Live.Work.Grow - Summer 2014

Live.Work.Grow.

Summer 2014

CENTRAL ILLINOIS AG

ATLANTA · CLINTON · FARMER CITY · MASON CITY www.centralilag.com · Summer 2014 · 1

Hello from Central Illinois Ag! We hope you enjoy our first dealer book! Inside these pages you’ll find useful articles from farmers, the agriculture industry, and employee highlights.

On June 30th, 2013 our headquarter location in Atlanta was burned to ashes. We’ve faced many challenges and couldn’t be prouder of our employees and Central Illinois Ag family for pushing through and growing into an even stronger dealership.

While reading through the articles you may notice that we don’t just serve Central Illinois, but throughout the entire state of Illinois and surrounding areas. We value each and every one of our customers and look forward to working with you in the future!

Thank you for allowing us to be your Case IH dealer!

Steve Schmidt

m m 1 1 ··Central Central Illinois Illinois Ag Ag ·· www.centralilag.com www.centralilag.com

Michael Schmidt

WHAT’S INSIDE?

3 Building the Future 6 Illinois Farmer Today 9 Keeping History on the Farm 11 Tech Saavy Farmer

Prefers MacDon 13 Time is Money 16 Rush Olson,

Precision Planting 17 Planting with New Technology 19 Ryan Curry,

Industrial Sales 20 What’s in Your Shop?

21 Chicago Mom’s

Visit the Farm 23 IL Corn Saves You Money 25 Grow Informed with the

Illinois Soybean Association 27 Plow Day, Play Day 28 Cleaner Beans 29 Living the Dream 31 Custom Farming 35 Who’s in the Shop?

37 Tak on the Farm 38 Construction Tak

Sales Steve Schmidt Atlanta, IL (217) 737-7445

John Coers New Holland, IL (217) 737-5674

Andrew Elder Taylorville, IL (217) 306-4621

Michael Schmidt Lincoln, IL (217) 737-8669

Gordon Watkins Petersburg, IL (217) 652-2650

Andy Cler Penfield, IL (309) 830-1392

Scott Tibbs Middletown, IL (217) 737-1445

David Robbins Astoria, IL (217) 417-4184

Doug Franzen Farmer City, IL (309) 275-8556

Dallas Kaufman Danvers, IL (309) 613-0556

Brian Reeser Clinton, IL (217) 519-4341

Scott Pearl Monticello, IL (217) 871-0562

Clay Witham Stanford, IL (217) 519-4346

Mike O’Neil Arrowsmith, IL (309) 275-8158

Shane Steinberg Midland City, IL (217) 671-1303

Brandon Hendel Glasford, IL (309) 212-1656

Mike Barringer Decatur, IL (217) 519-2918

Jim Spicer Farmer City, IL (309) 275-8545

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Building the Future Watch the building progress on our YouTube channel!

YouTube.com/ LiveWorkGrowCIA

We broke ground on June 2, 2014.

If you’ve been to our Atlanta location recently, it’s hard to miss the construction that is taking place. Our new shop and building are making progress daily.

The top priority is to build the shop so the technicians have a warm and spacious place to work this winter. The office building will then be completed tentatively summer 2015.

The devastating fire that occurred on June 30, 2013 brought obstacles that we were able to work through and in return has developed into a stronger dealership.

If you are in the area stop by and check out the foundation of our new building. We also post videos of the progress on our YouTube channel (www.YouTube.com/ LiveWorkGrowCIA).

Thank you for continuing to work with Central Illinois Ag despite our past years’ challenges. We are excited to see what the future holds for Central Illinois Ag! Pouring Concrete on June 7, 2014.

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Get Your FREE Subscription Illinois Farmer Today is a free, weekly farm newspaper that recently began publishing January, 2014. We are confident you will enjoy its weekly coverage of Illinois agricultural news and information important to you. The paper is dated Saturday and is already delivered to over 30,000 farms. It is mailed via the US Postal Service and comes right to your mailbox. Its tabloid format makes it easy to hold and easy to read.

Its publishers have been publishing Iowa Farmer Today in Iowa for nearly 30 years and Missouri Farmer Today for over seven years. In that time they have built a reputation of trust among Iowa and Missouri farmers and have become their first source of ag information and advertising.

