Live. Work..Grow. Volume 8 Issue 2
ATLANTA · CLINTON · FARMER CITY · MASON CITY www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 1
in this issue Volume 8 Issue 2
5 21 29
4
A Note from Michael Schmidt
5
Women In Ag: Lydia and Faith
8
Illinois Corn: America and Higher Blends of Ethanol
10
Longevity of a Geringhoff
13
Landoll Tilloll: Tried and True
16
Your Checklist for Post-Planting Maintenance
18
Simplicity of a MacDon
21
Pfeiffer Family Farms: Farm. Family. Future.
25
Case IH Powerflex Trax
29
Simplicity on the Family Farm
32
Kinze to Expand True Speed Planter Models and Offer Enhanced Blue Vantage Display
33
Tri-Pork Inc: Family Farming / Community Focused
37
Takeuchi: Building Dreams From the Ground Up
33
41
Photo Gallery
On the Cover
37
1 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
Case IH Steiger 580 Quadtrac planting with an Early-Riser 2160 in McLean County.
Another Live.Work.Grow. issue is here and we could not be more excited! As always, we are so thankful to our customers and their families who invited us onto their farms and let us feature them within the pages of this magazine. It was great to get out and about a little more this year, and we can only hope that continues into harvest. Within this magazine you will find some meaningful stories of growing up on the family farm, to passing it on through the generations, and all the memories, hardships, and successes in between. We are also excited to give you some insight into new products and technology to look forward to and how it can increase productivity and efficiency on your operation. We hope you enjoy reading these stories, and we wish you all a safe and successful Harvest 21!
-Abby Miller and Dawn Irwin
Dawn Irwin, Assistant Marketing Director dirwin@centralilag.com Abby Miller, Marketing Director amiller@centralilag.com
Leadership Team:
Brian Reeser - Vice President
Steve Schmidt - Chief Executive Officer
Tim Evans - Chief Financial Officer
Michael Schmidt - President
Abby Miller - Marketing Director www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 2
Locations Atlanta 200 Sharon St. Atlanta, IL 61723 (217) 648-2307
Clinton 1000 State Route 10 E. Clinton, IL 61727 (217) 935-8373
Farmer City 792 U.S. Hwy 150 E. Farmer City, IL 61842 (309) 928-2154
Mason City 130 Tonica St. Mason City, IL 62664 (217) 482-9760
Sales Team Steve Schmidt Atlanta, IL (217) 737-7445 Michael Schmidt Lincoln, IL (217) 737-8669 Brian Reeser Clinton, IL (217) 519-4341 John Coers New Holland, IL (217) 737-5674
Austin Coers New Holland, IL (217) 454-1358 Joe Fisher Petersburg, IL (217) 303-1754 Doug Franzen Farmer City, IL (309) 275-8556 Michael Wheet Heyworth, IL (309) 613-0556 Tyler Williams San Jose, IL (309) 620-3665
3 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
Adam Davis McLean, IL (309) 261-1351 Todd Irwin Kenney, IL (217) 871-9800 Kyle Karr Decatur, IL (217) 870-7147 Phillip Borgman Villa Grove, IL (217) 816-7146
A Note from michael Schmidt
President, Central Illinois Ag
W
e have passed 2020 and moved onward to 2021. Phew! What a time to be alive! With everything, there are challenges that turn to opportunities, and opportunities that allow for growth in many different situations.
work so hard to train our employees? Because you are important to us, your operation is important to us, and we are working for you.
Have a safe and plentiful harvest! I encourage you to reach out at any time if you are in need of anything. I’d The challenges that came during the pandemic trickled love to hear from you! into the equipment business industry nationwide in 2021. We worked hard day by day to abide by government guidelines to stay safe and just when we thought things were looking up, we got smacked in the face with another challenge. Equipment orders have been delayed from manufacturers and material surcharges have hit hard, but we continue to work alongside you, the customer, the individuals who take care of the land and feed the world. We are working intensively to ensure our parts are available for harvest to allow for less (or no) downtime in the field. Our technicians have spent a great deal of time this summer inspecting combines and attending training to allow for a smooth harvest. We are ready. We are here for you. Did we get put through a lot of challenges these last two years? Absolutely! Do challenges make us look at things differently to grow as a dealership and individuals? You betcha! Although nobody wants to get hit with issues on the days everything seems to be going correctly – we are prepared for those ‘just in case’ moments. Why do we
Michael and Kara Schmidt with their sons, David, Collin, Alec, and Owen. Michael Schmidt mschmidt@centralilag.com President, Central Illinois Ag @MPSchmidtAg
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 4
Women in Ag L ydia and Faith
“B
eing raised on a farm teaches you a lot of life lessons,” says Lydia Holste. “As a kid, I did not quite understand it, but now I can see how valuable it has been.” Sisters Lydia Holste and Faith Kemme of Wendte Farms Ltd. are prime examples of women who developed a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility at a young age due to their upbringing in the ag industry. “Life is kind of different when you are raised on a farm, but I could not imagine it any other way,” says Lydia. Lydia, Faith, and their brother, Chase, are the third generation on the family farm in Altamont, Illinois that was started by their grandparents, Walter and Doris Wendte in 1951. Today, they farm with their father Roy, their uncle Leon, both of their husbands, and a few other full-time and part-time employees. Their mother, Christine, also helps out, as well as Doris who is now 94 years old and still actively involved with the bookkeeping needs of their operation.
As most farm families know, there is always work to be done on the farm and everyone is expected to pitch in and help. Lydia and Faith say that neither their age, nor gender stopped them from being actively involved while growing up. “Dad never let us have a job off the farm,” says Lydia. “He always told us that if we wanted to work, walk out the back door and get busy.”
Lydia remembers the Case IH 7220 being the first tractor she worked ground with when she was just 10 years old. Faith says she was 12 when her dad sent her to the field by herself to pull their 50-foot disk, one of the largest pieces of equipment she remembers having on the farm. “Our dad has always been the type who taught by having us sit in the driver seat while he gave instructions,” says Lydia. “He firmly believed in treating They both spent 10 years in 4-H, us no differently than anyone else on where their main project each year the farm.” was raising sheep. They started out by feeding them before and after school “It was expected of us,” Faith agrees. each day and bottle feeding the lambs “He let us help because he believed we every few hours. “It taught us from a could do it just as well as one of the young age about income and expenses guys could.” and how to run a business through livestock,” says Lydia. As they got older, they had different ideas of what they wanted to do with While the sheep were initially their their futures. Lydia studied agriculture main responsibility, that was just the communications and wanted to find a beginning of their involvement. As job off the farm, while Faith studied they grew up, they began cleaning agribusiness and always knew she out grain bins, baling straw, raking wanted to return home and work on hay, and driving the pickup from field the farm. to field to shuttle people and parts around.
