail blending capabilities. It can mix up to 2,000 metric tons of crop nutrient products per day, more than doubling the old capacity of 800 metric tons per day. It is the first plant in Ontario to utilize an HIM high-performance mixer (3.5 MT capacity), cutting production times significantly. The facility also has the ability (through a 20-car rail siding) located on the property, to receive product by both railcar and truck.

The Ayr facility operates as a shared asset between GROWMARK, Inc. and its retail division FS PARTNERS. The $7.2 million investment by GROWMARK will provide greater efficiencies in distribution for FS PARTNERS’ locations and for other FS area co-operatives.

In Thamesville, AGRIS Co-operative farmer-owners celebrated the official opening of their new fertilizer blending system just last week. This $2.5 million investment increases the previous blending capability to 300 MT per hour, four times faster than before and completes an overall strategy to increase capacity throughout the co-operative’s full trade territory. Over the past several years, AGRIS has brought its overall blending capacity to nearly 1,000 MT per hour across its nine blending sites. 

Congratulations to these two FS sites as they continue to grow and provide more for Ontario farmers!

Spring training in high gear for FS agronomy teams!

The 2019 growing season is just around the corner. It is a good time to reflect on all the front-end work Ontario FS crop specialists have been doing to be the best they can be in preparation for spring.

Just like any team, preparation and training is essential for success. Right after harvest, GROWMARK gets very busy in the business of education, by providing FS crop specialists with a variety of learning opportunities on everything from horticulture, custom application training, nutrient management as well as soil fertility training. 

Each one of these topics is dissected into a number of full-day training programs that give FS System employees more insight into their day-to-day operations and better prepare them for the upcoming growing season.

“Our philosophy is to utilize this time to maximize our knowledge base,” says Don McLean GROWMARK agronomy business director. “Our ongoing training gives our customers an advantage, knowing they are supported by top-notch expertise.”

The FS Certified Applicators Program recognized 26 new Certified Crop Protection applicators and 28 newly Certified Nutrient Applicators this year. A large turnout on a stormy February day just proves the value and importance these professionals bring to the FS System and to their customers.

Pulling it all together, the two-day Annual FS Agronomy Conference provided an overarching line-up of topics from all aspects of the field. “Quality speakers, attention to detail and science based knowledge makes this a very worth-while event," says Bill Brown GROWMARK field sales agronomist. "Attendance was higher than ever this year." 

FS Annual Agronomy Conference in Stratford sees record number of participants.

In the midst of all this training, add a number of trade show opportunities and outside conferences into the mix, and you have the makings of a very productive fall and winter for FS Ontario agronomy teams. Within the province there was representation at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, Dairy XPO in Stratford, Forage Focus Conference in Stratford, Certified Crop Advisors Conference and most recently the Grain Farmers of Ontario March Classic in London. 

Rick Mercer, key-note speaker at Grain Farmers of Ontario March Classic Conference & Trade Show, took a moment to take a photo with FS staff and FS Mascot.

FS booth space features WHAT'S NEXT campaign taking up one full corner of the conference hall. Great turnout, great networking with customers and ag industry folks.

Ontario FS Co-operatives achieve strong results in the 2018 GROWMARK Top Improvement Awards

Five FS Co-operatives were recognized by GROWMARK, Inc. for business performance improvement at GROWMARK's recent Co-operative Leadership Conference held in Scottsdale, Arizona.

For this award, 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 GROWMARK FS Co-operatives in North America. From this measurement, the Performance Improvement Award is determined.

AGRIS Co-operative receives first place in the GROWMARK System's 

Top Improvement Awards. From L-R: Paul Emerick, AGRIS Co-op Chief

Financial Officer, John Nooyen, AGRIS Co-op board president. Presenting  

the award, Mike Turner, GROWMARK vice president Midwest operations. 

First place this year goes to AGRIS Co-operative, based out of Chatham Ontario; honoured with the highest degree of improvement.

Also from Ontario, ranking second was North Wellington Co-operative Services based out of Harriston.

In third place was TriCounty FS, based out of Jerseyville, Illinois.

Lucknow District Co-operative received fourth place in the

GROWMARK System's Top Improvement Awards.

From L-R: Allan Scott, Lucknow Co-op general manager, 

David Gibson, Lucknow Co-op board president and 

Mike Turner of GROWMARK. 

Lucknow District Co-operative, based out of Lucknow, Ontario received fourth place recognition, and in fifth place was Heritage FS based out of Gilman, Illinois.

