Central Illinois Ag Live.Work.Grow. - V2, I1

Live.Work.Grow.

Volume 2 Issue 1

CENTRAL ILLINOIS AG

ATLANTA 路 CLINTON 路 FARMER CITY 路 MASON CITY www.centralilag.com 路 Volume 2, Issue 1

1

Live.Work.Grow.

2 Sales Team

28 Planting with Kinze

3 Building the Future of Central Illinois Ag

30 Skid Steers..Construction or Agriculture?

7 Precision Agriculture’s Next Step,

32 Who’s Who?

“Unmanned Aerial Systems”

33 #Plant15 Photos

9 Speaking Out IS Making a Difference 11 Telling Ag’s Story 14 Antique Tractors Will Support Local FFA Chapters 15 Youth Leaders in Agriculture 17 Technology in the Field 20 The Leading Mower for Beginners & Professionals 21 Taking Care of the People Who Take Care of the Land 24 It’s All About Saving Time 25 Reduce Nutrient Loss Increase Profitability

Have an article suggestion or would like to advertise in our Central Illinois Ag Live.Work.Grow dealer magazine?

Contact Abby at (217) 648-2307 or acoers@centralilag.com

ON THE COVER

Frontier Farms on the first day of planting, April 13, 2015. Pictured is a Case IH Steiger 550 and Case IH 1255 Early Riser Planter equipped with Precision products.

Photo courtesy of Chad E. Colby www.agtechtalk.com #ColbyUAS Twitter.com/TheChadColby Facebook.com/TheChadColby *Learn more about Chad on Page 7

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

Sales Team

*Numbers listed are cell phone numbers

Steve Schmidt Atlanta, IL (217) 737-7445

Ryan Curry Lincoln, IL (217) 671-5296

Michael Schmidt Lincoln, IL (217) 737-8669

Brian Reeser Clinton, IL (217) 519-4341

Dallas Kaufman Danvers, IL (309) 613-0556

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

Clay Witham Stanford, IL (217) 519-4346

Mike Barringer Decatur, IL (217) 519-2918

Brandon Hendel Glasford, IL (309) 212-1656

Andrew Elder Taylorville, IL (217) 306-4621

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

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

Gordon Watkins Petersburg, IL (217) 652-2650

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

Locations Atlanta 200 Sharon St. Atlanta, IL 61723 (800) 762-2325 Clinton Route 10 East Clinton, IL 61727 (800) 362-3866 Farmer City 792 U.S. Hwy 150 East Farmer City, IL 61842 (800) 334-8942 Mason City 130 Tonica St. Mason City, IL 62664 (217) 482-9760

www.centralilag.com www.centralilag.com · Volume 2, Issue 1

2

Building the Future O

OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS AG

n an early morning in June 2013, we received a call that all business owners fear. The phone call that our family owned Case IH dealership building was on fire. As owners, employess, and friends of the dealership arrived on the scene one thing was for sure - it wasn’t just a building in flames but years of work and memories of the past that were now gone.

Moving forward past the many meetings it requires to properly ensure we were doing the right thing for the future of Central Illinois Ag, we broke ground over where the old building stood on May 21, 2014.

We took the building process on with hopes of a strong future. The plans put in place created a building with resources for our employees and customers to attend workshops on site using state of the art equipment.

As the construction equipment arrived, the steel was raised, and the concrete poured at 200 Sharon Street, the plans were starting to become reality.

With the customer as our number one focus, our work continued through the construction phase. The company At this point we had two choices - let this tragedy take as a whole made due with what we had, even if that meant over our business or to continue looking ahead helping walking across the lot to see the different departments. the farmer. It was without a doubt that you - the customer - is our number one priority.

Our shop for the service technicians was the number one priority to complete. The 100 foot by 180 foot shop allows Days later, we were up and moving with the business. Our enough room for our service technicians to work on the morning began the same as it had prior to the fire. The large equipment, along with a 20,000 pound crane which only difference was that we were walking into a trailer on turns a three man job into a one man job. wheels rather than a solid building in the ground.

“We lost paperwork, computers, and office supplies but we never lost the value of our customers.”

-Michael Schmidt

June 29, 2013 Central Illinois Ag Atlanta, IL

June 30, 2013 The fire call came in at 2:30am

May 21, 2014 Breaking ground for the new building

m 3 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

July 9, 2014 Construction of the foundation wall

“The building was planned so we could be the most efficient when servicing equipment.”

-Steve Schmidt Our technicians began working on equipment in the shop during Winter 2014.

The parts department was designed with a large twostory storage area to hold more parts than previously. This will especially be useful to assist the farmer during busy seasons in the field.

While our salesmen are known for being in the field, their offices located near the entrance will be a warm welcome to the Central Illinois Ag dealership.

We’ve built a 40 seat conference room to host educational clinics for customers and employees. We look forward to outside representatives also utilizing this area.

Interactive television screens are located around the building to view what is trending within the industry and dealership, along with special offers and featured equipment listings. Keeping the farmer, a business owner in the agriculture industry, up to date is our focus.

The resources included within these walls will have tools and materials for a positive impact on the farmer and future of Central Illinois Ag. Please join us on August 1st, 2015 at 2pm as we celebrate a grand opening of our dealership!

July 17, 2014 Placing the steel

October 14, 2014 Continuing to work on the exterior and interior

Nearly 2,000 yards of concrete have been

poured. That’s a 2-3/4

mile long road, 12 feet wide and 4’’ thick.

