PIPELINELinn Co-op

September 2015

Volume 2, Issue 4

don't forget about fall yard work

Linn Co-op 2015 harvest policies

Mid-Year Financials are In

A note from Your Board of Directors

© Linn Co-op Oil Company 20142

Linn Cooperative Board of Directors

President Dale Lefebure, Fairfax

Vice-President Joe Meythaler, Marion

Sec/Treasure John N. Airy, Central City

Vice-Secretary Neal Horning, Marion

Director Daryl Gericke, Winthrop

Director Dick Burns, Marion

Director Don Martin, Norway

Director Jon Rathje, Marion

Director Jon Studt, Springville

Linn Cooperative Management Staff

General Manager Rob Ball

Asst. General Manager/Energy Bill Mysak

Operations Manager Ron Woeste

Car Care Center Manager Daryl Sackett

Springville Branch Manager Tracy Peyton

Newhall Branch Manager Matt Becker

Alburnett Branch Manager Kirk Sauer

Credit Manager Mike Arnold

Lawn Care Manager Brad Salazar

Human Resource Manager Danielle Mikkola

Linn Co-op PipelineLinn Cooperative Oil Company

September 2015 Volume 2, Issue 4

Linn Cooperative Phone Numbers

Marion Main Line 319-377-4881

In-coming WATS 800-728-4881

Newhall Office 319-223-5191

Springville Office 319-854-6192

Alburnett Office 319-842-2222

Direct Grain Line 319-854-6120

Car Care Center 319-377-7351

Lawn Care Department 319-447-1225

A CornerPost Marketing Communications Publication

www.cpostmarketing.com

The Linn Co-op Pipeline newsletter is published and distributed to Linn Cooperative Oil Company members

and customers to provide education and information leading to the success of their business and to share in the

value of cooperative membership.

www.linncoop.com

Daryl Sackett - Car Care Center Manager FALL TO-DO LIST

Inspect all farm equipment tires before heading into the field

Check and fill all tires to ensure proper inflation

have your family vehicle inspected, including tires, brakes, batteries and overall condition.

Call Dillan Sackett for on-farm tire needs! 319-213-2159

© Linn Co-op Oil Company 20152

CAR CARE

JULY

Soybeans Corn DATE CURRENT OCTOBER CURRENT OCTOBER

7/1/2015 10.33 9.92 3.92 4.27/2/2015 10.31 9.93 3.98 4.227/3/20157/6/2015 10.15 9.77 3.96 4.27/7/2015 9.85 9.48 3.92 4.187/8/2015 9.89 9.51 3.94 4.197/9/2015 10.24 9.78 3.98 4.24

7/10/2015 10.3 9.85 4.04 4.37/13/2015 10.35 9.91 4.19 4.377/14/2015 10.31 9.88 4.06 4.247/15/2015 10.23 9.77 4.11 4.257/16/2015 10.22 9.72 4.15 4.267/17/2015 10.2 9.67 4.05 4.157/20/2015 10.2 9.6 3.93 4.017/21/2015 10.36 9.65 3.98 4.037/22/2015 10.38 9.58 3.97 3.997/23/2015 10.26 9.41 3.99 3.997/24/2015 10.07 9.26 3.89 3.887/27/2015 9.77 8.94 3.79 3.697/28/2015 9.9 9.05 3.81 3.717/29/2015 10.06 9.04 3.78 3.637/30/2015 10.13 9.13 3.83 3.697/31/2015 10.03 9.01 3.81 3.66

