Mission - All American Co-op · 2019-03-22 · All American Co-op can also help you make informed...

January / February 2019 www.allamericancoop.com Issue 464

Manager’s Notes ..........................................................................2Grain Outlook ...............................................................................3A Partner in Your Operation .........................................................4Welcome New Employees ...........................................................4Seed Supply vs. quality – what do I do? ......................................5Communication and Planning ......................................................6Cook’s Corner ..............................................................................6Spring input intentions and Prepay ..............................................7

Introducing Wolf Trax DDP™ .......................................................7Using the right tools in 2019 ........................................................8St. Charles open seasonally ........................................................8What to expect with 2018 corn silage ..........................................9Dairy farming in 2019 .................................................................10Your Generosity Feeds our Communities ..................................11 2018 Corn Growers Contest Winners ........................................11

What’s Inside

Mission:We are a trusted local independent Co-op that is committed to safely and profitably serving our ag communities. We accomplish this by providing value added solutions through our people, service, knowledge, technology and products.

Vision1. Employees and patrons return home safely each night.2. Provide leading edge products and services.3. Share profitability with our members.4. Recruit, develop, grow, and retain high quality

employees.5. Provide competitive and meaningful benefits for patrons

and employees.

Stewartville 533-4222 • Elgin-Grain 876-2222 • Elgin-Agronomy 871-3740 • Plainview 534-3147Seasonal Locations: Eyota 545-2921 • Viola 876-2263 • Kellogg 767-32752

https://www.facebook.com/allamericancoop

“ Working with you”

Glenn Lutteke, General Manager All American Co-op

Todd Stockdale, All American Co-op Grain Manager

Brent Vorpagel, All American Co-op Feed Department Manager

All American Co-op Board of Directors Mike Heim, President

Ed Twohey, Vice President David Severson, Secretary

Lawrence Schwanke, Director Jim Klavetter, Director

Design & Production: Designer, Tammy Grendahl

Smyth Companies

https://www.facebook.com/allamericancoop

Manager’s NotesGlenn Lutteke, General [email protected] 507-533-4222 The holiday season is over and there are many things to be thankful for from this last year. Now, we enter the season where winter drags on. As we wait for spring, we continue to plan for 2019, and our agronomy team has been busy working on strategy for the coming season. If you need help, or need people to bounce ideas off of, please contact our agronomy sites: Plainview (507) 534-3147 or Stewartville (507) 533-4222.

There is some new news that I am excited to share—All American Co-op has adopted a mission statement and vision for our co-op.

Mission: Who We Are We are a trusted local independent co-op that is committed to safely and profitably serving our ag communities. We accomplish this by providing value-added solutions through our people, service, knowledge, technology, and products.

Vision: How Do We Get There1) Employees and patrons return home safely each night. 2) Provide leading-edge products and services.3) Shared profitability with our members.4) Recruit, develop, grow and retain high quality employees.5) Provide competitive and meaningful benefits for patrons and

employees.

You will be seeing these statements more in the future, and I believe the motives behind these statements are what it takes to run a co-op. Every employee of All American Co-op was involved in the process of putting these statements together. The final approval for these came from the Board of Directors. There are two other words that I want to highlight. Opportunity and Trust. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you on your farm and the trust from you that we will provide you what we say we will. We just need that chance. Most importantly, we realize that both of these words, Opportunity and Trust, are earned, not given. We look forward to earning each of these. Please note the St. Charles location closing posting in this Co-operative Link. We are trying to clarify what products we will have available in St. Charles and where to call for salesman, products and services. Please contact me with any questions at (507) 533-4222.

Lutteke

EQUIPMENT & FACILITY OPERATORS

FEED MILL PRODUCTION OPERATOR

LOADING DOCK, CUSTOMER SERVICE, & YARD WORK ASSISTANT

SKID LOADER/FORKLIFT OPERATOR

TRUCK DRIVER/BAG DELIVERY PERSON

TRUCK DRIVERS

Part and full-time positions available.