Total weight is roughly 4,000 tons of concrete which equals

8,000,000 Loaves of Bread

or

2,000 Pickup trucks

March 15, 2015 Bricks have been placed to the exterior

May 1, 2015 Central Illinois Ag Atlanta, IL

www.centralilag.com · Volume 2, Issue 1

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Join us on August 1, 2015... ...for our Grand Opening!

2pm - 7pm

View our Dealership & Speak with Product Representatives

5pm

Dinner will be Served to the

first 1,000 Guests

7pm

Enjoy a live performance from Central Illinois’ country music band, Brushville :: www.brushville.com

View our dealership during the day, and stay for a complimentary concert!

August 1, 2015 7pm :: FREE Central Illinois Ag 200 Sharon Street Atlanta, IL

m 5 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Keep your equipment running at peak performance with maintenance solutions from Case IH. PROMOTIONAL PERIOD: MAY 15 – JULY 31, 2015.

Redeem this offer at the Reward Center at partstore.caseih.com by September 30, 2015.

SHOP PARTSTORE

* Case IH Reward Cards will be mailed to qualifying customers within 90 days after the promotion end date which is July 31, 2015. All redemption forms must be entered online at partstore.caseih.com and submitted by September 30, 2015. Case IH Reward Cards may be used to purchase eligible CNH Industrial parts and related services and products only at any participating Case IH dealership that accepts the CNH Industrial Capital Productivity Plus Account. Case IH Reward Cards are not refundable for cash, are not transferable, will not be replaced if lost, stolen or destroyed. Case IH Reward Cards may not be used toward prior purchases and may not be used to make any payments on existing debts or account balances. Program subject to change or cancellation without notice. † Lubricant offer is only available at Case IH dealers. ©2015 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 and CNH Industrial Capital are trademarks 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

www.centralilag.com · Summer 20141 · 6 www.centralilag.com · Volume Winter 2, Issue ‘14-’15

Precision Agriculture’s Next Step “Unmanned Aerial Systems”,

IS 2015 GOING TO BE THE BIG YEAR?

by Chad Colby

Over the past 3 years I have had the

honor of sharing an amazing new technology in the Agriculture Industry with industry professionals across the United States and Canada. Without question the hottest technology topic is Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

Visiting with growers and industry professionals I have learned so much about the status of UAS and what growers want from this new fast paced technology.

With a lifetime background in farming and aviation, in my opinion 2015 is really setting up to be the breakthrough year in UAS. Not only is the FAA beginning to show a path of commercial use with recent announcement of notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) but the UAS industry is moving SO fast it’s hard to even believe looking back over the past 3 short years how far it has come.

The biggest misconception about Unmanned Aerial System is that spending more money is better but remember this it’s NOT about how much money you spend. Too many times I hear about “first time” platforms costing $5000-$7000 or more just to carry a GoPro camera. Many amazing systems exist today for $1000-$4000.

Simply stated, the most important part of these UAS platforms is the images they create. You should expect over the next couple years some amazing advancement here.

And it’s NOT about spending mega cash on a camera like it was just a couple of years ago. Remember when a 40 or 50” flat panel was $3000, and now it’s $300? It will be same with UAS. In fact, some companies are effectively converting the common GoPro cameras (Peau Productions) to create more effective images.

So what’s new?

Ag Eagle. There’s no dispute that if you need to cover major acres you will need a fixed wing platform. The Ag Eagle product has really changed for 2015. The Rapid Ag Eagle now features DroneDeploy technology and can basically haul any type of sensor you may want now or in the future.

Ag Eagle has done a good job listening to the farmer and they understand their needs, including being cost effective.

Look for exciting things from Ag Eagle in the coming year.

Drone Deploy. A technology that allows a grower to upload images from a UAS platform and get crop health maps in a matter of minutes with accuracy up to 2cm/pixel. Very simple process, it manages both the flight of the platform and the image collection with no stitching drama at a very

low cost. Works with many different flight systems including but not limited to DJI, 3D Robotics and Ag Eagle. Both the simple systems like DJI Phantom 2 Vision + ($1099) or the advanced wing platform of the Ag Eagle with an advanced camera like the MicaSense Red Edge multispectral system.

DJI. It has been a very exciting 6 months for the industry leader. The practical use of the Phantom series of ships has been exciting. The majority of the time we have been adding the GoPro camera to complete the Phantom ship, but lately DJI has been really making a strong effort to have the full package including a ship and sensor. First with the Phantom Vision and Vision Plus, and Inspire 1 and now the just released Phantom 3 Profession and Advanced.

Without going into all the details of these, just know the ships with OEM cameras will not be able to add a more advanced sensor over time. The recently released Inspire 1 and Phantom 3 have an integrated sensor. A good part of this technology is that these ships work VERY well and are at a very attractive price point.

There are many other amazing new products coming from other awesome companies who will also continue to advance UAS use in Agriculture and other industries.

Keep your eye on some amazing new apps from your smart phone and tablet to help operate these UAS systems in ways never thought of.

My advice is to first time buyers? Most importantly is to understand the current UAS rules before you consider flying. Flying safely is most important, but just remember it’s NOT all about how much money you spend. You can buy a great ship for $1500-3000 that will amaze you.

Important to work with companies with experience, for past couple years I have been buying my DJI products from Aerial Media Pros in California, a pro level UAS shop that is one of the leaders in UAS cinematic equipment on west coast for the past 10 yrs +. They also specialize in VERY high end custom platforms.

I’m looking forward to up coming FAA policy that will allow us to use this technology to make decisions on our farming operations. So far it’s just been a super fun hobby.

