CONNECTIONS SPRING 2020
STORIES FROM THE FRONTLINE PG. 13
BREAKING THE STIGMA OF MENTAL HEALTH
PG. 20
AS THINGS FEEL SIDEWAYS, DIFFERENT OR UNFAMILIAR, OUR TEAM IS HERE TO HELP YOU KEEP YOUR OPERATION UPRIGHT. 2
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Contact your partners at MKC to learn how we can assist you in these unprecedented times.
Contents IN EVERY ISSUE
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President’s Column Straight from President and CEO Brad Stedman’s desk.
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News Briefs The latest from MKC and its employees.
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TMA Column A word from our grain partners.
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Talk Back We asked, you responded.
FEATURES
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Mid Kansas Cooperative @midkscoop
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Mid Kansas Cooperative @midkscoop MKC - Mid Kansas Coop
MKC Mission To create customer, employee and partner success to provide a safe and sustainable food supply.
Q&A with Trade and Policy Chiefs Expert speakers respond to questions about the current state of the industry, including trade, policy and more.
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Stories From the Frontline Essential worker couples in the medical and agricultural industries share their stories from the pandemic frontline.
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Studying Stabilizers MKC member-owner John Taylor partners with his strategic account manager to study the effects of side-dressing.
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Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health Poor mental health can make it difficult to manage everyday stressors in farmers’ lives, negatively affecting both personal and farm life.
Editorial Staff Nichole Gouldie - Communications and Brand Manager Kelli Schrag - Communications Specialist
Board of Directors Allan Wegner - Chairman Jason Gaeddert - Vice Chairman David Mills - Secretary Keith Becker C.J. Blew Duane Johnson Sara Hasty Hal Mayer Ben Schrag J. Daniel Eakes John Borth
MKC Vision Partner with customers to successfully navigate the complexity of modern agriculture and industry.
Management Brad Stedman - President and CEO Danny Posch - Executive Vice President and CFO Dave Spears - Executive Vice President and CMO Erik Lange - Executive Vice President and COO Anne Warren - Executive Vice President and CHRO
MKC Values The success of our business will be determined by our ability to focus on safety, courtesy, image and innovation.
Connections is distributed free to MKC member-owners. When reporting an address change, please contact (620) 345-6328 or contactus@mkcoop.com.
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COLUMN | NEWS | FEATURE
RESPONDING TO CHANGE PRESIDENT’S COLUMN BY BRAD STEDMAN, MKC PRESIDENT AND CEO
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MKC will continue to invest in how we partner with our customers to successfully navigate the complex world of agriculture.
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s I started to think about appropriate topics for my first column with MKC, I contemplated a few different themes, and the underlying message always came back to change. Based on my knowledge and experience with MKC, change is a theme I know you are very familiar with. At first, my rationale came from the obvious change as I transition into the role Dave Christiansen more than aptly filled for the past 16 years. As I worked virtually from my home for the first couple of weeks due to COVID-19, the theme took on new meaning to me. In certain times change is something we have control of and can take deliberate steps to make decisions based on being proactive. Other times, we are forced to react. In the case of the former, I want to start by saying I am honored to have the opportunity to work for MKC, an organization with a great track record of success. More importantly, I am thankful to work for an organization that focuses every day on how we can make our member-owners more successful. The transition we are going through as I step into the role of president and CEO at MKC is going very well, mostly due to the great team that has been assembled across the entire organization. Our team’s focus on our commitment to “Shared growth. Shared success.” has kept us on track amongst the changes we are experiencing. In addition, the team’s momentum and dedication to a plan that measures goals and intended outcomes, has made the first few weeks in my role very smooth. I’m anxious to have the opportunity to meet many of our member-owners just as soon as we have the chance to do it in a safe manner. In my transition to MKC, I reflected on another type of change where we have to react to something that is out of our control, and COVID-19 certainly would fit that description. The pandemic we are experiencing has caused apparent disruption to most aspects of our lives over the past several weeks, and while I write this, I hope we will soon be returning to a safer environment. You will notice I didn’t say “return to normal,” as I don’t think any of us can know the long-term implications of COVID-19 on our daily routines or business. With that said, I’m very proud of how the team members of MKC and TMA were prepared to adapt to change that was thrust on us in such short order. We have many employees who have transitioned to their homes, and through the use of technology, have been able to continue their work with little disruption in order to continue to meet your needs as a memberowner. While other employees are on the front lines delivering products to your operations, loading trains to ship grain to foreign and domestic markets, staffing locations for pickup, and more, we have done all of this safely. Safety in mind for not only our employees, but also for our customers and the communities we serve. Our team will continue to work diligently to safely meet your needs as we phase back to work over the coming weeks and months. Albert Einstein once said, “Nothing happens unless something is moved.” I think we can all agree many things are changing, or moving, in our world today. I want you to know MKC will continue to invest in how we partner with our customers to successfully navigate the complex world of agriculture. The foundation of your company is strong and prepared for growth to meet your needs today and in the future. Best wishes for a safe summer and thank you for all you do to provide food and fiber for the world.
COLUMN | NEWS | FEATURE
MEET BRAD Stedman
MKC ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF MID-WEST FERTILIZER
Brad Stedman serves as president and CEO of MKC and has since April 2020. Brad grew up on a family farm south of Omaha, Nebraska, where his family still farms today. His experience in the industry began in 1991 when he went to work for Farmland Industries in South Dakota. Stedman comes to MKC after having served multiple leadership roles in the cooperative industry over the past 28 years. Most recently, he led the western business unit for WinField® United. Prior to his most recent role, Stedman served in many sales, marketing, strategic account and leadership positions within Land O’Lakes, Agriliance and Farmland Industries. In addition, he has served in the local cooperative system in South Dakota and Nebraska. Brad and his wife, Kerry, have two daughters.