5 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
Faith Kemme (Left) Lydia Holste (Right)
Their parents always wanted them to have three years of experience elsewhere after college and be able to bring something valuable back to the farm to help grow and improve their operation. So, Faith went on to graduate school and got her master’s degree in crop production, whereas Lydia spent three years working for Case IH as a technical support engineer for precision ag and construction, where she provided phone support for precision farming and telematics technology to dealers and end users. They joke that they both ended up bringing husbands back to the farm, but recognize that the knowledge and experience in the industry that they gained throughout those years have been a blessing in helping improve their operation in terms of technology and innovation.
when it comes to their Case IH equipment because they know how beneficial it is. “We have seen firsthand that it pays for itself and if you can make your operation that much more efficient by utilizing technology, the outcome is a greater return on investment,” says Lydia. Today, they both still play an active role on the farm. Faith is always in the tractor during planting and harvest, helping with secretarial work during the winter, and partaking in field trials they run. Lydia, on the other hand, transitioned back to the farm after getting married and now takes on a more communications-based role. She enjoys being behind the camera while her family is in the field, helps with bookkeeping for their seed business, and is a liaison between the farm and various companies they work with on commercial shoots or other promotional endeavors.
Their family has always been proactive about keeping up with new technology Although they grew up in a setting
where they were treated the as everyone else, Lydia and acknowledge that there are unique challenges that come being a woman in agriculture.
same Faith some with
“People will initially assume that you do not know anything, but the moment you say ‘I grew up on a farm’, you just earned that much more credibility,” says Lydia. Faith agrees and acknowledges that the stereotype has been fading recently. “Women are becoming more common and more respected in the industry and there is certainly and level of appreciation for them,” she says. At the end of the day, they are both proud of the roles they play on the farm and feel fortunate to get to share this way of life with their family. “My kids are in the tractor with me every day,” says Faith. “I enjoy being able to involve them and know that I am working for the next generation.” “Some people do not like working with family, but to us it is all we have ever known,” Lydia adds. “It is how we were raised and how we want to raise our kids, and we can only hope that they will want to carry it on after us.”
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 6
7 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
America and Higher Blends of Ethanol
Dan Obert, IL Corn Communication and Marketing Manager
A
mericans are on the move again after a year of disruption. Road trips, graduation ceremonies and ball games are all commonplace again and with it comes the familiar trip to the gas station to fill up the tank and grab a snack. As you probably know, most gasoline sold in the country contains around 10 percent ethanol. However, we would like it to be higher. All cars from the year 2001 and newer can run safely with gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol. It can sometimes be challenging to find a place to purchase E15, also known as Unleaded 88. Chains that are most likely to carry E15/Unleaded 88 include Caseys, Thorntons, Qik-n-EZ and Kwik Trip. The benefits of ethanol are abundant. It is cheaper, you support local farmers compared to an oil corporation, ethanol gives gasoline higher levels of octane which improves engine performance, it is cleaner for the air and reduces greenhouse gasses immediately to combat climate change.
What are corn farmers doing to develop public policy promoting higher blends of ethanol through better fuels and better engines? Introducing the Next Generation Fuels Act. The Next Generation Fuels Act is sponsored by Congresswoman Cheri Bustos whose district includes Rockford, Peoria, Quad Cities and all of the productive and picturesque farm ground in Northwestern Illinois between. This act would create a revolutionary new fuel standard that leverages greater fuel octane to reduce carbon emissions from transportation and improve air quality all while increasing demand for biofuels. Corn-based ethanol is the only fuel source that meets all the criteria outlined in this bill. The act would aim to have engines built for higher blends of ethanol around E20-E30 for all new vehicles across the nation. This legislation finally ties the engines and fuels together to advance the aforementioned benefits.
You may be asking what can I do now to help preserve liquid biofuels for generations to come? First, call your U.S. Representative and voice your support for liquid biofuels and mention this new act proposed by Congresswoman Bustos. Second, seek out gas stations that already offer E15/Unleaded 88 for your 2001 and newer vehicle. The natural increase in demand is an indicator for broader adoption of even higher blends of ethanol. Lastly, tell your friends and neighbors! Communication studies continuously show people trust most those they know best, if they know you are in support of higher blends of ethanol and using E15 they may start to adopt the new fuel as well. As the year unfurls and we continue to get back to doing the things we treasure, think about how a mindless activity like pumping gas into your tank can have such a profound unseen impact.
www.ilcorn.org
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 8
DESIGNED TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR HARVEST NorthStar NorthStar Horizon
• Low maintenance • Dependable • High harvest speeds
• Option of chopping • Consistent residue distribution
MULTIPLE CROP HEADS AND RESIDUE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Check out our full line of corn heads at Central Illinois Ag
centralilag.com
9 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
Ed Kirby
Longevity of a “I
saw it, I liked it, so I bought it,” says Ed Kirby of his Geringhoff Northstar 830 corn head.
For the past eight years, Ed has relied on his Geringhoff corn head for a more efficient harvest for his unique operation. He and his son, Cole, farm together in Easton, Illinois. All the land they farm is family-owned and has been in the family for four generations now. Ed grew up on the farm, but did not know what he was going to do as a career. After going to school and working off the farm for a while, he decided he did not like sitting in an office, so he came back home and began farming with his dad, Bob, in 1975. Today, Ed and Cole raise corn and soybeans near the Sangamon River bottom in Mason County. Unlike the other farmers in the area, the Kirbys plant all of their fields in twin rows, eight inches apart. Ed says that the main advantage to twin rows is stronger stalks and the ability to plant at a higher population. Harvesting these twin row corn fields has been no problem the past several years with their Geringhoff NorthStar 830 head. Being the first and only Geringhoff they have ran, it has proven its longevity over the years. This fall will be their ninth year running it and the third combine it has been on. The only maintenance Ed has done since he has owned it, is replace the knives. Compared to his previous corn head, the Geringhoff has a few features that Ed would not want to give up. The end row augers on both sides of the head which enhance the feeding of the crop are his favorite addition. “Now that I have them, I would not go to the field without them,” he says. Additionally, he now has more in-cab capabilities, such as the ability to slow the head down or speed it up when necessary. He has noticed that slowing the head down when harvesting wetter corn early in the morning has reduced shatter and aided in crop flow. “It has lasted quite a while, and I am going to keep using it,” says Ed. He is grateful to not only have a reliable corn head at each harvest, but also for having salesman John Coers to take care of him year after year and find the right equipment to meet the needs of his operation.
