GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018 •
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Special to the Great Bend Tribune Sunday, February 11, 2018
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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018
Statements by national leaders encouraging to local farmers BY DALE HOGG dhogg@gbtribune.com
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ASHVILLE, Tenn. – Among those attending the 99th annual American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn., in January were President Donald Trump, and Kansas senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts. Also there was Keith Miller, a Great Bend farmer who serves as president of the Barton County Farm Bureau Association. He was seated about five feet from Trump as addressed the gathering. COURTESY PHOTO
The president’s remarks “It was a very informative speech,” Miller said. “I think he actually understood what we’re going through in agriculture.” Roberts, chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, joined the president on stage at the conference. “I’m looking forward to working with Congress to pass the Farm Bill on time, so that it delivers for all of you, and I support a bill that includes crop insurance,” Trump said. He hailed Roberts for his focus on farmers and ranchers, saying he “loves the farmers,” and always asks, “what about the farmers?” in meetings. “Farmers and ranchers are the lifeblood of our rural communities and backbone of our country,” said Roberts. “It’s refreshing to see a president take such personal interest in the rural American constituency.”
Senator Jerry Moran addresses the 99th annual American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn., in January. The meeting also included remarks from President Donald Trump and fellow Kansas Senator Pat Roberts.
Roberts said Trump has listened to my concerns on numerous occasions, and those concerns have certainly not fallen on deaf ears. “I look forward to working with President Trump as we write the upcoming Farm Bill,” Roberts said. Trump also touted the rolling back of numerous regulations, most notably the Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘Waters of the U.S.’ (WOTUS) rule. But, there are other national issues that impact farmers, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trump has discussed America’s withdrawal from the trade pact signed by Canada, Mexico and the United States, going into force on Jan. 1, 1994.
discussed the importance of bringing broadband internet to all of rural America, infrastructure improvements, both very important to Kansans.
Pat Roberts
Keith Miller
However, “I think he (Trump) understands we need to get commodity prices up,” Miller said. “The best way to do that is trade.” Miller said the president has softened his tone on NAFTA. He has also mentioned entering the Trans-Pacific Partnership. “It is critical to get access
to some of these countries,” Miller said. The TPP includes Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, and was signed in February 2016. Miller said Trump also
Jerry Moran takes the stage Moran headlined a discussion entitled, “What’s the Latest on the Upcoming Farm Bill?” “I appreciated the opportunity to speak at the AFBF convention regarding the upcoming farm bill, farm safety net and the importance of protecting our rural way of life across the country,” Moran said. “I’ve heard not only from producers in Kansas, but also growers across the country, how imperative it
is that Congress work in a bipartisan fashion to get a farm bill and a disaster relief bill to the president’s desk. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make certain these priorities are met.” The conference also allowed for ample discussion regarding the importance of NAFTA and trade, Moran said. “Our nation’s farmers and ranchers earn their living through ag exports and trade, and I will continue to insist that the administration remain mindful of the role agricultural trade plays in our economy. I urge conference attendees and farm bureau leaders to convey this message to President Trump and Secretary Perdue. I am encouraged by the president’s attendance at the conference and his desire to hear from our farmers and ranchers across the country.” NAFTA supports 14 mil-lion jobs, representing thousands of jobs in each of the 50 states, Moran said. “Despite all of its benefits, however, we can do better and there are opportunities to improve the agreement. Modernizing NAFTA to increase market access, expand energy exports to maximize domestic energy production and including provisions on intellectual property and e-commerce will make this agreement even more beneficial to the United States.” See NAFTA, 3
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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018 •
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NAFTA, from page 2
Sen. Moran Joins Colleagues in Outlining Way Forward on NAFTA NAFTA has driven U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico to approximately $1.3 trillion annually. Whether manufacturers, farmers, or insurance providers, a wide range of industries in the U.S. have benefitted from this agreement and American consumers are reaping those benefits, too. Canadians and Mexicans buy nearly $500 billion worth of U.S. manufactured goods each year, translating to $37,000 in export revenue for every American factory worker, and U.S. agricultural exports to the two countries have quadrupled under the agreement from $8.9 billion in 1993 to $38.1 billion in 2016. NAFTA supports 14 million jobs, representing thousands of jobs in each of the 50 states. Despite all of its benefits, however, we can do better and there are opportunities to improve the agreement. Modernizing NAFTA to increase market access, expand energy exports to maximize domestic energy production and including provisions on intellectual property and e-commerce will make this agreement even more beneficial to the United States. According to a recent study conducted by members of the U.S. food and agriculture industries, agriculture directly employs over 70,000 Kansans and has a direct economic impact of almost $20 billion. The Kansas Department of Agriculture estimates that the agriculture industry accounts for over 44 percent of the Kansas economy. The value of all Kansas ag exports totals at $3.7 billion, and a large majority of that value comes from North American neighbors. Just how important is NAFTA to Kansas? Of all the countries that Kansas companies ship their products to, Mexico is the state’s largest customer, followed closely by Canada. Combined, these two countries make up 36 percent
COURTESY PHOTO
A crowd listens intently to Senator Jerry Moran as he addressed ag issues during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention in January.
