We never underestimate small beginnings. Maybe you were born into a farm family, maybe it’s just always been in your blood. Either way, FCS Financial is committed to the growth and success of agriculture in Missouri, and we use our own experience in farming to help new and small farmers thrive. We are the trusted lending source to thousands of Missouri farms and farm-related businesses because we understand agriculture, know what it takes to build and keep an agricultural business on solid financial footing and have experienced the ins and outs as well as the ups and downs of the ag industry. If you’re a farmer age thirty-five years or younger, a beginning farmer or a small farm operator, we have a loan program to fit your needs. You will find that our passion for rural Missouri drives us but our experience and knowledge of rural financing sets us apart from other lenders. But don’t just take our word for it. Read what our customers have to say about their experiences.
By Mark Parker
PRIDE IN OWNERSHIP, PRIDE IN PRODUCTIVITY It’s difficult to accurately put into words, but there’s something special about owning your own piece of ground. “I suppose it’s a matter of pride,” says King City farmerstockman Michael Willis. “You look at it and think of all the improvements you can implement — and visualize what it can become.” Farming with his parents, Ron and Nancy, and his brother, Matthew, Michael owns just a piece of the family operation. It’s a start for the young man who returned to the farm after graduating from Northwest Missouri State University in 2010. That’s when he received a Beginning Farmer loan through FCS Financial and FSA. “We already had a good history with FCS Financial,” Michael says. “Jim Spiking (of the St. Joseph office) came by and helped me understand the process and the options. They’ve been great to work with — they’ve even given me a heads-up when there was an opportunity to refinance at a lower rate, and I really appreciate that.” The Willis operation integrates a continuous no-till corn, soybean and wheat cropping operation with an Angus-based commercial cowherd. Veteran no-tillers, the family is now extensively using cover crops to control weeds, build soil, limit erosion and provide forage for the beef enterprise. Generally, cereal rye is planted after corn, prior to a soybean crop. Following soybeans, either winter wheat or no cover crop is planted, and then the Willis’ go back to corn, or they plant a cereal rye cover crop and do another year of beans. “We know the cover crops do a lot of good things and we try to make them pay a little more by grazing them,” Michael says. “That cereal rye in corn stocks provides a lot of good forage in addition to enhancing soil health — it’s just a matter of trying to be more productive.” The Willis family also boosts productivity with equipment technology. Automatic shut-offs on the self-propelled sprayer reduced chemical inputs. Planter row shut-offs do the same for seed and the ability to split the 12-row planter facilitates hybrid comparisons. Dry fertilizer is variable-rate applied. Michael appreciates technology in his lender, as well. “I really like FCS Financial’s online services, especially the ability to make online payments and only transfer from a funds-held interest-bearing account. It’s quick and it’s easy.” “FCS Financial really tries to add value for their customers, not only with online services but with their knowledge of agriculture and I’ve appreciated the educational opportunities they offer,” he concludes.
BEING PROFESSIONAL — AT TWO PROFESSIONS Josh Mahan takes pride in being a professional, regardless of which profession he’s involved in at the moment. As an ultrasound technologist at CoxHealth in Springfield, Josh is detailoriented and constantly keeping up with developments in his field. And in his field just north of Marshfield, where he runs a black and red Angus-based commercial cowherd, it’s much the same. “There are parallels,” the Howell County native says. “Both jobs demand your focus and your attention and both require you to keep up with what’s going on.” Although Josh attended the University of Missouri to enter the medical field, he always had a goal of being involved with the beef industry. When he accepted the job in Springfield, he began searching for some land to make that dream come true. What he found wasn’t perfect — and it still isn’t. “It’s a work in progress,” Josh says with a smile. “It was very brushy and fertility was poor. It’s been a lot of work and the results are really paying off although I’m not finished yet. I have to budget my time but most of my off-days are spent on the farm.” In addition to brush control and fertility, Josh has worked with the Soil and Water Conservation District to lay out a pasture cell system, facilitated by several tire tanks he’s installed. A conservation plan tracks pasture health. “The watering system gives me the flexibility to subdivide pastures so I’ll be able to do management intensive grazing,” Josh explains. “The bottom line is that I’ll use the cattle to manage the grass and to optimize the productivity — and profitability — of the operation. The calves he produces are backgrounded on rented ground and sold weighing 750-850 pounds through value-added pre-conditioned sales. Josh brought his land in 2011 with a loan from FCS Financial and it was a choice he’s still pleased with. “They were willing to loan money on bare ground,” he says. “They were competitive and very willing to work with me. I also ended up borrowing some money on some cows. “What I’ve really appreciated about FCS Financial is that they are geared to help and they are willing to help. Their understanding of what it takes to keep an operation moving forward sets them apart. “They have your back,” he says.
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