MKC finalized the acquisition of Mid-West Fertilizer Inc., a full-service agricultural retailer headquartered in Paola, Kansas, effective May 12. The company will operate as Mid-West Fertilizer LLC. MKC President and CEO Brad Stedman said, “Together, the acquisition strengthens our position in the marketplace and will allow us to expand our services to create additional value for our owners and customers. We see growth of our footprint as a key part of our strategy. Mid-West Fertilizer is a strong ag retail organization with a great team. The synergies gained through this acquisition will allow both companies to continue to achieve greater success.” The acquisition included grain, wholesale and retail agronomy, energy, feed and trucking. MKC and Mid-West Fertilizer have worked beside one another for three years through their relationship with Team Marketing Alliance LLC, a majority-owned subsidiary of MKC. “We chose to partner with an organization that will continue to bring value to producers, provide employees’ career development opportunities and allow our organization to be successful well into the future,” said Rod Silver, former president and CEO of Mid-West Fertilizer. “I look forward to the longterm value and new opportunities for our producers, employees and communities.” Mid-West Fertilizer LLC will be operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of MKC. Silver will continue to provide leadership to Mid-West Fertilizer LLC after the acquisition.
ABOUT MID-WEST FERTILIZER, INC.
LEARN MORE: View Brad Stedman’s introductory video by scanning the QR code with your phone camera.
Mid-West Fertilizer Inc. of Paola, Kansas, was started in 1980 as a regional fertilizer distributor selling and delivering fertilizer to local fertilizer dealers throughout the region stretching between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. Along with the wholesale fertilizer business, Mid-West Fertilizer now services farmers with grain handling, custom application, crop nutrients, crop protection products, seed, feed, fuels, lubricants, propane, trucking and tire sales through 155 employees and 25 locations in Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. To learn more, visit midwestfertilizerinc.com.
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COLUMN | NEWS | FEATURE
MKC AWARDS 20 STUDENTS WITH $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP MKC is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020 MKC Scholarship Program. Ten high school seniors and ten college students have been selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year. Since 2008, a total of $144,000 has been awarded through the MKC Scholarship Program. “The MKC Scholarship Program is one way the cooperative can help support exceptional students who someday soon will enter the workforce to make a difference in the industry and communities where their career paths take them,” said Brad Stedman, MKC president and CEO. “The number of talented young men and women applying for our scholarship program increases each year making the selection process more difficult each year. We are honored to help these young students financially.” Students who received the scholarship provided information on their community involvement, extracurricular activities and employment. They also addressed college and career goals along with key aspects of the cooperative system such as how co-
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ops create a community environment among the local producers and employees. High school students awarded scholarships are: Kady Figge, Onaga High School; Erin Fox, homeschooled; Carissa Klatt, Canton-Galva High School; Lauren Maurer, Inman High School; Kevin Mills, Chapman High School; Jay Nightingale, CantonGalva High School; Gabrielle Posch, Hutchinson High School; Lauren Regier, Berean Academy; Hope Schriner, Inman High School; and Rachel Yenni, Smoky Valley High School. College students awarded scholarships are: Garrett Craig, Kansas State University; Nathan Enns, Kansas State University; Tess Fairbanks, Kansas State University; Cassidy Finley, Kansas State University; Emily Headrick, Kansas State University; Stephanie Hiebert, Kansas State University; Joshua Peterson, Kansas State University; Laura Peterson, Kansas State University; Mackenzie Porter, Kansas State University; and Thomas Smith, Kansas State University.
Kady Figge
Erin Fox
Carissa Klatt
Lauren Maurer
Kevin Mills
Jay Nightingale
Gabrielle Posch
Lauren Regier
Hope Schriner
Rachel Yenni
Garrett Craig
Nathan Enns
Tess Fairbanks
Cassidy Finley
Emily Headrick
Stephanie Hiebert
Joshua Peterson
Laura Peterson
Mackenzie Porter
Thomas Smith
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COLUMN | NEWS | FEATURE
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS STEP UP TO SERVE Together with organizations like National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Agricultural Retailers Association and Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association, MKC lobbied to ensure the White House administration as well as Congress understood the need to designate agriculture as “critical infrastructure and essential”, to make sure crop inputs transportation and logistical concerns were addressed and allowed to continue. Dave Spears, MKC executive vice president and chief marketing officer, represented the co-op and our member-owners on numerous calls with the White House administration and trade associations, providing input and stressing the importance of maintaining a safe and sustainable food supply not only for the immediate future but long term as well. “Our message was being heard and we saw action from the administrations,” Spears said. “It is in times like the COVID-19 pandemic when our member trade associations provide unmeasurable value to our member-owners and all of agriculture. MKC is well positioned to contribute by being in key leadership positions within our member trade associations.”
