KGFA Winter Newsletter

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K S G R A I N A N D F E E D . O R G

Winter 2011

Expo Attracts Over 1,000 to Overland Park USDA, KDA meet on state grain warehouse program Political Action Committee fundraising drive 2012 Grain Grading Schools - February 21-23, February 28-March 1 Winter 2011, GRAIN AND FEED REPORT AN

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CONTENTS 2011 Expo draws over 1,000 to Overland Park...3 Scholarship Auction raises $13,000...3 Thank you Grain Handlers speakers...5

President & CEO Tom R. Tunnell

Let your voice be heard in Topeka...5

Senior Vice President, Government Affairs Ron Seeber

2012 Grain Grading Schools dates set...5

Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer Stephanie Jensen

Industry establishes Atchison memorial fund...5

Vice President and General Counsel Randy Stookey

College scholarships available for 2012-2013...5 KGFA welcomes new members...5

Vice President of Event Planning Shari Bennett

New TAL class selected...6

VP of Member Services & External Operations Sarah Sexton-Bowser

KGFA welcomes Randy Stookey to the staff...6

VP of Marketing & Communications Shahira Stafford

KGFA facilitates mtg. between USDA and KDA on grain warehouse program...6

Senior Director of Internal Operations Lisa Anschutz

Staff continues member visits...7 Suspicious soybean trucker in NE Kansas...8 USDA distributing $1.7 billion in CRP payments...8 KCBT sets new trading volume records for HRW wheat futures...8 Pompeo: New EPA “Farm Dust” regulations are dust in the wind...8 Governor, Attorney General say federal proposal bad for Kansas agriculture...9 KGFA sends letter urging against rail strike...9 KGFA announces PAC fundraising drive...10 Safety video available for the industry...10

Executive Assistant to the President Julie Stueve The Kansas Grain and Feed Report is published quarterly for the members, friends and affiliates of the Kansas Grain and Feed Association. Mail contributions to KGFA, Attention: Shahira Stafford, 816 SW Tyler, Topeka, KS 66612. The KGFA team welcomes your comments, contributions and suggestions. Annual subscriptions for members can be purchased for $25.00. © 2011 KGFA Read this newsletter online at www.ksgrainandfeed.org/printnewsletters.

Trade Talk...10 Are you taking full advantage of your KGFA membership?...11

............................................................................... To follow us on Facebook, search for KGFA. For Twitter, visit www.twitter.com/kansasag.

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GRAIN AND FEED REPORT, Winter 2011


KANSAS AGRI BUSINESS EXPO 2011 Expo draws over 1,000 to Overland Park The 2011 Kansas Agri Business Expo drew over 1,000 attendees last month to Overland Park, where the latest technology, products and services in the agribusiness industry were showcased in a sold-out tradeshow floor. In addition to the 140 vendor tradeshow, members also attended educational sessions led by BNSF Railway President & COO, Carl Ice; National Pork Board VP of Strategic Communications, John Johnson; and EPA Region 7 Senior Advisor, Josh Svaty. Thank you to the hundreds of exhibitors and sponsors listed below that contributed to the success of this year‘s show. Mark your calendars now for the 2012 Expo on November 14-15 in Wichita.

Carl Ice, President & COO of BNSF Railway, speaks to attendees of the 2011 Kansas Agri Business Expo in Overland Park in November.