GROWMARK also presented its Top 20% Awards to the top eight highest achievers in five separate categories of financial growth. 

Receiving Top 20% Awards from Ontario this year are:

AGRIS Co-operative,

Co-operative Regionale de Nipissing Sudbury,

La Co-operative Agricole d'Embrun,

Lucknow District Co-operative,

North Wellington Co-operative Services,

Sunderland Co-operative, and

Wanstead Farmers Co-operative.

Wanstead Farmers Co-operative receives GROWMARK Top 20% Award.

From L-R: Peter Kelly, Wanstead Co-op general manager, Martin Gerrits, Wanstead Co-op 

board president and Mike Turner of GROWMARK.

Congratulations to all!

AGRIS Co-op pledges $100,000 to new Ontario Sustainable Crop Research and Innovation Centre

AGRIS Co-operative board President John Nooyen announced at the co-operative’s annual meeting, that AGRIS has pledged $100,000 towards the construction of a new Ontario Sustainable Crop Research and Innovation Centre to be built at the University of Guelph’s RidgetownCampus.

The proposed new research centre will focus on sustainable cropping priorities for Ontario producers and will feature state-of-the-art research suites, laboratories, seed storage units and research offices. When complete, it will also be a learning centre for agricultural students in diploma, masters or Ph.D. programs.

From L-R: John Nooyen, AGRIS Co-operative board president,
Ken McEwan, University of Guelph Ridgetown campus director.

“AGRIS Co-operative has a long association with the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus and we are proud to help support the construction of this new Ontario Sustainable Crop Research and Innovation Centre,” says Nooyen.  “This will continue AGRIS Co-operative’s rich heritage of leadership in supporting local agricultural initiatives,” added Nooyen. AGRIS Co-operative also assists in supporting other agricultural events at the Ridgetown campus such as the Southwest Agricultural Conference and Crop Diagnostic Days.

“This new Crop Research and Innovation Centre will not only be of tremendous benefit to the students and faculty of the Ridgetown Campus, but also to producers in southwest Ontario and across Canada, providing them with valuable agronomic information,” says Jim Campbell, AGRIS Co-operative general manager.

The new Ontario Sustainable Crop Research and Innovation Centre will work to keep Ontario agriculture globally competitive. It will address issues in production systems, best management practices, crop evaluation, agronomic strategies, trait development, nutrient management, land usage, resource and energy application, variety development and evaluation and plant breeding.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from FS!

Sunderland Co-op declares patronage rebates for farmer-members for 68th consecutive year!

Urs Kressibucher, Sunderland Co-operative president announced last week that the co-op will pay out $320,000 in patronage to its farmer-members. “This is not a new concept for Sunderland Co-op,” says Kressibucher. “Delivering a profitable result and providing patronage to our members has been a consistent trend for the co-op.” From its first year in business in 1951 and for the next 68 years, the co-op has generated a positive bottom-line and shared its profits with its members each and every year.

Sunderland Co-operative general manager Jake Vancuren reported annual sales of just under $60 million with an income before patronage and taxes of more than $1.2 million.

More than 200 in attendance at Sunderland Co-op's 2018 Annual Meeting 

in Cambray on Dec. 5.

The co-op not only saw growth in its financial reporting this year, but also in expansion. The Sunderland FS Store underwent a complete renovation with improvements in appearance, merchandising and overall customer experience. The co-op also purchased an additional 85 acres of land at its Oakwood location for further expansion and a new Rogator for enhanced custom-application services for its members.

A new state-of-the art accounting system was installed providing added efficiencies and ease for customers to review their account activity on-line. Farmers can also customize their operational activity through an on-line tool called My Farm Records.

GROWMARK, Inc. and Sunderland Co-op contribute to 4-H. 

From (L-R): Tony Silvestro, GROWMARK Ontario region 

business development manager; Cheryl Crowe, Kawartha 

Lakes/Haliburton 4-H representative, and Jake Vancuren,

Sunderland Co-operative general manager.

 “I have been in this role for more than one year now, but it didn’t take me long to see the strength and value our co-op provides to its members and also to the community it supports,” says Vancuren. During the annual meeting, Sunderland Co-op and GROWMARK recognized Maggie-Jo Hickson as this year’s provincial essay contest winner (for high-school students who are members of 4-H) and contributed monetary awards to Maggie-Jo and to the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton 4-H Association.