Follow Chad online: @TheChadColby www.AgTechTalk.net

m 7 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

BIGGER LOADS. BETTER UNLOADS. KINZE 1100, 1300 & 1500 GRAIN CARTS Only grain cart with a dual-auger, low-profile design and an external corner auger that improves visibility and reduces operator fatigue. Unloads at speeds up to 750 bushels per minute. Powder coat finish increases life and durability. Your search for grain carts starts and ends with Kinze.

Contact your authorized Kinze dealer or visit Kinze.com/graincarts.

Central Illinois Ag 217-648-2307

Available in 1100, 1300 and 1500 capacities.

200 Sharon Street Atlanta, Illinois 61723 www.centralilag.com

www.kinze.com *Every Kinze grain cart comes with the only 2-year warranty in the industry. The Kinze warranty does not apply to items bearing other manufacturer’s trademark which carry their own warranties which may have different terms. This exclusion includes, but is not limited to, batteries, tires, tubes and rubber tracks.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 2, Issue 1

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Making a Difference

Speaking Out IS

R

ecent research gathered by Illinois Farm Families indicates that consumers are regaining trust in American agriculture.

The study which was conducted in Fall, 2014, looked at eleven national research studies to determine consumer attitudes toward food, farmers and farming.

In a study done by Sullivan Higdon and Sink, trust in all food industry sources has improved since 2012, including food companies, animal pharmaceutical companies, grocers and food retailers, FDA and USDA. Trust in farmers and ranchers remains unchanged, but still high, at over 50% rating.

The research also confirms that consumers are less concerned about areas of top concerns (antibiotics, hormones, animal care, and chemical use). In the area of pesticides and insecticides, Sullivan Higdon and Sink found a decrease of almost 20%. Concern for animal treatment, antibiotics, and hormones decreased by more than 10%. (GMOs was a new line item in 2014, so there was no information on changes).

By Linda Olson on behalf of Illinois Farm Families

While agriculture can see these positive changes (in only 2 years) as signs of progress, we can’t stop reaching out and having conversations with consumers. There is still room for improvement. The research shows consumers want more information about food – how it is produced and where is comes from. And the research also tells us consumers want agriculture to take the lead in telling the story.

The challenge for agriculture is to continue reaching out – talk to your neighbors, those you meet in your travels, at church, in the gym, at your schools, at the local Rotary and Kiwanis - anywhere there are consumers, there is an opportunity to share your story.

You don’t have to force the conversation. Many times, all you have to say is “I’m a farmer” or “I work in agriculture” and the conversation is off and running. Be authentic, be humble. Consumers want to know how you do what you do and also WHY. Tell them.

Illinois Farm Families are Illinois farmers who support Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Beef Association and Midwest Dairy Association through farmer

membership and checkoff 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 97 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. For more information, visit IFF’s website, www.watchusgrow.org Tips for talking to consumers: 1. Be yourself 2. Understand that consumers see everything through a “Do you care about me, my family and my world?” lens. They want to know you’re protecting their families’ health, the environment and your animals.

3. Be transparent. Tell them the truth, not what you think they want to hear. Tell them not just what you do, but WHY you do it.

4. Listen and ask questions. Be conversational.

They want to understand your day-to-day chores and challenges.

5. Don’t get caught up in the details. Don’t get into the technical stuff unless they ask – stay simple and start with the basics.

Avoid words like efficiency, faster, profitability and productivity.

6. Be confident.

7. Smile. If you do, they’ll know you’re enjoying your job and they can approach you.

8. Offer firsthand experiences. Hands-on opportunities offer consumers lasting impressions about farmers and farming.

Meeting you and learning more about what you do shapes positive attitudes toward farmers.

9. Share your farm’s beautiful scenery.

10. Reach consumers on their terms. Consumers want to know about your farm/ag business, but your messages should be easy for them to understand.

m 9 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

10 路 Central Illinois Ag 路 www.centralilag.com www.centralilag.com 路 Volume 2, Issue 1

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Telling Ag’s Story (An update on the activities of Illinois Farm Families)

By Linda Olson, Illinois Farm Families

Illinois Farm Families, supported by farmers across Illinois from Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Corn Growers, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers, Illinois Soybean Association and Midwest Dairy, is off and running with the 2015 City Moms Program.

The City Moms are moms from Chicago who go through an application process and are chosen to visit a grocery store and 4 farms over the course of the year.

They are chosen because of their desire to learn where their food comes from and how it is grown. On all the tours, they have the opportunity to ask any question – nothing is off limits.

Starting in February, the Moms toured Mariano’s in Wheaton and talked to Jodie Shield, a Registered Dietician, about labeling on foods and nutrition.

Questions from the moms centered around the difference between organic and conventional food, what does “natural” mean, and what can they do to ensure their families are eating well.

LISTEN

In early March, the 2015 Chicago City Moms visited the Gould Hog Farm in Maple Park. The Moms toured the farm’s buildings while learning about biosecurity, what goes into raising healthy piglets and gestations stall.

What were the Mom’s impressions?

READ

CLICK

City Mom, Nicole Foster (Chicago), getting up close and personal with a piglet.

“The limited mobility (in a gestation stall) is to protect the piglets; at no point did I feel like the mothers were stressed because of their limited movement” – City Mom Vicky Webb, Des Plaines

The most people, on the ground, in Illinois, covering Illinois agriculture for you.

