June 2014 Newsletter
This is Your Legacy
www.legacyfarmers.com GRAIN Custar (419) 669-3069 Deshler (419) 278-3015 East Findlay (800) 283-2611 Fostoria (800) 435-4763 McClure (419) 748-8123 McComb (800) 283-2614 Mt. Blanchard (888) 694-3123 Mt. Cory (800) 283-2613 North Findlay (419) 299-3371 Shawtown (419) 293-3842 West Findlay (800) 283-2612 AGRONOMY Arcadia (800) 820-8295 Arlington (800) 564-5850 Custar (419) 669-3300 McComb (800) 283-2615 Pandora (800) 426-0561 PETROLEUM East Findlay (877) 244-3835 LAWN & PET East Findlay (419) 427-9413 TURF East Findlay (800) 283-2611
Legacy Farmers Cooperative 6566 C.R. 236 • Findlay, OH 45840
When we went through the process of evaluating the merger to form Legacy Farmers Cooperative over a year ago, the analysis produced many benefits that continued to grow as we moved through the process. At that time, those benefits were just a vision of what would occur with the merger of two successful co-ops with key assets in place for future growth and quality employees that could help drive its success. Now we are almost four months into Legacy Farmers Cooperative and that vision has started to become reality. Although Legacy Farmers is still in its infancy, it feels like it has been around for years, just like the two co-ops that comprise its make-up. Everyday continues to bring excitement at Legacy as you can see your cooperative evolve right before your eyes. This merger has enabled your co-op to realize some financial benefits right from day one. By combining the two co-ops we were able to lower our interest rate on our term debt that was used to finance key assets over the last few years as well as lower our borrowing rate on our seasonal line of credit that we use to finance inventories and run the day-to-day business at Legacy Farmers. Your co-op was also able to take advantage of a savings in insurance rates. Grain marketing opportunities have evolved with the reality of shipping on two different rail lines to access different markets and arbitrage to the rail line with the best bid at the time we go to market. New petroleum opportunities have also been realized as Legacy Petroleum continues to increase fuel and lubricant customers and volumes. These examples are just a few of the financial advantages that Legacy has realized.
Mark Sunderman President/CEO
The biggest successes early on at Legacy Farmers Cooperative have come from the teamwork of the Legacy employee team and operations that have increased efficiencies and timeliness of getting the job done for you. The Legacy Farmers team has communicated and worked extremely well together with countless stories of equipment sharing, custom application help, rental equipment sharing, product sharing to the facility or farm most in need, communication of customer needs and carrying out the plan, and communicating new business opportunities. All of this effort was made with customer service at the forefront and our team has been dedicated to provide you with the best customer service in the business to ensure Legacy Farmers Cooperative is your first choice. We understand that we are in a “what have you done for me tomorrow” industry and I can assure you that every day the Legacy Farmers team works to get better because they know what it takes to be successful moving forward. As your cooperative moves forward, it is imperative that we keep the foot on the gas and drive to progress. This summer Legacy Grain, Agronomy, Petroleum, and Lawn & Pet are working on new business plans to establish goals and provide a roadmap to work towards attaining those goals. Within this process we analyze our internal, external, and industry environment to help us develop our strategy for success and growth. From that developed strategy we will establish a timeline and accountability procedures to implement the plan and track our progress. Your business operation changes every day and your cooperative must as well. Legacy Farmers Cooperative takes very seriously the challenge to add value to your business as well as the cooperative that you own. This is your Legacy, Mark Sunderman President & CEO
Legacy Field Notes With wheat harvest around the corner, it’s time to think about getting wheat acres signed up to be grid sampled. Post wheat harvest is a prime time to get variable rate application of ag lime and fertilizer on the fields. Legacy Farmers Cooperative has seen very good return on investment when applying our BushelMaxx brand foliar products and plant health products to both corn and soybeans. Our BushelMaxx brand foliar products have been formulated based on years of research and tissue testing at our Research Farm and grower side-by-side and have demonstrated positive results. Plant health (fungicide & insecticide) applications at V5-V7 and R1 in corn and R3 in soybeans have proven to help corn and soybeans manage stress,
enhances plant growth, root development, improved disease control, improved standability, and improved yields. Plants that are less stressed are healthier and healthy plants equal improved yields. Even with today’s grain prices, applying BushelMaxx brand foliar and plant health products will return $2-$3 for every dollar you spend—that’s 200-300% return on your investment. Legacy Farmers Cooperative has formed a business partnership with aerial company. With this partnership, Legacy Farmers is in position to service your corn acres for plant health foliar and fungicide applications on VT corn this summer. Commit acres by July 9th and receive a $1.00 per acre off the aerial application fee.