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 10
Greater And Straighter
Upward, Outward & Forward Reach 12 SERIES MODELS 812 • 1012 • 1112 • 1312 • 1412 22 SERIES MODELS 1122 • 1222 • 1522
J&M’s X-Tended Reach models offer greater and straighter, upward, outward and forward reach. Available in 875-1,500 bushel capacities, the in-line auger design eliminates the need for costly and problematic u-joint and soft-start type connectors, allowing the grain to quickly travel straight from lower to upper auger, transferring grain efficiently and reliably from the cart to the semi. The 12 Series carts have a standard 12 ft wide tank design while the 22 Series carts have a patented leaner tank design that extends the low side of the cart an extra two feet towards the combine. The 20” Bullet Auger unloads 600+ bushels per minute, the same rate as a larger 22” auger. Both 12 and 22 Series carts feature a unique three part telescoping flow control spout with a quick attach design that provides various height and reach combinations to meet your specific unloading demands. Easily reach the tallest semi trailers and across ditches and fence rows while still having the forward reach to give the operator the closest and clearest view of the auger during unloading.
Storage Position
Field Position
Unload Position
Inner Spout
Inner Spout Outer Spout
Outer Spout Rubber End Spout
Rubber End Spout
Atlanta Clinton Farmer City Mason City
11 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com J&M Manufacturing Co, Inc • 284 Railroad Street • Fort Recovery, Ohio 45846 • (419) 375-2376 • www.jm-inc.com • sales@jm-inc.com
3-30-2021 10-01-2020
The fastest and most versatile piece of tillage equipment you will ever own, the Degelman Pro-Till® shreds heavy fall residue, opens up spring elds, levels ruts, destroys clods and produces an absolutely perfect seed bed. Pro-Till® is your single tool for tillage.
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 12
Jake Ralph, Landoll Territory Manager
“T
illage is a system; it’s not one piece here, one piece there,” says Jake Ralph, territory manager for Landoll. “There is no right or wrong way to do it, but you have got to have a plan and work your plan.”
Tilloll : Tried and True
for Landoll, he enjoys getting to wear a lot of hats, whether he is with customers promoting sales, in the field turning wrenches, or visiting dealerships to assist salesmen. “This job complements farming well,” says Jake. “It allows me to be in the Jake Ralph sees tillage as a systematic customer’s shoes, which I think approach for each individual provides a lot of value.” operation. With his confidence in Landoll equipment and his Being an independent, family-owned own knowledge of farming, he is company, Jake says that Landoll’s passionate about what he can do to market penetration is very impressive, help farmers create their own system and that their vertical integration with Landoll equipment. paired with the diversity of products they offer is what makes them unique. Growing up, Jake was always exposed They manufacture trailers, tillage, to and interested in the agriculture construction equipment, forklifts, industry. He went to college to and even military equipment, but become a high school ag teacher and in the areas of Iowa and Illinois that FFA advisor but decided to take a Jake represents, one main tool stands different route and got into sales after out: the Tilloll. graduating. A few years back, he also got the opportunity to buy out his “In an industry that has brought grandpa’s grain operation and begin about a lot of different tillage pieces, farming, which he believes goes hand we see a lot of success with a legacy in hand with selling farm equipment. product like the Tilloll,” says Jake. In his role as a territory manager “People still stick with the tried and
13 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
true because it is what their dad and grandpa ran.” McLean county is home to the Tilloll as the original was created in Bloomington, Illinois in the 1980s. Today, Landoll is headquartered in Marysville, Kansas, with additional manufacturing locations in Beloit and Waterville, Kansas. Their intention is to keep all production within the US. Even though the Tilloll has been around for decades, the resurgence of the tool in central Illinois recently has been a direct result of the necessary modernization of the 876 into the 877. “The rebirth of the Tilloll with the 877 was a way for us to keep the bones of the tool the same while modernizing what was already there,” says Jake. “It is pretty superior to what we see in the industry today.” The leadership team at Landoll knew it was necessary for them to make some updates to the tool to keep up with the rapidly improving
Tilloll 877
technology in agriculture today to maintain its efficiency has the ability to be aggressive and adapt to changing in the field. To represent this new generation of Landoll, field conditions with its adjustable gang angles. the familiar Landoll yellow paint has been switched to blue. Jake mentions that with the combination of Case IH increasing horsepower in tractors and farmers wanting to go bigger and faster when it comes to their equipment, Landoll had to adjust accordingly by making the Tilloll a heavier tool that can keep up. “Things have come full 7500 VT Plus Adjustable circle. The faster we want to plant and can plant with new technology, the better we need the seed bed and Central Illinois Ag is a proud Landoll dealer and with prep to be, which is where the 877 comes in,” says Jake. the help of Jake, will work to find the best tillage tool for your soil and your operation. Jake says that the most The Tilloll is praised for being the true “one pass tool,” rewarding part of his job is being able to assist customers which is vital in increasing farmers’ productivity, in establishing their own tillage system to make them especially here in central Illinois. “Here in black soil more productive in the long run. “Seeing the salesmen country, the Tilloll is beneficial the following spring I work with be successful and seeing happy customers after deep tillage,” says Jake. “The efficiency with a single buy into and be successful with the product that we pass in the spring makes the field that has been deep believe in is what keeps me going,” says Jake. tilled more level, incorporates chemicals better, warms soil up, kills weeds, and overall, the process is more He stands behind the quality of Landoll tillage, but efficient.” acknowledges that at the end of the day, selling agriculture equipment goes deeper than that. “Being Although, the 877 is the number one selling Landoll able to maintain the highest quality of products keeps tool in the area, Landoll tillage does not end there. us in the doors of dealerships, but it’s a salesman’s Jake is confident that the 7530 Adjustable Gang VT is relationship with their customers keeps us in business.” gaining momentum in the Midwest and proving to be a very crucial tool on operations today. “The 7530 is the most versatile tool we sell,” says Jake. “It is efficient for soybean fields and very beneficial to warm the soil and leave residue on top, while still getting that incorporation in the soil as well.” He also notes that, while being considered a minimal disturbance tool, it
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 14
®
AG PRODUCTS From The COMPANY Who Knows You BEST! m
l.co l o d n a l . w ww
7500 Series VT Plus
875/877 Series Tilloll
7800 Series HSL
Brillion Till ‘N Seed®
15 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
Landoll Company, LLC • Marysville, Kansas 66508 • 785-738-6613
Your Checklist for
Post-Planting
Maintenance W
e know the feeling — it’s tempting to park your planter in the shed to catch up on other jobs after you get those last seeds in the ground. But, to hit the fields quicker and boost productivity next spring, it’s important to take the time now to make any repairs and properly prep your planter for storage.
