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Black River Falls Fall 2015 Vol. 19, No. 2

We have had a busy spring season and we expect fall to be just as busy with harvest, heating season, and c-store updates. The agronomy department is prepping for harvest so that we can meet your expectations while putting safety first. Completed landscaping is done at our Greenfield site after years of planning.

We continue upgrades at our six c-stores. Through the dedicated teamwork of our staff, we are staying ahead of regulations and enforcing a continued emphasis on member and staff safety.

We are implementing rolling fleet upgrades to provide timely deliveries, drivability, member service, and value.

Auditors will be here in November and Federation Coop’s annual meeting will be in December. Please watch for statement stuffers and check local media for more details on the meeting.

I would like to remind you that you can access your Federation Coop account online at any time. Simply

visit our website at www.fedcoop.com, click on Account Access, and sign in using your account number. Here, you can view any invoice, make payments, and order fuel. eStatements and eInvoices are also available by contacting the main office.

Thanks for the business you do with your Federation Coop!

Cooperatively,Jeff PolivkaCEO/GM(715)284-5354

From The Manager

I reluctantly realize that summer has once again come and gone. Where did it go? There are still things that I need to get done before the snow flies. On the bright side, it’s Football Season Again! “Go Pack Go!” Also, school has started so please be especially careful around school buses and in school zones.

The transport division has been very busy this summer. From May through July, we hauled 9.1% more fuel than last year and drove 9% fewer miles! Product availability has not been as bad this summer as last year and we’ve been able to cut down on empty miles.

There are still long wait times at the

Junction City terminal but they are planning on adding two additional loading bays in the near future. They have updated their computer system and that has helped some, but additional bays will really help. The other terminals have all been business as usual.

In June, Danette Jessie transitioned into the Safety/HR position and we hired Hilary Wakershauser as administrative assistant for trucking. She is from the Cataract area and is doing very well in this position.

We also had Jon Smith transfer from fertilizer/grain to trucking in July. He will be hauling LP as well as fuel where

needed. He is in the process of getting carded at the various terminals. He lives here in Black River Falls which means a very short drive to work. He is fitting in very well in trucking. Welcome Hilary and Jon!

Thank you for your patronage and have a safe and enjoyable fall season!

(715) 284-5354

Transport

As we write this, the last applications of insecticide and fertilizer are being applied, with white fruit harvest nearing, and red fruit harvest a month away.

Federation Coop´s Cranberry Supply had a fun and successful Cranberry Field Day on August 5, with our booth giving away 876 cranberry shakes. A special thanks to Cathy Stalheim, Terry Byrns, Laura Wright (agronomy intern), Dale Anderson, and Doug Blaess for their shake-making expertise. In addition to representing the Cranberry Supply Division, Penny also gave a fertilizer update presentation during the morning mini-clinic.

In mid-August, growers began taking tissue and soil samples and will contin-ue to do so through mid-September; this helps set up next season’s early fertilizer program. Some growers pulled tissue samples throughout the summer to deter-

mine baseline deficien-cies in macro and micro nutrients.

Our Cranberry Supply Division newslet-ter article wouldn’t be complete without discussing our CranMax 8-8-24-.5Mg Fertilizer. Manufactured from a proprietary recipe available only at Federation Coop-erative, CranMax 8-8-24-.5Mg has been our shining star over the past four years. We have seen demand for this product grow from 300 ton applied in 2012 to 950 ton applied this season! Our growers are seeing quick responses to applications of CranMax 8-8-24-.5Mg due to the imme-diate availability of the ammonium form of nitrogen used in this product. Along with quick response after application, growers are seeing less chloride residue in their tile lines due to the potassium sulfate used in the CranMax 8-8-24-.5Mg versus the potassium chloride used in

many of the manufactured products such as 5-10-30 and 13-13-13. An additional benefit of potassium sulfate in CranMax 8-8-24-.5Mg is the reduction or elimina-tion of additional applications of potas-sium sulfate, depending on the rate per acre of CranMax 8-8-24-.5Mg used. We strongly believe CranMax 8-8-24-.5Mg can help your vine health and yield when used as part of your overall nutrition program. Even though this product is more cost per ton, economically it’s a better choice and actually saves you money in the long run.

Have a safe and successful harvest. Thank You for your business!