Phyllis Coulter and Amber Selman are field editors for the new Illinois publication. Phyllis is a veteran journalist in Illinois, having worked the past 10 years with The Pantagraph in Bloomington, where she lives. Amber is a 2012 graduate of Iowa State University. She grew up on a dairy farm in Eastern Iowa and has recently moved to Carlyle, Illinois.

This publication will always be free to qualified farmers, and they value your input. You can contact them with story ideas, letters to the editor, photo submissions and much more.

Also, if you know of another farmer who would benefit from receiving this free farm paper have them contact Illinois Farmer Today at 800-4756655 or www.IllinoisFarmerToday.com.

We hope you enjoy this paper’s focus on news Because farmers in the Midwest have a common that is practical, useful and timely to your bond and use common farming practices, the farming operation. We hope it will soon become editorial focus on row crops and livestock will your first source of ag news and advertising. certainly be of value to you.

Illinois Farmer Today is free to qualified farmers in Illinois. To receive your free subscription, you can call 800-475-6655 or subscribe via their website at www.IllinoisFarmerToday.com.

You will find its pages contain compelling articles including weekly features on markets, weather and crops. It has a robust classified ad section with ads for farm equipment, real estate, trucks, auction, livestock, buildings and much more. It also contains ads from leading national brands of farm equipment, seed, crop protection products and other widely-used inputs.

www.centralilag.com · Summer 2014 · 6

www.demco-products.com

www.maurermfg.com

Maurer Head Transports Fits all Types of Combine Heads!

Demco Sprayers

From 25 to 1,250 Gallons

Demco has a sprayer for every need!

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MY PLANTING

SOLUTION “Around here, about 80% of the planters are KINZE. They’re easier to pull through gates and across bridges. Bulk fill saves a lot of time on refills.

And, hydraulic weight transfer system re-distributes the weight from the center hopper section to the wings, so we don’t have any trouble with pinch rows or keeping row units in the ground.” $AVID (ALE s 'ALATIA )LLINOIS Owns two KINZE 3600 12 row, pivot-fold planters with bulk fill air seed delivery system, hydraulic weight transfer and split row interplants.

Contact your authorized KINZE dealer today to learn more!

www.kinze.com

www.centralilag.com · Summer 2014 · 8

Keeping History on the Farm

Pictured is Jerry, third generation farmer, wife Stacey, and daughter Emilie Schmidt.

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Jerry Schmidt is a third generation farmer in Chestnut, IL where he is farming the land that his father and grandfather farmed since 1942.

The location of his farm holds a lot of history in his family and with Central Illinois Ag. The Schmidt Family has believed in farming with red ever since his grandfather began farming 72 years ago, so it only made sense for Jerry and his father to purchase a International Harvester sign at the Carl Eberstein auction in 2006. After receiving the sign and placing it in their yard, this purchase became even more valuable.

The International Harvester sign which stands 12 feet high, was the original dealership sign of Marcotte International in Lincoln, IL before merging with Schmidt Implement in 1987 and later becoming Central Illinois Ag in 2001.

As a valued Central Illinois Ag customer, we are proud to have the original Marcotte International sign displayed at the Schmidt Family Farms homestead west of Chestnut on Route 54.

Photos on the right (top): Jerry’s grandfather, Paul Schmidt picking ear corn in the 1950’s on an M tractor with a 2 Row Picker (bottom): Jerry, 5 yrs old, watching his father, Gerald Schmidt, back in their new 966 tractor in 1972.

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Tech Saavy Farmer Prefers MacDon Stew & Stew Farms, Inc. understand the importance of the rapidly changing technology and it’s important they are using brands that are also willing to stay up-to-date with this technology, from the tractor to the attachments.

When you see Todd Stewart from Stew & Stew Farms, Inc. in the fields during harvest, his MacDon draper head is more than an attachment for the combine. It is a brand that truly cares for the farmer.

Todd has made suggestions to the company at farm shows and to salesman, Andrew Elder, who will pass the message on to the MacDon representative.

“MacDon is always willing to take our input from the fields and put it to work,” Todd said.

His 40ft FD75 FlexDraper® has saved the family farm time by allowing them to cut earlier and later in the day than other platforms. Stew & Stew Farms, Inc. values every acre and bushel and MacDon’s top notch equipment and use of technology has helped them get the most out of their crops.