Invest in planter upgrades.
Here’s your post-planting season checklist to ensure peak planter performance next year.
These Precision Planting solutions will help maximize planter ROI next season:
Reflect on your planting season.
vDrive – Mechanical drive systems often require costly and time-consuming maintenance. Save time, and breeze through next year’s planting season with this maintenancefree electric drive system.
First and foremost, make notes on how the season went with learnings for next planting season. Which areas of the field gave you the most trouble? How could you have made better use of your time in the field? Which wear parts should you stock up on? This is also a time to document any pain points and fixes needed for next year — trust us, your future self will thank you.
Conduct an inspection and prep for storage.
Routine maintenance tasks can save you headaches in the long run. Before storing your planter, be sure to: • Disassemble seed meter units and clear out the seeds and dirt. • Wipe the seed discs clean and check for wear. • Check all bearings for rotation, sprockets for wear, and hydraulic hoses for any cracking. • Clean areas that were in contact with fertilizer and pesticides, if applied. • To prevent off-season rust, refer to your operating manual for maintenance tips, including using proper lubrication to protect against moisture. Looking for additional maintenance tips? You can head to our YouTube channel for a step-by-step video to help winterize and prep your planter for storage. To make sure nothing is overlooked, schedule a Certified Maintenance Inspection with your local Central Illinois Ag dealer.
Planter accuracy can have a significant impact on your crop yield. Now is the time to prepare for next year and upgrade your planter with Precision Planting products, and with special limited-time offers, there’s no reason to wait.
SpeedTube – Most planting seasons have weather challenges that make it difficult to plant all your fields in ideal conditions. SpeedTube is a seed delivery system that may allow you to double your planting speed without sacrificing performance. DeltaForce – Running a single downforce setting across an entire field causes yield loss because the setting is rarely correct. DeltaForce is an automated row by row downforce control system that measures and adjusts downforce every time there is variability in your field, so your crops will thrive for optimal yields. While this year’s challenges are fresh in your mind, devoting time now to tackling these tasks can increase the likelihood you reach your maximum yield potential next year. Plus, you’ll help maintain your planter’s accuracy and efficiency while preserving its value. Find everything you need and shop parts at MyCNHiStore.com or tap into the expert service at your local Central Illinois Ag dealer.
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 16
Atlanta: (217) 648-2307 Clinton: (217) 935-8373 Farmer City: (309) 928-2154 Mason City: (217) 482-9760 17 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
Simplicity of a T
hird generation farmer Mike Hoerbert of Greenview, Illinois has been farming and carrying on his family’s legacy since he was 17 years old. “It’s a lifestyle; it’s what I do,” says Mike.
height on the combine with this newfound ability to adjust, especially on some of their hilly ground in Menard county. Along with that, he now has the in-cab belt speed adjustment capability which has been helpful as well.
Mike’s grandfather, Alfred Hoerbert, began farming in San Jose, and in 1962 his father, Edwin, moved to Greenview and started farming where Mike lives today. Mike was always involved in the operation growing up, but when his father died when Mike was only 17 years old, it was up to him to decide what to do with the farm.
According to Mike, the way it feeds and cuts their soybeans has been a great improvement. The heads they ran prior had the tendency to clog up, causing them to lose time harvesting and in turn, lowering their productivity. With the MacDon, they have been more efficient than ever. “It cuts our harvest time down substantially,” says Mike. “We probably save 20 to 30 hours on the combine a year with the draper head.”
At such a young age, he made the choice to continue what his father and grandfather worked so hard for and decided to keep farming and take over the operation. “The family farm meant enough to me that I knew I did not want to give it up,” says Mike. Over the years, Mike has been fortunate enough to build the operation with the help of Kevin Killebrew. Kevin and Mike started their partnership about 20 years ago and have been able to farm and purchase equipment together through the years. A few years ago, he and Kevin decided it was time to upgrade their standard platform to a MacDon draper head. They had heard good things about MacDon heads from fellow farmers in the community, so it was an easy transition that they were confident in making with the help of salesman John Coers.
“The overall simplicity of it is the best feature,” says Mike. He and Kevin have had great luck with their draper head and are pleased with its ease of use. Mike is grateful to be able to make their operation more productive with new technology and have the opportunity to build up it up and continue what his family started many years ago. “There is more to farming than just the production side of things,” says Mike. “I have done whatever I could to keep it going over the years. Sure, there are challenges, but I would not want to be doing anything else.”
They have since been running a FD135 draper head and have been impressed with the difference they have seen in efficiency and simplicity of the product. “Once it is set and going, it is pretty nice to run,” says Mike. “The main thing we like is the ability to flex and tip the cutter bar.” He says this feature gives them peace of mind while in the field, as they no longer have to worry about the header
Mike Hoerbert
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 18
TOUGH SOIL IS NO MATCH FOR ADVANCED SCIENCE. Case IH Earth Metal ® products are the result of years of in-depth research on tillage and planting agronomics. The hardness and flexibility of Earth Metal parts result in superior durability. Plus, the even-wearing construction of Earth Metal parts ensures consistent performance over time to help crops thrive. And, with one of the largest selections in the industry, there’s an Earth Metal product for all of your equipment and applications.
TOUGH SOIL IS NO MATCH FOR ADVANCED SCIENCE. CENTRAL ILLINOIS AG, INC.
VISIT US TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EARTH METAL.
Case IH Earth Metal ® products are the result of200 yearsSHARON of in-depth STREET research on tillage and planting agronomics. P.O. BOX 506 The hardness and flexibility of Earth Metal parts result in superior durability. Plus, the even-wearing construction of Earth Metal parts ensures consistent performance over time help crops thrive. And, with one of the ATLANTA, IL to61723 largest selections in the industry, there’s an Earth Metal product for all of your equipment and applications. 217-648-2307
www.centralilag.com
VISIT US TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EARTH METAL. ©2019 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. CNH Industrial Genuine Parts is a trademark in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. Any trademarks referred to herein, in association with goods and/or services of companies other than CNH Industrial America LLC., are the property of those respective companies. www.caseih.com
19 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.comCENTRAL
MRC
ILLINOIS AG, INC.
200 SHARON STREET
Simple. Fast. Flexible financing.