Stock Certificates
Farmers in the Legacy marketing area are seeing the value of incorporating cover crops in their operation. Healthy soil is one of the grower’s greatest assets and healthy soil increases crop production. Improving organic matter is good way to boost soil health. Some of the best ways to improving organic matter is reduce tillage, apply manure, and plant cover crops. Cover crops provide some of the same benefits as no-till by reducing wind and water erosion, improving soil water holding capacity, increase microbial life, combating weeds, and adding organic matter. They also reduce soil compaction, provide nitrogen for plant use, and increase nutrient cycling. In order to get the best outcome, it is important to have a game plan before purchasing cover crops. The grower must understand the soil’s condition of the field he/she is considering to be sure the cover crop(s) accomplish what the grower was set out to do. Successfully managing your farming operation requires good planning, managing risk, and investing in proven products/treatments that improve yield and are a great return on investment such as gridding sampling, foliar and plant health products, and cover crops. Legacy Farmers Agronomy team, products, and services can help you Manage for Success!
Legacy Farmers Cooperative continues to be a leader in variable rate technology moving into the future and with that comes the introduction of the Legacy RX “Your Prescription to Higher Yields”. What is Legacy RX program? Legacy RX is variable rate technology program that includes essential pieces to maximize yield on every acre with:
Legacy Farmers Cooperative common stock certificates will be mailed out to cooperative members in the next 30 days. Within that same mailing, members will receive fiscal year end financial information for the short fiscal years of BVFC and Deshler Farmers Elevator.
Mike Tobe, Vice-President & Agronomy Manager
• Variable Rate Fertilizer – gives the opportunity to place nutrients at the appropriate rate to help balance out the field based off of grid sampling and prior field history. This could come from yield data collection and soil test history. • Variable Rate Seeding – allows for a grower seed to maximize every acre by adjusting population based off of field yield history, soil test results, hybrid selection, or a combination of multiple factors. • Variable Rate Nitrogen – follows along with variable rate seeding. If there is adjustment in population, nitrogen rates typically are changed to follow; also the hybrid selection in the fields have different response to rates of nitrogen. • Yield Mapping Data - builds a history on the farm and the potential of every acre. Having a history built will give the grower the opportunity to analyze and adjust application of products accordingly. • Precision Planting – utilizes technology to have the best placement of seed on the farm. • Intensive Crop Management (Tissue Sampling) – gives a grade card of how the plant is responding if there any deficiency that need correct and gives data on how things may need to be changed in the future. • Pursuit for Optimum Yield • N-Watch (Nitrogen Management) – Manages growers’ nitrogen by utilizing stabilizers, spreading out applications of nitrogen, and understanding what is the availability of unused nitrogen. These are key pieces to maximize economic value on every acre while being environmentally sound. Moving into the future, it will be important to build history on every field, which will give the grower the opportunity to analyze and make the most accurate application of products. The right products at the right place will give the grower the opportunity for the best return on the investment. Legacy RX is Your Prescription to Higher Yields!
Steve Rodman Petroleum Manager
Survey Says... Legacy Farmers Cooperative’s first planting season is now behind us, and appears to have gone very well. Thank you to all our patrons for allowing us to be of service. We hope that we satisfied all your needs.
This spring we presented a group of survey questions, in an effort to learn what we might do to better serve you. Your response to the questions that were presented will help us to focus our efforts on the things most important to you. To the question: What would you like to have more information on in regards to fuel and lubricants? Your responses were
fairly evenly divided between products (58%) and storage/delivery (42%). We will increase our efforts to put more information at your disposal. To the question: What do you value most from your fuel and lubricants provider? Your overwhelming response was timeliness (66.5%), product knowledge scored next (23%), followed by regulatory information (10.5%). This reaffirms what we would have expected. You want a supplier who understands your operation and is able to anticipate your usage so that you are always supplied. You want that supplier to provide the correct product that best fits your needs, and to help keep you informed of changes in the industry as they pertain to your operation. Your Legacy Farmers Cooperative petroleum department is determined to satisfy each of your expectations. From the voice on the phone, to the lubricants in your shop, to the fuel in your tank, we intend to make our contribution to your endeavor pleasant, helpful, and right on time.