EIGHTEEN STUDENTS JOIN SUMMER INTERN PROGRAM
MKC and TMA welcomed eighteen interns to the team for the summer. The students will have opportunities to learn from professionals within their area of interest to gain a well-rounded experience in the agricultural industry during their 10-week internship. The 2020 summer interns are: Katlin Allton, Lindsborg; Branden Bearden, Fenton, MO; Clay Browand, Owasso, OK; Austin Campbell, Harrisonville, MO; Landon Dimitt, Hutchinson; Seth Hemberger, Argonia; Heath Hier, Maple Hill; Chelsey Knight, Moundridge; Cassidy Kriegh, Sharon Springs; Olivia Logan, Lee’s Summit, MO; Trisha Mathewson, McPherson; Jonas McLeod, Shawnee; Emma Meyer, Valley Center; Whitney Pelz, Clearwater; Joshua Peterson, Lindsborg; Cole Reed, Ottawa; Jordyn Sanford,
White City; and Jackson Wells, Hutchinson.
STUDENTS STUMPED BY IMPOSSIBLE PROBLEM In partnership with Winfield United, MKC produced “The Impossible Problem,” a video revealing the challenges and triumphs farmers face every day through a collegiate business class project. Students were presented with a case study of challenges and were instructed to make a business plan that solved the situation. After a time of collaboration and confusion, a panel of MKC member-owners explained to the students they had been stumped by everyday farming challenges. “The goal of the video was to elevate farmers and bring to light the troubles they face each day,” said Nichole Gouldie, MKC communications and brand manager. “While it may seem impossible to achieve profitability as a farmer, our member-owners and customers constantly find innovative solutions to address the many challenges they face to continue their legacy for future generations.” LEARN MORE: View The Member-owners on the panel were Ben Schrag, Moundridge; Janice Stevens, Impossible Problem video by Belvue; and James Mosiman, Newton. The video was released on Earth Day and scanning the QR code with has since reached over 7,000 people through MKC’s social media platforms and your phone camera. been viewed over 1,000 times on YouTube.
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COLUMN | NEWS | FEATURE
with trade and policy chiefs BY: NICHOLE GOULDIE, MKC COMMUNICATIONS AND BRAND MANAGER
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ith everything that is going on around us, sometimes it is hard to separate the news from the noise in Washington and beyond. Follow along as we ask Gregg Doud and Jim Wiesemeyer, two key ag leaders in D.C., how the current situation can impact your farm and your community. Q: First, obligatory question! How did you find yourself serving as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator, with the Rank of Ambassador, in the Office of the United States Trade Representative? Doud: When the opportunity presented itself for me to join U.S. Trade Representative Bob Lighthizer and the team he was assembling at USTR, I could not think of a better way to serve the interests of American agriculture than to lead the agriculture negotiations during a historic time in U.S. trade policy under President Trump. I have served as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator for USTR for just over two years, after being
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sworn in in March 2018. The time has flown by. Prior to joining USTR, I was President of the Commodity Markets Council, a trade association that brings together commodity futures exchanges and their industry counterparts, for five years. I also previously served as Professional Staff for the Senate Agriculture Committee for Senator Pat Roberts and Senator Thad Cochran, and have held various roles in the agricultural industry for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the U.S. Wheat Associates and the agricultural commodity consulting firm World Perspectives. I was raised on a farm in Jewell County and am a K-State trained agricultural economist and proud alum. During these past two years, we have made significant progress in expanding opportunities for U.S. food and agriculture exports with several of our key trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, China, and Japan – markets that in 2019 represented nearly 50% of total U.S. agricultural exports. Beyond these achievements, my colleagues
in the Office of Agricultural Affairs at USTR, along with our partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), have worked around the clock to address agricultural trade issues with our trading partners and to expand export opportunities for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. It is an honor to be a part of this team. Q: What does a day in the life of Jim Wiesemeyer look like? Wiesemeyer: A typical day is never typical! There are of course certain major news topics I write about each day. These include U.S./ China trade relations, COVID-19 updates (disease outbreak, mitigation and impacts on the U.S. economy, especially agriculture). Then I look for examples of how the U.S. economy is starting to take steps to get to whatever the “new normal” will be ahead. Eventually my focus will return to my staple list of topics: farm and trade policy and elections and their impacts.
COLUMN | NEWS | FEATURE
Q: What is the status of China fulfilling their obligations per the trade agreement? Doud: The Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement between the United States and China entered into force on February 14, 2020. USTR, along with our counterparts at USDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, have been in regular communication with the government of China regarding the numerous provisions needed to implement the Agriculture Chapter of the Phase One Agreement. Progress thus far has included: • Elimination of China’s unwarranted ban on imports of U.S. poultry; • Removal of restrictions on imports of U.S. beef, providing full access to China’s $8 billion beef market; • The lifting of restrictions on imports of processed meat and poultry meat products, and pet food; • Allowing imports of U.S. fresh
potatoes, California nectarines and avocadoes; • Facilitating imports of new dairy products, providing greater access to China’s $12 billion dairy market; • Streamlining facility registration procedures, allowing for imports from over 2,200 U.S. facilities that process dairy, seafood, meat, poultry, pet food, and animal feed (including feed additives and DDGS). Additionally, as part of the Agreement, China committed to purchasing $80 billion of a full range of agricultural products during 2020 and 2021. We are closely monitoring both U.S. export data and Chinese import data and fully expect China to honor its commitments outlined in the Agreement. Q: You’ve been working on trade with other countries. What can you share on future trade agreements?