Joel (608) 387-0722Penny (715) 896-0225

Cranberry Supply

Les Gerdes

Joel Hoag & Penny Langer

As we approach another busy heating season, we have two new employees to introduce. Federation Coop has hired Dale Bue and Jesse Rabuck. Dale is a Propane Delivery Driver and Jesse is our LP Cylinder Delivery Associate. Dale and Jesse are currently completing their extensive propane safety training. Welcome to the team, guys!

Long time Propane Delivery Driver, Brian Hooker, will be helping out this winter in our Hixton propane terminal. Nick Johnson will be taking over Brian’s Fairchild route. The propane terminal is projected to be significantly busier than last winter so we are very relieved to have Brian’s help. Chad Fankhauser,

Propane Terminal Operator, says “So far this summer has been quite busy here. In 30 days, we had over 200 transports come through the terminal for summer fills. We have had over 13 million gallons flow through here since November 20th of last year. Future goals are August 2015 – March 2016, to see around 650 railcars which will be around 19.5 million gallons. We are looking forward to the corn drying season this year as we missed out on most of that last year.”

Thank you to everyone who took advantage of our Summer Fill opportunity! Summer Fill is a great time to receive a great price on your LP. Plus, it saves you from being on a

delivery waiting list as soon as the temperature starts to drop.

Also, with the start of deer season, keep an eye on our website for my Battling Bucks video…

I want to thank you for your continued loyalty and support!

(715) 896-0226 Text(715) 284-5354, option 3, Office

Energy Department Greg Burgau

Once again, Old Man Winter is getting closer to being here. Located in downtown Black River Falls, stop in to see Bill, Brad, or myself to have your battery checked for winter. Winter can be hard on batteries so let us check it out for you. We carry Interstate and Avery Reliable brand batteries.

We can also check your tires. Tires lose air in the cold weather and can leak around the rims. Make sure to have the correct amount of air otherwise it will ruin your tires. Tire brands can be anything you want at a very reasonable price. Just to mention a few: Goodyear, Firestone, Michelin, and Uniroyal.

Also, it is a good idea to make sure your wiper blades are in good condition for the snowy weather. Call and schedule a tune up before winter and have your anti-freeze checked so that it does not freeze up on you. Use injector cleaner or Heet for your gas lines to make your vehicle run better in our cold Wisconsin winters.

Our scan tool will help tell us why your check engine light is on or for misfire situations.

We still do wheel alignments along with ball joints, control arm bushings, tie rod ends, wheel bearings, struts, and more. We also do most mechanical jobs such as water pumps, belts, hoses, brakes, oil changes, alternators, starters, and so much more. So stop down or give us a call

for appointments or even just to ask a question. Thank you for your automotive business and patronage!

I can’t end my article without mentioning that IT IS FOOTBALL SEASON! Make sure to watch for the Green and Gold at the Super Bowl!

(715) 284-5354, option 6

Automotive Rich Goldsmith

$5 Off One Oil Change

Thank you for being our customer! Valid only at Federation Cooperative’s

Automotive Service Center. One coupon per visit. Expires 3/31/2016.

I am often asked if it makes a difference to use regular #2 diesel fuel or Cenex Premium Diesel fuels. If your diesel engine is 2007 or newer, it’s likely just a matter of time before problems arise. If your diesel engine was manufactured before 2007, over time you fuel pump and injectors will become dirty which is a gradual, hard to notice process that reduces engine performance and fuel economy. Cenex Premium Diesel Fuel will work to clean your fuel system and keep it clean, helping prevent equipment failure, costly repairs and downtime.

We will once again be offering the Cenex Fall Oil Gift Card promotion. Customers can earn one $50 Visa gift card for every 150 gallons of combined Cenex oil purchased between November 1, 2015 and January 31, 2016. Qualifying products include: Superlube TMS 10W-30 & 15W-40, Superlube 518, Qwiklift HTB, Maxtron 5W-40 & 15W-40. If you have any questions on the Cenex bulk oil program, feel free to give me a call.

Cell (715) 896-5467

Certified Energy Specialist Kyle Parker

How about these low gas prices! I know I’m appreciating them. Back in August, gas prices rose from an average of $2.58 per gallon to $2.89 per gallon. This spike was due to an outage at BP’s Whiting refinery in Indiana, making gas prices here in the Midwest higher than average. Nationally, gas prices are lower than a year ago and on July 4th, they were the lowest in five years. That was due to the increase in shale oil production.