NOWHIRING

All American Co-op is seeking enthusiastic, outgoing, moti-vated individuals looking for part-time or full-time employ-ment. We provide training

Join Our Team

Apply today if you are looking for a fun, exciting, fast-paced work environ-ment with

Mission: We are a trusted local independent Co-op

ag communities. We accomplish this by providing value added solutions through our people, service,

knowledge, technology, and products.

All American Co-opStewartville, MN 55976

(507) 533-4222www.allamericancoop.com

Email: info.allamericancoop.com

Apply

Today!

“ Working with you”

Stewartville 533-4222 • Elgin-Grain 876-2222 • Elgin-Agronomy 871-3740 • Plainview 534-3147Seasonal Locations: Eyota 545-2921 • Viola 876-2263 • Kellogg 767-3275 3

Todd Stockdale, Grain Department [email protected] 507-438-8535 Writing a newsletter article is challenging when nothing has changed. We still have tariffs and the unknown results from them. We still have wide basis. When the weather is good farmers are hauling corn and beans to the plants like there is no tomorrow. The prices in Chicago aren’t what any of us want to sell into. Soybean prices are up 50 cents compared to harvest, but the majority of us strongly desire them be $1.00 higher to make

a sale. Seed, fertilizer and chemical prices are all higher - they say because everything is now a world market. I have to pass along that I was thanked by a customer for All American Co-op’s conservative business practices. He expressed that when times are this tight you need to capture every penny you can, but you have to also remember that there are times you need the local services to be there. He was reminded of the need for local services when he received over $5,000 in patronage refunds from last year’s business. He said that was a big help to keep up with some personal living expenses. I have rewritten this article several times. If I talk about fundamentals, the simple answer is that we have too much of almost

everything. The demand is easily satisfied and the processing plant buyers know there is plenty of grain out there. I have complained about the bad basis and short delivery windows only to be told that they know the crop is out there and expect the bankers to force sales soon. Then they warn me that the basis could be bad all year because they believe supply will overwhelm demand. Right now the processors are paying 12 to 15 cents more for corn or beans that can be delivered within a week. Many are offering an unimpressive basis for the next six months and won’t even entertain offers at a normal summer basis. There is some carry in the market now, and I hope it can be maintained after the planting intentions report at the end of the month. The river market is very weak, and I expect the processor bids to be just slightly better than the river bid. There is currently significant flooding in the southern river transportation system, and we in the northern plains and Great Lakes states have more than just a little snow to melt-whenever that begins. I am afraid the river opening could be later than normal, and there are a lot of fertilizer barges waiting to come north. I watch a lot of ag shows and read a lot of ag media every week. It appears that they all agree on one thing. They are all counting on communist China to save us from ourselves.

Grain Outlook

Stockdale


Brent Vorpagel, Feed Department [email protected] 507-533-4222 What is your feed supplier doing for you? Hopefully you can answer this with more than just, “supplying feed.” As your operation has evolved, so have your needs. All American Co-op has worked hard over the years to be more than a feed supplier. We have worked hard to find the people, resources and tools to be a partner in your operation. We are proud to partner with some of the best ingredient suppliers in the industry to ensure

we are bringing the best products and ingredients to our customers at competitive prices. Thanks to the investments we have made in our manufacturing facility, we are able to bring our customers more options to fit their operation. Whether you need bag or bulk feeds, we have the ability to get them made and delivered to your operation in a timely manner. With the largest and one of only a couple pellet mills in the area, we have the ability to make custom pellets for many different situations. Robot dairy pellets, calf feeds, feedlot supplements, complete goat feeds and swine starters are all no problem for All American Co-op. For our dairy and beef producers we are proud to offer more on-farm support of your forage program than anyone else in the market. A successful on-farm forage program is a key to the success of any ruminant feeding operation. Forage inventories, bunker densities, kernel processing scores, inoculant application equipment and harvest recommendations are no problem for our team. TMR audits, mixing procedure recommendations, and Penn State Particle Separator (shaker box) evaluations have been very valuable tools that we have been bringing to our customers for years. All American Co-op is proud to be one of largest liquid feed suppliers in SE Minnesota. Utilizing equipment leasing we have brought the benefits of liquid feeds to many dairies, feedlots and cow-calf operations in the area. We were also the first supplier to make creep feeding easy for cow-calf producers with our creep feeder rental program. All American Co-op can also help you make informed decisions about your operation. Break-even projections, best cost formulas, bulk ingredient purchasing and feedlot tracking are all part of the All American Co-op feed program. Our network of dairies, calf raisers,

feedlots and packers allow us to help our customers develop long term sources and buyers for calves, feeder cattle and market cattle. We have added success to many operations by connecting cattle buyers and sellers over the last few years. As margins get smaller and input costs keep increasing, make sure your feed supplier is more than a feed supplier; make sure they are a partner in your operation.