Doud: Going forward, USTR will continue to rebalance America’s relationship with its trading partners, aggressively enforce our trade laws, and take prompt action in response to unfair trade practices by other nations. The Trump Administration’s goals for the next year include: • Robust enforcement of commitments by our trading partners in trade agreements, including the USMCA, the China Phase One Agreement, and WTO agreements. • New trade agreements with important partners, including the United Kingdom and the European Union, as well as Kenya, which would be the United States’ first free trade agreement in sub-Saharan Africa. • Conducting further negotiations with Japan for a comprehensive trade agreement that results in a more fair and reciprocal trade and economic relationship. • Pursuing a Phase Two Agreement with China that continues to require structural
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about the experts Gregg Doud Ambassador Gregg Doud is the top ag trade negotiator at the U.S. Trade Representative’s office. Gregg brings a multitude of experience to his position, having worked decades ago for U.S. Wheat Associates, then for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and later for Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.). His knowledge of markets is keen, having been president of the Commodity Markets Council in 2013. He served in that role until March 2018, when he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become the Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
Jim Wiesemeyer From his office near Washington, D.C., Jim Wiesemeyer provides the latest information on agricultural policy and trade developments as Pro Farmer’s policy analyst. He is also a frequent guest on Farm Journal’s AgriTalk and AgriTalk ATB radio programs and an editor for The Agriculture Letter. Since 1978, Jim has reported on and interviewed senior government officials, including Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter, as well as USDA Secretaries since Earl Butz. He has traveled extensively in his assignments and is a frequent speaker on farm policy and trade issues. Wiesemeyer rejoined Pro Farmer in June 2017, after serving as our Washington consultant for 19 years while at Informa Economics.
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reforms and other changes to China’s economic and trade regime. • Limiting the WTO to its original purpose of serving as a forum for nations to negotiate trade agreements, monitor compliance with agreements and facilitate the resolution of international trade disputes. Q: What are the top two or three lessons we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic both in the private sector and the government’s response? Wiesemeyer: One, no country or industry could have prepared for the major black-swan event called COVID-19. But there are lessons learned to help limit any future events of this magnitude. One of them is making sure essential industries (medical, agriculture/ food, energy, etc.) have their safeguards and safety nets in place to cushion the negative impacts. This will likely and should be part of the new major farm bill debate. Another lesson is never should we have allowed the United States to rely on any country (such as China) or a group of countries (Asia) for key medical supplies and personal protection equipment (PPE). Both of those glaring problems will take years to correct, but look for the White House and Congress, and the private sector, to take steps to solve those strategic issues. A related topic is labor needs. Agriculture knew for years the problems in getting adequate labor in key parts of the ag sector, but the woes of the meat processing industry could well bring Congress and the Executive Branch to finally reforming the labor/immigration system. The third lesson is a relearned one in having industry officials and lobbyists inform Congress and the White House of major implications from an event like COVID-19, and suggestions on dealing with it from agriculture stakeholders’ perspective. Grass roots’ solutions have always been the best ways of coping with surprises, and this is no exception. Ag industry officials, ag bankers and others have been an important part of solutions underway. Q: Since COVID-19 is a global pandemic, what impact do you see on trade worldwide and with the U.S.? Doud: The first point that cannot be overstated is that these supply chain disruptions are occurring in the vast majority of countries all around the world. We can all see the disruptions at a local, state, and national level. What is difficult to grasp is that, at the same time, similar problems are occurring in nearly every country in the world. The United States and our key trading partners remain committed to ensuring the continued flow of food, products, and inputs essential for agricultural and food production across borders, as
reaffirmed by G20 Agriculture Ministers at their meeting held April 21, 2020, and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Agriculture joint statement on April 22, 2020. These supply chain disruptions are impacting the trade of all U.S. goods, including food and agricultural products. It isn’t clear at this point what the long-term implications of COVID-19 will be on global supply chains. Regardless, we must be prepared to quickly adapt as our global customer base evolves from this crisis. Q: How has COVID-19 affected the presidential campaign? Wiesemeyer: COVID-19 has impacted not only the presidential election but likely some key Senate and House races, but more so the White House and the Senate. Prior to the epidemic, President Donald Trump was feeling he had the upper hand in winning re-election. Reasons: The job market was tight, unemployment was at over 40-year lows, and the U.S. economy was growing at a healthy and sustainable rate. Republican senators were thinking such an economic environment would help them maintain control of the Senate, and some House Republicans thought they could at least make a run at recapturing the House, even though history would suggest they would come up short. But the epidemic has caused Trump and his Republican congressional colleagues to focus on mitigation, their own health and getting various industries such as agriculture adequate aid in a turbulent situation. The election fate for Trump and Republican lawmakers largely depends on getting the COVID-19 virus contained and the state economies back to business, even if at a likely reduced rate for a while. The ugly unemployment rate and number of jobless workers could look much better by October and if so, then the elections will depend on how voters view the recovery and key issues ahead. Q: With the start of 2020 being a difficult year for many farmers and ranchers, what are some upbeat assessments/positives for the remainder of 2020? Doud: I understand the difficult situation faced by our farmers and ranchers and our food supply chain, and wish everyone the best as we deal with these uncertain times. In terms of agricultural trade, the implementation of the USMCA, the Phase One Agreement with China, and the U.S.-Japan Trade
Agreement will dramatically enhance export opportunities for U.S. agriculture for years to come, providing certainty to our farmers and ranchers As I mentioned above, the Trump Administration has many priorities this year, which represent significant potential for U.S. food and agriculture exports, particularly related to negotiations with the United Kingdom and Kenya. Wiesemeyer: The seeding of the 2020 crops has brought the usual optimism on the part of U.S. producers. Ranchers have seen demand for their products continue, even though logistic and industry glitches have caused short-term problems. But the Trump administration, USDA, Congress and state governors have joined in making sure there are solutions to the pandemic-caused problems in the ag sector. Some potential bright spots to watch for as 2020 unfolds: • Demand for U.S. exports, both crops, meat and energy increases, especially if China comes close to its Phase One trade agreement commitments for 2020 and 2021. • Domestic demand for U.S. farm products should get a big supportive boost as restaurants increasingly open and the prior demand chain starts to work again. This is also contingent on getting meat processing plants safe and workers comfortable in coming to work to process the needed animals for the meat product purchases by consumers and the food services. • Getting schools open will also help the food sector in returning this important sector to the demand ledger. • And getting major league sports back will make a lot of Americans feel that while life may never be the same, some things never change: our love of sports, be it in school or professional leagues. Q: The MKC Connections Newsletter readership reaches nearly 10,000 mailboxes. Is there anything else you would like to tell this audience of farmers, ranchers, industry leaders, employees and more? Doud: I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of those working across the agriculture sector, for your continued efforts on the front lines of the COVID-19 situation, continuing to work to provide vital food and agricultural products to Americans when it is desperately needed. It is a privilege to work on your behalf every day. We will get through this.