Unpredictable events such as this are why it is so beneficial to contract your fuel with us. Or even just for personal budgeting reasons! Contracting options are always available. Please shoot me a

text message or call me at the office with any questions.

Last but not least, I am very proud to announce the introduction of TOP TIER® Certified Gasolines at all Cenex® Retail Locations. On September 1st, the rollout of TOP TIER® certified gasolines started at all terminals where Cenex® branded fuel is offered. The transition to TOP TIER will be completed by fall.

To achieve TOP TIER status, gasolines must meet specifications endorsed by seven leading automotive manufacturers, including passing a series of tests demonstrating both a higher level of engine cleaning performance through

deposit control additives and an absence of harmful metallic additives. You can find more details at www.toptiergas.com.

I’m feeling confident about my Vikings this year! If they lose to the Packers on January 3, 2016, I will pump gas at Cheese Hut the next day from 12pm-2pm!

Thank you for your patronage!

(715) 896-0226 Text(715) 284-5354, option 3, Office

Refined Fuels Greg Burgau

Federation Coop would like to remind you that our Cenex Premium Diesel Fuel comes right to your tank already packed with seven powerful additives. If you are feeling the need to add your own additives, please call Kyle Parker, CES, at (715) 896-5467 to discuss this. When blending winter additives, please remember that the fuel in your tank needs to be 14 degrees or higher.

If you have a tank of Cenex Premium Diesel Fuel that has been sitting for a while, please call Kyle to have him take a sample. Diesel becomes distressed after 12 months.

We strongly recommend 10-micron filters for storage tanks with the filter being changed once in the spring and once in the fall.

The drivers carry filters on the truck. If you are on keep fill service, the filters will be changed by the driver and the new date marked on the filter. Call in patrons can request a filter change with the energy staff when ordering fuel. Thank you!

What a wonderful growing season we have had so far! I think everyone survived the first spring through our new fertiliz-er plant here in Hixton. No matter how much preplanning is done, one can never really know what a new growing season will bring. The staff that operates the crop nutrient plant at your cooperative put blood, sweat, and tears into being as accurate and efficient as possible. Without challenge how would we know how good life really is!

Spring was at full speed. I looked across the fertilizer plant’s control room at indi-viduals that had never even seen a plant like this before and they were all working in sync. You have to under-stand that there wasn’t a single element at that moment that was comfortable to any one of us except the desire to provide products and services in an efficient and timely manner for all of our customers. The orders were spitting out of the printer and we just got a good roll going. It was 10:30am and we were on our second ream of printer paper. The fertilizer was going out the front door faster than we could haul it in the back. The next glance at the clock and it was 10:30pm. It is very impressive the volume of product that moves through that facility. We continue to improve and make ad-justments where need-ed and next year we will have a better idea of what is ahead of us.

The growing season of 2016 starts right now with the plan of cover crop, soil nutrient analysis, harvest yield data, and what crop will be planted next spring. The agronomists are ready to discuss what needs you may have this fall and the pro-grams that go along with them. Give them a call or stop by here in Hixton.

Our soil sampling unit is serviced and ready to hit the fields to get those field boundaries and soil samples for nutrient analysis. The staff is ready to do yield checks with one of our weigh trailers or to help analyze yield data from your combine. The fertilizer spreaders are all set to make applications of potassium and

phosphate this fall. We have the capabilities to do variable rate applica-tions of crop nutrients and have collect-ed data that supports the advantages of placing the proper amount of fertilizer where it is needed.

We have implemented precision ag programs and products to help you get the most value from every acre. From the accuracies of precision applications to

the crop health imagery, we have the tools and knowledge to bring that precision value to your farm and field. We believe that there are growers out there that are striving for that “Greater Acre” and we want to be there to help you meet that goal.

Thank you for your support and business!! We look forward to talking to you soon.

(715) 963-3211, option 4

Agronomy and Feed

Black River Falls and Hixton Doug Blaess

$1.00 Off AnyBirdseed or

Pet Food ItemThank you for being our customer!

Valid only at Black River Feed/Country Store. One coupon per visit.

Expires 12/31/2015.

$1.00 Off AnyBag of Mineral or

Any Bag of Dog FoodThank you for being our customer!

Valid only at Hixton Country Store. One coupon per visit.

Expires 12/31/2015.

Dealing with high yeast and mold levels in high moisture corn and corn silage.