“The animals were safe, in a climate-controlled environment with access to food and water. It really is all about perspective.” – City Mom Bridget Evanson, Crystal Lake “I was surprised by the lengths that the farmers go to in order to keep the pigs comfortable and happy. I was also surprised by how closely all the pigs are monitored.” - City Mom Anita Mann, Naperville

Richard Verdery

Bob Standard

Nan Fannin

Gary White

Doug McDaniel

Mobile/App Advertising on FarmWeekNow.com

In September the moms visit Dale and Linda Drendel’s dairy farm in Hampshire, followed by their final tour in October touring Lynn and Mike Martz’ farm (Maple Park) to learn about harvest and livestock.

To meet the moms or farmers, read their blogs, or view videos of the tours, go to: www.WatchUsGrow.org

m FW467T5

11 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Illinois Farmer Today Delivers Practical Farm News Illinois Farmer Today is a free, weekly farm newspaper featuring coverage of Illinois agricultural news and information important to you. Illinois Farmer Today is delivered weekly to nearly 30,000 farms via the U.S. Postal Service. Its tabloid format makes it easy to hold and easy to read.

including weekly features on markets, weather and crops. The publication has a robust classified ad section with ads for farm equipment, real estate, trucks, auctions, livestock, buildings and much more. It also contains ads from leading national brands of farm equipment, seed, crop production products and other widely used inputs.

Its publishers have been publishing Iowa Farmer Today for more than 30 years and Missouri Farmer Today for more than eight years. In that time, the publications have built a reputation of trust among Iowa and Missouri farmers and have become their first source of ag information and advertising.

Illinois Farmer Today editors who live in the state provide many of the articles about farmers and agricultural news in Illinois. Other Midwest editors who specialize in subjects such as crop and livestock production and marketing also write for Illinois Farmer Today.

Because farmers in the Midwest have a common bond and use common farming practices, the editorial focus on row crops and livestock will certainly be of value to you.

This publication is free to qualified farmers, and the editors value your input. You can contact them with story ideas, letters to the editor, photo submissions and more. Also, if you know of other farmers who would benefit from receiving this free farm paper, have them contact Illinois Farmer Today at 800-475-6655 or HYPERLINK "http://www.IllinoisFarmerToday.com" www.IllinoisFarmerToday.com.

Illinois Farmer Today is free to qualified farmers in Illinois. To receive your free subscription, you can call 800-475-6655 or subscribe via the publication’s website at HYPERLINK "http://www.IllinoisFarmerToday. We hope you enjoy this paper’s focus on news that is com" www.IllinoisFarmerToday.com. practical, useful and timely to your farming operation.

You will find its pages contain compelling articles And, we hope it will soon become your first source of ag news and advertising.

Illinois Farmer Today Illinois Farmer Today is a FREE farm newspaper for Illinois farmers.

If you own or operate a farm & would like to receive a free subscription, call us at 800-475-6655 or subscribe online at www.illinoisFarmerToday.com

In addition to our weekly print edition, most staff-written stories and classified ads are published online at www.IllinoisFarmerToday.com

Nearly 30,000 farm households in Illinois & bordering counties of adjacent states receive ILFT every week. No other farm publication in Illinois is read more thoroughly or more often than Illinois Farmer Today. ILFT’s tabloid page size (9-3/4” wide x 10” tall) makes it easy to read and easy to hold onto.

To subscribe, call 800-475-6655 or visit www.centralilag.com Summer 2014 www.centralilag.com ·· Winter ‘14-’15 www.IllinoisFarmerToday.com www.centralilag.com · Volume 2, Issue 1 · ·1212

m 13 路 Central Illinois Ag 路 www.centralilag.com

Antique Tractors Will Support Local FFA Chapters During Summer 2014, Central Illinois Ag received two Farmall tractors as a trade-in. A 1953 Farmall Super M and a 1948 Farmall Cub. Over the past year, these two antique tractors have been restored by the Parkland Diesel Program students at Parkland College in Champaign, IL.

2015 grand opening in Atlanta where attendees can be the first to purchase a raffle ticket. Individuals wishing to purchase a raffle ticket will have the opportunity to select an FFA chapter to support. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the local high school FFA chapter.

Central Illinois Ag along with participating high schools Central Illinois Ag truly believes in the future of will be selling tickets throughout the entire 2015-2016 agriculture and that is exactly why we have teamed up school year. The winner will be announced in June 2016 with Illinois FFA to raffle off these tractors and give the at the Illinois FFA Convention in Springfield, IL. full proceeds from ticket sales to local FFA Chapters.

Central Illinois Ag looks forward to working with and The restored tractors will be on display at our August 1st, helping the future of agriculutre!

Farmall M before restoration

Farmall C before restoration

During the restoration process

Students in the Parkland Diesel Program working on the tractors during the Fall 2014 semester to restore for Central Illinois Ag

www.centralilag.com 路 Volume 2, Issue 1

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Attendees of the Premier 20 Leadership Conference in Bloomington, IL on April 23, 2015.

youth leaders in agriculture

T

he Top Ten FFA Section Presidents and Top Ten 4H Youth Representatives gatherd for the Premier 20 Conference April 22-24, 2015 in Bloomington, IL. Abby Coers, Central Illinois Ag Marketing Corrdinator, had the pleasure of presenting to the group on Culivating Your Personal Brand.