HIGH 10.38 4.19

LOW 9.77 3.81

AVERAGE 10.16 3.95

Markets Closed- Independence Day

JUNESoybeans Corn

DATE CURRENT OCTOBER CURRENT OCTOBER

6/1/2015 9.4 8.69 3.56 3.57

6/2/2015 9.58 8.85 3.61 3.64

6/3/2015 9.53 8.83 3.6 3.65

6/4/2015 9.62 8.92 3.65 3.69

6/5/2015 9.5 8.82 3.62 3.66

6/8/2015 9.57 8.88 3.66 3.72

6/9/2015 9.64 8.93 3.64 3.71

6/10/2015 9.62 8.89 3.56 3.63

6/11/2015 9.51 8.76 3.56 3.62

6/12/2015 9.51 8.72 3.52 3.58

6/15/2015 9.48 8.72 3.47 3.52

6/16/2015 9.72 8.95 3.53 3.58

6/17/2015 9.84 9.07 3.58 3.63

6/18/2015 9.89 9.1 3.57 3.61

6/19/2015 9.83 9.07 3.56 3.57

6/22/2015 9.96 9.27 3.63 3.62

6/23/2015 9.92 9.28 3.71 3.69

6/24/2015 9.85 9.24 3.67 3.69

6/25/2015 9.96 9.45 3.65 3.8

6/26/2015 10.01 9.54 3.73 3.9

6/29/2015 9.98 9.48 3.71 3.9

6/30/2015 10.46 10 3.94 4.2

HIGH 10.01 3.94

LOW 9.4 3.47

AVERAGE 10.2 3.79

3www.linncoop.com

Rob BallGeneral Manager

Linn Cooperative Oil Company

The first half of our cooperatives fiscal year was presented to your Board of Directors at their July meeting. The financial statement showed total sales at $53 million, down $18 million from 2014 mid-year. Grain and Energy sales volumes were fairly average, but with the decline in prices of both commodities, sales dollars were down a combined $17 million. Crop production product sales are still looking positive. Year-to-date expenses have been held in line with only a 2% increase. Total year-to-date local savings are down $50,000, mainly due to reduced fertilizer margins, which was expected with lower commodity prices.

Also during the July Board meeting, an issue regarding our by-laws was reviewed and a solution was made. Numbers showed class “A” members were out of balance in our four districts. The by-laws state that the largest district must be less than 10% greater in “A” members than the smallest district. We were able to reduce this variance down from 14% to 4% by moving a total of 61 patrons to other districts. The noticeable outcome of this redistricting is that your current southeast district Director, Joe Meythaler, was included in the 29 patrons who were moved to the northeast district. In the next Director election, Joe will need to run as a northeast class “A” member.

Elsewhere in this issue, is a memo including the districts that will be up for election this term. If any of our “A” members are interested in putting their name in as a candidate for the next District Election, please contact one of your Nominating Committee members or I, and we will pass your name along. Each Board member serves a three-year term, and it is a great way to get involved within the company you own.

Lastly, I want to inform you that a few months ago I presented to the Board that I will start drawing my retirement pension on January 31, 2017. I gave this amount of notice so your Board would have time to name my replacement. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you and for you over the past 37 years. I have a great opportunity on my hands, and I am excited to explore the possibilities of a new field of employment. I am looking forward to the time I have to work together with you to make a positive difference within your company. Please see the letter issued by the Board of Directors on this topic within this issue.

Thank you for your continued support of the cooperative that you own. I wish you all a safe and bountiful harvest.

A conversation with the General

Manager

Mid-Year Financials are In

Lube Oil & Filter Special - $28.95 for synthetic blend or $40.95

for full synthetic (up to 5 quarts)

Alignment Special- $69.95

Coolant Flush Special - $99.95 (up to 2 gallons of antifreeze)

10% Brake Discount now until November 30, 2015

specials

3www.linncoop.com

© Linn Co-op Oil Company 20144

We are currently looking for qualified class “A” members who might be interested in running for a Board of Directors’ position.

Below is your 2016 nominating committee for the districts that have a Board member or nominee up for election:

Nominees must be presented for the election ballot by the nominating committee no later than January 4, 2016. For more information, please contact the disctrict’s nomination committee members.

© Linn Co-op Oil Company 20154

WANTED: Board of Director Nominees

To all Patrons and Employees of Linn Co-op Oil Co,

Your current General Manager, Rob Ball, informed us of his decision to draw his retirement as of January 31, 2017. Your Board of Directors, through due diligence, has been considering various options and conducting interviews for his replacement. We are pleased to inform you that at a special board meeting on August 11, 2015, we offered the General Manager position to Bill Mysak starting January 1, 2017. Bill graciously accepted our offer and is ready for this new challenge. Bill will work closely with Rob over the next 16 months in preparation for his new role at Linn Co-op. We want to thank Bill for his interest in leading your cooperative into the future and we are ready to work with and support him.

Sincerely,

Dale Lefebure Board President

A note from Your Board of Directors

SOUTHWESTDon Martin:

319-981-0340

NORTHEASTJohn Airy:

319-350-0474

SOUTHEASTJohn Studt:

319-721-5912

5www.linncoop.com 5www.linncoop.com

All grains placed in the facility from September 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 must be declared sold or stored within 3 days of delivery unless prior arrangements have been made.