A Partner in Your Operation

Vorpagel

Welcome New Employees

Jacob RindelsAgronomy Sales

Stewartville

Elias GrantEquipment Operator

Stewartville

Alan CareyFeed Mill Operator

Stewartville

Luke PrudoehlGrain Operations

Stewartville


Brent Lunning, Seed Warehouse [email protected] 507-951-8384 After you have met with and made multiple calls back and forth to your trusted seed advisor, looked over endless data, and finally decided on which corn hybrid and/or soybean variety you are going plant this spring, are you really done thinking about seed until spring? The answer is a simple no. There are many things to consider after the seed order has been made. Seed supply always seems to be one big issue for corn hybrids, but

this year will bring about the issue of supply and quality of seed for another player—soybeans. If you are not already aware, most of the corn and soybean seed we use in southeast Minnesota is raised from all across the southern portion of the state. Guess what—seed production struggled just like the rest of us in 2018! The main concern this brings about is the supply of quality seed available in the coming season. As you know, there are industry standards for factors such as purity and germination percentages, and yes, seed sizing. Sizing may vary slightly between each brand offered by All American Co-op, but the important question to ask is this—how much quality corn supply is there going to be in the seed size you prefer? Supply is never a “sure thing” until that seed has gone through production and is shipped to All American Co-op. The staff at All American Co-op starts working on seed supply well before anyone even places an order and continues until well after your specific order is placed. Although lengthy, this process ensures that each customer receives their supply preference. However, sometimes there just is not enough production of quality seed in a particular seed size. What do you do now that the corn hybrid you ordered is out of supply in the seed size you prefer? Do you choose a different hybrid, or do you choose a different seed size? What are the risks of planting a different seed size versus planting a completely different hybrid? Do you have a backup plan? If for some reason All American Co-op cannot get the preferred seed size you ordered, you can trust that your seed advisor will reach out to let you know what your options are with plenty of time before you are ready to start planting. Your seed advisor takes care in sifting through data and making recommendations for hybrids that are in the best interest of your specific fields, however, the uncertainty of supply is a factor while navigating through these tough questions. Since no one knows your equipment better than you, we suggest using the winter months to test other potential seed options to pair with your equipment. We encourage you to have your planters checked and tested using varying seed sizes—this will

take any doubt out of your mind as to what your planter can and cannot handle. You may be very surprised at just how accurate the different seed sizes run through your planter without changing anything. If nothing else comes from the testing, you will know what seed size you can use as a second option. Now that we have a plan for any supply issues that may come up with corn, let’s talk about soybeans. With the wet soybean harvest we had in 2018, there is definitely some added concern for germination issues and seed-borne diseases going into 2019. For the upcoming season, there will be more seeds released in our region that are labeled with 85% germination than we have seen in years past. This will be a feature we see across all brands, and is due to keeping up the supply for soybean seed. Do not let this scare you—this is a bigger issue outside of our region with many Southern growers seeing soybeans with mid-70% germination rates. It does raise the question, however, what can I do to ensure a good soybean stand with a lower germination percentage? And what is the possibility of having an early season seed-borne disease problem carried over from last fall? My answer to this question is a simple one. We suggest having your soybeans treated with a quality seed treatment. A recent study done at Iowa State University found the use of an appropriate seed treatment can increase germination rates by 10 to 15 percent. This does not mean that you can take 85% germ beans and turn them into 100% germination. It means that you have the potential to have all 85% make it up and out of the ground and survive rather than potentially losing an additional 10 or 15% due to seed rot or late germination. With the use of a quality seed treatment, you can expect to see a higher final stand count. More plants growing per acre means more bushels, which means more profit. What about trying to stimulate that seed for faster germination? We all know that the more days out of the ground using sunlight, the greater yield potential that plant has. Is the use of a PGR or bio-stimulant product added to your seed treatment the boost you need to gain top yield potential? All American Co-op offers some of the industry’s top quality seed treatments on the market at competitive pricing. We continue to make upgrades to treatment equipment to be able to bring you the latest advancements in seed treatments on the market, as well as being more efficient for you. We are also proud to be introducing our own labeled brand of seed treatment called SeedSense, specifically designed for our region, and with you, the producer in mind. SeedSense will be offered in two different options—a fungicide-only option and a fungicide-insecticide combination option. Ask your seed advisor about all the options or information on seed treatments available. Ask about setting up trials on your farm or seeing trials set up in plots as well. All American Co-op looks forward to helping your operation find success in 2019 and for years to come.