Pictured above are the attendees collaborating during a group activity during the “Cultivating Your Brand” workshop.

m 15 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

FOR OVER 100 YEARS, CENTRAL ILLINOIS AG HAS TAKEN CARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO TAKE CARE OF THE LAND www.centralilag.com

Twitter.com/LiveWorkGrowCIA Facebook.com/CentralIllinoisAg

IMITATED, BUT NEVER DUPLICATED. It's been ten years since we introduced the FlexDraper速 to the market and our patented platform has yet to be matched. Featuring MacDon FLEX-FLOAT TechnologyTM , our FD75 FlexDraper 速 continues to advance harvesting innovation. The FLEX advantage comes from a fixed reel to cutter bar relationship which maintains a small CRITICAL GAP between the reel fingers and cutter bar... while our FLOAT system allows for instant lateral and vertical float response over rolling and uneven terrain. The result of our FLEX-FLOAT TechnologyTM is smooth, consistent, heads-first feeding that significantly boosts combine productivity. Performance like this is the reason why more top producers and custom harvesters trust MacDon with their harvest.

Fits Most Current Model Combines.

Trademarks of products are the marks of their respective manufacturers and/or distributors.

See the MacDon FD75 FlexDraper速 in action at MacDon.com/videos

www.centralilag.com 揃 Volume 2, Issue 1

16

Technology in the Field

C

entral Illinois Ag has continued to move forward over the past year with the Precision Planting™ technology by testing out a multi-hybrid planter. Rush Olson, Precision Planting™ Specialist at Central Illinois Ag, took a Case IH 1255 and stripped the air bags, hydraulic motors, hex shafts, bearings, clutches, cables, and much more to add Precision Planting parts and create the multi-hybrid planter. This test planter made its debut in a Central Illinois field on April 23, 2015.

Rush Olson stands next to the multi-hybrid planter during installation of the products.

Filling the planter with two different seed varieties.

Central Illinois Ag owner, Michael Schmidt, followed the planter virtually from his tablet where he could see the real-time planting action. The planting results showed near perfect singulation, spacing, and down force as well as precise switching between hybrids.

The first multi-hybrid testing through Precision Planting™ took place in 2012 with the results of a 9.5 bushel yield and a net profit increase of $54.24/acre.

The Precision Planting™ multi-hybrid planter running in the field on April 24, 2015.

Working with your seedsman is a priority for the The planter ran with ease, saved time, and was overall multi-hybrid planter to get the best results, and a good a success when planting. We are excited to see the prescription with this technology is key. potential for the multi-hybrid planter as we continue this project through harvest.

m 17 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

I

t was a busy winter for our Precision Planting team as they prepared for the 2015 planting season. Requests for approximately eleven planters were placed to be completely taken apart and have Precision Planting ™ products added.

As the planters ran through the field this spring we have, without a doubt, seen the results first-hand. The planters are able to run half a mile to one mile faster than the average planter. Growers are also having greater control and visibility over their planter.

Farmers are truly seeing the benefit of Precision Planting™ products on their planters to increase yield and decrease the time it takes to get through a field.

We’ve also got planters with one or two Precision Planting™ products. The most valuable commodities this year has been vDrive™ and DeltaForce™. The new technology with vDrive™ and DeltaForce™ has shown results to farmers and the products have really risen in demand.

This photo shows the CleanSweep™ installed on a Case IH 1255 planter. CleanSweep™ helps control the residue better than standared residue managers.

CleanSweep™ is another product that is in high demand with the farmers because it gives them adjustability of the row cleaners in the cab as opposed to adjusting them manually on the planter.

The return on investment with Precision Planting™ has shown value as farmers are able to increase their yields and productivity throughout the planting season.

If you are interested in Precision Planting™ products, contact Rush Olson at (309) 212-6993.

This photo shows DeltaForce™ installed on a Case IH 1255 planter. DeltaForce™ has been one of the most requested products during this planting season.

vDrive™ and CleanSweep™ in action on a Case IH 1255

www.centralilag.com · Volume 2, Issue 1

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Expect a Perfect Seedbed

Engineered Simplicity

Next Generation Vertical Tillage

...The Company Who Knows You Best Vertical tillage is a popular term heard today. The Landoll VT Plus was developed with input from producers’ issues on competitive tools they were using. The 7400 VT Plus Series, available in 14’ through 49’ working widths, is designed to anchor residue, accommodate shallow working depths, mix more soil, handle better weed kill across the machine and level small ruts left by the previous operation. The smooth blades allow the unit to work in wetter conditions when needed and stay sharper over time when compared to fluted blades used by competition.

7400 Series VT Plus (Vertical Tillage)

2410/2430 Series Weatherproofer (WP1)

Time is more important in farming today than it’s ever been, and it plays a major role in how good the crop yield will be. The 8530 Finisholl will help producers meet their timeline during the crucial spring and fall planting seasons.

Outstanding quality is designed and manufactured into every part and this keeps it performing without costly delays season-after-season.

Available in seven working widths from 19’ to 48’, the 8530 will increase your return on investment by creating the perfect seedbed and eliminating costly downtime.

8530 Finisholl

m www.landoll.com 19 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Manage residue and compaction in a single pass with the Weatherproofer 1 from Landoll.

Available in 6 through 13 shank models, the WP1 features disc gangs on 10 1/2” spacing that quickly resize and mix the toughest residue.

Auto-reset shanks on 24” centers provide much better soil fracture than traditional 30” spacing. This allows you to run at shallower depths at higher speeds, saving on both fuel and labor while leaving an impressively level field.

The WP1 is a true “set it and forget it” type of tool as the entire machine is set with a single adjustment.

®

Marysville, KS 66508 785.738.6613

I

t’s time to get the mower out and cut the grass, luckily for you, Toro has a long lasting relationship with Central Illinois Ag. As a 100 year high quality company, Toro mowers are world-class used by landscaping professionals, golf courses, and home owners.

The mowers are widely known by consumers as reliable and dependable.

Chip Atten, Central Illinois Ag Parts Manager, sees the value in a Toro mower when he hears the feedback from repeat customers.