®
Nobody delivers equipment financing like AgDirect®. When you’re looking for simple applications, fast response and flexible financing, ask for AgDirect®. AgDirect financing is built for agriculture, featuring competitive rates and ag-friendly terms. You’ll like our responsive service, too. See for yourself. Next time you buy equipment, ask for AgDirect. Call 888-525-9805 or visit agdirect.com today.
i l l i n o i s
AgDirect is an equipment financing program offered by Farm Credit Services of America and other participating Farm Credit System Institutions with lease financing provided by Farm Credit Leasing Services Corporation.
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 1 20
Pfeiffer Family Farms
Farm.Family.Future.
“I
don’t know how to put into words how important growing up. She was involved in all aspects of their the family farm is to us,” says Darrell Pfeiffer. “We operation: milking the cows, building fence, baling hay, want to leave it the best we can to pass on to the next and grinding feed. generation.” Similarly, Darrell was also raised on a fifth-generation Husband and wife Fran and Darrell Pfeiffer have been family farm. His family owned a vegetable and grain farming together since they were married in 1966. farm in Forest City, Illinois, and he grew up on the same They have many combined years of experience in the homestead that he and Fran live on today. Darrell can agriculture industry from growing up on farms that remember being outside doing whatever he could to they have been able to use to their advantage to build help his dad, grandpa, and uncle farm as a kid. “I started up their operation to where it is today. driving an International H when I was five years old, and I was hauling ear corn to the farm when I was six,” says Fran grew up on a fifth-generation grain and dairy farm Darrell. He was also involved with raising feeder cattle, in Green Valley, Illinois. The value of hard work was raking and baling hay with an International Harvester instilled in she and her siblings at a young age as they 460, and even running the combine at a young age. were expected to help with daily chores on the farm
21 Central Illinois Ag www.centralilag.com
When Fran and Darrell got married in 1966, they began farming with Darrell’s father, Leo J. Pfeiffer, and his brother, Dean Pfeiffer. They were able to purchase their first farm shortly after and had three daughters, Gayle, Cindy, and Tena. Planting and harvest were a family affair, raising corn and soybeans as well as a variety of specialty crops over the years including tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, sweet corn, carrots, beets, and potatoes.
using them in the 50s. They have now converted eight of their systems over to being controlled by and monitored through their cell phones. They have been blown away by the convenience and usefulness of these systems and find them especially helpful on their fields further away from home which have weather stations on them. These help them monitor weather patterns and make informed decisions on when and how much to irrigate, without having to make constant trips to those fields.
The Pfeiffers had the opportunity to experiment with raising specialty crops because Darrell’s father, Leo, invested in irrigation systems early on. In 1957, Leo was the first to start irrigating in Mason County, which is now a standard practice around the area today due to the sandy soil conditions and the county’s ideal location on the Mahomet aquifer. After testing out and setting up their own irrigation systems, they began selling and installing center-pivots for other producers around the county.
As the years have gone by, Fran and Darrell have been able to see many technological advancements in agriculture and have been fortunate enough to implement them on their own operation. Besides irrigation, the biggest advancement on their operation has been implementing GPS systems. “Technology in ag has come a long way; we now have GPS in almost everything,” says Darrell. “It saves on time, saves on equipment, saves on fertilizer; everything is so precise now.”
In 1991, Leo retired from farming, allowing Fran and Darrell to buy out his side of the operation. The vegetable production slowly dwindled away as they acquired more ground and decided to focus on raising just corn and soybeans, the two crops they still grow today. Irrigation, however, is one important aspect of their operation that they have maintained and improved upon throughout the years. Today, they have 27 center pivots located on their farm ground around Mason and Tazewell counties. The technology and innovation of irrigation systems Darrell in their 7230 combine with Fran behind him in have come a long way compared to when they started their 7240 during harvest of 2020.
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 22
Like most, the Pfeiffers were hesitant at first when introduced to such a new concept. “When it first came out, we did not think we would ever switch over, just like with irrigation,” says Fran. “We wondered what farming was about anymore if you could not drive the tractor yourself, but now that we have adapted to it, GPS and autosteer have been wonderful tools to have.” Despite the initial hesitation, Darrell and Fran have been able to keep up with the rapidly changing technology with the help of Central Illinois Ag and salesman Austin Coers. The Pfeiffers have been loyal to red equipment all their lives as they both grew up with International Harvester equipment on their family farms. When they were first married, they had an 815 International combine, which Fran enjoyed running, usually with one of their young daughters riding along with her. Today, they have a Case IH 7230 and a 7240, one for each of them to run during their favorite time of year, harvest.
“To me, harvest is the thrill of farming,” says Fran. “It is always fun to reap what you sow.” Darrell and Fran always look forward to harvesting together and say they love getting to work as a team to get the crops out each fall. Even though the Pfeiffers love the farming lifestyle they have, they do not fail to recognize that just like with everything in life, it comes with its own challenges. “It is a different way of life, you have got to know that there will be ups and downs and swings of the market,” says Fran. “Some years you have just got to hold on tight.” They acknowledge that being in this industry can be trying sometimes but being able to do what they love together each day is what truly matters. “All the hard work makes farming worth it,” says Fran. “There are some tough years, but you always find a way to get by. We feel blessed to have kept the farm for so long and to have made it through the good times and
23 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
the bad times.” After all these years, Fran and Darrell say that when the time comes that they are ready to slow down, they know that there will be a sixth generation to hand the farm down to. Having three daughters, Fran says she always tells people that their girls do not have to farm it themselves, but that does not mean they can’t carry the farm on and keep it in the family. “We have both always held on to the values of working hard, being honest, and doing the best we can to improve the land,” says Fran. “Our goal is to pass the farm on and hope the future generations will do the same.” “Our advice to young farmers is to follow your dream; it is a great life,” says Fran. “You cannot take it with you, but you will always have something to look back on with pride.”
Get in wet fields sooner with a minimal footprint.
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CENTRAL ILLINOIS AG DEALER FOR MORE INFORMATION 1 (800) 872-2327 | www.titan-intl.com © 2021 Titan International, Inc. TWI, Quincy, IL. All Rights Reserved. Goodyear is a registered trademark of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 24
25 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 26
Thunder Creek trailers save you time and money when it matters most. As a Premier Thunder Creek Dealer, Central Illinois Ag is ready with Thunder Creek trailers save you time and money when it matters most. inventory in stock to help you Dealer, cut downtime planting harvest. As a Premier Thunder Creek Centralduring Illinois Ag is and ready with inventory in stock to help you cut downtime during planting and harvest.
Join the Thunder Creek Family Call 217.648.2307 for more information units in stock today. Join the Thunder Creek about Family Call 217.648.2307 for more information about units in stock today.
