Sunray Co-op
Sunray Co-op Grain Industry Leader in The Texas Panhandle April 2009
Issue 93
www.sunraycoop.com
General Manager Report—Dave Reinders
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jess Willard — President Ellis Moore — Vice President Joe Reinart — Secretary Joaquin Andujo— Director Dan Carthel — Director Butch Harbert — Director David Johnson— Director
Hopefully by the time you receive this newsletter we will have received some much needed rain. I know some of you are anxious to plant corn and catching a nice rain first would be ideal. Earlier this fiscal year we offered a Patron Note program. This has been well received by our patrons. We have decided to use the money for additions at our Gruver location. We are in the early stages of constructing a 72’ x 128’ concrete bin with a capacity of 485,620 bushels. This will be a nice addition to Gruver and will be appreciated by both our patrons and our employees. Our business at that location continues to grow and we certainly take a lot of pride in being able to handle your grain in a timely and efficient manner. This bin will be up and running by corn harvest. It is being built by McPherson Concrete of McPherson Kansas.
As you should know by now, your Board of Directors approved the payment of 5% of our patron’s equity at their February meeting. We have heard a lot of good comments from the normal maintenance. the patrons as they reWe will also have all the ceived their checks. Total grain probes at payout was the scales com$400,000.00. pletely overWith all the negatives go- “The Sunray Co-op hauled prior to corn harvest. We ing on in the is on very solid know full well world econthat time is omy, we felt financial money both for this was perfooting…” us as well as for fect timing. you. We do eveThe Sunray rything feasible to Co-op is on make certain you very solid financial footing get your equipment in, and we want to continue paying your Book Credits weighed, dumped and rein as timely fashion as pos- turned to your fields as quickly as possible. sible. The employees have been busy this past winter upgrading and making improvements to our facilities. We have replaced legs, installed more ventilation, and temperature cables as well as continuing
Hopefully you will get the crops planted in a timely fashion, and Mother Nature is kind to you with the weather during the growing season. Have a safe spring.
April 2009
Page 2
Farm and Home Center—Russell Gadbois Spring has arrived and you can sure tell by the traffic in the Farm & Home Center !! The dry, mild weather has really fueled an early start to the busy season for us as we have been very active with irrigation supplies and bulk and packaged oil. With some early season temps hitting the 80’s we have had many of you asking when the greenhouse will be going up. We normally have it up around the 10th-15th of April and are shooting for that time again this year so keep your eye out as we will have it up and going very soon. Be sure to check in with us throughout the greenhouse season as we make at least one trip a week to the nursery to keep the plants fresh.
a little better each day and look forward to seeing you in the store soon.
GRAND RE-OPENING MAY 7TH—9TH UNBELIEVABLE SAVINGS!! WATCH FOR SALES FLYER BEGINNING OF MAY DRAWINGS AND GIVE- AWAYS!!
In conjunction with our Grand Re -opening, we will be holding the drawing for the $1000.00 shopping spree featuring items from Most of you have been in to see the Spring Catalog that you can the store since our re-model but pick up at any of our branch locain case you haven’t, please come tions or the F&H or C-Store. in and see us. We have added Bring your registration form many new items with the re(located inside the catalog) and put merchandising project and are it in the box located at the F&H. excited with our new affiliation The drawing will be held on Saturwith Do It Best. We are learning day May 9th at noon. You may to navigate our new store set up enter as many times as you like.
Our customers are also now able to shop with us online at www.sunraycoop.com. You’ll see the ―shop online‖ feature on our home page that will direct you to the Do It Best website. Most online orders will feature a ―free ship to store‖ benefit that will cost you nothing for shipping the items to our store. We have already had several people shop with us online and hope you will all take time to do the same. If you have any questions about this feature, give me a call. Lastly, we are proud to have our new LED message board up and running, featuring the daily grain markets and in store specials and some community events. Keep your eye on our sign as you drive by— there could be some huge savings for watching!!