of all the international business done by Kansas companies. In terms of overall impact, agriculture represents seven of the top 10 exported products from our state. This includes wheat, which is the second most valuable international export from Kansas, trailing only airplanes. Prior to NAFTA, Mexico imported an average of 11.5 million bushels of wheat from the United States. After NAFTA, that number has increased nearly tenfold to 110.2 million bushels, or 4.6 billion loaves of bread. In 2016, almost 30 million bushels of wheat went by shuttle train straight from the Kansas countryside across the border into Mexico. Mexico is a fiercely competitive market, and we are beginning to see our market share erode in front of our eyes. Just last month, Mexico announced it will begin buying wheat from Argentina, all because of the uncertainty surrounding NAFTA. “We need to get these trade deals buttoned back up,” Miller said. Again, he was encouraged about what he heard.
COURTESY PHOTO
President Donld Trump told those attending the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention in January he supported rural America and farmers.
Moran also addressed the need to preserve rural health care, another issue that is crucial to this part of the world, Miller said. Immigration Immigration has become another hot-button issue under the Trump administration. It is also one being felt close to home, Miller said. “We have a labor shortage in agriculture right now,” he said. “If we don’t get these positions filled,
we will be in trouble.” He referred to workers needed for milking and working cattle and filling other positions. Many of these jobs are filled by immigrant labor. “It’s crucial for agriculture,” he said. He had the chance to discuss this matter with Anne Hazlett, director of USDA Rural Development. Footnote After speaking at the
convention, Moran spoke on the Senate floor in support of protecting trade and sending bipartisan disaster relief and farm bill legislation to the president’s desk. “I appreciated the opportunity to hear from Farm Bureau members about what they hope to see in an upcoming farm bill, as well as to convey my priorities,” said Sen. Moran. “When we talk about a farm bill, we must highlight that there are important components of the legislation – in addition to farm policy and crop insurance – that we must not forget, including rural development, conservation and global food aid, all of which must be prioritized in any reauthorization measures,” he said. Farmers and ranchers from across the country expressed their desire for Congress to work together in a bipartisan fashion to get a disaster relief bill, followed by a farm bill, to the president’s desk for signature, and he said he remained committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver on this request. “In addition to the farm bill, so much of what I heard about at the convention revolved around trade,” he told the Senate. “The reality is many of our farmers and ranchers earn their living by feeding a hungry world. Exports matter to us, and farmers and ranchers conveyed their concerns to me about the potential of a NAFTA withdrawal. We must remember all of the jobs related and important to agriculture. In 2016, Kansas exported more than $4.5 billion worth of agricultural products, supporting more than 36,000 jobs and generating more than $5.7 billion in economic activity. These jobs are imperative to the economic success of our state. I will continue to insist that the administration keep trade a top priority and will continue to discuss the importance of trade to the ag economy with my colleagues.”
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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018
Ag Systems, Inc. specializes in irrigation design, service
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g Systems, Inc. 810 E. 14th and U.S. 56, Larned, was purchased by the Schoonover brothers in 1983. Don Schoonover and Rocke Foster have worked in irrigation design and service since 1977. The service department of eight, factory-trained technicians has more than 200 years of combined experience. They service and stock parts for all brand pivots covering an area from Dodge City to Great Bend and Hays to Pratt. Valley Center Pivots are celebrating 50 plus years of service and are committing all their future years in conserving water with the newest innovations in sprinkler packages and computerized panels. To better serve their
customers, Valley Center Pivot Dealer, Ag Systems, Inc. of Larned, provides insurance services for all major brands of irrigation equipment. Don Schoonover and
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40 years and is the largest single insurer of irrigation equipment. Contact them for your “no obligation” quote. Services at Ag Systems include a well stocked parts
department carrying MC Crometer flow meters, galvanized chemical check valves, Ag Sense monitors, and monthly specials. Ag Systems is committed to offering the best Service,
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g Systems Inc. 810 E. 14th St. (U.S. 56), Larned, only wants the best for their Customers. That is why they utilize Diversified Agrisurance for their Customers’ center pivot insurance needs. Trouble – even disaster – can happen in the blink of an eye. Don’t wait until you have a claim to find out what is and isn’t covered! When choosing an insurance provider for your “major brand”
center pivots, it is important to pick a Company that knows and understands the irrigation business. Diversified Agrisurance has over 40 years of experience and has become the single largest insurer of mechanized irrigation equipment in the nation! Coverage is provided through Central States Indemnity Co. of Omaha, an A+ rated Insurance
Company. Their policy covers most direct physical losses to covered property. Unlike most of the competitors, their policies do not depreciate the value of the equipment in the event of a loss. They pay full cost, less deductible, on pivots up to 34 years of age, to repair or replace, whichever is less, up to the insured
value shown on the policy. In addition, coverage is available for sudden structural damage to your pivot caused by or resulting from mechanical or electrical failure for qualifying pivots less than 20 years old. Limited coverage is available on pivots over 35 years of age. Claims always seem to happen at the most inopportune time – usually within the heart of irrigation season. Ag Systems Inc. promises to get you up and running as quick as possible – Diversified Agrisur-
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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018 •
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COURTESY PHOTO
Use of robotic farming on highly sloped land is the focus of a nearly $1.2 million project led by Kansas State University’s Dan Flippo.