Sponsors ADM Grain Co., ADM Milling. Co., ADM Wholesale Fertilizer, Agrilead Inc., BarnesCo Inc., Bartlett Grain Company, L.P., BASF, Bayer CropScience, Beachner Grain Inc., BNSF Railway Company, Bunge North America, Cargill Ag Horizons, Charm Sciences Inc., CHS Inc., CoBank ACB, DeBruce Grain Inc., Dow AgroSciences, Drake Inc., DuPont Crop Protection, Essmueller Co., Fairbank Equipment, Inc., First National Bank, FMC Corporation, Frisbie Construction Co., Inc., HABCO Inc., Hammel Scale Co. Inc., Heartland Ag, Helena Chemical Co., Industrial Maintenance Inc., INTX Microbials LLC, Jade Millwrights Inc., KFSA, Kansas Corn Growers Assn., Kansas Grain Inspection Service Inc., Kansas Soybean Commission, Kansas Wheat, KC Supply Co. Inc., Koch Nitrogen Co., Kyle Railroad, Landis AG Placement & Consulting Inc., Lang Diesel Inc., McPherson Concrete Storage Systems, Mears Fertilizer Inc., MFA Incorporated, MFS/York/Stormor, Monsanto, MOSAIC, Mycogen Seeds, Poole Chemical Company, Purple Wave Auction, Riggins R-Co. LLC., Specialty Fertilizer Company, Specialty Fertilizer Products, Syngenta Crop Protection, Tessenderlo Kerley, The Scoular Company, Union Pacific Railroad, United Sorghum Checkoff Program, United Suppliers, Watco Companies, Winfield Solutions LLC. Fellow exhibitors visit before the tradeshow floor opens.

(l-r) Rob Nordmeyer, Cargill; Tom Meyer, Mike Wholey and Randy McCormick, Kansas Grain Inspection Service; Glen Hofbauer, Scoular Company.

Jeany Hesse, Integra Plastics (left), wins a comp 10x10 booth at the 2012 Kansas Agri Business Expo during the exhibitor appreciation reception.

(l-r) Stan Stark, Farmers Coop in Haviland; Jeff Colyer, Kansas Lieutenant Governor; Leslie Kaufman, Kansas Cooperative Council; Tom Tunnell, KGFA.