Jack Young, Toro owner, is one of these repeat customers who enjoys his new Professional Z-Master 5000 model.

The Leading Mower for

Professionals & Beginners

“After owning a Toro mower I wouldn’t purchase any other brand,” said Jack Young, of Clinton, IL. Young’s son, Brett who is in fourth grade, began helping mow three acres of land at the age of 7 and this year will mow the entire yard.

Brett says this mower cuts well and allows him to get closer to the trees. This certainly saves his older brother time so he doesn’t have to trim as much.

“The seat is comfortable with this mower and the ride is smoother,” Brett said.

The Toro Professional 5000 series is equipped with a deluxe suspension seat and 3-D isolation mounts to absorb bumps and vibrations.

Brett enjoys being outside and looks forward to a summer of mowing with his Toro mower.

“The Toro company is committed to developing innovative products and services to help make people’s lives easier and more enjoyable, while protecting and enhancing the human and natural resources on which we all depend.”

- Toro’s Corporate Responsibliity www.centralilag.com · Volume 2, Issue 1

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Taking Care of the People Who Take Care of the Land “We’ll never get rid of our John Deere 9420,” Tom Leeper in and out of equipment. Evan is certain his family made of Leeper Family Farms from Decatur, IL would say on a the right decision the moment he sat in the tractor on their regular basis to Mike Barringer, Salesman at Central Illinois farm - it’s very comfortable and a smooth ride.

Ag. van Leeper recently graduated with an Ag Business Customer needs and customer wants are two priorities at Management degree from Lincoln Land Community Central Illinois Ag. Leeper Family Farms owned their John College in December 2014 and is currently in the infantry Deere 9420 for eight years without any service needs. In Fall with the Illinois National Guard. He had several options 2014 they had a need for a 9 shank chisel plow that the 9420 after graduation but chose his passion and returned to the did not have the power to pull. The solution to this was a 159 year old family farm.

Case IH Steiger 500.

His farming roots go back to childhood memories riding “I didn’t want to get them in a bigger tractor to make a sale, alongside in the cab with his grandpa, uncle, and dad. Evan I did it because of what would be best for their farming especially remembers when his Uncle, Herb Gulick, drove operation” Barringer said. the Case IH 2388 combine with a lunchbox filled with Snickers and apples. His Grandpa, Richard Gulick, taught While Tom really enjoyed his John Deere, he has since him how to run the auger wagon when he was about 10 enjoyed the benefits of his Case IH higher horsepower years old, eventually leading to driving on his own years tractor. later. Fall 2014 was Evan’s first year to run the combine on Evan Leeper, son of Tom and first-year full-time farmer his own.

E

at his family farm, said the Steiger 500 is a much quieter machine and he has noticed an increase in productivity by The family farm is important to the Leeper’s. There is an getting over the ground quicker while pulling the chisel emotional attachment to the land that their family has farmed for more than 100 years. The Gulick’s and Leeper’s plow. know first hand how important it is to take care of the land.

During harvest Leeper Family Farms believe in the results This is the dirt their great-great-great-grandfathers farmed. of their Case IH 7230 combine. The monitor for their It’s a part of the their family history and they strive to combine and tractor match up, making it easier to switch continue that tradition into future generations.

m 21 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Evan’s mother, Martha, plays an important role in the family farm holding the family together through the busy seasons. His brother Jarred also enjoys farming when he is not teaching at Clinton Elementary School, and sister Jenna is considering going into the ag industry after high school graduation with an interest in Animal Sciences.

man. He is an individual who is not afraid to help out on the farm if needed. He stops by to check up on the equipment, progress in the field, and stay for a while to help if needed.

T

he Leeper’s turn to Central Illinois Ag, when dealing with their Case IH farm equipment needs and services. Just as the taking care of the land is the Leeper Family Farms during Harvest 2014 with their Leeper’s priority, taking care of their equipment is also Case IH 7230 important.

Leeper Family Farms trusts Central Illinois Ag to be available with the best equipment and advice. Central Before each season the Leeper’s take advantage of Illinois Ag is grateful for the opportunity to “take care Central Illinois Ag’s Customer Appreciation program of the people who take care of the land.” with free planter and combine inspections. Evan said the service department has always been helpful and knowledgable.

Once the family brought in an old drill (with papers on how to hook it up to a horse!) and Casey Westen, a mechanic from the Clinton location, was able to tighten the bearing and fix the drill.

Pictured Below: Evan Leeper, 6th generation farmer of Leeper Family Farms stands by his Case IH Steiger 500 A salesman at Central Illinois Ag is not just a sales HD during planting 2015.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 2, Issue 1

22

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庐

It’s all about Saving Time.

A Thunder Creek fuel and service trailer delivers more than just fuel for this Central Illinois Ag customer.

Photos Courtesy of Chad Kindred At the beginning of last year Chad Kindred decided he needed to find a better way to get fuel to the field with ease and decrease the time it took to fill all of his equipment.

Chad decided to switch from hauling fuel in the back of his pickup to a fuel trailer.

He purchased a Thunder Creek Utility Box trailer from Central Illinois Ag, equipped with 750 gallons of diesel, 100 gallons of DEF and a rear storage compartment. “I ordered the trailer just the way I wanted it and even seeing features of other trailers, this is exactly what I want and need. I love the trailer and it’s high quality and capability,” says Chad.

“

The trailer has provided more than just ease of transporting fuel, it has also cut his downtime while filling his equipment in the field.

“I have definitely saved time in the field. The 40 GPM pump is really nice. I am able to increase productivity which is a key advantage.