The board elected Urs Kressibucher from Cannington as their president, Paul Mann from Peterborough as vice president, Warren Jibb from Sunderland as secretary and returning director Guy Master from Oakwood. Newly elected to the board this year are Paul Brown from Woodville and John Devos of Oakwood. 

The board acknowledged Gary Jebson, who retired from the board that evening. Jebson served on the board for six years and served as president. The board thanked him for his dedication and vision to Sunderland Co-op's continued success. 

Representing Sunderland Co-op at 2018 Annual General Meeting (L-R) At podium Urs Kressibucher, Sunderland Co-op president; Paul Mann, board director; Tony Silvestro, GROWMARK Ontario director member business; Warren Jibb, Sunderland Co-op secretary; Gary Jebson, and Guy Masters board directors; Erica Zunker, Sunderland Co-op controller; Tim McLaren, consultant (part time CFO); Jake Vancuren, Sunderland Co-op general manager. 

North Wellington Co-op opens new state-of-the art fertilizer facility!

Yesterday, North Wellington Co-operative Services held an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new fertilizer facility and propane service shop in Harriston.

The co-operative’s new 2,500T fertilizer plant features the high-tech Layco declining-weight blend system that provides great efficiencies in everything from storage capacity, loading speed and receiving times along with superior customized blending abilities.

At the open house, general manager Kelly Boyle welcomed everyone and started off by thanking the many valued contractors and NWC employees that worked so hard to get the facility up and running. He also commented on the new propane service shop as being a unique but much needed addition to the co-op.

The co-operative’s president Jon Eckhardt expressed the importance and value this new facility brings to the co-operative’s members and how this speaks to the board’s commitment in finding ways to best serve its members.

GROWMARK director Warren Jibb congratulated North Wellington Co-op on the new facility but also on achieving 75 years of history and growth.

George Bridge, mayor-Town of Minto, talked about the value the co-op brings to the local community. “What we love about the co-op is that it is owned by people in our community. We are so pleased you continue to invest in our town and we are happy to continue to work with you on future endeavors.”

Just before the ribbon cutting ceremony, Kelly Boyle was presented a congratulatory certificate for 75 Years of business in the community by Terri White representing the constituency office of MP Perth-Wellington John Nater.

Ribbon cutting ceremony at North Wellington Co-op's (NWC) fertilizer facility in Harriston, Nov. 1, 2018. Seen here (L-R): Alan Simpson and Mike Oberle, NWC directors; Judy Dirksen, town councillor; Bruce Shannon and Norm Stewart NWC directors; Kelly Boyle, NWC general manager; George Bridge, mayor Town of Minto; Jon Eckhardt, NWC president; Jeff Koehler, Gord South and Jack Shannon, NWC directors; Terri White, representative of MP Perth-Wellington John Nater; Ron Faulkner, deputy mayor-Town of Minto; Ron Elliott, town councillor and Ron Ross, NWC director.

See below for a few more photos of the day:

  Read full news release here.

Celebrating Co-op Week in Canada!

Co-op Week in Canada begins this Sunday from October 14th to 20th. In the United States the full month of October is dedicated to co-op awareness. It is an opportunity for co-operative and credit union members, staff and friends provincially, nationally and globally, to celebrate the impact co-ops have to sustainable social and economic development both at home and abroad.

Co-operatives are community-focused businesses that balance people, planet and profit. They are formed to seize local opportunities or respond to local challenges.

Here are some quick and easy facts and stats provided to you by the Ontario Co-operative Association:

• There are 1,300 co-operatives, credit unions and caisses populaires, located in Ontario.
• Ontario co-operatives have 49,000 volunteers - 10,000 of which are board members.
• Co-ops are in every business sector, and offer services from the cradle to the grave, from child care through to funeral co-ops!
• Co-operatives create $3.3 billion in income for Ontarians.
• Co-operatives are value-based and member-owned and focused.
• More than 1 of every 7 people worldwide are a member of a co-op.
• Co-operatives operate in more than 90 countries and employ over 100 million people around the world.
• Twice as many co-ops remain in operation after 10 years as other types of business enterprise.

In 1844, the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in England formed a local co-operative of weavers and tradesmen and established the  the co-operative principles in which co-ops and credit unions around the world continue to follow today. 

GROWMARK/FS employees in Ontario will be hosting activities throughout the week to recognize and learn more about co-ops in the local community as well as raise money for the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada to held aid others less fortunate in Canada and abroad through co-operative development projects and strategies.

Happy Co-op Week!

Recognizing both agriculture and co-ops all in the same month!

As we venture into another fall harvest season, the month of October also represents both our co-operative heritage and our agricultural roots.