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KANSAS AGRI BUSINESS EXPO Exhibitors 4B Components Ltd., Adams Fertilizer Equipment, ADM Wholesale Fertilizer, Advanced Biological Marketing, AFLAC, Ag 1 Source, LLC, Ag Leader Technology, Agricharts, Agrilead, Inc., Agrium U.S. Inc., AgTrax Technologies, AgVision Agribusiness Software, Agworks, Inc. , Allied Environmental Consultants Inc., American Vanguard Corporation (AMVAC), Ameropa North America, Asmark Institute, Assured Occupational Solutions, BarnesCo Inc., BASF Corporation, Bayer CropScience, Becker Underwood, Inc., Ben Trei Fertilizer Co., LLC, Bolivar Contracting, Inc., Brothers Equipment, Inc., Bunge North America, CCS Group LLC, CEN-OK, Central Life Sciences, Central States Hydroseal, Charm Sciences, CHS Crop Nutrients, Circle K Manufacturing, Coady Insurance Concepts, Consolidated Grain & Barge, Convey-All by Hamilton Systems, CPS Wholesale, CrustBuster/ Speed King Inc., C-Tec, Inc., DASCO, Inc., DeBruce Fertilizer, Don's Tire, Dow AgroSciences, Doyle Equipment Mfg. Co., Drake, Inc., Dultmeier Sales, DuPont Crop Protection, El Dorado Chemical Company, Electro-Sensors, Inc., E-markets, Inc., Essmueller Company, Exactrix/Ag Associates, Fairbank Equipment, Fairbanks Scales, Farm Chem Corporation, Farm Works Software, a Div. of Trimble Navigation, Farmers Edge Precision Consulting, Frisbie Construction Co., Inc., Gamet Mfg. Inc., Grain Belt Supply Co. Inc., Greystone Construction, H & H Restoration, HABCO, Inc., Hammel Scale Co., Inc., Heartland Ag Inc., Heartland Tank Services, Inc., Helena Chemical Co., Hi-Pro Mfg., Inc., Integra Plastics, Intersystems, INTX Microbials, J & S Scales, Inc., Jade Millwrights Inc., John Deere, JR Simplot Company, Kansas Corn Commission, Kansas Grain Inspection Service Inc, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Soybean Commission, Kansas Wheat, KBH Corporation, KC Supply Co. Inc., Ken Babcock Sales, Inc., KFSA, Koch Agronomic Services, LLC, Korol Financial Group LLC, KSU - Department of Agronomy, KSU - Grain Science and Industry Department, Kugler Co., Lang Diesel, Inc., Legacy Building Solutions, M & L Equipment, Mack Robotics, Inc., Manhattan Data Systems Inc., Marcus Construction Company, Mathews Company, Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C., McPherson Concrete Storage Systems, MFA Incorporated, MFS-York-Stormor, Microsource, Mid-State Tank Co., Inc., Midwest Laboratories Inc., Midwest Paint Service, MK Minerals, Inc., M & M Specialty Services LLC, Monitor Technologies, LLC, Monsanto, Mosaic, NAB Automation, National Billing, Neville Welding Inc., New Century Ag Recruiters, Plain Jan's, Precision Grain Management Consultants Inc., Premier Components, Purple Wave Auction, R.J. O'Brien & Associates, RBH Mill & Elevator, Riggins R-Co. LLC, Roadrunner Manufacturing, Rolfes @ Boone, Rosen's Inc., Schaben Industries, Seedburo Equipment Co., Show-Me Shortline, Shuttlewagon Mobile Railcar Movers, Simpson Farm Enterprises, Inc., Software Solutions Integrated LLC, Specialty Fertilizer Products, Squibb Taylor, Inc., Star Seed, Stueve Construction Company, Summit Software, an iRely Company, Sweet Manufacturing Company, Syngenta, TMHC Services, Tri-States Grain Conditioning, Inc., Tucker Testing Service, United Sorghum Checkoff Program, United Suppliers, Inc., Valent USA, Valleywide Sales, Inc., Van Diest Supply Company, Vertical Software Inc., Waconia Mfg., Inc., Ward Laboratories Inc., Webcon, Inc., Weitl's Aeration Service, Westheffer Co. Inc., Winfield Solutions, Woofter Construction Irrigation, Inc., Wylie Sprayers. Scholarship Auction raises $13,000 Thank you to every member that contributed to the Scholarship Auction at the Expo this year in Overland Park. Because of your generosity, the auction raised nearly $13,000 this year! KGFA, along with the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association, awards hundreds of dollars each year to deserving high school and college students in Kansas wanting to pursue an education in agricultural-related fields by providing much needed financial assistance for them and their families. The auction is the only fundraiser for both scholarship programs, so thank you for helping support agricultural education in Kansas and further the industry‘s future workforce.

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GRAIN AND FEED REPORT, Winter 2011

Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders help show items during the Scholarship Auction at the Expo.


ASSOCIATION HAPPENINGS Thank you Grain Handlers speakers KGFA hosted the 2011 Grain Handlers Workshop, which brought 97 individuals to Wichita and Garden City the first week of November. Attendees learned about grain storage in agricultural bags, safety awareness and recent research in grain handling and storage. Thank you to the great speakers who volunteered their time: Jeff Lavery- KC Supply, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Glen Pribbenow- KS Fire & Rescue Training Institute, Dr. Carl Reed- Precision Grain Management, Steve Hornbuckle- KFSA, Dr. Jim Throne- USDA-ARS, and Carlos Campabadal- KSU Grain Science.

2012 Grain Grading Schools dates set KGFA and Kansas Grain Inspection Service are hosting the 82nd annual Grain Grading Schools on February 21February 23 and again on February 28-March 1 at various locations across the state. Be sure your employees know how to spot damaged grain and foreign materials while using practical and cost effective procedures for grain inspection. See the enclosed form to register. Industry establishes Atchison memorial fund The boards of directors of the Kansas Grain and Feed Association and Kansas Cooperative Council initiated a request for monetary contributions to a joint Atchison Memorial Rund to express the industry‘s condolences and to honor those who lost their lives in the Atchison grain elevator explosion on October 31. Thank you to all of the members that contributed. All of the funds received in this effort will be given equally to the victims‘ families or to establish scholarships their honor.