Aerobically unstable corn silage and high moisture corn at feedout is a common problem on dairy operations in the upper Midwest. Aerobically unstable corn silage and high moisture corn is

defined by heating, mold growth, or mustiness occurring from a few inches to feet deep on the face or surface of silos and bunkers during feedout. Results from this are reduced feed intake, reduced milk production, and milk fat depression. Warm and cool growing conditions and late harvests

can create conditions that are highly unfavorable for bacteria species responsible for the fermentation and preservation of feeds. As a result fermentation is slow and provides an excellent environment for various yeast and mold species. Well preserved feed will normally have yeast counts less than 10,000 cfu/g. at this level, feed will be stable for 120 to 140 hours. Yeast counts of 25 to 50 million can occur in inadequately fermented feed. To help keep your feed fresh in your silos, bunkers, or TMR, we handle Silage Saver and

Micro Curb. It not only keeps your feed fresh, it helps your livestock avoid reproductive problems and maintain their natural resistance to disease.

Here at the Humbird Feed Mill, we have had some changes over the past few months in some of our feed products. Herd Maker 22-15 Protein Blend Milk Replacer has been replaced with Maxi Care Bov./Biomos and is doing a great job. Dry Cow Supreme has been reformulated to a 4 oz. feeding rate instead of 2 oz. The cost per feeding is the same, just a higher feeding rate.

When ordering feed, please call the Humbird Feed Mill directly so orders don’t get misplaced and so that we can get your feed delivered in a timely manner. Thank you for your business!

(715) 964-2411

Where has the summer gone? With cereal grains behind us and the anticipation of corn and soybean harvest just around the corner, the grain department at Federation Coop has been focusing on the final stages of an improvement project. We continue to look at ways to improve efficiencies and to keep harvest traffic moving.

The work this year will greatly improve the timeliness in and out of the grain facility. We have increased the speed of wet corn, soybeans, and dry corn receiving. The grain facility at our Hixton location has served its members for many years and with time comes wear. One of the first grain bins was built around 1974. This bin had more than outlasted its life expectancy. This year we removed that bin along with another that we weren’t certain would keep grain in excellent condition.

With the ever-increasing capacities of farming equipment, we’ve had a struggle the last couple of years with a receiving speed of around 1,000 bushel per hour with soybeans and close to 4,500 bushel per hour with corn. We have increased the receiving speed to approximately 18,000 bushel per hour! This means that

1,000 bushel load of soybeans could empty out in as little as four minutes compared to an hour before and corn in as little as four minutes compared to twenty minutes in the past. Wet corn and dry corn will also have the ability to unload at individual receiving pits allowing us to keep a continuous flow of traffic through the facility.

We also have installed equipment to screen all incoming corn to improve the quality of grain, whether it is being used in feed or being delivered to market. This means that we will also have a supply of corn screening to sell for feed use.

Entering the facility will also be a little different than in the past. Grain traffic will enter between the Lutheran church and our new Country Store using the new entrance. As always, there will be signs directing where to go. Stop by if you have a moment and we will go through this with you.

We also invite you to visit our website at www.fedcoop.com. There you will find our Grain Page that lists grain policies, contract options, and our cash bids. You will also be able to sign up with our DTN grain portal from there. This will allow you to see all current grain bids.

After setting up a login to our DTN grain portal you will find information on our mobile app to view cash bids and receive text alerts from the markets directly to your mobile device. You can initiate and manage offers to sell grain with Federation Coop from within your DTN account! With the grain markets being an ever moving target, we know that using every available tool and resource is crucial to market position.

With several marketing options to fit your needs, we are ready to work with you to bring value to your operation. From forward contracts to price later options, we know there is one that will fit your marketing plan.

We also have E-Agvantage which you can access from our website by signing in with your Federation Coop account number. With this tool you will be able to see your account information from home. This includes grain transactions and grain balances, account balances, and gives you the ability to make secure online payments. Thank You for your business and have a great season.

(715) 963-3211, option 4

Grain

Humbird Feed Mill

Doug Blaess

Duane Marty

$1.00 Off Any Size Bag

of MineralQualifying products are: Hical, Hical & Salt, 2-1 Mineral, and 1-1 Mineral

Valid only at Federation Cooperative’s Humbird Feed Mill. Expires 10/31/2015.

Do you have your Federation Rewards Card?

The truth is, no one likes buying gas. It might get you from point A to point B, but it’s expensive and slightly annoying to see your money go down the tank.