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COLUMN | NEWS | FEATURE
stories from the
FRONTLINE BY: KELLI SCHRAG, MKC COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
The spread of coronavirus has undoubtedly changed the way Americans live, work and learn. Digital platforms have become the primary way for many to work, attend church, continue education and find entertainment. However, as businesses close their doors and people engage in social distancing, essential workers are standing on the frontline to serve the public in this reality of uncertainty. Industries such as healthcare and agriculture have been identified as essential and continue to operate to meet the needs of the population by providing treatment to patients or growing a safe and sustainable food supply. Hailed as heroes, some couples work in both fields and risk exposure to keep the world running.
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Josh and Tarah Crosby, Wichita, say their faith has motivated them to continue showing up each day as essential workers.
Josh and Tarah Crosby Wichita
A lot has changed in the past year for Wichita-area couple Josh and Tarah Crosby. Both graduated from college. They got married and moved to a new city. Each started a full-time job. And now, they’re serving as essential workers during a global pandemic. “In a weird way, we haven’t been affected as far as going to work goes,” says Tarah, a nurse at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis. “The biggest change is that we’re saving money by not going to Texas Roadhouse all of the time.” Though the Crosbys had no major lifestyle changes, both of their workplaces introduced new policies to ensure the safety of their employees. “We’ve really followed standard social distancing and have gone above and beyond in wearing masks, disinfecting workspaces and keeping things clean,” says Josh, MKC’s Wichita Grain location manager. “We’re still working to meet our member-owner’s needs but keeping employee safety as a priority.” At the hospital, Tarah participates in meetings every morning and dons numerous
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articles of personal protective equipment before caring for patients. “The hospital is very protective and has provided the appropriate PPE for us to use,” she says. “We have a floor designated for Coronavirus patients, and before we can go in, we have to check our PPE with a designated PPE observer. We’re required to wear a gown and hairnet, an N95 mask with a surgical mask over it, a face shield, and gloves.” Once on the COVID-19 floor, nurses care for two to four patients each, depending on how busy the hospital is. A different nurse will run to get an item if something is forgotten to keep contamination from spreading. Through it all, Tarah aims to be a source of positivity for her patients and coworkers. “We used to make it through the day by seeing each other’s smiles, but since we have to wear masks, we can’t see facial expressions,” Tarah says. “I try to be a light to my patients and co-workers. We’re all in a sticky situation and my co-workers are carrying this weight too. The patients are scared and more
isolated than anyone. They’re alone if we’re not in there. I try to update families as much as possible. It’s important to hold their hand through it all.” Josh says knowing things will return to normal at some point motivates him to continue showing up each day. “It’s tough and making us work differently,” Josh says. “We’ll get through it, and each day we’re one day closer to it all being over.” In his position, Josh has seen firsthand the importance agriculture plays in the world. While the rest of the world has slowed, MKC has experienced continuous business during its busiest part of the year. “Farmers don’t stop,” Josh says. “The work still goes on and even a pandemic isn’t enough to make them hiccup.”
Brandon and Amy Siemens Buhler
For many Kansas beef producers, working cattle is a springtime social event; a time to gather with friends, family and neighbors to accomplish hard work and share a meal together. This year, restrictions on gatherings because of COVID-19 caused Brandon and Amy Siemens’ annual event to look a little different. “We usually have a big group of neighbors come to help us work cattle,” Amy says. “This year, we had to do it with just immediate family and our veterinarian. We really missed having that this spring.” The Buhler-area couple manages a 125-head SimAngus cow-calf operation and Brandon has been farming full-time for 22 years. Amy works directly with COVID-19 patients as a nurse at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and takes extra precautions to avoid infection. “The hospital is diligent about providing PPE and screening patients as they come in,” Amy says. “I wear a mask from the time I walk in the door to the time I walk out. I shower before coming home and leave my clothing and shoes at work, so I am clean and have nothing to take home with me. The community has been very supportive in donating shampoo and body wash for us to use.” The hospital has allowed one family member to accompany patients through the door but has restricted access to the ICU and patient floors. COVID-19 patients that test positive or are suspected and awaiting test results are quarantined to a certain area of the ICU. “This has definitely been hard on families,” Amy says. “Life still goes on and our services still need to
be available for routine care, surgeries or accidents, but families aren’t able to come back prior to surgery or go up to visit their rooms.” For Brandon, operations have continued as normal with agricultural businesses taking necessary measures to provide their services in a safe manner. “I haven’t had any trouble working with MKC, parts warehouses or seed distributers,” Brandon says. “Supplies have been available and workers have kept a safe distance or set up a screen barrier.” Throughout the shift in operating procedures, Brandon has continued contact with his strategic account manager, Chris Thompson. “Instead of face-to-face visits, Chris has reached out through emails and phone calls,” Brandon says. “We’ve had seed delivered to our farm. Everything has continued, just in a different picture than we’re used to.”