27 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
OUR TAGLINE SAYS IT ALL
APPAREL AND MERCHANDISE
www.bushhog.com
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 28
Simplicity
on the family farm Mike and Brent Behrends
29 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
Mike Behrends
T
he Behrends family from Mason City, IL has been farming for five generations. At this point, the family farm is not just a hobby or profession, but it has become their livelihood and what they choose to work for and try to improve upon every day. Mike Behrends farms with his brother, Brent, in Mason county and parts of Tazewell county. They raise corn, soybeans, and alfalfa along with purebred registered Hereford cattle. The brothers each have a specialty on the farm, as Mike focuses on the field work and agronomy side, while Brent handles the livestock side. During planting and harvest, however, they make a good team and come together to get the crops in the ground in the spring and harvested in the fall. Growing up, Mike always knew he wanted to end up working on the farm in some fashion. When he was young, he remembers being in the field with his grandpa, Wayne Behrends, as much as possible. He fondly looks back on the days when he would take naps on a platform his grandpa built on the back of his 966 tractor as they were moldboard plowing through a field. As he got older, he did not waste any time getting in the driver seat himself, as he began driving an International Farmall 560 at just seven years old. He continued to stay involved while growing up, even while he worked off the farm for four years after graduating from Western Illinois University. Mike got to experience other aspects of the agriculture industry through his work in equipment sales, as mechanic for a local implement
dealership, and as an applicator at says that he mainly worked on Case Brandt Consolidated. IH combines which is where his admiration for them really began. Brent took the same route and “I always knew what a simple and worked off the farm after college well-made machine it was and now I for a few years too, but they both would never switch,” he says. always intended to come back to the farm eventually. In 1987, Brent Throughout the years, Mike was able to come back and farm and and Brent have seen incredible shortly after, in 1996, Mike came improvements in technology, which back full time as well. Mike decided can be overwhelming to some, but it was time to get more involved and instead has been an easy transition be there to help when his mother, for them with Case IH equipment. “I Diana, was diagnosed with cancer like to keep it as simple as I can, but I that same year. use the technology I need to make my operation perform better,” says Mike. While Diana died shortly after in “Thankfully, most of the technology 1997, she always played a key role in ag these days is made to be userin developing the close-knit family friendly and farmer-friendly.” atmosphere on the farm. She was always helping out with the field When it comes to trading up on work, hauling grain to the elevator, equipment and technology, Mike and stayed heavily involved up until and Brent have relied on salesman she passed away. John Coers and Central Illinois Ag for several years now. “What Once the brothers made the I appreciate most about Central transition onto the farm, their father, Illinois Ag is that we talk real, fair Ron Behrends, gradually began to numbers; it’s not a game,” says Mike. transition out and hand over the “We are pretty good friends with operation to his sons. Although Ron John, and he has always been honest is retired now and does not operate and loyal to work with.” equipment anymore, he still likes to be involved and is still on the farm Reliable equipment that works as it with his sons every day. should, paired with technology that is easy to use, is extremely beneficial The Behrends family has always and important on any farming carried on the tradition of running operation, and Mike has found that red equipment: it is what they have through Case IH. He and Brent always farmed with and had success intend to be loyal customers as they with. Due to their advanced, yet continue on their family farm for simple machines and technology, many years to come. they do not intend to stray from Case IH. “The main attraction for me has always been the red combine,” says Mike. “It would take a lot to get me into any other combine.” Working as a mechanic after college, Mike
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 30
4905 High Speed Front Fold Planter
|
24 ROW 30"
Performance optimized with True Speed high speed meters, Blue Vantage display, Blue Drive electric drive, and high speed cast row units, the 4905 accurately plants at speeds up to 12 mph. Hydraulic weight transfer and True Depth hydraulic down force ensure seed is placed at the optimum depth. Only 3 clicks to plant with Blue Vantage
Precise high-speed planting with True Speed meters
Long life & low costs with 05 Series upgrades
EXPERIENCE TRUE HIGH SPEED AT YOUR LOCAL KINZE DEALER
Central Illinois Ag 200 Sharon St. Atlanta, IL 61723 (217) 648-2307 centralilag.com
31 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com ©2020 by Kinze Manufacturing, Inc. All rights reserved.
TRUE. BLUE. Advantage. Kinze.com
KINZE TO EXPAND TRUE SPEED PLANTER MODELS AND OFFER
ENHANCED BLUE VANTAGE DISPLAY FOR 2022 SEASON R
esponding to strong farmer demand • 24R30 and 36R20 configurations and proven performance, Kinze of the 4705 high-flotation planter will expand its True Speed high-speed for narrow width crops, while also planting technology to five more planter carrying large amounts of seed and configurations for the 2022 season. The fertilizer. company is also introducing several new features to enhance its innovative Blue In addition, new seed discs will be offered Vantage planter display. with the 2022 True Speed models for planting cotton, sugar beets and milo. Kinze’s 4905 True Speed planter debuted All Kinze planters for 2022, including this spring in 16 and 24-row models, the True Speed models, will also include providing corn and soybean farmers upgrades being introduced this season with seed placement at speeds from three that provide improved durability, longer to 12 miles per hour. The high-speed wear life and lower cost of ownership. technology developed by Kinze enables farmers to double the acres planted in “Farmers who had the opportunity a typical day while maintaining precise to preview or test our high-speed singulation and seed spacing with technology this season were highly various seed shapes and sizes and quick impressed with its ability to maximize seed type changeover. performance in a single pass,” said Kinze President Susanne Veatch. “With an For 2022, the expanded True Speed improving farm economy, many farmers lineup will include: are now ready to make investments to improve their productivity. Having sold • A 4905 12R30 configuration, wellout of our high-speed planter lineup for suited for smaller operations or a this season, we are excited to expand second planter for smaller fields. our True Speed offerings to make the All three 4905 planters will also benefits available to more farmers in offer increased fertilizer capacity 2022.” for 2022. • 31/32R15 split-row and 16R30 configurations of the Kinze 3665, a 15-inch soybean planter for high-residue conditions with the versatility to also plant crops in 30-inch rows.
Kinze will also offer farmers the opportunity to sign up for an online presentation to hear firsthand from company representatives about the True Speed planters and their many features.
Blue Vantage Enhancements Kinze is also adding exciting new features next season to its Blue Vantage display that provides simple, accurate and intuitive planter control for high productivity planting. Enhancements to the display, which is available with True Speed and the company’s other hightech planters, will include:
• Shared coverage mapping, enabling
two planters to be in the same field and work together to share coverage data.