April 2009
Page 3
Service Center—Gene Bain Many of you that have stopped by the Service Center recently have asked the question ―what are those big white plastic tires for?‖ Well, the world of sprinkler tires is trying a new approach. The concept has been around for many years, and many manufacturers have tried to produce a plastic sprinkler tire, but have failed. Their concept of this new tire with its metal rim has great potential for less problems. We have just started moving these plastic tires, and so far the response is very good. The facts on the new ―plastic tire‖ are they are made from a high grade of polyethylene material that contains a UV inhibitor. The tires are made in two halves that bolt together with four carriage bolts on
each side. This is so they can be used on your old rims to help with the cost. Speaking of cost, the ―plastic tire‖ pretty much runs about the same as a standard tire and tube. There are currently sizes of 11.2-24 (fits 8 inch wide rim), them on new rims for you. Another plus to this tire, is that you can only do one tower at a time, and use the standard tires you took off for spares at a later date. The benefits of these tires are better floatation, and less strain on drive trains. The improved tire track also saves on wear and tear of equipment. Keeping the sprinkler running during irrigation season is key to 14.9-24 (fits 8 and 10 inch wide crop yields, and with no more rims) and 11.2-38 (fits 10 inch flats to worry about, that sprinkler wide rim). We will also mount keeps on doing its job.
The Sunray Co-op has partnered with the American Red Cross Amarillo Chapter in their annual fundraiser.
Amarillo Chapter
$1 per ticket or $5 for 6 tickets
All funds raised will go to the local chapter to be used in the Amarillo area, and the Sunray Co-op will donate $500 on top of all of the money it raises from the raffle for the $500 worth of fuel.
April 2009
Page 4
Petroleum News—Harry Lunt decreased the demand of oil. OPEC has cut production and this time is complying strictly with supply cuts which has taken much of the surplus oil out of the market. This has Several analysts that are helped somewhat stabilize predicting crude prices prices. With the Federal will range from around Reserve’s move to buy $1 $30.00 to $62.00 may be trillion dollars of longright on track. Oil rose term government debt, this from a low of $33.00 in did inject some strength December to just above into the economy, but $51.00 in March. There weakened the value of the are several factors at work. dollar. Because of the The global recession has Fed’s decision, the dollar
ended the third week of March with the largest weekly decline since 1985. We will have to wait and see how the dollar performs and the impact that has on oil prices. Investors have used crude oil in the past as a hedge against the U.S. dollar. When crude was $147.00 per barrel in July 2008 the dollar was the weakest it had been in years. The future direction of world oil prices in the short term will depend largely upon
the timing and pace of the recovery of the global economy. Since we see that prices can go up in a very short period of time, one might consider locking in at least part of your fuel needs. Please feel free to call me at 806-948-4121 ext. 211 or my cell phone, 806-674-6751.
Grain Marketing—Gary Holcomb Since our last newsletter, corn futures have gained 45 cents. Given the seasonal tendencies of the spring corn market, hopefully we see even more of a rally. Several private forecasters are looking for less than 83 million acres. “If all goes well with If that is the case, corn prices production this year, could see more support. The USDA will release their plantwe could see prices ing intentions report on March break…” 31. If acres are above 83 million, and the planting season goes well, our last chance for higher prices will probably be summer weather. If all goes well with production this year, we could see prices break during the summer into harvest due to large carryover stocks. We continue to encourage producers to have orders in at levels above current prices to
take advantage of this seasonal spring move. The most uncertain thing we are dealing with is the economy and financial markets. With the government spending huge amounts of money and increasing budget deficits, economists predict inflation at some point. Inflation would be friendly to grain prices.
We have changed our website hosting provider once again in an effort to improve communication with members. We now have the capability to send text messages to your cell phone with cash and/or futures market prices several times a day. To sign up, go to our website and click on ―Mobile Alert Sign Up‖. Fill out the requested information, then Trace will set you up. You will want to have a text messaging plan with your cell phone provider so that message charges don’t surprise you. Please call if we can be of service.