USDA-funded multi-robot farming project to aid in increasing world’s food supply
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ANHATTAN — The world will be required to feed an estimated 9 billion people by 2050, but annual percentage crop yield increases are currently only half those required to meet these projected food needs. This pressing issue is being taken on by a team of researchers at Kansas State University whose aim is to increase arable land acreage considered too steep for use with conventional equipment. Enter the robots. “Multi-Robot Farming on Marginal, Highly Sloped Lands� is a three-year, $1,178,191 grant project from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Robotics Initiative 2.0: Ubiquitous Collaborative Robots, headed by Dan Flippo, assistant professor in the biological and agricultural engineering department. This project will explore use of
multiple small robots to farm highly sloped land. The robots, the size of a common wheelchair, will work in groups to accomplish fieldwork by unconventional means. Strap-on hardware modules will be designed to allow the small vehicles to plant, manage and harvest wheat on hills with slopes as great as 55 percent, or 30 degrees. Joining Flippo in the endeavor at Kansas State University are Stephen Welch, professor, and Antonio Asebedo, assistant professor, both in agronomy; Arnaud Temme, associate professor of geography; and Sanjoy Das, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. “The outcome will be a total agriculture farming system melding unmanned aerial flyovers of the field and robotic planting-managementharvest systems to provide the extra yield needed to meet the 2050 dilemma,� Flippo said. “The system will be scalable, configurable and
foreshadow the future of agricultural automation.� The small autonomous vehicle farming concept is brand-new, allowing engineers and scientists to rethink cropping operations. It has the potential of not only increasing yield for an enlarging population but to do so in a sustainable way that will allow continued feeding of the world. An intensive geographic analysis has shown an additional 4 percent of the Great Plains could be brought into production using this farming technology. Though a seemingly small increase, the area is a global power in wheat production and currently hits those production rates on not quite 7 percent of its land. “This new approach and the research that must accompany it have the potential to help Kansas State University meet and exceed its 2025 goals by placing us at the forefront of small autonomous vehicle agriculture,� Flippo said.
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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018
Heartland Ag serving important Kansas market from Great Bend BY VERONICA COONS vcoons@gbtribune.com
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eartland Ag has been serving co-ops throughout Kansas for several years. The company sells a variety of commercial agricultural equipment, accessories, and parts. In July, the company took a much anticipated step and opened its Kansas facility in Great Bend. The facility located at 5710 Anchor Way is the fourth office for the company that serves a five state area including Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas. Heartland Ag President Bill Oltean spoke with the Tribune about the company’s decision to locate in Great Bend. “Great Bend has been part of our overall operational marketing plan for years, and frankly we are thrilled with the location we found there,” Oltean said. “It’s a perfect fit in order to service our existing customer base, and to build upon that.” Located in central Kansas, the Great Bend location allows the company to respond to Kansas customers much more efficiently, Oltean said. “We were supporting Kansas with our existing employees, but to have a physical location where we can respond to our customers with parts, service and sales, everything that’s important to them each and every day, it just allows us to serve that community and that entire region so much better. “ The timing was very good. The Great Bend location opened its doors July 1, 2017,and the response so far has been outstanding. Kevin Rose is the Great Bend location manager. He’s excited about the response in and out the door. “It’s been a great response, not only from chemical professionals, but also from local farmers being able to come in and buy back-up
parts for the machines they have,” he said. “Parts like hoses, spray nozzles, tanks, the accessories they need that help them with their spraying needs.” Coming up Feb. 7 and 8 at the Great Bend Expo Center, Heartland Ag is hosting a two-day applicator school. The company is anticipating 250 operators and businessmen, which should provide a nice boost to the local economy as they fill Great Bend’s hotels and restaurants during their stay. The availability of these services factored into their decision, Oltean said. Attendees will be coming to the sprayer school to not only learn the technical side of chemical application, but also they will have vendors there, like Raven, that supplies guidance systems for the sprayers. “It’s going to be a pretty intensive school, teaching guys from all over the state what we do and how we do it. ” Rose said. Oltean, too, is looking forward to the opportunity for Heartland Ag to help the operators they serve in terms of maintenance training, how to service the machines, and utilize the technical abilities of the machines themselves. “This will allow them to better serve their clients and it’s our way of partnering with them in order to get better,” he said. “We’ve been all systems go in terms of making the investment in order to serve the region the way it needs to be served,”Oltean said. That investment includes over $10 million in inventory and fixed assets in order to serve the community and the entire region. In addition, the company has hired seven new employees from Great Bend to serve the Barton County area, and is continuing to hire more. This, in addition to retaining the other 11 positions already in place in the state of Kansas to serve the area, all based out of the Great Bend facility.
VERONICA COONS Great Bend Tribune
Above: Kevin Rose is the location manager of Heartland Ag’s Kansas facility which opened in Great Bend in July, 2017. The company sells and services commercial agricultural equipment, accessories and parts. Left: Jeff Dunn, Kevin Rose, and Bill Carpenter provide parts and service to customers.