Brandon and Morgan Kaufman Moundridge
COVID-19 has changed the way many view the world. While some have chosen to fixate on the negative, others have sought opportunity in the adversity. Moundridge-area couple Brandon and Morgan Kaufman fall in the latter category. “The glass is always half full,” Brandon says. “The biggest thing that most of the world has missed is entertainment. That hasn’t been the case for us as there is a lot you can entertain yourself with in a rural setting.” The Kaufman’s children, Sawyer, Coy and Karsyn, have certainly found amusement by playing hideand-seek in the growing perennial grain field and checking cattle with their parents. “We’ve spent a lot more time as a family,” says Morgan, who works as a labor and delivery nurse at Newton Medical Center. “When Brandon goes to work on equipment or to check cattle, we all go. It’s a good reason to get the kids out of the house.” The Kaufman kids, ages 7, 5 and 3, have transitioned to online schooling and take part in several Zoom meetings a day. The parents have helped facilitate these digital sessions and ensure classwork is completed. They also find opportunity from their positions as essential workers to create teachable moments for their children. “Showing the kids the importance of hard work is important to us as parents,” Morgan says. “As people are losing jobs or traveling elsewhere to meet the needs and demands in bigger states and hospitals, it’s important that I do my part here in my hospital. There’s always going to be moms coming in for labor
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Buhler-area couple Brandon and Amy Siemens missed having neighbors and friends help work cattle this Spring.
and I want my kids to see the importance of making sure their needs, and the needs of my family, are met.” Morgan says the most challenging part of her position is the constant change to comply with CDC guidelines. The hospital has daily updates on new procedures and policies put in place to keep its patients and employees safe. While the Maternal Child Unit has yet to admit a positive COVID-19 patient, nurses are required to wear a mask and sanitize after coming into contact with anyone or anything. Brandon, a full-time farmer managing a diverse cash crop and cattle operation, hasn’t slowed due to the pandemic either. He has continued business with vendors and his strategic account manager, Chris Thompson, over the phone rather than meeting in-person. “Chris and I work well together,” Brandon says. “I appreciate that he’s able to think outside the box, especially with cattle and non-traditional cropping systems. We’ve attended several cover crop
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The Kaufman family, Brandon, Morgan, Sawyer, Coy and Karsyn, seek out opportunity in the adversity of COVID-19.
seminars together over the years because of mutual interest. He’s also got skin in the game on his own operation, so he processes things very similarly, with like goals in mind.” Brandon has found the pandemic to be an opportunity to build direct markets and commercialize his niche products, such as the perennial grain cropping system. “I think direct marketing will change the industry when we look at how consumers want their food,” Brandon says. “With the panic in the processing plants and the dependence on food, we’ve had the opportunity to directly market to consumers. It goes to show that the glass is always half full. We’re very thankful for the opportunities that we have and for the position that we’re in. We look forward to getting back to the ‘new’ normal and meeting with our church family again.”
R7® FIELD MONITORING TOOL A TURNKEY SOLUTION TO IN-SEASON CROP MANAGEMENT
TRACK TRENDS MONITOR MOISTURE DETERMINE INPUT USE EVALUATE PLANT GROWTH TALK WITH AN MKC STRATEGIC ACCOUNT MANAGER TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS REVOLUTIONARY TECHNOLOGY OPTION.
www.mkcoop.com
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COLUMN | NEWS | FEATURE
STUDYING STABILIZERS BY: KELLI SCHRAG, MKC COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
To side-dress or not to side-dress, that is the question. While it may not be as profound of a phrase as Shakespeare’s famous line, it is a common musing in farmer’s minds each year. Farmers face several options when it comes to addressing nitrogen loss, such as broadcasting urea, streaming UAN at a flat or variable rate, running UAN with drop hoses at flat or variable rates, or doing nothing at all. Last spring, MKC Strategic Account Manager Mike Zacharias partnered with Burns-area farmer John Taylor to conduct the study “To Side-Dress or not to Side-Dress: A Study in Optimizing Profitability for Dryland Corn Using Various Management Practices,” using Taylor’s fields. “Butler County was unseasonably wet during the spring of 2019,” Zacharias says. “Consequently, fields planted to corn sustained widely varied nitrogen losses. A combination of soil type, topography, fertilizer sources and management practices all played roles in what nitrogen still remained in the soil.” Taylor had applied liquid nitrogen to his fields earlier in the season, but because of the large amount of rainfall, his fields were now nitrogen deficient. “I knew I needed to do something,” Taylor says. “Things change on a year to year basis, but I’ve been in this position before and was open to trying something new.” Zacharias used the unique year as an opportunity to experiment and get creative in studying various
John Taylor (right) and Strategic Account Manager Mike Zacharias scout fields to compare what they see on the ground with what they were seeing from satellite imagery.