Glen Pribbenow, KS Fire & Rescue Training Institute, teaches attendees of the Grain Handlers Workshop about safety in grain handling.

College scholarships available for 2012-2013 Each year, KGFA awards $5,500 in scholarships to high school students wanting to pursue an education in Kansas. Six scholarships are offered: one Dub and Inez Johnson $500 Memorial Scholarship and five KGFA $1,000 Scholarships. If you know of someone that could benefit from a scholarship, please encourage them to apply. Applications and details can be found at www.ksgrainandfeed.org.

Let your voice be heard in Topeka KGFA, along with the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association and Kansas Cooperative Council, is hosting the 2012 Legislative Action Day on January 25 in KGFA welcomes new members Topeka. Attendance is free for members. Thanks to the reputation of our membership and industry, KGFA continues to grow and provide useful prodThe day will begin at the Topeka Country Club with a ucts and services for grain handlers in Kansas. Please briefing on legislative issues affecting Kansas agribusihelp KGFA welcome these new companies to the assonesses, as well as an overview from Senate and House ciation: Leadership on the 2012 Legislative Session. After lunch, attendees will head to the Capitol for committee meet- Electro-Sensors Inc. in Minnetonka, MN ings and personal legislator visits followed by an open Mack Robotics Inc. in Leola, SD house at the Association Offices and reception with leg- SGS North America in Brookings, SD islators back at the Topeka Country Club. Trand Inc. in Pratt, KS Join us for this excellent opportunity to have your voice heard in Topeka and make a difference in the laws that govern your business. See the enclosed form to register.

Wells Fargo Bank in Overland Park, KS

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ASSOCIATION HAPPENINGS New TAL class selected Congratulations to the applicants chosen to be part of the 2012 Tomorrow‘s Agribusiness Leaders (TAL) class! The TAL program is the premier leadership program for agribusiness leaders in the nation, and KGFA, along with the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association, is proud to welcome these individuals to the group: KGFA Monte Broeckelman, Pride Ag Resources in Dodge City Lincoln Hillyer, Ag Partners Coop in Hiawatha Ryan McCoy, CoMark Grain Marketing in Cheney Matthew Porter, Mid Kansas Coop in Benton Troy Presley, Pride Ag Resources in Dodge City KARA Theodore Behring, Farmers Coop Equity in Isabel Sean Cravens, Frontier Ag in Bird City Jackie Mundt, Dow AgroSciences in Pratt Michael Spade, Harveyville Seed in Harveyville John Watts, Farmers Coop Assn. in Manhattan If you would like to invest in a more positive future for the agribusiness industry, please consider becoming a sponsor of the TAL program and call (785) 234-0461. Your sponsorship will significantly reduce the financial burden of these students and will ensure a top-quality educational experience.

Stookey was raised on a small family farm in northeast Kansas and received his undergraduate degree in Agribusiness from Kansas State University. He then obtained a Juris Doctorate degree from Washburn University Law School and served 12 years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He is also a Captain in the Kansas Army National Guard and serves in the Judge Advocate General, Trial Defense Service. KGFA facilitates meeting between USDA and KDA on grain warehouse program The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), the state government agency that administers the State Grain Warehouse License program, is reviewing and looking for avenues to fully fund the program through fees and changes in the program requirements. KGFA staff has been diligent over the past several years in advocating on your behalf to fund the shortfall in revenues for the program through state general funds or other funding mechanisms. To help staff continue to fight to ensure equitable funding sources, your feedback on the value of the state warehouse program for your operation and how these changes will impact your business is greatly appreciated. If you are a state licensed facility, please take some time to answer a few questions and share your thoughts in this quick survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/ s/8KY2S2D.