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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018 •
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GBHS student takes Barton Welding classes to start a career early BY MICAH OELZE Barton Community College
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am McGuiness knows at the young age of 19 what it means to be a productive member of society. McGuiness is both a Great Bend High School and Barton Community College Welding program student. He also works at Scott’s Welding and Orscheln’s. His work ethic is driven by his desire to afford some luxuries in life. “To have nice things you have got to work for them; it doesn’t come easy,� he said. “You leave when its dark and you get home when its dark.� An average day for McGuiness involves waking up and attending high school until 12:30 p.m. He then drives to Barton Community College and starts welding courses at 1 p.m. Once classes are over, around 3:30 p.m., he goes to work at Scott’s Welding. McGuiness attained his job with Scott’s Welding before he started classes at Barton. He heard they needed someone to clean and sweep the floors. After an interview, he landed the job and began to work and take in knowledge from those around him. “I started learning and watching them weld,� McGuiness said. “I thought I might as well try it.� McGuiness could have taken many paths to become a welder, he chose Barton Community College because it is local and efficient. “It’s quick and to the point, and you are not wasting time and money going to a bigger school when you can learn here, close, and get it out of the way,� he said. Barton’s Welding program prepares students for a career with a 16-credit-hour certificate, which can be completed in one semester. “The experience [at Barton] has been good; the instructor is always there to help you,� McGuiness said. Having the job and hands-on training at Barton was something he said was extremely beneficial. Now McGuiness has been able to take on some more tasks besides cleaning at Scott’s Welding. “Every day is something different,� he said. “You get to learn what it is like to be working on the job.� McGuiness said he would encourage future students to attend Barton. “Getting your hands on the equipment
CTE Month and BCC Career Fair CTE month will culminate with a Career Technical Education Fair open to the public from noon to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Case New Holland Shop in the Northeast side of the Technical Building. Registration opens at noon.The fair will feature demonstrations, hands-on-activities, refreshments, prizes and photo ops with the Barton mascot. To sign up, contact Denise Schreiber at 620-792-9324 or schreiberd@bartonccc.edu. Students in eighth grade through seniors in high school are invited to attend a keynote address and tours beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the auditorium lobby in the Fine Arts Building on campus.
and practicing welding prepares you for the standard welder’s test instead of just walking in and taking the test expecting to pass and getting frustrated because you failed,� he said. “Patience and practice make a good welder.� For more information, visit welding. bartonccc.edu or call 620-792-9278.
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Sam McGuiness poses in Barton’s welding classroom with another student hard at work behind him.
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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018
Museum director working with educators to provide STEM aligned programming BY VERONICA COONS vcoons@gbtribune.com
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anielle Feist is the Executive Director of the Kansas Oil and Gas Museum in Great Bend. When she took the position three years ago, she began the process of helping the Board of Directors define its identity and direction, shifting it from simply focusing on collection to one that is more mission oriented. Since then she has written programming that could be offered to the general public that will provide a tie to the general community. Oil shaped the community of Great Bend, and it’s an important part of our culture, she said. Reaching out to a broader age group has meant creation of weekly coffees offered at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays, that attract adults and seniors, and quarterly “lunchtime learning,� where attendees are offered an opportunity to meet and learn from industry professionals. It’s the children’s programming, however, that makes Feist light up. She came to the museum with a long history in informal education, attuned to changes over the past two decades in museum science. “Cultural arts institutions need to up their game in order to remain relevant,� she said. That means being aware and developing programming that aligns with the trending focus on science, technology, engineering and math. Feist sought out opportunities to work with area teachers to create curriculum, programming aligned to state standards, and identify grades to serve. Identifying grant funding to create that programming has also been key. Fourth grade students came in October to learn about geology. They learned about different rocks, fossils, and how fossil fuels are created. Fifth graders will learn about Kansas history, and how the oil industry in this state got started. In January, Feist travelled to Mr. Dowson’s sixth grade class at Park Elementary to talk about how the ancient world utilized natural resources like gas and oil. She shared how oils and gases were used in religious ceremonies, and invited kids to take part in a scene where an Egyptian queen dies and is prepared for burial. A hands-on activity allowed students to make lip balm from petroleum jelly and Kool Aid. The first year result of her collaborations with area teachers is a drastic increase in the number of field trips to the museum. Last year, there were 24, compared to one the year before, Feist said. April and May are booked. In the summer, the museum offers summer camps where the focus is a chance to explore things students are interested in beyond what they are required to learn in school. Topics might focus on geology or on the engineering side of the industry. “We’re starting to see some positive signs,� Feist said. Children whose parents are involved in the industry are beginning to make connections. “ They are sharing, “Oh, my dad works there...� and this is very different and special for them.� Others without an industry connection enjoy visiting the by-products room, seeing the gems, the minerals and the fossils. They connect to the science and the cultural aspects. Helping the community to make these connections is satisfying for Feist.