Soybean StorageMinimum storage is 18 cents/bushel for first 120 days or fraction

thereof 1/75 cent/bushel/day thereafter= 4 cents per month

Warehouse Receipt CornMinimum storage is 16 cents/bushel for the first 120 days or fraction thereof 1/8 cent/

bushel/day thereafter= 3.75 cents per month

Corn Moisture RequirementsCorn for storage warehouse receipt dried to 14.0%

Drying Rates (Storage)Corn= 5 cents for each 1% moisture to 22.0% moisture(Over 22% moisture = 5 cents for each 1/2 % moisture)

Soybeans= 5 cents for each 1% moisture to 13.0% moisture(Soybeans over 15% moisture subject to additional charges or rejection)

Corn Shrink1.18% per point moisture removed 0.17% handling shrink per point moisture

Total Corn Shrink= 1.35% per point of moisture removed

Soybean Shrink1.18% per point moisture removed 0.82% handling shrink per point moisture

Total soybean Shrink= 2.0% per point of moisture removed

Moisture Dock (Sales Across Scale)Corn = the higher of 2.5 cents or 1% of purchase price per 1/2 % starting at 15.1%

Soybeans = 1 ½ % of purchase price per ½% starting at 13.1% - 15.0%Over 15.0%- subject to rejection

Aflatoxin PolicyCorn may be subject to Aflatoxin testing and all discounts set forth by our processors,

including REJECTION, shall apply.

Damage/Test Weight/Mold/Insects/and other Discounts(Discount rates in use by grain trade on date of disposition will apply)

Policies subject to change without notice(changes will be posted in all offices)

Linn Co-op: SPRINGVILLE &ALBURNETT

PENALTY OF 5 CENTS A BUSHEL WILL BE ASSESSED ON ALL UNUSED STORAGE COMMITMENTS.

Linn Co-op 2015 harvest policies

© Linn Co-op Oil Company 20146 © Linn Co-op Oil Company 20156

Kirk Sauer - Alburnett Branch Manager

The construction at Alburnett is finally wrapped up. The new bulk seed facility and treating equipment has been installed and will go into service this fall for the upcoming 2016 growing season.

This project has been a long process, but a much needed update to the future of your cooperative. If you are in the area, feel free to stop by for a quick walk-through or make plans to attend our Open House on September 9th from 5 to 7 pm.

The 2015 fall harvest is fast approaching. Both elevators are busy preparing equipment and facilities for the bountiful crop that is expected. It is crucial that you communicate with us on your upcoming storage needs for both corn and soybeans. We have bins of various sizes, and having a rough idea of your storage needs helps us determine which bins to use for each crop. Preseason knowledge of this makes for a more efficient use of the facilities. Please contact Kirk or Heather with your storage requests.

Contruction Wrapped Up in Alburnett

Harvest 2015

pioneer releases 2016 prices and programs

On August 4th, Pioneer released prices and programs for the upcoming 2016 growing season. This early release is based upon your feedback to me, and other sales representatives of your desire to lock in products and discounts earlier than in years past. With this early release comes additional incentives. Please contact your Linn Co-op sales representative for a more in-depth look at programs available to you now. I believe there is a program incentive useful to each and every customer, according to their specific needs.

Alburnett: Kirk Sauer- 319.270.2191

Springville: Doug Rice- 319.350.4908

Newhall: Dave Manternach- 319.350.6656

ALBURNETT

US 2014/15 Ending Stocks USDA 8/12 USDA July Avg. Guess Range of Guess

Corn 1.772 1.779 1.783 1.735-1.879Soybeans 0.24 0.225 0.247 0.220-.275

US 2015/16 Ending Stocks USDA 8/12 USDA July Avg. Guess Range of Guess

Corn 1.713 1.599 1.449 1.178-1.920Soybeans 0.47 0.425 0.322 0.210-.510

US Production 2015/16 USDA 8/12 Avg. Guess Range USDA Prior USDA 2014

Corn Prod. 13.686 13.332 13.098-13.660 13.53 14.216

Corn Yield 168.8 164.7 161.5-167.5 166.8 171

Harvested Acres 81.1 81 80.20-81.6 81.101 83.136

Soybean Prod. 3.916 3.742 3.570-3.885 3.885 3.969

Soybean Yield 46.9 44.8 43.2-46.0 46 47.8

Harvested Acres 83.5 83.6 82.7-84.5 84.449 83.061

USDA Supply and demand- AUg. 12, 2015

in million bushels

in million bushels

for more numbers from the August 12, 2015 USDA SUpply and Demand Report, please visit www.usda.gov

7www.linncoop.com 7www.linncoop.com

It is a busy time of the year as we prepare for the fall harvest. Your Agronomy teams at Springville and Newhall would like to pass along some friendly reminders to producers to ensure this coming season goes as smoothly as possible for you.