KGFA welcomes Randy Stookey to the staff Last month, KGFA welcomed Randy Stookey as Vice President and General Counsel. Stookey will also serve as the administrator for the Kansas Agricultural Remediation Board. Stookey comes to KGFA after spending six years as a staff attorney for the Kansas Department of Agriculture, where he regularly worked with laws and regulations regarding pesticides, fertilizers, grain warehouses, weights and measures and agricultural commodities. He is very familiar with the Kansas Food Safety and Kansas Agricultural Remediation Acts. Following his time at KDA, Stookey briefly served as Assistant General Counsel for the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. 6

GRAIN AND FEED REPORT, Winter 2011

KGFA staff meets with Dale Rodman, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture (top left); Chris Wilson, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture (top right); and representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture regarding the state grain warehouse program.


MEMBER VISITS Staff continues member visits KGFA‘s ―No-Ties‖ tours are no longer just a summer tradition. This fall, staff continued traveling the state visiting members at their locations and learning more about their business. Thank you to everyone that welcomed Tom Tunnell, President & CEO; Ron Seeber, Senior VP Government Affairs; Randy Stookey, VP General Counsel; Sarah Sexton-Bowser, VP Member Services; and Tom Meyer, President & CEO of Kansas Grain Inspection Service into their facilities.

(l-r) Ron Seeber; Russ Ronnebaum, Hammel Scale in Wichita; Sarah Sexton-Bowser; Randy Stookey.

(l-r) Randy Stookey; Stan Stark, Farmers Coop in Haviland; Ron Seeber.

(l-r) Charlie Sauerwein WindRiver Grain in Garden City; Sarah Sexton-Bowser; Donny Huber, WindRiver Grain; Ron Seeber; Randy Stookey.

(l-r) Will Bramblett, Scoular Company in Coolidge; Tom Meyer; Tom Tunnell.

(l-r) Gary Beachner, Beachner Grain in Parsons; Tom Tunnell; Jim Lee and Roger Cunningham, Beachner Grain; Tom Meyer.

(l-r) Ron Seeber; Stacy McVey, Plains Equity Exchange in Liberal; Randy Stookey; Sarah Sexton-Bowser.

(l-r) Tom Tunnell; Ron Hunter and Rick Mullens, Ag Valley Coop in Norton.

(l-r) Orville Miller, Farmers Coop in Nickerson; Ron Seeber; Joe Schauf, Farmers Coop.

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INDUSTRY NEWS Suspicious soybean trucker in NE Kansas As previously reported in KGFA newsletters, there has been reports of fraudulent truckers stealing grain. More recently, a member in Northeast Kansas (close to the Nebraska boarder) reported a suspicious trucker that provided a correct soybean contract number, a company name and company location in Nebraska. The burgundy truck did not have truck or trailer plates; and when the driver was asked to provide identification, he drove off. Because of this, KGFA encourages your facility to review your internal security procedures to prevent this type of fraud from affecting your business.

KCBT sets new trading volume records for HRW wheat futures contract & exchange The Kansas City Board of Trade during the month of October set new annual trading volume records in the Hard Red Winter wheat futures contract and the exchange as a whole.