Seed supply vs. quality—what do I do?

Lunning


Pete Doherty, Stewartville Operations [email protected] Farm plans are a great way to be prepared on what fertilizer and chemical is going on each of your fields. The plan made ahead of time helps us have the chemical in stock when you plan on using it. In addition, having it prepaid is a great way to save on input costs and buy at the best price we can offer. Our January thaw is over, and although

February threw a few storms our way, it is now time to get prepared for spring planting. Spring is fast approaching and we all need to make the necessary preparations to have a smooth and successful season. Without fall tillage and fall fertilizer totally completed, we need to be efficient in getting timely applications done this spring. Communication with All American Co-op is vital for your business to getting your spring fertilizer done in a well-organized, efficient and timely matter. The goal is to keep you planting. We recommend giving us a few days notice when services are needed so that we can schedule our equipment effectively in your area. By scheduling ahead of time we are able to save on road time and make your experience more efficient. Please communicate with your salesman or myself so we are all on the same page when service is needed. The soybeans go in the ground faster than the corn, but pre-emerge for soybeans is just as important to keeping your fields clean. We recommend planning for a layered residual program that will help in weed escapes. We at all American Co-op need to know when you get these fields planted to get the application complete in an efficient manner. If we could, we would like to know the day before you plan to plant that farm, so we can keep an organized schedule for the next day—we all need to work together to keep the weed pressure under control by doing a pre on all soybeans. Please have a safe spring and be in contact with us to make it as efficient as possible. We all are in this together to make it work for everyone.

Communication and Planning

Doherty

ALL AMERICANCO-OP

COOK’S CORNERSlow Cooker Creamy Chicken Wild Rice SoupIngredients:1 cup uncooked wild rice blend (NOT parboiled)1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast1 cup onions, chopped¾ cup celery, chopped¾ cup carrots, chopped4-5 cloves garlic, minced2 bay leaves6 cups chicken broth2 cups water (or additional chicken broth)2 Tablespoons salt-free seasoning blend (such as Mrs. Dash Original Blend)3 Tablespoons butter2 Tablespoons olive oil (or substitute more butter)½ cup all purpose flour2 cups milk (See note below)Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:1. Rinse the rice under running water. Place uncooked rice, chicken breast, onions, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaves, chicken broth, water and the seasoning blend in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on the high setting for 3-4 hours or on low setting for 7-8 hours. In the last ½ hour of cooking, remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Allow to cool slightly before shredding using two forks.

2. When the rice is done cooking add the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker. Melt the butter and oil in a saucepan. Add the flour and let the mixture cook for 1 minute. Whisk the mixture slowly while adding in the milk. Continue to whisk until all lumps have dissolved. Allow the mixture to thicken and become creamy.

3. Add this creamy mixture to the slow cooker. Stir to combine. Add additional water or milk to your preference if the consistency is too thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes:1. To make soup richer and creamier, replace all or some of the milk with half and half.2. Keep in mind soup will thicken as it sits. Leftovers should be refrigerated. Additional milk or water may be added to adjust the consistency of the soup when reheating.