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management practices. He first looked at how to determine which fields needed additional nitrogen and then how to identify specific nitrogen needs for a given field. “Our plan was truly a joint effort between John and several MKC employees,” Zacharias says. “Our precision ag team utilized the Winfield United R7 tool and Bayer’s Climate platform to access a wide variety of satellite images and write variable rate side-dress scripts.” Zacharias and Taylor scouted fields to compare what they saw on the ground with what they were seeing from satellite imagery. They went field by field, referencing historic yield performance with observations to create a targeted approach for each field. “We spent a lot of time discussing what we wanted to do,” Taylor says. “Mike helped mesh together what we were seeing in the field and from the images to formulate a plan.” The team decided to run with two strategies: flat rate stabilized UAN and variable rate UAN application with stabilizers, with the goal to gain additional bushels and earn a positive return on those acres. “We did a lot of looking at the forecast and current conditions, and weighed which stabilizer was going to give him the most bang for his buck,” Zacharias says. “We were hoping to move the fields that we were applying variable rate UAN to a greater level of uniformity. Flat rate fields received 45 units of
nitrogen. We used levels of 40, 50 and 70 units of nitrogen for variably applied fields.” Applications were made June 19-21. The team then waited for harvest and captured yield data using Climate. “There was a strong relationship with side dressing corn and receiving a positive yield response in a dryland environment,” Zacharias says. “Taking any action resulted in a 15-bushel positive response versus doing nothing at all. At $3.50 corn, this added $52.50 of revenue, less $31.75 in costs associated to the application, adding a total of $20.75 per acre to the bottom line. A VRT application in these instances resulted in an 18-bushel increase over doing nothing. At $3.50 corn, this added $63 of revenue, less costs of $44.15, which added $18.85 per acre to the bottom line.” Taylor says while money isn’t everything, he found value in the increased yields, return on added investments and his partnership with Zacharias. “You put your heart and soul in your crops,” Taylor says. “Part of the deal, other than thriving or surviving, is learning something, which I did. Having the technology available to make these changes was nice, as well as being able to call Mike with any sort of problem. He’s there when I need him.” For Zacharias, the study’s results reinforced the value of protecting the investment in fertilizer through the use of nitrogen stabilizers. “With nitrogen being the dominant nutrient needed to push yields, we must always focus on meeting the crop’s needs,” Zacharias says. “The
overarching theme in our study was that sidedressing deficient corn will almost always result in a positive response. In fields that have sustained substantial losses, the additional application can be quite profitable to the bottom line and managing with varied rates can be an excellent way to maximize your return on investment.”
LEARN MORE: Ask your strategic account manager or nearest MKC location about nitrogen stabilizers.
www.mkcoop.com
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COLUMN | NEWS | FEATURE
Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health BY: NICHOLE GOULDIE, MKC COMMUNICATIONS AND BRAND MANAGER
Have you ever heard the expression, don’t judge a book by its cover? That expression can relate to more than just books; as humans, we too often judge each other by physical appearances. But it is important to remember there is more that lies beneath the surface of a human being, even the hardworking men and women involved day-in and dayout in agriculture. It’s no secret that farmers and ranchers have particularly demanding jobs, which can be physically and mentally exhausting. Producers are independent and resilient people. However, even the toughest among us are facing nearly insurmountable challenges. Lesley Kelly is the farmer behind the popular blog, “High Heels and Canola Fields,” and a passionate advocate for supporting mental health within the agricultural industry. A wife, mother and farmer from Saskatchewan, Canada, Kelly believes the success of any farm operation hinges on the well-being of the farmer. “Mental health was something that was never a priority for our farm
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family until things really escalated,” Kelly says. “There soon came the point where we made the promise to make each other and ourselves a priority and put mental health on the forefront.”
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN Mental health is a topic that is near and dear to Kelly’s heart. Through struggles with her own family, and seeing friends and fellow farmers go through struggles, the topic really became a priority she wanted to share with others. “For the last few years, I have been trying to reduce the stigma and break the silence that so many of us in agriculture are living,” she says. Kelly originally started on social media to bring producers and consumers together to share her love of agriculture, but that shifted to share the connections to farming, food and people and the importance of mental health. After recognizing that she had postpartum depression after their second child was born and her husband, a farmer, was living with anxiety mainly attributed to farm
stress, she and her husband shared a live video together that received a tremendous amount of positive feedback. “Other people were looking for hope, and some people were looking for that extra bit of encouragement to raise their hand and say they were going through something similar,” Kelly says. The response from others made Kelly want to provide support and resources to the entire industry. Kelly’s own journey started with getting help through counselors, as well as having her entire family onboard for help and support.
CHAMPIONING MENTAL WELL-BEING Through her blog and social media sites, as well as the Do More Agriculture Foundation, Kelly is focused on combatting the mental health crisis in agriculture. “We are trying to do three things through our outreach efforts, including bringing awareness about mental health, create a community and provide more research in the agricultural industry,” Kelly says. Kelly added the agricultural industry hasn’t talked about mental
health in the past, so there is a lot of unknown. Her efforts are focused on trying to bring awareness to agriculture as to what mental health is and what it takes for farmers to be mentally well. Established in 2017, the Do More Agriculture Foundation’s mission is to champion, encourage and support the mental well-being of farmers. While the Do More Agriculture Foundation’s efforts are focused in Canada, Kelly says it is important for farm families to find a resource they can trust and believe in for mental health and use them as a third party to provide different perspectives on how they are feeling. “I advise people to find the 24/7 hotline number for that organization and put it into their phone in case there is ever the need to talk to a professional immediately, you have already thought about it and aren’t scrambling to find a resource,” she says. The Kelly family uses a mobile app called “BetterHelp” that they have downloaded to their phones, which has provided their family a convenient way to get professional help from licensed therapists and counselors online. Kelly also encourages farmers to look to their extension services for information and support. According to Kelly, another great resource is Mental Health First Aid.