Not much has changed with wheat conditions in the western plains area. Wheat prices have rallied similar to corn. Some because of dry weather, but more following the other grains and financial markets. US wheat is uncompetitive in world markets and we have adequate Thank you for your busistocks for domestic usage. ness.
April 2009 April 2009
Page 5
Conlen—Craig Lechner Conlen is entering irrigation season. I can’t believe it is already Spring! As the season gets underway, I wanted to make sure that all of the patrons that utilize the Conlen location are aware of the services we can provide you. We have an extensive inventory of parts, including 3 sizes of ―U‖ joints, irriflex, bulk oils, and drip oil. The inventory we keep on hand is usually inventory that is widely used, so that we are saving you a trip all the way into Sunray. Sunray Co-op prides itself on customer service, and the Conlen location is no exception. During harvest or even the off season, we want to help you in anyway we can. Many of our patrons use the keytrol pump system here at Conlen. This has come in very handy on several occasions when fuel was needed at the last minute. If you are interested in participating in the keytrol program, and already have an account, it is very easy to set you up. If you currently do not have an account with us, and would like to purchase fuel from Conlen, please feel free to call me and I can get you the necessary credit forms to apply for credit. Thank you to all of our patrons out here at the Conlen location! We appreciate all of your business.
Did You Know??? The Sunray Co-op recently purchased a boom crane for repairing and replacing elevator equipment at all of its locations. The boom length is 45 yards and will be used for many different repairs in what used to be very difficult places to access. This includes the repair or replacing of spouts that move grain from one side of the elevator to the other, or spouts that load trucks and trains. The boom crane has already become a great asset to our maintenance department.
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID
SUNRAY, TX PERMIT NO. 5
Grain Industry Leader in The Texas Panhandle P.O. Box 430 Sunray, TX 79086 Return Service Requested
GRAND RE-OPENING
May 7th –9th
Issue 93
www.sunraycoop.com
General Manager Report—Dave Reinders
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jess Willard — President Ellis Moore — Vice President Joe Reinart — Secretary Joaquin Andujo— Director Dan Carthel — Director Butch Harbert — Director David Johnson— Director
Hopefully by the time you receive this newsletter we will have received some much needed rain. I know some of you are anxious to plant corn and catching a nice rain first would be ideal. Earlier this fiscal year we offered a Patron Note program. This has been well received by our patrons. We have decided to use the money for additions at our Gruver location. We are in the early stages of constructing a 72’ x 128’ concrete bin with a capacity of 485,620 bushels. This will be a nice addition to Gruver and will be appreciated by both our patrons and our employees. Our business at that location continues to grow and we certainly take a lot of pride in being able to handle your grain in a timely and efficient manner. This bin will be up and running by corn harvest. It is being built by McPherson Concrete of McPherson Kansas.
As you should know by now, your Board of Directors approved the payment of 5% of our patron’s equity at their February meeting. We have heard a lot of good comments from the normal maintenance. the patrons as they reWe will also have all the ceived their checks. Total grain probes at payout was the scales com$400,000.00. pletely overWith all the negatives go- “The Sunray Co-op hauled prior to corn harvest. We ing on in the is on very solid know full well world econthat time is omy, we felt financial money both for this was perfooting…” us as well as for fect timing. you. We do eveThe Sunray rything feasible to Co-op is on make certain you very solid financial footing get your equipment in, and we want to continue paying your Book Credits weighed, dumped and rein as timely fashion as pos- turned to your fields as quickly as possible. sible. The employees have been busy this past winter upgrading and making improvements to our facilities. We have replaced legs, installed more ventilation, and temperature cables as well as continuing
Hopefully you will get the crops planted in a timely fashion, and Mother Nature is kind to you with the weather during the growing season. Have a safe spring.