VERONICA COONS Great bend Tribune
Danielle Feist, director of Great Bend’s Kansas Oil and Gas Museum, visited the 5th grade class of Mr. Dowson at Park Elementary School Jan. 17, 2018. She shared the history of oil, allowing the students to participate in a mock burial of an Egyptian queen (left), and a hands-on activity making lip balm from petroleum jelly and Kool Aid.
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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018 •
9
Smith Supply strives for top service BY JIM MISUNAS jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Chris Smith and his mother Jane K. Smith knew the day would come when managing owner Roland L. “Smitty� Smith would no longer be affiliated with the day-to-day operation of Smith Supply LLC. That time came sooner and unexpectedly when “Smitty� died Jan. 9. Chris Smith and his mother know their business environment will never be the same without “Smitty.� However, they continue to live by their company motto, “Night or Day, Just a Phone Call Away.� That being said, in reality — nothing has changed. Smith Supply LLC operates as a locally owned and operated company specializing in the service, supply, and sales of oilfield county tubular goods, artificial lift systems, down hole subsurface pumps, equipment, and engines — all used in the drilling and completion of oil and gas wells, primarily in central and western Kansas. Smith Supply acquires casing, tubing and line pipe from several mill resources. In addition, they utilize local vendors and manufacturer reps for fittings and additional supply products. Everyone was forced to take a deep breath and a step back when Smith’s down-home presence left
the building sooner than anyone expected. Chris Smith’s mother, Jane K. Smith, has served as office manager for 19 years. She has an extensive background in retail sales and management. Chris notes that both he and his father are proud of Jane’s business and financial sense. “Smitty� often called her the real boss of Smith Supply. Jane Smith noted that “Smitty loved the challenge of finding something no one else could find.� In his early days, Jane said, “He’d load up his pickup and drove out to customers to see what they needed. He had first-hand experience of seeing them drill and complete their oil and gas wells.� Smitty learned the oil and gas business from the ground floor, by beginning his career with National Supply Company, when it was owned by Armco Steel. Smitty learned the business of sales, construction and repair of down hole pumps from such mentors as R.W. “Bud� Allen, Phil Wynn and Wayne Karst. With the retirement of R.W. “Bud� Allen and Phil Wynn from National Supply Company/Armco Steel, A&W Supply was formed to continue service to the independent oil and gas producers in the state of Kansas. Smith had tenures with a few other independent supply stores when he joined A&W Supply. In 1999, Smith considering
leaving the oilfield supply business as the oil production industry had bottomed out at $8 a barrel. An independent investor, David Jackman of Leon, Kansas liked Smith’s honesty and work ethic and invested in the business venture that became Smith Supply LLC. Chris Smith describes his father as hard working, responsible, motivational, opinionated, stubborn and generous. His big heart often came through when anyone asked for a community donation. Smith said his father was a unique motivator through words. He also understood the need to service and therefore satisfy his customers. “It could be a rare fitting or odd sized wellhead and he would find it,� Smith said. “He wanted to take care of the customer, always, especially when other people didn’t see it as important.� In a way, Chris Smith, under the guidance of his parents, has been preparing for succession at Smith Supply since the first day in 2008 when his father told him he needed him to come to work. Smith stated “Dad encouraged me to complete college and find a career out of the oil and gas industry and I did.� It was only after tenures as an Intensive Supervision Officer with Central Kansas Community Corrections and as a Field Claims Representative with Farm Bureau
Mutual Insurance that Smitty presented him with the opportunity to join Smith Supply LLC. Currently, he serves as a salesman, materials purchaser, and logistics manager. “Dad told me, to treat every roughneck, pumper, tester, driller, production manager, truck driver, administrative assistant, or vendor as if they owned or ran whatever company you are servicing,� Smith said. His father’s old-fashioned business sense of taking care of customers is true today like it was yesterday. “You still develop old-school personal relationships with independent, oil and gas producers in the state,� Smith said. “They are your customers and friends and when they succeed, you succeed.� Smith said he’s still getting accustomed to the additional multitasking created by the vacancy of his father. “I’ll be the purchaser, sales person, field representative, or equipment operator if that’s what we need,� he said. “He taught me that it’s OK to take a risk, and that when it comes to sales, you can’t sell it if you don’t have it.� Co-owner Darrell Mitchell, has been employed in the oil and gas industry for over 30 years, and is responsible for the full service pump shop, field deliveries, and serves as the yard foreman. Chris Smith notes that Darrell’s knowledge of sub-surface pumps
is unparalleled in this area. He understands the wellbore environments, and communicates with the production personnel, and if asked, their chemical representatives as to the performance and recommendations for specific wellbore conditions. By doing so, both Smith and Mitchell hope to create an all inclusive approach to better assist their customers’ production returns and keep their wells on line. Smith Supply works with several customers at a time and multiple business entities for ordering and shipping equipment. They’ve delivered oilfield casing tubular goods and equipment to multiple states. Smith Supply will continue to serve the independent oil and gas industry and provide quality products and services. Their business is personal as they live by their motto — “Smith Supply, Night or Day, Just a Phone Call Away.� Smith said it isn’t uncommon for an afterhours call to request casing. And just like his father, Chris Smith and Darrell Mitchell are always willing to provide their assistance. They understand that the independent oil and gas operators continue to be the heart and soul of their business and that they have always tried to help carry each other through tough times. Smith said he eagerly begins every week with Smitty’s best advice — “It’s Monday, we’re starting at zero, so be all you can be!�
Southwind holds strong for over a decade BY JIM MISUNAS jmisunas@gbtribune.com
ELLINWOOD — Southwind Drilling Inc. has provided full service drilling operations for MidContinent Oil Operators in western and south central Kansas for more than a decade. Southwind Drilling provide drilling rigs capable of drilling wells from 3,000 to 10,000 feet. Southwind Drilling also operates its own fleet of heavy haul trucks named Santa Fe Trucking.