Through October 31, a total of 5,646,965 HRW wheat futures contracts or 28.23 billion bushels had traded, exceeding last year‘s annual volume record of 5,549,842 contracts or 27.75 billion bushels by 1.8 percent with two months remaining to build on the record. The KCBT hard red winter wheat futures contract is the USDA distributing $1.7 billion in CRP payments world benchmark pricing mechanism for bread wheat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s Farm Service Total exchange volume also set an annual volume record Agency (FSA) announced it has begun distributing $1.7 with a total of 5,873,465 contracts traded, exceeding last billion in annual Conservation Reserve Program payyear‘s annual volume record of 5,697,874 contracts by ments to a total of 417,000 farms. The payments, which 3.1 percent with two months remaining in the year. average $55.06 per acre, are being awarded to landowners and producers holding 752,000 CRP contracts. InHRW wheat futures trading volume in October was the cluded in the payment totals are 414,000 contracts for third largest for that calendar month at 386,217 con5.1 million acres enrolled under the CRP‘s continuous tracts. The October record stands at 430,271 contracts sign-up program (reserved for the most environmentally traded last year. Exchange volume for October of sensitive lands and for land offering water-quality bene- 398,651 contracts was also the third largest for that calfits) and 338,000 contracts for 24.8 million acres enendar month with October 2006 volume of 465,752 rolled under the general CRP. As of Oct. 1, USDA said, contracts remaining as the record. 29.9 million acres were enrolled in the CRP. Pompeo: New EPA ‘Farm Dust’ regulations Of the states, Iowans received the largest total CRP pay- are dust in the wind ments, at $212 million (for 1.7 million enrolled acres), On December 8, the U.S. House of Representatives followed by Texas ($124.3 million for 3.5 million enconsidered the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of rolled acres), Illinois ($118.7 million for 1 million en2011 (H.R.1633). The bill was introduced on April 15, rolled acres), Minnesota ($110 million for 1.6 million 2011 and referred to the Committee on Energy and enrolled acres), Kansas ($109.7 million for 2.7 million Commerce. There, Congressman Mike Pompeo shepenrolled acres), Missouri ($100.8 million for 1.4 million herded the bill through the Committee process where it enrolled acres), North Dakota ($95.8 million for 2.6 mil- was reported out by a vote of 33-16. lion enrolled acres), Montana ($91.8 million for 2.9 million enrolled acres), Washington ($81.3 million for 1.5 H.R. 1633 will prohibit the Environmental Protection million enrolled acres), Colorado ($73.7 million for 2.2 Agency (EPA) from proposing, implementing, or enmillion enrolled acres), Nebraska ($65.4 million for 1.1 forcing any regulation revising the National Ambient Air million enrolled acres) and South Dakota ($65.2 million Quality Standard applicable to ‗coarse particulate matfor 1.2 million enrolled acres). Visit www.fsa.usda.gov to ter,‘ or dust, under the Clean Air Act for at least one access a USDA table showing a breakdown of CRP en- year from the date of enactment. It will also provide the rollment and rental payments by state. regulatory certainty that agricultural, ranching and rural Article reprinted from National Grain and Feed Association’s businesses need to operate. Rep. Pompeo, Member of NGFA E-Alert, October 17, 2011. the Committee on Energy and Commerce released the following statement upon passage of the bill (268-150).

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GRAIN AND FEED REPORT, Winter 2011


INDUSTRY NEWS ―The EPA is part of the problem plaguing rural businesses in this country. This Agency deliberately presses forward with job-crushing regulations in spite of the damaging consequences. The ‗coarse particulate matter‘ that the EPA sought to further regulate is nothing more than the dust kicked up by driving a pick-up truck or tractor down an unpaved road, moving livestock, or working in the fields. We commonsense Kansans simply call that dust.

Brownback and Schmidt say they both benefited from spending time working on family members‘ farms. However, the proposed rule threatens this Kansas tradition.

―In an economy where farmers and rural business owners need less—not more—regulation, this bill is necessary to provide regulatory certainty to aid the preservation and growth of farms and rural businesses.

Brownback, Schmidt, Rodman, George and Brownlee encouraged the U.S. Department of Labor to revise the proposed rule taking into account the structure of farms today and the value of traditional on-farm training for youth.

―This proposed regulation is a one-size-fits-all bureaucratic assault on rural culture,‖ Attorney General Schmidt said. ―If this had been the law when I was a kid working on my grandpa's farm, a formative part of my childhood would have been illegal.‖