Your Legacy Farmers Cooperative petroleum department is determined to satisfy each of your expectations.
Help Legacy, Help You Sitting down to write this article, I keep thinking about the scene from Jerry McGuire where sports agent McGuire says, “Help me, help you,” but I would state it more Mitch Welty like “Help Legacy, Grain Manager Help you.” We are rapidly approaching wheat harvest and look forward to the crazily-busy hours during harvest. The Legacy operations team will be sitting down and planning for the upcoming season by first reviewing the type of wheat harvest we will have. In context, after the past four years, I would prefer a quality wheat harvest above a quantity harvest. Wheat harvest sets the tone for how we handle fall harvest and after the 2013 harvest we want to keep the pace on hours and space. How can you the member/owner help us achieve that optimal scenario?
The Legacy Farmers grain team realizes how busy the member/owner is at harvest time. What will help us give you the optimal harvest experience and keep mistakes from happening on our side, is having the proper information at the scale. We will be having an update on the grain system this wheat harvest. Most of our grain facilities will be using the “Live-Apply” method.” This means that as soon as you leave our facility and the ticket is completed your contracts/bushels will be applied and updated. Not having the correct information, such as, the who, what and where, at the window will slow this process down, not at the scale or pit, but in completing the transaction with the corrected items. Our industry is booming with technological advances and Legacy Farmers is striving to use those advances the most efficient and accurate way we can. Now let’s shift to what to look out for in the markets.
Weather, weather and more weather is always the story this time of year. The crop is in the ground and rain makes grain. USDA crop progress reports, released every Monday afternoon, compare the current week to the five-year average; this sets the tone for the balance of the week. The balance sheet is always important this time of year. Remember last year at this time the pipeline had less grain in it. Export inspections and stocks-to-use ratios will drive momentum into fall harvest. Keep in mind the USDA is pegging a 165.2 bu./ acre corn yield and current corn condition is 70% good/excellent. Considering current weather patterns, it doesn’t feel like the crop is getting any smaller. Every marketing year is different; set some targets and lock in profit; you can never go broke by locking in margin. The Legacy Farmers grain team looks forward to working towards your goals this 2014 harvest season. We sincerely thank you for considering us as part of your team.
Tom Smith Lawn & Pet Store Manager
Propane refill for all your summer needs. We have the best price around. Don’t get caught with an empty tank at your next summer barbecue! Stop today and get your tanks filled up!
Legacy Lawn & Pet would like to thank everyone for their continued support. We have all the deals and quality products and reliable service you need for everything this summer. Propane refills for all your summer needs--just $16.00 for a 20 lb. tank refill. We also do RV and motor home propane tanks so you are ready for that summer trip. We have all the most popular dog foods at very competitive prices, such as locally-owned Best Breed . If you don’t know what food your pet likes, bring her or him with you. Pets are always welcome in our store. Summer is here and that means insecticides, algacides and fungicides are currently in high demand. We are currently offering insecticides such as Tempo. Malathion and Triple Ration Plus II. We also have algacides Aquashade, Cutrine Plus, Copper Sulfate and all-natural Pond Cleaner. As always, we have any and all show supplies for your 4-H projects, including halters, how sticks, shampoo, conditioner and various popular fly sprays. All the employees at Legacy Lawn & Pet are very knowledgeable about all the products we sell and will willingly go the extra mile to help and please you.
Pond Chemicals
Aquashade Cutrine Plus Copper Sulfate All-Natural Pond Cleaner
Insecticides
Tempo Malathion Triple Action Plus
$39.95 gallon $26.50 gallon $15.00 5 pound $39.95 gallon $49.95 quart $14.99 quart $24.00 quart
HOURS: 7:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday • CLOSED SUNDAY Phone: 419-427-9413 USE OUR CONVENIENT DRIVETHRU!
Building the Future on the Strengths of Our Past. 6566 C.R. 236 • Findlay, OH 45840 PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID FINDLAY, OH PERMIT NO. 78