The management of Southwind Drilling Inc. features extensive knowledge and years of petroleum industry experience in drilling, exploration, production, and fabrication. This combination has been the contributing factor to the company’s success and growth over the past several years. Southwind Drilling Inc. prides itself on being a service company that fulfills the goals of its customers. Southwind crews service Barton,
Stafford, Rice, Rush, Ellis, Logan, Scott, Gove, Wichita County on a regular basis. Crews have also worked in Clay, Dickinson, Marion, Butler, and Sedgwick counties. Southwind employs more than 50 people with a typical work crew numbering a dozen that features four-man teams and a rig manager (tool pusher) working around the clock. More than half of the employees reside in central Kansas. Rigs are available for central and western Kansas locations. Sum-
mer and fall are the busiest times since it costs more to drill when the weather is colder. In Barton County, it may require a week to drill to 3,400 feet while western Kansas projects to 5,000 feet may require 10 to 12 days. The time frame is depending on the depth of the well and how many Drill Stem Tests the crew wants to run. Rates to drill vary, but charges are generally performed on a footage rate with all costs figured in.
Rates can be higher for any drilling issues. Southwind Drilling, Inc. is committed to the safety of our employees through training, employment of a full-time Safety and Compliance Officer. This approach has allowed the company to obtain an excellent safety record that has trained employees for potential hazardous situations. These measures have helped the company obtain an outstanding Experience Modification Rating.
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10
• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018
Cottonwood Extension District adds more agents, programming Expansion extends through Barton, Ellis counties BY RUSSELL EDEM redem@gbtribune.com
C
ottonwood Extension District has expanded to help Ellis and Barton County by adding two more ag agents to the team which will help with additional programming for both counties. “It is wonderful to have two additional ag agents working for the Cottonwood Extension District,� ag agent Alicia Boor said. “This will allow us to expand our programing and to further help the community with its needs in Barton and Ellis County.� The ag agents that have been added to the team are Stacy Campbell and Rip Winkel, they both will be responsible for their own programming in horticulture and live stock. “By having these additional ag agents does not mean that we can’t answer people’s questions in other fields. It just means that they will be in charge of the programming in their fields,� Boor said. “We want people to know that we are still here and will help in any way we can to straighten both counties.� The Cottonwood Extension District is made up of Barton and Ellis Counties. K-State Research and Extension programs present useful information related, but not limited to: Agriculture; Family and Consumer Sciences; Economics; 4-H Youth Development; Home and Family life; Business and Economics; and Health and Nutrition. Programs are hosted in schools, gardens, community centers, and many other places. The philosophy of the Cottonwood Extension District is to help people help themselves by taking university knowledge to where people live, work, play, develop, and lead. Cottonwood Extension District works at being responsive to the needs of the people by focusing its resources on providing quality information, education and problem-solving programs for real concerns. The Cottonwood District effectively formed July 1, 2017.
UPCOMING SCHEDULED PROGRAMS: • Feb. 14 Spring Crops Update - 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cottonwood Extension District Meeting Room 601 Main St., Hays. • Feb. 15 Weed Control Update for Field Crops - 2:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Ag Credit Building 5634 10th St., Great Bend. • Feb. 21 Healthy Cooking Styles at noon, Great Bend Activity Center Great Bend. • Feb. 22 Freezer Meals from the Meat Case-Hays 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Messiah Lutheran Church 20th and Main St., Hays. • Apr. 3 Healthy Cooking Styles at noon, Cottonwood District Meeting Room 601 Main St., Hays.
Cottonwood District agents and staff
Rip Winkle
Alicia Boor
Donna Krug
Berny Unruh
Stacy Campbell
Linda Beech
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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018 •
11
Great Bend Farm & Ranch Expo now in 7th year
BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com
A
n army of local volunteers is already at work, preparing for the 2018 Great Bend Farm & Ranch Expo, scheduled for Wednesday through Friday, April 4, 5, and 6, at the Expo Complex west of Great Bend. Once again, this trade show will offer more than 700 booths filled with exhibitors from 27 States, Canada, Australia and England. The Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo spans over 80 acres. Admission and parking are free to the public. “This is one of the largest farm shows in the United States,” said Darren Dale, show owner. “The show staff is excited about the new and exciting activities, seminars and demonstrations that are coming to the 2018 Great Bend Farm & Ranch Expo. It will be the premier livestock and outdoor farm equipment show in the High Plains. There is something for everyone; come check it out for yourself.” Local support Show chairman Jan Westfall said Darren Dale and his wife Tana will be in Great Bend on Feb. 16 for a meeting with volunteers. Local law enforcement, the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and the SRCA
The 2018 Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo is all about promoting agricultural technology! Celebrating its 7th year, this is one of the largest farm shows in the United States. Show hours are a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 4; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 5; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 6. Admission and parking are free to the public. For more information contact the show office by calling 866-685-0989, or by email at dales@ greatbendfarmandranchexpo.net and visit the website www.starexpos.net.