Todd Stewart with Stew & Stew Farms, Inc. is located in Nokomis, IL. This small family farm chose Central Illinois Ag as their Case IH dealer because of the extraordinary service they have received.

The closest Central Illinois Ag dealership is located 85 miles away in Clinton, but Todd says that doesn’t matter. Kip Hoke (Service Manager) and Kyle Wright (Asst. Service Manager) are only a phone call away.

When issues occur that cannot be fixed over the phone, a technician has been on the farm within two hours.

“The technicians at Central Illinois Ag are very knowledgeable and will work until the job is complete.”

m Central Illinois Illinois Ag Ag ·· www.centralilag.com www.centralilag.com 1111 ·· Central

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Time is Money. Make the Most of It. When margins are tight, every investment needs to deliver to your bottom line.

It’s been several years since Thunder Creek Equipment launched their first trailer. Since then the company has consistently rolled out new, innovative products that make servicing equipment in the field much more efficient.

Owners across the country are discovering that these trailers deliver more than just fuel - they deliver real value to an operation’s bottom line.

“This is the best small equipment investment I’ve made for our operation,” says Randy B. from Minnesota. “The biggest thing is time savings. We can take it out, fill all our equipment, and we’re good for the day.”

Closer to home, Frank and Connie Ruppert from Southern Illinois are also enjoying the time saved with their Thunder Creek trailer.

Ryan A. from Illinois says “In this day and age it’s about efficiency and time. With this trailer, everything we need is right there.”

Before they got their trailer, Connie would haul fuel in a 100 gallon tank in the truck bed, making several trips a day. Now she is able to plan a route and make just one trip. This has eliminated 35 miles of driving each day.

Join the thousands of farmers who rely on Thunder Creek to make the most of their field time.

For more information from Central Illinois Ag on solutions for fuel, diesel exhaust fluid, tools and parts visit any of their four locations throughout Illinois.

Randy C. from Pennsylvania agrees. He says, “Saves you a ton of time, and time is money.”

For others, the value comes from the ability to service equipment right in the field, significantly reducing equipment downtime.

One of Central Illinois Ag’s customers, Brian L., fills his equipment with both fuel and DEF. He says his trailer, “Saves us two hours a day.

With a 20 day window last spring, that is 40 hours I saved. Time turns into bushels.”

m Photos Courtesy of Brian L., Illinois

13 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Second to None

Just because a fuel trailer looks like Thunder Creek, doesn’t mean it is. Thousands of farmers have come to rely on the superior quality that only comes from Thunder Creek.

“

“

It’s convenient and durable which helps my operation run more efficient. Wouldn’t go to the field without this trailer.

Thad, Illinois

®

get more done

3 year Fuel and Service Trailers with DEF Delivery Solutions

warranty BEST IN

CLASS

DEF made Easy

Farmer City, IL | 800.334.8942 Atlanta, IL | 800.762.2325 Mason City, IL | 217.482.9760 Clinton, IL | 800.362.3866

www.centralilag.com

www.centralilag.com · Summer 2014 · 14

`

Toro Z Master’s Starting At:

$6999*

Toro Z Master’s are built tough for your needs feature*:       

Powerful Commercial Engines up to 34 hp 52” 60” and 72” deck options Deck’s built with 7 gauge steel Cast Iron spindles Commercial drive systems Ground speeds up to 11.5 mph Warranty of up to 5 Years!

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*Model 74141 sales price subject to availability. Visit www.toro.com or call us at the Farmer City or Clinton store for details!

15 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Rush Olson Precision Planting Specialist

Born and raised on the family farm in McLean, Knows the importance of farming technology IL because he also farms Strong passion for Ag Technology and being a When not working you can usually find him steward of the land hunting or spending time with his family Premier Dealer for five years before joining the Central Illinois Ag team His #1 Priority is to service the customer

“It’s all about helping the grower, finding out what will work best in their operation, and giving them a return on their investment.”

-Rush Olson

Enjoys working with the customer to find what best suits their needs Studied at Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he played baseball

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Planting with New Technology Jacob Wade and family, farms in McLean, IL. They started using Precision Planting® Products four years ago on their John Deere 1770 Planter because he was unhappy with the singulation from the planter. He wanted to do something different and saw the best way possible to get the picket fence stand was with Precision Planting ® Products. He got the eSet®, AirForce®, WaveVision® Sensors and the 20/20® monitor, and then FieldView® when it was released.