Recipe from: littlespicejar.com


Jon Schmitz, Agronomy Sales [email protected] 507-434-0016 It has been a busy couple of months in the agronomy department preparing farm plans and determining the 2019 input needs for prepayment of inputs, price advantages and year-end tax planning. The time and effort put into planning for 2019 is critical, not only for your operations, but also for us to help plan what our needs will be to fully service the needs of our producers. During this time of preparation and organization,

we recognize and prioritize needs for application equipment, tending equipment, labor, fertilizer and crop protection products.

When it comes to crop protection, I have noticed an increased interest in a broader range of products than what we have typically seen in the past. As our margins get tighter, we seek ways to shrink our input costs while maintaining the level of pest control that we expect from the products we purchase. As you consider options for 2019, please work with our agronomy staff in determining the best and most personalized plan for your operation. Prepaying for particular products can help us better determine what our inventory needs are going into the spring season and offers better assurance that the product will be on hand when you need it most. In addition, your best price position on crop protection products is now.Schmitz

Spring input intentions and Prepay

Clay Walser, Agronomy [email protected] 507-720-2576 I think we can all agree that we have a field or two out there that we feel doesn’t perform as well as we may like. Micronutrient deficiencies are top of mind as nutrient removal from high yielding crops continue to deplete natural soil reserves. This is particularly true for corn production, as improved hybrids tend to have greater requirements for micronutrients; for example, rootworm resistant hybrids require as much as 27% more zinc than

their non-resistant counterparts. It’s important to keep in mind that your crop yield is determined by the most limiting nutrient—in order to achieve top yields, you need to make sure that you have a strong fertility program. Wolf Trax™ DDP (Dry Dispersible Powder) Nutrients is a new fertilizer product that we will be handling out of the Elgin fertilizer plant starting this spring. Wolf Trax™ DDP are micronutrient fertilizers that feature EvenCoat™ Technology. By coating each granule of the fertilizer blend, DDP Nutrients can be placed closer to the roots for easier access and earlier availability. EvenCoat™ Technology allows us to better serve our customers by providing customized ratios of micronutrients to suit individual fields. In addition to improved field distribution, Wolf Trax™ DDP Nutrients also feature the patented PlantActiv™ Formulation and are both physically and chemically formulated to resist soil tie-up for improved plant uptake. The other great thing Wolf Trax™ DDP offers is the DUAL ACTION™ availability, which means each DDP Nutrient is formulated with at least two forms of the mineral, providing immediate nutrient uptake by the plants, as well as continuous feeding over time. This guarantees nutrients are available to the plant at the right time, and deficiencies are corrected during important growth stages. This chart from Wolf Trax™ website shows the pros and cons of granular micronutrients, macronutrient granules that include micronutrients, Wolf Trax™ DDP®(Dry Dispersible Powder) Fertilizer Coatings, and liquid fertilizer coatings. Here are eight categories and how each micronutrient type scores: from 1 star to 3 stars.

Wolf Trax™ offers many different micronutrients that we can apply to your fertilizer; listed here is a selection of products we will have on hand. Zn DDP (Zinc) B DDP (Boron)If you have any other questions about Wolf Trax™, you can go to their website at www.Wolftrax.com or talk to your All American Co-op agronomy salesman for more information.

Introducing Wolf Trax DDP™

Walser


McKayla Wingert, Precision Ag [email protected] 507-316-7101 As time continues on, precision agriculture continues to play its role in agronomics not only as a data management tool, but also to provide insight for maximizing yield, maintaining crop health and, of course, using data and soil sampling to continue to care for the land that we all depend on. With the variety of programs and data management technology available to growers, I am eager to use these programs to continue to learn and be a

resource for growers. My goal is to aid in the decision making process to find the most efficient tools that best suit the needs of producers. As a new addition to All American Co-op’s Precision Ag team, I have been asked about my preferences when it comes to new applications, software and data management tools. I am a firm believer that there is not one single right answer—each and every grower needs to find the correct tool for their individual operation. Every operation is different, and depending on the priorities and preferences of the operation there are different tools to suit each situation. With the many options available to growers, it is important to understand how each of those options can be put to use by growers of all sizes. I like to stay up to