This week is Agriculture Week in Ontario which leads in nicely to Thanksgiving this weekend. 

The agri-food industry is a significant driver of the province's economy, contributing approximately $34 billion annually, including $12.5 billion in exports, and employing more than 780,000 individuals.

The third week in October is Co-op week in Canada where more than seven million members of co-operatives throughout Canada can take part in celebrating and educating others on the significant contributions co-ops bring to the economy and communities in which they thrive. Co-ops contribute more than $6 billion to the Ontario economy and support over 57,000 jobs. 

In the  United States, our colleagues are enjoying the full month of October to celebrate co-op history during Co-op month.

During Co-op Week, Ontario GROWMARK employees will take part in a number of fundraising events to provide support for the Co-operative Development Foundation. CDF is a registered charity organization that works to undertake co-operative development projects in Canada and around the world.

October is a great time to enjoy the blessings that come with living in this great country, our passion for agriculture and our co-operative heritage. Let's take it all in!

FS is everywhere at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show!

Just finished off a very successful show at the 2018 Canada's Outdoor Farm Show. The FS booth was a popular destination as hundreds of people visited to take part in the Farm Smart with FS board game, get their photos taken with the FS Superheroes At Work. Superheroes such as:

The Grain Hornet, Agent Dieselex Gold, Professor FS Agri-Finance and Agent Dieselex Gold.

Kids who took part received an FS Superhero cape to become superheroes right on the spot and adults picked up a T-shirt with a large FS on the front. Everywhere you looked at the show one could see kids with FS on their backs and folks with FS on their fronts wearing the t’s. The energy section ran a draw to win 500L of fuel and the new FS mascot (FSie) was a hit with kids of all ages. 

Check out some of the activity this week:

Come visit us next week at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show!

A grand celebration of new growth at yesterday’s grand opening in Walkerton!

Jeff Hurst, Huron Bay Co-operative general manager and Kevin Rogers, Walkerton facility manager greeted approximately 400 customers and supporters that came out to see the co-ops new fertilizer facility in Bruce County.

The co-operative’s president Sam Luckhardt  started off the lineup of greetings by recapping Huron Bay’s many expansions in the past few years; stressing the importance of keeping up with the times. “This facility reflects our commitment to this continued direction of growth in supporting the needs of our members.”

Mayor David Inglis, Municipality of Brockton said he was very pleased that this new facility is here. “A vibrant economy is what everyone wants,” he says.  “Agriculture is strong in the municipality of Brockton and we want to keep it that way; and this facility is a testament to that.”

Ben Lobb, MP Huron-Bruce not only commended Huron Bay on its commitment and investment in Bruce County with this expansion, but also addressed the importance of the broader co-operative sector. “I am a long-time supporter of the co-operative and credit union sector and understand the added value that co-ops bring to our communities,” he said. 

 

Kim Fysh, GROWMARK Ontario director said that in his travels he has seen many facilities and that the Walkerton facility is second-to-none. “Your board and management teams have made some great decisions and you should be very proud,” says Fysh. “The only problem you might have is that you will be in and out of the facility so fast that you won’t have time to get a coffee!”

Don McLean, GROWMARK Agronomy business director brought greetings from GROWMARK Ontario region noting that with so many advances in agriculture, this new facility is a wonderful addition.

Jeff Hurst finished off by saying that the old ways weren’t working anymore. “This new facility will take Huron Bay well into the next century offering state-of-the-art technology."

“We are positioned well for providing our members with fast and accurate fertilizer mixing. This facility can produce very large volumes in a timely manner all controlled with hand-held computer. The business is changing in lightning speed, with technology and science. Several years ago only one or two sources of nitrogen were required and now we need five or six,” says Hurst.

Kevin Rogers pointed out details of the operation adding…”We can unload a tractor-trailer of fertilizer in about 8 minutes!”

After the official ribbon cutting ceremony, a bbq feast of hamburgers, sausages and salads was served to all who came out to take part in the celebration.

Official ribbon cutting ceremony (Walkerton). Seen here from (L-R)  - Kevin Rogers, Huron Bay Co-operative facility manager; Huron Bay Co-operative directors Ron DeVisser and Byron Monk; David Inglis, mayor of Brockton, John Rhody, director, Ben Lobb, MP Huron-Bruce, Sam Luckhardt, Huron Bay Co-operative president, Andrew Black vice president, Doug Jeffray, director and Jeff Hurst Huron Bay Co-operative general manager.