His favorite product from Precision Planting® is the FieldView® because it allows him to keep track of everything that is being done on the iPad. Some farmers keep written books, but the screen shows the exact pass where something was changed. Jacob says that he can even mark a rock in the field that needs to be picked up before harvesting beans. He can also see exactly where the corn hybrids change.

Precision offers (CleanSweep®, DeltaForceTM, vDriveTM, vSet®, 20/20®, Field View®).

Looking toward the future, Jacob is expecting to get 100% even emergence and picket fence stands.

What he is doing with the vDriveTM, DeltaForceTM, and CleanSweep® will help him with this goal. He also envisions the upcoming years to plant fixed EAR hybrids so the spacing and singulation from Precision Planting products will play a large factor in getting to 300 bushel corn.

Rush Olson, Central Illinois Ag Precision Planting® Specialist, has worked with Wade Family Farms for several years. Jacob says that Rush has always been knowledgeable in the product and is willing to help at any time of the day.

Follow Central Illinois Ag’s progress of installing Precision Planting ® in Wade’s Case IH 1255 24 FieldView® also has the ability to show the farmer if Row Planter on our website at: there is a broken seed kernel in a disc so they know www.centralilag.com/Precision-Planting that the right population is being planted. Without taking out the disc plates to fix it.

The farm has benefited dramatically from Precision Planting®. Singulation has been consistantly at 99% every year and 97% for spacing. The planting speed has also increased in order to get planting done quicker. There have been a few years where farmers were still in the fields where rain delayed planting and Jacob was finished thanks to the Precision Planting tools that helped speed up the planting time.

Jacob, a 3rd generation farmer, knows first-hand the importance of saving time on his farm. He has continued to believe in this technology to increase bushels per acre and productivity on his farm. A 24 Row Case IH 1255 Planter has since replaced the John Deere and is getting set up with everything

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Using legendary Quadtrac® technology, the Case IH Steiger® Rowtrac™ series tractors are agronomically designed to deliver maximum yield. Featuring four, independent oscillating tracks on an articulated frame, these tractors increase flotation while reducing compaction and ground pressure. The result is an optimized seedbed for ideal growing conditions and the ability to cover more ground in row crop applications. Learn more about the power and productivity of Steiger Rowtrac tractors by visiting your dealer, or go to caseih.com/rowtrac.

BE READY.

©2014 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. Case IH is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. www.caseih.com

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Industrial Sales allow Ryan to be in constant communication with the sales, service, and parts teams.

Acts as a liaison between the customer and the dealership to always improve our business Four kids keep him busy when he’s not working

RYAN CURRY, INDUSTRIAL SALES Started at CIA in April 2013

Supplies customers with industrial products and parts needs to make their shops more efficient

Enjoys getting to know the customer and their needs

The family atmosphere at Central Illinois Ag makes Ryan feel ‘athome’ while at work

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You can usually find him at most sporting events cheering on his kids

Contact Ryan at: (217) 671-5296 rcurry@centralilag.com

What’s in Your Shop?

A small investment in new technology can be a very bright idea!

John Lozier’s equipment shop got an upgrade this fall with HiBrite lights. The shed has a skylight and used to have regular 200 watt light bulbs until they were introduced to the T8 lighting by Ryan Curry, Industrial Sales at Central Illinois Ag. On a gloomy or winter day, the shed would be dark but with the new lighting they can see no matter what the weather is like outside. Comparing the HiBrite lights to the light bulbs, there is no doubt that they are more productive under the brighter bulbs.

The brighter lights make the work environment much more enjoyable and they are able to see the equipment clearer. There isn’t the need to have drop cords to bring light to the equipment with HiBrite because the light surrounds everything in the shed.

Jay Westervelt, John Lozier, and Bryce Leininger Lozier Farm, Mason City, IL

Along with the brightness of the light, a benefit the Lozier’s pointed out was that the lights do not take a while to turn on.

“Some of the new efficient lights don’t turn on right away when it’s cold, these HiBrite lights turn on immediately,” John said.