date with new programs and the new changes within those programs in order to make the most relevant recommendations in my role with All American Co-op. One of the many tools that I have been using with growers is called Climate FieldView. Climate FieldView is a great resource for managing and viewing data, both in and out of season. This tool can do a number of things to aid growers not only with analysis, but also decision making. For example, with the use of digital mapping, in-season imagery, nitrogen management tools, harvest and planting data, Climate FieldView is able to assist farmers with deciding what changes they would like to make or what recent changes are working for their operation. As with any field management tools, Climate FieldView is consistently changing for the better and improving their features to work for the grower. The application is compatible with many different monitors and types of planters and combines, allowing for it to be utilized by operations of all sizes. Climate FieldView is a great tool for many growers, and it could be a great fit for your operation as well. If learning more about any of these tools, adding a data management program to your operation or enhancing your precision agriculture program is one of your new goals for 2019 give us a call. We can answer questions, help with decisions and get you started.

Using the right tools in 2019

Wingert

St. Charles open seasonally Our St. Charles location will be open seasonally this spring for anhydrous ammonia pickup and delivery. We will continue to utilize our warehouse, fertilizer storage, shop, and office space at St. Charles as needed throughout the year, however, it will not be staffed on a regular day-to-day basis. If you are in need of anything throughout the year, our staff can be reached at our Plainview location at 507-534-3147, or by calling your sales agronomist directly on their cell phone. We are committed to Working With You to continue the same level of service you have known in the past, and expect in the future. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Glenn Lutteke at 507-533-4222.


Callie Courtney, Forage & Goat [email protected] 563-880-3080 As we all know, 2018 wasn’t the easiest year for corn silage harvest—Mother Nature sure likes to make things interesting. From the drenching rains to very fast drying crops, the season was no picnic for producers in our region. With that being said, we went on to harvest our fields with the hand we were dealt. Some got silage chopped at the proper moisture and it looks beautiful, while others had the crop get away from them and

harvested it too dry (which in most cases was out of their control). So now we have this feed, that we bought as seed, planted, fertilized and sprayed—and it turned out to be a dry, sub-par feed. Now what? Well, we feed it. We have to in most cases because there is no other option.

What things are happening with the 2018 corn silage crop?• Starch availability is higher • Fiber digestibility (NDF30) is lower• Silage is dry (average for the last 60 days at Rock River

Labs is 40% DM)• High wild yeast• Stability of the stored forage is a concern

A big concern in dry corn silage is wild yeast.

What kind of concerns will we have with high yeast?• Unstable feed• Heating in the storage facility (especially in the hot months)• Heating in the bunk (especially in the hot months)• Shorter face life• Cows can have upset manure, and lower butter fat tests

What can we do to alleviate the problem at hand?

First, I would recommend treating any corn-based forage with a L. Buchneri inoculant to help keep the yeast under control. I would then recommend feeding six to 12-inches off the face per day. Here are a few more tips:

o Split the bunker down the middle so you can achieve the six to 12-inch rule, and spray the exposed bunker face with propionic acid to decrease extra spoilage

o Presoak the silage in acid at a rate of five to 10 lbs. of acid per ton of silage

When we are feeding high yeast forages to cattle, we can run into issues as well. How do we handle this issue with the cow’s best interest in mind?

• #1—It should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis after having a discussion with your nutritionist

• #2—Overloading the gut with good bacteria such as probiotics and living yeast

At harvest, there are also a few management decisions made that affect forage quality:

• Moisture• Packing densities• Inoculants• Cover management

I also would like to mention that it can be important to check over your feeding equipment to ensure everything is clean and not inoculating our TMR’s with unwanted pathogens. Those of you that read this and have TMR mixers, please take a moment to look inside them and make sure it is clean. If not, take some time to power wash your mixers. I have heard of up to 700 lbs. of sludge and build up coming out after being cleaned—just food for thought. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns on your forages. I’ll be more than happy to come out and help in any way I can.