April 2009
Page 2
Farm and Home Center—Russell Gadbois Spring has arrived and you can sure tell by the traffic in the Farm & Home Center !! The dry, mild weather has really fueled an early start to the busy season for us as we have been very active with irrigation supplies and bulk and packaged oil. With some early season temps hitting the 80’s we have had many of you asking when the greenhouse will be going up. We normally have it up around the 10th-15th of April and are shooting for that time again this year so keep your eye out as we will have it up and going very soon. Be sure to check in with us throughout the greenhouse season as we make at least one trip a week to the nursery to keep the plants fresh.
a little better each day and look forward to seeing you in the store soon.
GRAND RE-OPENING MAY 7TH—9TH UNBELIEVABLE SAVINGS!! WATCH FOR SALES FLYER BEGINNING OF MAY DRAWINGS AND GIVE- AWAYS!!
In conjunction with our Grand Re -opening, we will be holding the drawing for the $1000.00 shopping spree featuring items from Most of you have been in to see the Spring Catalog that you can the store since our re-model but pick up at any of our branch locain case you haven’t, please come tions or the F&H or C-Store. in and see us. We have added Bring your registration form many new items with the re(located inside the catalog) and put merchandising project and are it in the box located at the F&H. excited with our new affiliation The drawing will be held on Saturwith Do It Best. We are learning day May 9th at noon. You may to navigate our new store set up enter as many times as you like.
Our customers are also now able to shop with us online at www.sunraycoop.com. You’ll see the ―shop online‖ feature on our home page that will direct you to the Do It Best website. Most online orders will feature a ―free ship to store‖ benefit that will cost you nothing for shipping the items to our store. We have already had several people shop with us online and hope you will all take time to do the same. If you have any questions about this feature, give me a call. Lastly, we are proud to have our new LED message board up and running, featuring the daily grain markets and in store specials and some community events. Keep your eye on our sign as you drive by— there could be some huge savings for watching!!
April 2009
Page 3
Service Center—Gene Bain Many of you that have stopped by the Service Center recently have asked the question ―what are those big white plastic tires for?‖ Well, the world of sprinkler tires is trying a new approach. The concept has been around for many years, and many manufacturers have tried to produce a plastic sprinkler tire, but have failed. Their concept of this new tire with its metal rim has great potential for less problems. We have just started moving these plastic tires, and so far the response is very good. The facts on the new ―plastic tire‖ are they are made from a high grade of polyethylene material that contains a UV inhibitor. The tires are made in two halves that bolt together with four carriage bolts on
each side. This is so they can be used on your old rims to help with the cost. Speaking of cost, the ―plastic tire‖ pretty much runs about the same as a standard tire and tube. There are currently sizes of 11.2-24 (fits 8 inch wide rim), them on new rims for you. Another plus to this tire, is that you can only do one tower at a time, and use the standard tires you took off for spares at a later date. The benefits of these tires are better floatation, and less strain on drive trains. The improved tire track also saves on wear and tear of equipment. Keeping the sprinkler running during irrigation season is key to 14.9-24 (fits 8 and 10 inch wide crop yields, and with no more rims) and 11.2-38 (fits 10 inch flats to worry about, that sprinkler wide rim). We will also mount keeps on doing its job.
The Sunray Co-op has partnered with the American Red Cross Amarillo Chapter in their annual fundraiser.
Amarillo Chapter
$1 per ticket or $5 for 6 tickets
All funds raised will go to the local chapter to be used in the Amarillo area, and the Sunray Co-op will donate $500 on top of all of the money it raises from the raffle for the $500 worth of fuel.