Before: Lozier Farm used regular 200 watt light bulbs Jay Westervelt, John’s step-son, said that if they built another shed they would definitely install HiBrite lights. The price is affordable and the quality is great with these high efficient HiBrite shop lights.

prior to switching to T8 HiBrite Lights.

John Lozier, Jay Westervelt, and Bryce Leininger are grain farmers at their family farm, Lozier Farms, in Mason City.

For more information on HiBrite lighting, contact: Ryan Curry Industrial Sales, Central Illinois Ag rcurry@centralilag.com or 217-671-5296

After: The shop is much brighter with the T8 HiBrite Lights.

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Chicago Mom’s Visit the Farm Illinois Farm Families® hosts moms from the Chicago area (called Field Moms) on Illinois farms so they can take a look at who Illinois farmers are, what they do and how they grow food. These farmers commit to having conversations, answering questions about food, farmers and farming and sharing what really happens on today’s Illinois farms.

After each tour, the Field Moms are asked to write a blog post about what they learned so others can see what they’re up to and learn the same lessons on www.watchusgrow.org.

In May, Field Moms went to Paul and Donna Jeschke’s corn and soybean farm. Here’s an exert from Samantha Godden-Chmielowicz’s blog.

GMOs - what’s it mean: guidance meets obfuscation? give me options? gains money openly?

When the Field Moms visited the Jeschke Family Farm to learn about corn and soy, I was surprised by all of the information we learned. There was quite a lot to take in. We Moms visited 8 different stations set up around the farm to learn about farming operations, and corn/ soy products. One of my questions / concerns for this visit was GMOs: genetically modified organisms. I had heard mainly negative things about these products, so I was interested in seeing the farmers’ point of view.

I really enjoyed learning about the technology that is involved in modern farming. Who knew that a tractor and planter cost more than my house? (way more…) Or that they can run on autopilot to follow a pre-set course that makes the most use of soil and land available? Or that fertilizers and pesticides are used sparingly and variably on fields according to soil samples? Not I! There is much more to 21st century farming than halfhazardly planting seeds, and following that with chemical usage. Farmers use soil samples, GPS, and photos / video of their crops taken by small flying cameras to make informed decisions about their planting seeds and tending crops. Farmers study the soil to determine which fertilizers to apply, and how much. You can have a sub-plot on the field that needs nothing, next to one that lacks nitrogen or potash. With these samples, farms apply fewer fertilizers to the ground.

Pesticides (both herbicides and insecticides) are also applied in smaller quantities than in the past. Farmers use technology to see where the needs are – back to those flying cameras, coupled with walks through the fields to inspect. Once that is determined, they can use modern equipment to apply only in areas in needs, and close to the soil to avoid airborne spreading. (See the complete blog at www.watchusgrow.org)

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Illinois Farm Families

Illinois Farm Families are Illinois farmers who support Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Program Operating Board, Illinois Beef Association, and Midwest Dairy Association through farmer-funded checkoff or membership programs.

We are committed to having conversations with consumers, answering their questions about food, farmers and farming, and sharing what really happens on today’s Illinois family farms. More than 94 percent of Illinois farms are family owned and operated. We are passionate about showing consumers how we grow safe, healthy food for their families, and ours.

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IL CORN SAVES YOU MONEY Theodore Roosevelt said, “Every man owes a part of his time and money to the business or industry in which he is engaged. No man has a moral right to withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere.”

when you want and force a nutrient management plan for every farm.

We are out front on the Farm Bill 2014 implementation, bringing you the information you need to make important program decisions for Illinois Corn Growers Association strives to earn your farm in the next five years. Make sure to visit your partnership on agricultural issues every day. our website this summer for updated information and webinar opportunities to learn more about We have worked to reform crop insurance, providing your options. new options like the Yield Trend Endorsement that save you money on every acre.

Each of these has already saved you money or will save you money in the future – money that more We engage on your behalf in the legislative and than pays for an Illinois Corn Growers Association regulatory sphere to keep regulations at a minimum. yearly membership.

We are currently working diligently to prevent Chesapeake Bay style water quality regulations, Won’t you please consider joining your colleagues as rules that would prevent you applying fertilizer a member of the Illinois Corn Growers Association?