When I fuel two to three machines, it now takes minutes rather than hours.”

Chad definitely recommends a Thunder Creek fuel and service trailer to others.

“Thunder Creek has better options such as a wider tires and a spare tire mounted to the trailer. It is also

nice to drive down the road without it swaying side to side” says Chad.

“Reliability and quality lasts a long time, and I can’t believe how easy it is to fill.”

Check out the full line of fuel and service trailers, and solutions for handling diesel exhaust fluid, at Central Illinois Ag.

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DEFINITELY HAS SAVED ME TIME IN THE FIELD.

“

I AM ABLE TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY WHICH IS A KEY ADVANTAGE. WHEN I FUEL TWO TO THREE MACHINES, IT ~ Chad Kindred1 2, Issue NOW TAKES MINUTES RATHERwww.centralilag.com THAN HOURS. · Volume

24

Reduce Nutrient Loss Increase Profitability T

here’s a challenge facing agriculture: Raise more food while protecting natural resources. The Illinois ag community is taking on that challenge, particularly as it relates to managing nutrients.

The Illinois Council on Best Management Practices (CBMP) and their member associations and companies (IL Corn, Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, Syngenta, Monsanto, and GROWMARK) are supporting farmers to adopt enhanced nutrient stewardship and conservation practices.

This is an extremely important goal that will both improve farm profitability and protect natural resources.

CBMP advocates for voluntary efforts by which farmers can show nutrient loss reduction and nitrogen management. They promote minimizing environmental impact, optimizing harvest yield and maximizing nutrient utilization. The 4Rs are an important component of this plan: using the right fertilizer product at the right source, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.

The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy provides a framework for our efforts to reduce nutrient losses and improve Illinois water quality and the quality of water leaving the state and entering the Gulf of Mexico.

Agriculture is working to address losses from our family farms, but everyone – whether from rural, suburban, or urban areas – will have a role to play. The focus is on reducing nutrient losses to the environment, not on reducing nutrient use for Illinois agriculture.

Luckily, Illinois ag groups have been directly involved in developing this strategy. The Illinois EPA and the Illinois Department of Agriculture have taken a very positive, inclusive approach in the drafting of the strategy.

Recommended ag practices included in this strategy are based on existing peer-reviewed scientific research.

The document is a living document and will be updated to reflect new research and advances in farming techniques.

There are many suggested management practices listed in the draft document. Farm groups will be studying these suggestions. Some may not be economically viable for farmers and the agricultural industry. Others may be. Farmers are encouraged to continue the best management practices that make sense for farms and think about others that have been suggested.

Industry stakeholders are supporting new research, in part funded by the Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council (NREC), which are farmer dollars invested to help farmers reduce nutrient losses in practical ways that are also profitable.

m 25 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

WHAT’S YOUR STRATEGY?

The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy is a real strategy that will demand you consider your best management practices and make changes that fit your family farm.

TEST YOUR FARM’S WATER

ilcorn.org

at the Warner Library in Clinton at 9 am on June 18.

RSVP with the Dewitt County Farm Bureau

The most important point to realize is that every farmer will have to make a change. Not all changes will be the same, and the best modifications to impact a farm’s nutrient loss will differ depending on many factors. The most important point to realize is that every farmer will have to make a change. Not all changes will be the same, and the best modifications to impact a farm’s nutrient loss will differ depending on many factors, including your region in the state. But all farmers making some changes to benefit natural resources and farm profitability will be needed to make a positive difference and achieve the goals of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.

June 2, 2015 at 6pm John A Logan College in Carterville, Williamson Co.

If you are interested in learning more, please join us at the Warner Library in Clinton at 9 am on June 18.

Bring a water sample from a tile line on your family farm. We’ll test it and provide immediate results so you can see how much of your input costs are floating away via spring rains, waterways, and creeks!

June 22, 2015 at 6pm National Sequestration Education Center in Decatur, Macon Co.

June 8, 2015 at 8am Knox County Farm Bureau in Galesburg, Knox Co. June 9, 2015 at 6pm Bureau County Metro Center in Princeton, Bureau Co. June 12, 2015 at 9am Lake Shelbyville Visitors Center in Shelbyville, Shelby Co. June 16, 2015 at 9am U of I Extension in Jacksonville, Morgan Co. June 17, 2015 at 10am Ben Herrmann Farm in Princeville, Peoria Co.

June 23, 2015 at 6pm Fayette County Farm Bureau in Vandalia, Fayette Co.

June 24, 2015 at 10am McLean County Fairgrounds in Bloomington, McLean Co. RSVP at the Dewitt County Farm Bureau for the Clinton event or join us at one of the following events closest to June 29, 2015 at 7:30pm you! RSVP to the corresponding County Farm Bureau.

Pike County Farm Bureau in Pittsfield, Pike Co.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 2, Issue 1

26

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m 27 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Planting with Kinze

M

ike Craig and Bob Kuntz, farmers from Clinton, IL, have owned a Kinze planter throughout their entire farming career. They began operating with the blue planter for the inter-plants. The other benefits of the Kinze planters have been an added bonus. Kinze Manufacturing, Inc. is a company with high quality products that have shown to have positive results in the field.

“Between Kinze’s features and Central Illinois Ag’s knowledge, we have a great team of support on the farm,” Craig said when asked about planting season.

Central Illinois Ag owner, Brian Reeser, is also known for helping the pair of farmers out on a Friday and Saturday evening during the busiest times of the year.