Dragstrip are among the entities that help organize the show. Presented in partnership between the Great Bend Chamber & Star Expos, a portion of the show’s proceeds benefit the local Chamber. “We have some new people involved this year, which is always great. It takes a lot of volunteers,” Westfall said. “Customer service is our number one thing for the vendor,” she said. The trade show has a huge impact on the economy in Barton County and even its neighboring counties, Westfall said. “Our hotels are full,” she noted. And while the vendors will be busy at the Expo for much of the week, they also venture out to buy food and gas and to seek out local shopping and entertain-
SPECIALIZING IN
ment. “We hope all of our retail people are ready and welcoming,” she said. “We appreciate all of our sponsors,” Westfall commented. “And I so appreciate all the employers allowing their employees to come out and volunteer their time at the farm show. We cannot do it without all the people who step up to the plate. It takes a lot of manpower to get this off the ground. “Our community is very blessed to have Darren and Tana come in an take over our show. They do a super job with new vendors every year. It’s a top notch show for the State of Kansas. Anyone who would like to volunteer can call the Great Bend Chamber (620-7922401) or email me at farmshow@greatbend.org.”
Something for everyone The show stays open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, Westfall noted. “We hope local townspeople will come out and have a bite to eat and see what’s new in the ag industry,” she said. A person doesn’t have to be a farmer or rancher to find something of interest, she added. “We thought of the ladies, too,” she said, noting the products on display include clothing, jewelry and other non-farm items. Featured activities Once again, there will be horse training demonstrations with clinician JD Wing and stock dog demonstrations with Bradford Cattledogs all three days of the show. Ebert Ranch will demonstrate chute-side service, a convenient and cost effective tool for large operations to improve their genetics and profitability through artificial insemination (A.I.). Come out on to view the demonstration where heifers will be A.I. bred; see firsthand how A.I. could be utilized in an operation. This event takes place Thursday, April 5, at 2:30 p.m. Expo 3 will host a variety of activities including live KSN broadcasts, K-State seminars, market analysis and demonstrations.
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12
• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018
DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune
Wind turbine parts like these blades started arriving at the Great Bend transload facility before it officially opened in June.
An expanding proposition Great Bend transload facility exceeding expectations, anticipating growth BY DALE HOGG dhogg@gbtribune.com
W
ith scores of massive white wind turbine components as a backdrop, officials cut the ceremonial ribbon for the Great Bend transload facility on a pleasant June afternoon. However, the official grand opening of the site located in the Great Bend Industrial park west of town had been years in the making, its origins dating back to 2015. “I’d liken it to a dream come true, and it was well worth the wait,” said Mark Bartezko, operations manager for Kansas Transload Services which manages the facility. “To see the possibilities in a project like this is exciting, but to be part of the reality is truly gratifying. This Facility was a huge labor of love, and everyone involved deserves thanks.” “It’s a huge project we’ve been working on for so long,” Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President Jan Peters said. But, now, “it has really, totally exceeded any of our expectations.” Bartezko agreed. “I feel the facility has far exceeded initial expectations.” The very first contract was given to Pittsburg-based WATCO Company before the aggregate side was even open for business. “As a result, the Great Bend Transload Facility was generating revenue from the wind energy market even before completion, with wind turbine parts starting to arrive in January of last year. This early success has allowed Watco to expand to another wind energy laydown yard near Larned.” Now, Great Bend has been considered as a case study for how to establish transload facility, Peters said. “I think we were selected, number one probably because of the partnerships we’ve had. This project really took place because of all those partners and has been extremely successful.” The study is being done by the Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and it will appear in an upcoming association publication. As of January, there have been around 400 railroad cars carrying cement and aggregate go through the facility. There had also been 405 cars of wind turbine components arrive. At that time, there were 850 turbine components on the ground at the Great Bend site and another 1,800 at sister facility near Pawnee Rock. “Finally we got it done,” Peter said. “We opened it with grand celebration and it is going to continue with great success out there.” Since the ribbon cutting, KTS has handled hundreds railcars worth of materials, doubled the cement unloading area, upgraded the 1,000 ton per hour conveying system, and stockpiled over 20,000 tons of various Kansas Department of Transportation-approved rock and aggregate, Bartezko said. A third track has been completed inside the facility, and another section of track is being rehabbed. This greatly increases the number of railcars which can be handled.
DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune
Great Bend transload facility personnel discuss the orders of the day at the site recently.