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Growing Seed Corn

The Plunk Brothers operation consists of three brothers, Joe, David, and Greg Plunk, and one business partner, Dale Zelhart. The four individuals farm together and make the majority of the decisions, to best represent Pioneer.

Their relationship with Pioneer started when the family began selling seed in 1979. Since then, Plunk Brothers in Mansfield, Illinois have been growing seed beans for 29 years and seed corn for 10 years with Pioneer.

The seed corn planted by the Plunk Brothers is planted with a 36 Row Kinze planter without bulk fill. It is necessary to overlap the rows with a 1:4 male to female ratio, sometimes planting multiple times in the same field.

Plunk Brothers also grow commercial corn on their farm, allowing for the need of time management and planning. The seed corn needs to be planted at a later date than the commercial corn and isolated from other plots of corn so the pollination does not get to the stalks of seed corn.

With the four business partners and well-organized operation, they were able to plant over 4,000 acres of commercial corn and soybeans in a couple days this year. Dale said this doesn’t always happen, but this year they were fortunate.

Being a contract grower, the crop is conditioned by Pioneer. This allows more time for the partners to harvest their commercial crops in the fall.

Plunk Brothers are proud of the time and hard work they dedicate into growing seed corn for Pioneer.

Greg Plunk, one of the three brothers and business partner with Plunk Brothers said they grow a premium crop, which has been earned with the extra work.

Pioneer® brand T Series Soybeans are built to produce and protect yield.

The traits and technologies in T Series Soybeans can help break your yield records with top performers that fit your ground to a ‘T.’ For more info talk to your Pioneer sales professional.

Pioneer.com/Tseries

The DuPont Oval Logo is a registered trademark of DuPont. PiOneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. ® TM SM , , Trademarks and service marks of Pioneer. © 2014 PHii. 14-2049

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Grow Informed with the Illinois Soybean Association The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) knows better management leads to higher yields, improved quality and better profitability for the entire Illinois soybean industry. That’s why ISA invests significant checkoff dollars in research and programs that bring this information to the state’s 45,000 soybean farmers and their fields each year, and 2014 is no exception.

Read, Learn, Share, Discuss at ILSoyAdvisor.com

ILSoyAdvisor.com is ISA’s latest resource developed to help Illinois soybean farmers increase yields.

Launched earlier this year, the website includes a discussion forum, blog articles and other tools.

"The site gets practical information on increasing yields into the hands of growers," says Don Guinnip, a soybean farmer from Marshall, Ill., and ISA Production Committee chairman. "It connects farmers like me with industry experts, certified crop advisers, university researchers and other farmers so we can exchange production tips and advice."

Topics covered this season include soybean pests and scouting tips, weed and nutrient management, high-yield research, water quality and cover crops. Grow informed with all the tips from the “Management Matters” series by visiting ilsoy.org/ profitability/management-matters.

Take Action on Weeds

One of the most pressing concerns on farmers’ minds this growing season is the threat of herbicideresistant weeds. Illinois farmers can track the spread of these weeds and learn which are already present in their county with ISA’s checkoff-funded WeedMap Tool Kit at ilsoy.org/profitability/weedmanagement.

The WeedMap Tool Kit includes detailed occurrences of Palmer amaranth, horseweed and common waterhemp, as well as a photo gallery of weeds at various growth stages. More information on weed management can be found at takeactiononweeds. com, a checkoff-funded site with downloadable Mode of Action and Site of Action charts, and ILSoyAdvisor.com includes recent production information on how to develop a comprehensive research, articles and recommendations about weed management plan. managing soybeans. With its discussion forum, the website serves as a gathering place for the Illinois soybean industry to share stories, ask questions and connect with others. The website also includes realtime agricultural information, technical resources, case studies, videos, blogging, tools and more.

When Yield Matters, “Management Matters”

Featured content on ILSoyAdvisor.com this growing season includes ISA’s checkoff-funded “Management Matters” radio series. It’s back for a second growing season and connects Illinois farmers with industry experts and management tips that may help increase soybean yields, quality and profit.

“The program relays information that is unique to Illinois soybean production and current growing conditions,” says Guinnip. “Growers don’t always have time to sift through the latest research this time of year, so ISA has selected the highlights.”

Learn more about ISA’s programs and resources for Illinois soybean producers at ilsoy.org.