What to expect with 2018 corn silage

Courtney


Bill Hammel, Dairy [email protected] 507-273-1882 As far as milk prices are concerned, dairy farming in 2019 is looking to mirror the trends we saw in 2018. This is not exactly the news we want to hear but some things are out of our control. It has never been tougher to make it in today’s competitive market with the price of inputs, family living expenses, and other contributing factors. What the future of the industry holds will be interesting to watch—there are several basic

tactics that will be of assistance to weather this storm.

Transition When cows reach the point where they are three weeks before calving, it is time to give them some special attention. This is the high-risk time period that has the potential to make or break a great lactation. Although the list goes on and on, weak immune function, lameness, milk fever and ketosis are some of the possible negative events that could occur without a well-thought-out pre-fresh or transition program. The ration should consist of highly palatable, nutritious feedstuffs that are presented in a way to minimize sorting and enhance intake. A drop off in intakes will occur at calving time even in the best run operations, but to keep this from becoming a financial drain, take care to include the following tips on transition cow management. According to ZinPro dairy nutritionist Dr. Jeff Weyers, these are important steps to take:

Monitor dry matter intakes. A sudden drop-off in intake is a good indicator of potential problems.

Clean out bunks daily. Spoiled or hot feed will certainly depress appetites.

Stock pens at less than 100%. Provide about 30 inches of bunk space per animal. If lock-ups are used only populate to 85% of the number of lock-ups.

Avoid pen moves, especially during the 10 days before calving. Cows should spend at least two to three weeks in the transition pen.

Ensure that enough pen space is available, even during extremely high periods of calving.

Provide fans during hot weather and plenty of waterer space. Overheated cows cannot handle the stress of calving as you are only piling one stress on top of another.

If possible, separate heifers from older cows, especially right at calving.

Monitor pens often.

Maintain a clean and dry environment. A wet, dirty condition piles on another stress to an already hectic situation and can result in mastitis flare-ups, etc.

Provide a balanced ration that includes trace minerals, energy, macro minerals, vitamins and protein.

Adding performance trace minerals to the diet has proven to increase first lactation performance, decrease the risk of early culling and improve reproductive success. We include these in many of our dry cow products especially Avail-4, which is a combination of organic zinc, manganese, copper and cobalt. For a boost in energy, we have found much success by adding Rally to the diet, which can be added to the TMR or top dressed. If you need assistance in making your transition a success, please contact me.

Again, as you know, these are trying times in the dairy industry. We recognize the level of focus its takes to execute the details to achieve success. We also recognize the role we play as a cooperative to supply as much support to your operation as possible—we wish you luck in 2019.

Dairy farming in 2019

Hammel


Nichol Arndorfer, Central Feed Order [email protected] 507-533-4222 All American Co-op’s 2018 food drive had another successful year. Our company collected a total of 131 pounds of non-perishable goods. These donations were dropped off at the Plainview-Elgin Food Shelf in Elgin and the Wykoff Food Shelf at St. John’s in Wykoff. A total of $2,158 was collected from producers and employees. The Board of Directors generously

agreed to match collections up to $2,000 again. This brought our combined total donation to $4,158. As we have in the past, we applied for a matching funds grant through Land O’ Lakes. We were fortunate enough to get approved, and we received a check for $4,050 from The

Land O’ Lakes Foundation. This makes our grand total donated to Channel One $8,208. I would like to thank everyone who donated. Every little bit helps someone in need. I find it amazing that for every dollar we collect, Channel One can get enough food for at least 4 meals.

Your Generosity Feeds our Communities

Arndorfer

All American Co-op2018 Corn Growers Contest Winners

2nd Place – 252.42 bu. – DKC 54-38SSJason Levan – Elgin, MN

1st Place – 254.27 bu. – Croplan 4488SSChad Schumancer – Plainview, MN

3rd Place – 246.18 bu. – DKC 54-38Jordan Schumacher – Plainview, MN

PRESORTED STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGEP A I D

Rochester, MNPermit No. 492

P.O. Box 125Stewartville, MN 55976

Change Service Requested

ALL AMERICANCO-OP

Mission - All American Co-op · 2019-03-22 · All American Co-op can also help you make informed...

Documents

Transcript of Mission - All American Co-op · 2019-03-22 · All American Co-op can also help you make informed...