KEEPING WATCH ON LOVED ONES Learning the signs of mental illness means it can be detected early and action can be taken sooner rather than later. According to the American Psychiatric Association, it may be useful to follow up with a mental
health professional if several of the following issues are occurring: • Sleep or appetite changes • Mood changes • Withdrawal • Drop in functioning • Problems thinking • Increased sensitivity • Apathy • Feeling disconnected • Illogical thinking • Nervousness • Unusual behavior Kelly’s most significant piece of advice for anyone is you know your normal and you know your loved ones normal, so when you see concerning behaviors really talk to them, ask questions, listen and talk about mental health. “Every situation is so different and mental health impacts everyone so differently,” Kelly says. “For example, I had different signs than my husband.” The farm stress for Kelly’s husband, Matt, was shown when he stopped eating and sleeping. One of the most prominent physical signs for Kelly’s husband was when he started to have panic attacks where he experienced difficulty breathing, excessive sweating, and racing thoughts of worry and anxiety. According to Kelly, Matt struggled to begin making just day-to-day decisions. Kelly, having postpartum depression, became extremely emotional. She couldn’t call friends and became isolated. When the farm couple began seeing each other outside of their normal behaviors, they knew something was going on and started talking about it more.
“It is so important to ask our loved ones how they really are doing,” Kelly says. “By asking spouses, parents, kids and others in your life how they really are doing and getting them to open up helps bring the topic of mental health to the surface.” Mental health is not something that just affects the individual person. When someone is suffering from a mental health challenge, distress or an illness, it impacts the whole family. It can impact the farming operation. “You really need that support system, your rally of people to help you get through it,” Kelly says. “It can impact day-to-day operations. It can impact marketing decisions. It can impact getting the crop in the ground, calving season and so much more.” Mental health impacts everything in your life, including one’s livelihood and their loved ones. Though help of any kind is welcome, Kelly says farmers and rural communities need to recognize it’s not weakness that leads to mental health problems. “It is okay not to be okay,” Kelly says. “It is okay to have emotions and those feelings that you might have are real and valid. We all go through hard times, and there is hope and it does get better. You need to put yourself as a priority as you are your farm’s greatest asset, so treat yourself in that manner.” Mental health issues have been largely ignored by the rugged and fiercely independent farmers and ranchers in our community. However, life presents ups and downs, and it’s okay to ask for help. It really is.
find Lesley Kelly online AT HighHeelsandCanolaFields.com. LEARN MORE: For more information on mental health, visit these resources for farmers and ranchers.
Farmer’s Thrive 1-800-327-2251
Kansas Ag Stress Resources 1-800-447-1985
www.mkcoop.com
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PLANNING FOR HARVEST COLUMN BY TED SCHULTZ, TMA CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Do you want to prepare for harvest the right way? As our farmers are familiar with, this includes checking the fields and preparing equipment. To make the season a little more seamless, take advantage of a few tools available to you through TMA. Below are five important steps growers should complete before harvest begins to ease the harvest experience using multiple tools and programs from TMA.
Sign-up for the TMA Mobile App The TMA Mobile App will put farmers in the driver’s seat. Download the TMA Mobile App for live ticket and contract information. Users can easily access their TMA account information from wherever they are. Features include bid sheets, wait times at your local TMA partner elevator and much more. New features for the 2020 wheat harvest will be increased sorting capabilities, additional delivery account information and quick-view color indicators to determine if a ticket will have a discount. The TMA Mobile App can be downloaded from the Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Update delivery account information Another important element is the pre-harvest communication to your local staff of any account additions or changes. A quick call to your grain settlement person will ensure the only thing holding you up in the settlement process is dry grain.
Enroll in ACH deposits Grain payments can be deposited directly to your bank account through our Automated Clearing House (ACH) service. Authorization forms are available at any TMA location and through our website at www.tmagrain.com. For additional information regarding this service, contact your local cooperative.
Take advantage of online signatures Did you know all of your option-based contracts can now be signed electronically? We will continue to roll out additional contracts in the coming months. To ensure you are getting the latest information on contract rollouts, please make sure your email address is up to date in the system. You can update your email address by sending your name and current email address to tmanewgrainaccounts@tmagrain.com or by contacting your local TMA representative.
Watch for specialty grain program changes Be on the lookout for changes to our 2020 sunflower and canola harvest procedures. Further communication and details will be provided prior to harvest, but changes will include an automated pricing feature for delivering grain, which will replace the delayed price program used in the past.
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COLUMN | NEWS | FEATURE
TALK BACK WE ASKED: WHAT DOES SUSTAINABILITY MEAN TO YOU?
“FUTURE “ PRESENCE. - Rick Kimbrel
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The key to sustainability is profit. If something isn’t profitable, it’s not sustainable. - Adam Baldwin
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Using farming methods that are viable and good for the environment, local communities and our health! - Jared Miller
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Producing the highest quality food for consumers, while being stewards of the land by reducing inputs and environmental impact! - Brandon Entz
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Sustainability to me means leaving the world in a better place, but it needs to be balanced with profitability. You can’t be sustainable if you are not in business. - Aaron Esping BE FEATURED IN THE SUMMER 2020 ISSUE!
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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HARVEST MEMORY? SEND YOUR RESPONSE TO SOCIALMEDIA@MKCOOP.COM OR www.mkcoop.com 23 COMMENT ON OUR TALK BACK SOCIAL MEDIA POST.
307 W. Cole P.O. Box D Moundridge, KS 67107