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Read LeaRn ShaRe

diScuSS GRow BetteR BeanS. At ILSoyAdvisor.com, you’ll find management and production tips, the latest research, market information, weather forecasts and more. It’s always relevant and from local experts—and it’s all within a click of a button. Visit ILSoyAdvisor.com today for the tools to help increase your yields.

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Plow Day Play Day The first weekend in November is known as “Plow Day” to many antique tractor enthusiasts.

Roger Wantland’s son-in-law had never seen a moldboard plow, so Roger decided to get this antique out of the shed, gather some family and neighbors, and plow the 9 acres of alfalfa at his home.

Roger and the five other individuals who plowed the alfalfa decided to make this an annual event. The following year, 1015 local farmers joined Roger to plow with moldboard plows.

15 years later and the event has grown from five tractors to 62 tractors a few years ago, and individuals coming from 200+ miles away. The event is held east of Clinton, IL near Lane, IL every year on the first weekend in November. Plow Day has grown from the 9 acre alfalfa field to 85 acres around his homestead.

Food donations, a raffle, and a silent auction are also part of this event. The Wantland’s choose a local individual or charity to sponsor and donate all of the money received. Roger said it truly is a blessing to help others through these donations.

Roger purchased his first antique tractor, a 1937 Roger has always dreamed of having a “Plow Day” at his home, WC Allis, in 1972. His tractor collection has grown where he encourages a good time and conversation between to include many models (Massey Harris, Farmall, Oliver, John Deere, Ford, Ferguson, etc..). Roger’s the antique tractor collectors. hobby includes making cosmetic changes to the “It’s the experience that makes the event, people smiling, tractors.

and a grandpa teaching his grandson how to plow like he Roger has farmed for 44 years at Wantland Way did,” Roger said. east of Clinton, IL.

DAVE PRESTON, Central Illinois Ag Technician in Clinton, enjoys restoring antique tractors and participating in Plow Day at Wantland Way. Dave’s antique tractor collection includes mostly International, Farmall and a Minneapolis Moline.

He likes to call Plow Day his “Play Day” because it’s a time to play in the dirt.

Along with antique tractor shows, this is an opportunity to meet other collectors and get ideas for the next tractor restoration project.

Dave is a member of the Land of Lincoln Tractor Antique Engine and Tractor Club.

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Cleaner Beans “Case IH Combines allow for cleaner and less splits in the beans,” said Pioneer bean grower and farmer Bob Delost.

Bob Delost began farming in 1976 and has been growing seed beans for Pioneer for more than 15 years. Pioneer rewards the farmer with a cleanup premium if the beans don’t have splits and Bob has received this premium ever since he has harvested with a Case IH combine.

Along with minimal to no damage to the beans, Bob also notes that the beans are overall cleaner.

His first Case IH combine was purchased in 1998 was a C-IH 1660, and then to a 6088 and his current combine is a 7230.

He jokes that he’s glad there are still green combines out there or everyone would be getting the premium, making the bonus different.

Bob owns and operates Delost Family Farm in Norris, IL with his son, Jeff.

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Living the Dream “Our teachers do a great job of making sure we experience as much as possible while in the shop during class,” Garret said.

The Case New Holland Service Technician Program is designed to train students specifically on Case IH, New Holland and Case Construction equipment only. The program consists of classroom subjects of engine fuel systems, electrical hydraulics, power train, machine setup, adjustments and emphasizing good diagnostic skills.

“The teachers are very personable and do a great job of relating what we learn in class to what we practice in the lab or shop.”

- Garret Maxheimer

Garret Maxheimer, Part-Time Technician at Central Illinois Ag and current student in the Case New Holland Service Technician Program at Parkland College in Champaign, is living his dream of working hands-on in the agriculture industry.

Garret’s two main hobbies include farming and working on equipment. Along with his skill sets, this program was a perfect match.

Learning through hands-on experiences are what makes the program fun. This program has allowed me to learn a lot of information that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity of coming in contact with at other schools.

The student is responsible for having a sponsorship with a Case IH dealer upon entering the Case New Holland Service Technician Program. The sponsoring dealership provides a two-year internship to the student during the program.