With our loyalty program, Federation Rewards, you earn a point for every dollar you spend inside and one point for every gallon of gas. You can even earn one point for every four gallons of diesel! Then use your points to redeem food, drinks, propane, and more. Even better; you’ll gain peace of mind knowing that the money you spend on gas is working for you, earning points towards free items that you’d normally buy anyway.

Federation Rewards rewards you for your everyday purchases at any of our six convenience stores. So it doesn’t matter if you visit 4 Seasons, Double T, Town Mart, Cheese Hut, Black River Crossing Oasis, or the Fairchild C-Store, you’ll still get rewarded. If you have any questions about how to start earning rewards, please stop in at any of our c-stores and simply ask your cashier.

Speaking of rewarding our customers; Federation Cooperative will be featuring our Customer Appreciation Week on October 19th through the 23rd! We have improved and expanded upon our traditional Customer Appreciation Day which has previously only been at 4 Seasons and Fairchild. Our new Customer Appreciation Week will now include all six c-stores and we will have prize drawings, daily and weekly specials, huge discounts, DOUBLE Federation Rewards points, and more! From all of us in the c-stores, Thank You for choosing us!

We have been busy in our c-stores this summer!

Stop by and visit our newest C-Store Manager, April Eisberner! April is managing the Fairchild C-Store and is doing a wonderful

job. The store has made some significant changes inside and out. With the new layout, we have made some extra room to add an expanded coffee bar and the Hot Stuff bar has cool, new updates. Look for more changes to come including new dispensers that will leave you entertained while you fuel up!

Just down the road, you can stop in and say hello to Wanda Conner at Double T Quik Stop in Merrillan. She would be happy to scoop up a cone or dish of her wide variety of hand scooped ice cream. Use your Federation Rewards card to earn a free Iced Coffee! Don’t forget to check out Double T’s new look while you’re there.

If you are hosting a football game this fall, stop in and see Jennifer Drinovsky at Cheese Hut in Hixton. She has a large variety of fantastic Wisconsin

cheeses and made-to-please cheese arrangements. If you’re looking for a quick, home cooked lunch, the lovely staff at Cheese Hut will have a different lunch special every day.

Didn’t see Jennifer at the Cheese Hut? She is probably six miles up the interstate at Northfield Town Mart. For a small store, they have everything you need and then some! The friendly staff is ready to help you find everything on your traveling or grocery list. Town Mart will go through some minor changes over the next month or two, so next time you’re passing by, stop in and look around.

If you don’t feel like going too far from Black River Falls, we have two great stores for you. I don’t know if anyone is ready for hunting season like I am, but if you are, make sure to have Black River Crossing Oasis be your first stop before heading out to the woods. Robin Blaess, Kim O’Brien, and the entire staff at the Black River Crossing location will be happy to get you started by filling your propane tanks. While they are filling them,

you can grab a hearty bite to eat at Taco John’s or Subway, located right inside our store. We would like to remind you that deer registration will be only online or by phone this year.

When is the last time you got caught up on the news while you were pumping gas? If you stop at 4 Seasons Quik Stop, that’s exactly what you can do! Our new, faster pumps come with larger screens and audio. We hosted a Grand Re-Opening on September 8th from 2pm to 6pm with discounted gas and in-store specials. Hopefully we saw you there! This fall, stop in and see Becky Boehm. She will be more than happy to get you a car wash so you can keep that winter mixture off your vehicle and equipment.

Thank you for your continued business and I can’t wait to see you at any one of our six stores!

4 Seasons Quik Stop – (715) 284-3138Black River Crossing Oasis – (715) 284-4344Cheese Hut – (715) 963-3752Double T – (715) 333-7650Fairchild C-Store – (715) 334-5901Town Mart – (715) 984-2419Jennifer Drinovsky

From the C-Store Operations Manager

C-Stores

Nina Severson

Wanda Connor

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDEAU CLAIRE WIPERMIT # 2000

Federation Cooperative108 N. Water StreetBlack River Falls, WI 54615

Our Mission Statement: Federation Cooperative will strive to offer our customers high quality, competitively priced products and services in a manner

that will benefit our member owners.

Please stop in and see us! The main office is open Monday-Thursday 7:30am-4:30pm and Fridays 7:30am-4:00pm. Visit us online at www.fedcoop.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fedcoop.