• Up to four cameras in the display. One camera will be factory-installed for rear viewing when transporting the planter. Kinze customers can order up to three more cameras to install wherever they choose.
• Adding the Blue Vantage display to the 3505 8-row bulk fill planter model.
“We’ve had great feedback from our customers about Blue Vantage, which is the industry’s easiest to use, dedicated planter display,” Veatch said. “We’re pleased to offer these upgrades for 2022 to enhance the user experience and overall planting performance.”
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 32
Central Illinois
Local Foods Spotlight
Tri Pork Inc. family farming / community focused
“N
ot everyone knows a farmer like they used to,” says Thomas Titus. “We are always looking for different ways to tell a farm story and build a relationship with the consumer.”
hogs each year. They raise commercial hogs as well as purebred Chester Whites and Yorkshires as show pigs for their daughters, Reagan and Lakin, and their nephews. They have typically always sold their marketready hogs to Farmland Foods in Monmouth, IL, with the exception of 20-30 that they would sell direct-toconsumer. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the demand for their pork at the local level changed in a way they never saw coming.
Thomas and Breann Titus, the third generation of Tri Pork Inc. in Elkhart, Illinois, not only share a passion for raising high quality, local pork with their family, but also for sharing their own farm story with the community, especially during the desperate times of the COVID-19 pandemic. “In the beginning, we had no idea what we were going to do,” says Thomas. “People were going to the grocery Tri Pork Inc. was started in the 1950s by Breann’s store and finding no protein available and at the same grandparents, Ben and Rose Conrady. They started time, we had no home for our market-ready animals.” out with a 240-acre farm and had various breeds With the main plants being shut down and locker slots of livestock throughout the years. Over time, they becoming increasingly harder to come by at the start expanded their farming operation and stuck to raising of the pandemic, they were unsure of how they were pigs which was their children, Dave, Dan, and Jane’s going to market their pigs in the upcoming months. main responsibility while growing up on the farm. Thomas and Dave knew they had to act quickly and Today, Breann’s parents, Dave and Lisa Conrady, began booking as many slots as they could find. For own and manage the hog side of their operation with a few weeks, they each spent a few hours a day on the Thomas, while Breann’s brother, Brett Conrady, and his road delivering hogs to local processers on top of their wife Janna manage the grain side of the farm. daily farm work, selling about 50 hogs per day solely to local customers. In 2020 alone, they ended up selling They run a farrow-to-finish operation where they have nearly 400 hogs direct-to-consumer and nearly 1000 around 600 sows and raise and market close to 12,000 feeder pigs to other producers on top of that.
33 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
The unique part of this increase in local sales was that a majority of these new customers had never purchased pork this way and were used to relying on grocery stores for their meat products. Therefore, Thomas and Breann had to walk many customers through the unfamiliar process, which took additional time, but also gave them the opportunity to connect more consumers to the farm that they otherwise would not have been able to. “The farming community makes up only 1.8% of the United States population,” says Thomas. “So, questions of how food is being grown and raised are very real to consumers these days.” Thomas and Breann have both always been passionate about advocating for the pork industry, so they were grateful to have this rare occasion that has allowed them to reach and educate so many on the farm to table concept. Thomas and Breann have been blown away by not only the increase in demand at a local level, but also how friends, neighbors, and even business owners stepped up to help local producers during this time. “As bad as it was last March and April, it turned out to be better than we could have imagined, and that all goes back to the local community support,” says Thomas. Despite the unexpected challenges that arise and all the hard work that goes into it, Thomas and Breann are grateful for the lifestyle they live and their ability to overcome difficult times together. “It’s not only what we know, but what we enjoy doing,” says Thomas. “I wouldn’t rather be doing anything besides working with these animals each day.”
Their passion for the family farm comes from both of their strong agriculture backgrounds and their desire to carry on the family legacy. “My grandfather, Ben, always mentions how proud he is of us for continuing what he started so many years ago,” says Breann. Thomas agrees their passion to keep the farm going comes from the fact that Ben built up the operation so that his family had the opportunity to come back to the farm. They also have the drive to continue each day for Breann’s brother, Ross, who passed away in 2008. “Farming is what he always wanted to do, so keeping this going for him is important to us,” says Breann.
“For us, it’s the legacy and generational commitment to giving back to the community and the environment, more than anything.” - THomas Titus
They feel fortunate to get to raise their daughters similarly to how they grew up as well. Responsibility, hard work, and the hardships that come along with raising livestock are all part of growing up on the farm, but have a way of building character and teaching life lessons at a young age. “Thomas and I can both agree that we are better people because of how we were raised,” says Breann. “We hope that if growing up on a farm can teach our girls even a little of what is needed in the world, then we have succeeded.”
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 34
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS FOR FARM BUREAU MEMBERS EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS FOR FARM BUREAU MEMBERS FINANCING $ * FINANCING PLUS $ AVAILABLE* PLUS FARM BUREAU AVAILABLE on all new Farmall series tractors DISCOUNT FARM BUREAU ®
®
on all new Farmall series tractors
200 200 **
DISCOUNT**
• Farmall Compact A series • Farmall Compact C series • • Farmall series FarmallCompact Utility A Aseries • • Farmall series FarmallCompact Utility C Cseries • • Farmall FarmallUtility UtilityAUseries series • • Farmall series FarmallUtility 100ACseries • • Farmall U series FarmallUtility N series • • Farmall series Farmall100A V series • Farmall N series • Farmall V series
Print your certificate today!† Visit Please select your state URL Print your certificate today!† Visit Please select your state URL
* For commercial use only. Customer participation subject to credit qualification and approval by CNH Industrial Capital America LLC. See your participating Case IH dealer for details and eligibility requirements. Down payment may be required. Offer good through December 31, 2021. Not all customers or applicants may qualify for this rate or term. CNH Industrial Capital America LLC standard terms and conditions will apply. This transaction will be unconditionally interest free. Offer subject to change or notice. * Forcancellation commercialwithout use only. Customer participation subject to credit qualification and approval by CNH Industrial Capital America LLC. See your participating Case IH dealer for details and eligibility requirements. Down payment may be required. Offer good ® **through Offer available December 2021. Available on newmay Case IH Farmall This offer may be combined withLLC other offers, but is not on priorwill purchases. A valid Farm Bureau Membership Certificate required, be obtained Decemberthrough 31, 2021. Not all 31, customers or applicants qualify for thisutility rate tractors. or term. CNH Industrial Capital America standard terms andvalid conditions apply. This transaction will be unconditionally interestisfree. Offer which subjectmay to change or at fbverify.com/case. See your participating Case IH dealer for details and eligibility requirements. Not available in all states. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. FARM BUREAU, the letters FB, the FB National Logo, and the State Farm cancellation without notice. Bureau Logo are service marks of31,the2021. American FarmonBureau Federation used undertractors. license This by Case ** Offer available through December Available new Case IH Farmall utility offerIH.may be combined with other offers, but is not valid on prior purchases. A valid Farm Bureau® Membership Certificate is required, which may be obtained †at Afbverify.com/case. current Farm Bureau verification must be presented to therequirements. Case IH dealerNot in advance delivery receivetothe incentive discount. without notice. FARM BUREAU, the letters FB, the FB National Logo, and the State Farm Seemembership your participating Case certificate IH dealer for details and eligibility availableofinproduct all states. Offertosubject change or cancellation Bureau Logo are service marks of the American Farm Bureau Federation used under license by Case IH. ©2021 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. Case IH and CNH Industrial Capital are trademarks registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. † A current Farm Bureau membership verification certificate must be presented to the Case IH dealer in advance of product delivery to receive the incentive discount. ©2021 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. Case IH and CNH Industrial Capital are trademarks registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.