April 2009
Page 4
Petroleum News—Harry Lunt decreased the demand of oil. OPEC has cut production and this time is complying strictly with supply cuts which has taken much of the surplus oil out of the market. This has Several analysts that are helped somewhat stabilize predicting crude prices prices. With the Federal will range from around Reserve’s move to buy $1 $30.00 to $62.00 may be trillion dollars of longright on track. Oil rose term government debt, this from a low of $33.00 in did inject some strength December to just above into the economy, but $51.00 in March. There weakened the value of the are several factors at work. dollar. Because of the The global recession has Fed’s decision, the dollar
ended the third week of March with the largest weekly decline since 1985. We will have to wait and see how the dollar performs and the impact that has on oil prices. Investors have used crude oil in the past as a hedge against the U.S. dollar. When crude was $147.00 per barrel in July 2008 the dollar was the weakest it had been in years. The future direction of world oil prices in the short term will depend largely upon
the timing and pace of the recovery of the global economy. Since we see that prices can go up in a very short period of time, one might consider locking in at least part of your fuel needs. Please feel free to call me at 806-948-4121 ext. 211 or my cell phone, 806-674-6751.
Grain Marketing—Gary Holcomb Since our last newsletter, corn futures have gained 45 cents. Given the seasonal tendencies of the spring corn market, hopefully we see even more of a rally. Several private forecasters are looking for less than 83 million acres. “If all goes well with If that is the case, corn prices production this year, could see more support. The USDA will release their plantwe could see prices ing intentions report on March break…” 31. If acres are above 83 million, and the planting season goes well, our last chance for higher prices will probably be summer weather. If all goes well with production this year, we could see prices break during the summer into harvest due to large carryover stocks. We continue to encourage producers to have orders in at levels above current prices to
take advantage of this seasonal spring move. The most uncertain thing we are dealing with is the economy and financial markets. With the government spending huge amounts of money and increasing budget deficits, economists predict inflation at some point. Inflation would be friendly to grain prices.
We have changed our website hosting provider once again in an effort to improve communication with members. We now have the capability to send text messages to your cell phone with cash and/or futures market prices several times a day. To sign up, go to our website and click on ―Mobile Alert Sign Up‖. Fill out the requested information, then Trace will set you up. You will want to have a text messaging plan with your cell phone provider so that message charges don’t surprise you. Please call if we can be of service.
Not much has changed with wheat conditions in the western plains area. Wheat prices have rallied similar to corn. Some because of dry weather, but more following the other grains and financial markets. US wheat is uncompetitive in world markets and we have adequate Thank you for your busistocks for domestic usage. ness.
April 2009 April 2009
Page 5
Conlen—Craig Lechner Conlen is entering irrigation season. I can’t believe it is already Spring! As the season gets underway, I wanted to make sure that all of the patrons that utilize the Conlen location are aware of the services we can provide you. We have an extensive inventory of parts, including 3 sizes of ―U‖ joints, irriflex, bulk oils, and drip oil. The inventory we keep on hand is usually inventory that is widely used, so that we are saving you a trip all the way into Sunray. Sunray Co-op prides itself on customer service, and the Conlen location is no exception. During harvest or even the off season, we want to help you in anyway we can. Many of our patrons use the keytrol pump system here at Conlen. This has come in very handy on several occasions when fuel was needed at the last minute. If you are interested in participating in the keytrol program, and already have an account, it is very easy to set you up. If you currently do not have an account with us, and would like to purchase fuel from Conlen, please feel free to call me and I can get you the necessary credit forms to apply for credit. Thank you to all of our patrons out here at the Conlen location! We appreciate all of your business.
Did You Know??? The Sunray Co-op recently purchased a boom crane for repairing and replacing elevator equipment at all of its locations. The boom length is 45 yards and will be used for many different repairs in what used to be very difficult places to access. This includes the repair or replacing of spouts that move grain from one side of the elevator to the other, or spouts that load trucks and trains. The boom crane has already become a great asset to our maintenance department.
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID
SUNRAY, TX PERMIT NO. 5
Grain Industry Leader in The Texas Panhandle P.O. Box 430 Sunray, TX 79086 Return Service Requested
GRAND RE-OPENING
May 7th –9th