―I‘m proud to say that the House Republicans provided a win for farmers in Kansas and across the nation—the KGFA sends letter urging against rail strike EPA‘s regulations on ‗Farm Dust‘ are nothing now but KGFA sent letters to the Kansas congressional delegadust in the wind,‖ stated Pompeo. tion urging leaders to stop a possible freight rail strike. KGFA members rely heavily on freight rail to move Governor, Attorney General say federal pro- products every day, and a possible labor strike would cripple the nation‘s freight rail system, which is an essenposal bad for Kansas agriculture On December 1, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and tial component of the national food supply chain. Attorney General Derek Schmidt submitted a letter urg- Shortly following, BNSF issued the following comments: ing the U.S. Department of Labor to revise its newly proposed rule pertaining to child labor laws on Kansas ―BNSF is very pleased to inform you that the family farms. They are concerned the rule as written railroads reached tentative settlement agreements would have a negative effect on youth seeking to work with two of the three remaining unions last in Kansas agriculture – the state‘s largest industry. Kannight. The third union, the Brotherhood of sas Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman, Secretary of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE), has Commerce Pat George and Secretary of Labor Karin agreed to extend the cooling off period until Brownlee voiced similar concerns in a separate letter. February 8, 2012. These developments avert the immediate threat of a national rail strike. Among other restrictions, the proposed rule would prohibit 14- and 15-year-old farm workers from operating We believe the willingness of our customers to almost any power-driven equipment, including farm contact their Congressional delegations had a tractors and lawn mowers, regardless of safety training significant impact. Your letters helped Congress completed, and working with certain types of animals. clearly recognize the impact of an impending strike, leading to a public statement of their will―The learning opportunities provided by working in agingness to intervene. riculture are second to none,‖ Gov. Brownback said. ―Spending time of a farm or ranch teaches young people We look forward to providing you with uninterthe value of hard work and instills a respect for land and rupted service as we move through the busy holianimals. Unfortunately, this proposed rule reduces the day season. We will update you as the railroads potential for young people to take advantage of safe, continue to work with the BMWE to bring this educational and legal work opportunities. It would also bargaining round to conclusion.‖ have a negative effect on the education and leadership experiences offered through 4-H and FFA.‖ Winter 2011, GRAIN AND FEED REPORT

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MEMBER CORNER KGFA announces PAC fundraising drive Your KGFA staff, in cooperation with the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association, and shared members of the Kansas Cooperative Council, will be implementing a five month fundraising drive concluding June 1, 2012. This effort will have the goal of raising an additional $10,000 for the PAC and better secure the industry‘s position as we approach this VERY pivotal upcoming election.

Safety video available for the industry Garden City Co-op, Triangle Insurance, Texas Cotton Ginner's Trust and KFSA partnered to produce a powerful safety video. It tells the story of a tragic grain engulfment fatality at the Garden City Co-op. This video captures the heart of an effective safety culture and would be an excellent tool to incorporate into your program. To order a video ($35) please contact Caroline Duvall at 620-275-6161 or cduvall@gccoop.com.

This year is key to bolster the PAC because both the House and Senate are up for reelection. Also, the legislature will draw new House and Senate legislative districts based on the 2010 census data. Rural Kansas looks to lose at least one Senate seat and a few House seats to more populated/urban areas. We must ensure that the candidates elected are friendly to agribusiness, understand the value of Kansas agriculture, and realize that sensible government is the key to prosperity.

Trade Talk If you have a short business announcement you‘d like included in the newsletter, email shahira@kansasag.org.

Please read the following testament from Garden City Coop‘s John McClelland. After your staff assisted GCC with solving a costly and timely regulatory issue, he wrote and submitted the following challenge: ―It is apparent to me that we need to give you the tools to continue to do your good work in support of the industry. When pressure heats up on us we need to step up and increase our commitment to you. I am convinced it is the best long term investment that we can make this year. For that reason we are gladly paying our dues and including an additional $2,000 contribution to the PAC. We hope that this will serve as small acknowledgement and thank you. I hope you share our appreciation with your Board and membership. In addition, we hope that this will serve as a challenge to others in our industry that are facing the same frustration to step up and increase their support for our PAC. It truly is in our best interest to invest our dollars with you on the front end rather than paying many multiples of that on the back end to a law firm to contain the damage.‖ For those of you that gave during your membership renewal, we thank you. And for those that would like to contribute more or at all, you may now contribute to our PAC online at www.kansasag.org.