35 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
BUILT TO DOMINATE. READY TO REIGN. The new Toro Z-Master® 4000 zero-turn mower is a force to be reckoned with. Show up big, bad, and fearless. The 4000 is the durability king, providing a royal ride with MyRIDE® suspension system and grass-kicking TURBO FORCE® deck with a bold, dominating look. It’s going to cut a path that you know will be noticed.
FROM START TO FINISH.™
toro.com/contractor
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 36
Building Dreams
FROM THE GROUND UP
T
hrough designing and building outdoor living spaces, firepits, block retaining walls, patios, outdoor kitchens, water landscapes and more, From the Ground Up Landscapes is able to make their customers’ visions come to life each day with the help of Takeuchi equipment. In 1993, Kevin McSherry decided to follow his dream of running his own business. He left his job at the Soil and Water Conservation District where he worked directly with farmers and bought a local lawncare company. That was the beginning of From the Ground Up Landscapes. Originally, he offered lawncare, landscape, and snow removal services for their customers all around central Illinois. In 2003, his son, Ryan, joined him and together, they have grown the business over the years. Today, Kevin and Ryan are co-owners of From the Ground Up Landscapes and primarily focus on hardscape and landscape projects. Kevin takes care of the landscape design and sales aspect of the business, while Ryan brings his dad’s ideas to life and does the hands-on work on the jobsite. They are proud to be a family-owned and operated business and also own a small gift and garden shop, Tournesol, in downtown Decatur, which is run by Kevin’s wife, Kimberley. Because of COVID-19, it has been challenging for Kevin and Ryan to find employees to help out on jobsites recently, so it is more important now than ever for them to find ways to become as efficient and productive as possible, given their circumstances. The McSherrys have been returning Takeuchi customers since beginning their business back in the 1990s. They have always been able to rely on Takeuchi machines to get the job done and have a newfound appreciation for their equipment and attachments throughout this unexpected past year. “These machines are solid,” says Ryan. “In all the years we have been running them, we have never had any issues, so I’m not going to stray from the brand.”
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 37
They currently use a Takeuchi TL8 Track Loader and just purchased a TB235-2 Excavator earlier this year to replace their TB138. When they first got the TL8, it was just what Ryan was looking for. It has been the perfect combination of being compact in size yet strong enough to complete all of their jobs. “The loader has done exactly what I wanted it to do and has always been reliable,” says Ryan. The two-speed is one of his favorite features of the TL8. “There is not even a comparison to a wheeled machine,” he says. He also loves the powerful dig force of both the track loader and the excavator; that paired with their speed makes his job easier each day and allows him to complete projects quicker and more efficiently.
Brett Mallon, Ryan McSherry, and Kevin McSherry.
include the reduced need to move the excavator around, the ability to perform more tasks in a shorter amount of time, being more profitable with a need for fewer machines and less manpower, and ultimately being Through the years they have been more precise on job sites. running Takeuchi equipment, Ryan has seen mechanical as well as in-cab “We will be able to do more with less improvements. Today, Ryan says that physical strain,” says Ryan. “We will maintenance is quick and simple, and be tremendously more efficient with they have no issues with purchasing installs and backfilling and more or installing parts and filters from intricate when placing or standing up Central Illinois Ag in Clinton. Inside stones.” the machine, the operator comfort is unmatched. The spacious cab along With the reduced need to drive the with the functionality of the monitor excavator around, Ryan also states panel and joysticks makes it easy to that the tiltrotator will help them to operate and comfortable to do so. preserve their customers’ lawns and keep the work area cleaner, a perk Considering their difficulty finding for both them and their customer. labor, Ryan and Kevin have been “This tool will allow us to work more working with salesman Adam Davis efficiently, get in and out faster, and to find a solution on how they can be better financially for the customer, keep their productivity and efficiency which is the ultimate goal,” he says. up with less manpower. This past winter, they decided to order an This February, Engcon representative Engcon EC-204 Tiltrotator for their Brett Mallon displayed the excellent customer service of the company by TB235-2 to do just that. coming out to the McSherrys place to An Engcon Tiltrotator is an automatic install the Tiltrotator. Brett travels the quick-coupler system for their country to visit and train customers excavator that allows the bucket to on Engcon equipment and said he rotate 360 degrees and tilt 45 degrees visited 37 states last year. It meant a up or down. The benefits to this extra lot to Kevin and Ryan to have him maneuverability of the machine there, and his dedication to his job is
a great reflection of the company and their faith in their equipment. “I think this Tiltrotator will open many doors for us that we haven’t even thought about yet,” says Ryan. “If I can be on the front end of the curve of new technology, it can only benefit our business moving forward.”
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 38
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 39
growing for
generations Consider a gift of grain. A gift of grain is a unique way to make a charitable gift to Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. You can make a grain gift by simply designating ALMH— Foundation as the recipient of bushels of grain at any local elevator. Your gift will allow you to avoid the sale of the commodity as income, thus rendering tax savings. Please consider a gift of grain. Your generosity will help ensure quality local healthcare for generations. To learn more about charitable gifts, please call 217–605–5006.
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 40
182–0457
06/22/21
200 Stahlhut Dr. Lincoln, IL 62656 ALMH.org/Foundation
photo Gallery
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 41
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 42
200 Sharon Street Atlanta, IL 61723
www.centralilag.com
www.centralilag.com · Volume 8 Issue 2 43