Craig has been farming full-time with Kuntz for five years. He has always had an interest in farming Productivity is most important when it comes to so when the opportunity arose, he was happy to join planting season for Craig and Kuntz. They’ve previously the operation. Craig is constantly seeking the latest owned two Kinze 2600’s and currently own one Kinze technology and excited to implement that with his 2600 and one Kinze 3600. The decision to upgrade equipment. planters was based solely for the bulk fill feature.

“Bulk Fill has allowed us to get in the field faster and is much easier to fill the planter,” Craig said.

Their blue planter runs starter fertilizer, row shut offs, scales on each tank, and much more to help the operation get the most out of their equipment. Eveything they need and want in a planter is included with their 3600.

Kuntz notes they added the AgLeader row shut offs this year and really enjoy them. The row shut offs allow for Craig and Kuntz to get through the field quicker.

Craig also said that Kinze planters are simple to work with and operate. This spring was the second year running the 3600 and it’s proven to be a great decision.

Brice Hennings, Central Illinois Ag Precision Farming Above: Mike Craig and Bob Kuntz in the field with their Specialist, has worked with Craig and Kuntz to help Kinze 3600 planter. setup their monitors.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 2, Issue 1

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Get In the

KNOW

m

FIND OUT WHAT OTHERS KNOW. VISIT TAKEUCHI-US.COM

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Skid Steers...

Construction or Agriculture?

T

he answer is both! While skid steers are known most for their work at a construction site, more and more farmers, especially those with livestock, are finding use for the skid steer on the farm.

When recommending the best machine, Central Illinois Ag promotes the first in its class Takeuchi. Takeuchi made the worlds first compact excavator in 1970 and continues to lead the compact equipment industry today.

With the ease of operation and smaller compact machine, a skid steer works great with different attachments to help with chores. Transporting hay with a grapple (pictured below), hauling feed/seed with the forks, or shoveling particle with a bucket are only a few of the uses skid steers have while working on the farm.

Reliability and productivity are the two words most frequently used when asking consumers to describe their Takeuchi machine. These two variables are very valuable to a business and can make a world of difference during a days work.

Whether it is a smaller individual task or a construction crew on a deadline, Takeuchi equipment is sure to be found in a productive work area.

Takeuchi has a line of compact equipment to choose from to complete the job as needed.

Their wheel loaders and excavators are easy to haul and have the ability and power to perform just as a larger machine would.

Why are farmers turning to skid steers on the farm? Simplicity. It’s simple to maneuver around tight areas.

Keep an eye out for Takeuchi when you’re on the farm or driving past a construction site.

The image below depicts a construction crew working on the newly built Casey’s General Store in Atlanta, Illinois. (continued on page 31)

The skid steer market continues to grow among the agriculture industry, they also remain on the construction sites. Construction workers have continued to find great uses for skid steers from breaking up concrete to backfilling retaining walls.

You’ll notice the skid steer also has tracks instead of wheels. We’ve noticed an increase in productivity from not having to check the tire pressure and not getting the machine stuck while working in uneven areas.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 2, Issue www.centralilag.com · Winter ‘14-’151 · 30

(continued from page 30) Creative Construction by Design from Danville, IL are using their Takeuchi TL250 to build apartment style housing. Steve Wise, operator and site manager, says their Takeuchi is a vital resource at the site when working with concrete.

The CAT skid steer Creative Construction used for several years was not reliable so they decided to make the switch to Takeuchi.

Feutz Contractors, Inc. from Champaign, IL are firm believers in their Takeuchi TL12 and Takeuchi TL1500.

Feutz uses their Takeuchi’s for grade work. They worked on a railroad project where the compact skid steer was put to a test and proved the strength of the machine.

Below is a photo of the bridge work from Feutz.

“We do a lot of commercial work so having equipment that is trustworthy and easy to use is essential for our business,” Wise said.

Their road work calls for compact machines to get in and out while cars are making way in the narrow road alongside.

Creative Construction by Design has increased productivity with a higher horsepower machine which they have found especially useful when working with concrete.

On the same construction site as Creative Construction

by Design is another business, Duce Construction Company from Champaign, IL, who also find value in their Takeuchi TL140. The landwork done around these housing projects is completed with their Takeuchi Ryan Huttes, Vice President of Feutz Contractors, Inc., machine. said he has never had trouble with any of his Takeuchi machines and would definitely recommend them to any business - big or small.

Interested in Takeuchi? Let one of our Takeuchi team members at Central Illinois Ag know how you would like your operation to benefit from a Takeuchi unit and we can help you get in the correct machine.

Jim Spicer, Sales Representative (309) 275-8545 Ryan Curry, Sales Representative (217) 671-5296

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

WHO’S Accounting WHO? Jackie Heck Accouting Assistant

Years at CIA: 6

My duties include processing financing applications, ordering C-IH equipment, assisting salesmen and Tim Evans, IT, and handling sales paperwork.

Outside of the office I enjoy helping on the family farm, and playing softball.

At CIA, I’ve worked in parts, precision farming, service, and accounting.

Liz Foster Bookkeeper

Years at CIA: 14 ¹/₂ I’ve never been through a devastating fire before, but was amazed how everyone pulled together to help us all get back to a new kind of normal.

One word to describe CIA is family.

Outside of the office I spend as much time with my three granddaughters as I can, and I enjoy crafts and cooking.

Vicki Martin Bookkeeper

Years at CIA: 26 My favorite thing about my job is that I get to do something different everyday.

Outside of the office I like to work in the flower garden, and spend time with my five grandchildren.

I am also the treasurer for the city of Atlanta.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 2, Issue 1 32

#PLANT15

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200 Sharon Street Atlanta, IL 61723

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