The new dump facility is now up and running in Springville. This was a much needed facility upgrade, and can now accommodate tractors with duals tires. We know this was a hassle for producers in the past, so we hope this makes unloading easier for you this fall.

Reiterating Kirk’s comments on page 6, it is crucial to contact Jessica in Springville or Heather in Alburnett to book your grain storage. Within the 2015 Harvest Policies are the price docks for grain that is not declared sold or stored within three days of delivery. With the prices we are currently seeing, we would hate to have to dock you.

Contracts for NH3 and fall fertilizer prices should be arriving in the coming days if they haven’t already. We are expecting fertilizer prices to be similar to last year. There is talk that producers may be cutting back on crop removal fertilizer this year. I strongly advise you to rethink this before you commit, because it could end up hurting your yields in the long run.

Although it is still a few months off, remember to contact us early on renting NH3 bars. By planning ahead, it allows us to be as efficient as possible and gives you an idea of a time frame. Cover crops are gaining traction in the area. If you are interested in planting cover crops this year, please let us know so we can have the seeder in the area.

We hope you have a safe harvest and look forward to seeing you as you start bringing grain into your location.

In the past year and a half, we have been seeing record low prices within the Energy department. As of the writing of this publication, crude oil was at $40.76 per barrel. This is relatively unforeseen territory for crude oil prices, and it is predicted they will continue to fall. Speculators explain if Iran starts to release more crude oil into the market, we could see oil fall to the $30-35.00 per barrel range.

Diesel has remained low and stable for roughly the

past 60 days. At the beginning of August, we saw gas prices spike 40 cents. This was due to refinery issues but has since backed off 25-30 cents. For the past two years, we have been seeing L.P. prices steadier compared to the last 10-15 year averages. I still encourage you to contract your L.P. needs, as we never know how quickly prices can change.

As the Board of Directors letter explains, I am excited and honored to begin the Linn Co-op General Manager duties starting in January 2017. I am also thrilled to announce Ron Woeste will take on the duties and responsibilities of Assistant General Manager, also beginning in January 2017. Ron will be keeping his duties as Operations Manager along with his new role. Congratulations to Ron and his wife, Robin.

If you have been to the Marion office lately, you probably noticed we have broken ground on the new office just east of the current building. We are very excited about this much needed facility update. Completion of the new office building is slated for March 2016.

Tying up loose ends before harvest Branch and Operations Managers - Tracy Peyton, Ron Woeste, Matt Becker

NEWHALLSPRINGVILLE

Bill Mysak-Energy Manager/ Asst GM

ENERGY

take advantage of record low energy prices

P.O. Box 406Marion, IA 52302

Return Service Requested

© Linn Co-op Oil Company 20158

Temperatures are dropping, cool nights are sticking with us, and the days are becoming shorter. This can only mean one thing in Iowa- fall is fast approaching. Although most of us think of harvest during the fall season, it is also a crucial time to get yard work completed.

September and October are great months to do any grass seeding. The cool temperatures promote growth and will have your lawn looking lush and green by early spring. At Linn Co-op, we promote four different types of grass seed, dependent on your needs and lawn type.

Along with seeding, fall is an ideal time to spray for broad-leaf weeds, apply fertilizer, and aerate. Spraying for weeds works well in the fall because grass and weeds are in their peak season for gathering nutrients for the winter months. This means the broad-leaf weeds will absorb the herbicide that much quicker. That is also why it is so important to fertilize your lawn in the fall. With quick absorption, you will see your lawn green up much faster in the spring. Over the summer months, your lawn gets compacted and put through the ringer. Aerating is a great way to break up that compaction and get it ready for seeding, spraying, and the winter months. By putting in a little more time this fall, I know you will see such a positive difference this spring.

Your Linn Co-op Lawn Care Department is happy to assist you with your fall yard work. Please call today to schedule a time that best works for you. As always, we carry a full line of products for those of you who wish to complete the work yourself.

As a friendly reminder, make sure to begin raking your leaves once they start to fall. I don’t think you will be happy with how your grass looks come spring, if you leave them on your lawn through the winter months.

LAWN CAREBrad Salazar- Lawn Care Manager

Bluegrass Fescues Rye Good for High Traffic Areas Sun Shade

Drought Tolerant

Establishes Quickly

Choice Sun and Shade X X X X

Athletic Mix X X X

Deep Shade X X

Quick-to-Grow X X X X X X X

don't forget about fall yard work