Garret chose Central Illinois Ag as his sponsoring dealership and plans to continue his career with the company at the Atlanta location. He says that working for Central Illinois Ag is ideal because of the every day tasks that he is able to complete in the shop. He also mentioned the work environment is a plus to working for Central Illinois Ag. Garret will be a Full Time Technician upon completing this program in May 2015.

To learn more about the Case IH programs at Parkland College, contact: Mark Ziegler Diesel Power Program Director (217) 373-3768 Gordon Hedrick CNH Program Director (217) 353-2094

m 29 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

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Custom Farming

Cory Hilton, Bushnell, IL, farms more than his share of the family farm. Hilton also provides custom harvesting to farmers within the Bushnell area.

Cory has farmed his entire life and recently took over his family farming operation four years ago. Being fairly young to the business ownership, he needed a dealership that would support and provide knowledge when it comes to purchasing equipment that would best suit his needs.

His father began the business of custom harvesting before Cory took it over several years ago.

The days are long but the work is prosperous, Hilton said.

Hilton chose Central Illinois Ag Farmers will call days or hours as his Case IH dealer because in advance of needing their field David Robbins, CIA Salesman, harvested. This could be due to has provided the utmost support a lack of time or equipment that for his operation and always has broken down for the farmer. provides information on the best In a typical season, Cory picks machinery for the amount of up between 500-1000 additional custom harvesting he completes in a season. acres of harvesting.

m 31 路 Central Illinois Ag 路 www.centralilag.com

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m 33 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

FROM

THE field

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Watch Our Planting Videos at: YouTube.com/LiveWorkGrowCIA www.centralilag.com www.centralilag.com 路路 Summer Summer 2014 2014 路路 34 34

, who s in the shop? technicians

Cory bale, atlanta Graduated from Punta Gorda High School in Florida before moving to Illinois in 2008

Attends Case IH Combine and Planter

Clinics, and Kinze Planter Clinics yearly

Enjoys being constantly busy during planting and harvest seasons

Can be found in the field more than in the shop

Sean Conheady, Clinton Moved from Rochester, New York to Illinois Graduated top of the class from the Case

New Holland Service Technician Program at Parkland College in May 2014

Stays up to date with technology at Case IH school in Racine, WI

Enjoys the hands-on work in the shop

craig whitehouse, farmer city Graduated from the Parkland Diesel Power Program in May 2006

You can always find Case IH school books in his service truck

Enjoys working on tractor engines Farms 220 acres on the family farm

m 35 路 Central Illinois Ag 路 www.centralilag.com

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Tak on the Farm R & J Huston Cattle have used a small tractor and loader for several years before being introduced to a Takeuchi TL230 Skid Loader in February 2014.

The moment the Huston’s tested the skid loader, they were owners of a new Takeuchi TL230. The benefits and features of using this on the farm were instantly noticed when compared to their prior tractor and loader doing the same chores.

Rod and Jason Huston operate and manage over 110 head of cattle in Roseville, IL. They R & J Huston Cattle made a decision to try use their Takeuchi on a daily basis from mixing something new and there is no turning back for the feed for the cattle to hauling manure. this family livestock business.

A major benefit of using the TL230 within the livestock industry is its size and simplicity. The enclosed cab protects dust from their faces while doing chores and with the door opening from the front rather than the side, less accidents are likely to happen when entering and leaving the cab.

“The TL230 was very easy to use and we were able to turn the machine any direction we need.”

- Jason Huston

m 37 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Construction Tak Craig’s Construction, Inc. in Gilman, IL, has acquired all Takuechi branded skid steers for their operation that specializes in elevator construction.

skid steer,” Brian said.

Brian Bruns, Crew Manager, said that Takeuchi is the best skid steer on the market. Their concrete business is constantly moving gravel, rebar, and other tasks that are hard on the equipment.

The employees of Craig’s Concrete, Inc. feel one of the most beneficial aspects of the skid steers is how easy they are to get in and out of all day long.

One of the 18 skid steers that Craig’s Construction owns has been with their business for over eight years.

Brian’s favorite Takeuchi skid steer “Takuchi equipment last a long is the TL12. time and have two times the power of our previous John Deere

www.centralilag.com · Summer 2014 · 38

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Register your email address through our Facebook page and receive specials all year! www.centralilag.com 路 Summer 2014 路 39