A Bright future Watco and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce have taken the lead on marketing the facility, and have reached out to many of the local businesses, as well as neighboring cities and counties to explore ways to make the facility a greater asset for the region, Bartezko said. In addition, KTS has been working with the Kansas Department of Commerce to expand our reach, and create new opportunities. KTS has also worked with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, KDOT, Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, U.S. Grains Council, exporters, ports, logistics companies, and local producers to take steps to try to get containerized transport from Great Bend to the ports. “Currently we are studying market feasibility to bring other products into the site,” he said. “We are looking forward to working with local industries to develop transportation solutions,” he said. “KTS is working to incorporate outgoing rail transport into the business. It is too early to predict the future, but the forecast looks like greatly increased volume in 2018.” Making it official “This is a very important day for Kansas,” said Kansas Lt. Gov. Jeff Collier at the ribbon cutting. A decade ago, talks began on a “smarter infrastructure” for Kansas, “and today is a central part of that.” The facility is a vital element helping connect Kansas to the nation and the rest of the world, he said. “This is a big investment. It is a key infrastructure.” Collier joined Kansas Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson, Great Bend Mayor Mike Allison, other federal, state, and local dignitaries, as well as representatives from private sector partners WATCO Companies and Sherwood Companies stood under a tent at the site for the ceremony. Also present were state legislators and representatives of national lawmakers, as well as city and Barton County officials and
DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune
This pit houses aggregate or cement after it is dumped from train cars and before conveyor belts stack into neat mounds.
interested citizens. “What we are looking at now is a 21st Century business model,” Secretary Carlson said. “Freight plays an important part in moving our state’s economy and this facility is already providing infrastructure that will benefit the community and increase opportunity for freight shipping and cost effectiveness.” KDOT contributed $3 million in state funds to the $8 million project, with the rest contributed by private industry, he said. The investment enhances shipping options to better move goods from one mode of transportation to another, in this case, from truck to rail and rail to truck. There was also an additional $360,000 in federal funds kicked in that will improve the rail crossing on U.S. 56 just north of the U.S. 56-Airport Road intersection. A great partnership “In my mind, this has been the right project at the right time with the right people,” Peters in June. “It really was a team. It’s all about the people.” Partners for the project are the Kansas Department of Transportation, WATCO Companies and the Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad (K&O Railroad), Sherwood
Construction, the City of Great Bend, Fuller Properties, and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development. The effort has brought millions of dollars to local businesses, from contractors to restaurants and hotels. The need to transport and store raw materials is a challenge, especially in rural areas, said Matt Richie with Sherwood Construction, a long-time partner of WATCO that manages the site through its subsidiary Kansas Transload Services. “This puts you on the logistics map. This facility can be an important piece to connect all those dots.” “Thank you everyone for allowing this to happen,” said Pat Cedeno with the WATCO. Watco owns the K&O Railroad which will serve the facility. It manages 65 to 70 terminals or transload facilities across the country. “We are opening up markets and we are opening up opportunities for our community and for our state,” Cedeno said. This will, in turn, open up markets and opportunities globally. Great people KDOT was the key investor, providing the means to make this rail transloading facility
happen, Bartezko said. The City of Great Bend, and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce own the property, and took this project from the planning stages to completion. Watco, who has been in the rail business for 35 years, was a private investor in the facility and took the lead in the development and construction management. The K&O Railroad is the division of Watco who is the rail service provider. Innovative Livestock Services and Fuller Industries has provided indoor warehousing and land for the wind lay-down yards in Great Bend and Pawnee Rock. Watco Supply Chain is handling the transport and storage of the wind energy components. Sherwood Construction, the parent company of Kansas Transload Services, was the private investor who took the role as operator of the facility. Ash Grove Cement and Summit/Cornejo Quality Materials are the “partners within the fence”, who along with Sherwood Construction bring a combined 280 years of experience serving Kansas. “And there have been dozens of local businesses who have been responsible for the success of the facility,” Bartezko said. “When you are surrounded by quality people, dealing with quality products, and providing quality service, it sets the stage for very good things. Background Great Bend was selected as a transload site in September 2015 by the Transload Facility Site Analysis Selection Committee. The committee, a part of the Kansas Department of Transportation/Kansas Turnpike Authority, selected from 111 proposals. Only eight cities were invited to submit proposals. Only Great Bend and Garden City were picked as finalists Construction began in July of 2016 and the ribbon cutting was in June 2017. The facility was used for the storage of wind components prior to the grand opening in June, at which time it was operational for aggregate and cement. But, the idea for a Kansas facility was born several years ago when then Transportation Secretary Mike King and other state officials saw other such sites and realized they could work in rural Kansas. “This was Mike King’s vision,” Peters said. “Richard Carlson (the current transportation secretary) has kept that vision alive.” The Great Bend operation sits on 17 acres leased from the city for $400 per month. Kansas is in the middle of the United States and Great Bend is in the middle of Kansas, making this an ideal location, officials said. This and the fact the Great Bend Municipal Airport, two trucking companies and other businesses are nearby make Great Bend an ideal fit, Carlson said. In addition, the location near the airport has access to more than one rail line, onground storage and, through an agreement with Fuller Industries, warehousing options.