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GRAIN AND FEED REPORT, Winter 2011

Chris Miller has replaced Dr. Jeff Gwirtz as Kansas State University‘s Instructor and Research Associate in the Department of Grain Science and Industry, effective October 7.

Paul Pommer has joined the staff at Hannebaum Grain in Salina as a Grain Merchandiser.

Alan Doubrava has replaced Steve Eck as the Interim Manager at Farmers Union Coop in St. Marys.

Steve Inslee has joined the staff at O.K. Cooperative Grain and Mercantile Company in Kiowa as the General Manager, effective October 10.

Farm Kan, LLC no longer has a McPherson location. All operations are now at Halstead.

Matt Hines has joined the staff at Tallgrass Commodities in St. George.

R. Lynn Teeter of Ulysses is retiring after 38 years in the grain business in Kansas. He started for Sullivan, Inc. in 1973 and became manager in 1991 when Arch DeBruce retired. In 2006, Sullivan Inc. was purchased by Garden City Coop Inc. where Lynn continued as Operations Manager. He has been a great asset to the grain industry and will be missed.

Congratulations to Sarah Sexton-Bowser, KGFA, and her husband Jarrod Bowser for being honored as one of Kansas Farm Bureau‘s Farm Families of the Year.


Are you taking full advantage of your KGFA membership? For details on the following benefits, please visit www.ksgrainandfeed.org or call (785) 234-0461. A comprehensive hospital and medical, group life, dental, salary continuation, accidental death and a property/casualty program are offered through KFSA at a rate which is considerably less than could be enjoyed by an individual firm. Exclusively through KGFA, you can have your employee benefit programs customized and tailored to meet your budget and needs through Harrington Health. Whether it is COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, FSA, Harrington Health has the answers. In today‘s competitive business climate, it is essential that you engage your customer base, and KGFA and Agri-Services Agency has just the program for you. As many of your producers struggle to find health insurance, ASA lets you extend insurance to your customers at no cost to you. Does your company need new apparel? Looking for appreciation gift ideas for your customers? Get 10% off Cabela's merchandise and 5% off Cabela's gift cards just for being a KGFA member. Turn waiting callers into customers. AMS On Hold Solutions is giving KGFA members a 25% discount on monthly rates. Promote specials, decrease caller agitation, reduce hang-ups and enhance your company's image for only $75/month. A 30-day trial is also available. KGFA and Purple Wave are working together to provide members with the best resource to liquidate your unused assets through an online auction service. Purple Wave will make a donation to KGFA every time a member utilizes their services.

Chairman Stan Stark Farmers Coop Co., Haviland First Vice-Chairman Ted Schultz Team Mktg. Alliance, Moundridge Second Vice-Chairman Pete Goetzmann ADM Grain Co., Overland Park Immediate Past Chair Gary Gantz D.E. Bondurant Grain Co., Ness City Directors Mike Barrett DeBruce Grain Inc., Kansas City Brad Cowan Frontier Ag, Goodland Jeremy Girard Hannebaum Grain Co. Inc., Salina Glen Hofbauer The Scoular Company, Kansas City Scott McWilliams Bartlett Grain Co., Kansas City, MO Deb Miller Farmers Union Merc. & Shpg., Stockton Jerry Murphy Bunge North America, Emporia Rob Nordmeyer Cargill Inc., Overland Park Russ Ronnebaum Hammel Scale, Wichita Steve Shaver Andale Farmers Coop, Andale Bob Temple WindRiver Grain, Garden City Vance Westhusin Midland Marketing, Hays

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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

PAID TOPEKA, KS Permit No. 545

816 SW Tyler Topeka, Kansas 66612

Visit our website for up-to-the-minute association news by scanning this QR Code with your smartphone, or going to www.ksgrainandfeed.org.

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GRAIN AND FEED REPORT, Winter 2011


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