SUMMER 2021 - ProVision Partners
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Applying fungicide on corn
near Junction City... Page 5
Pittsville dairy invests in airflow with
fans and baffles... Page 8
SUMMER 2021
1
UPDATE
ProVision Partners’ Auburndale feed mill.
By Rob Larson, General Manager and
David Brill, Board Chairman
Who would have thought we would have
experienced a pandemic like COVID-19? Over the
last 14 months, this virus has changed how your
cooperative does business and how we live our
personal lives. ProVision Partners Cooperative put
together a plan in March 2020, when there were
only a few cases in Wisconsin. Our staff worked
hard to implement protocols and operational
changes to limit the spread of the virus while
continuing to serve you. We’re pleased to note
that only a few employees contracted the virus,
and everyone has recovered. Currently we have
no active cases. With vaccines readily available,
we hope to be able to ease up on some of our
protocols.
Unusual annual meeting
Normally, we would have held our annual meeting
in person in mid-February. Instead, we mailed our
Class A Stockholders a packet to inform them of
the virtual informational meeting, financial update,
and unanimous ballot to re-elect Aaron Kidd, Chris
Leick and Bruce Wayerski to the board of directors
for three-year terms. The unanimous ballot was
approved by almost 100%. The virtual meeting
consisted of the Board Chairman, Manager,
Financial and Scholarship reports, and was posted
on our company’s website for nearly a month.
Patrons receive cash
In February, ProVision Partners issued almost
$1.5 million in equity redemption to patrons
which included this past year’s estates, age stock
retirement and equity redemption. This total also
included the first board-approved, age 77-stock
retirement program for the former Federation
Cooperative members in our western region.
Previously, Federation Co-op did not have an age
stock retirement program. Under the new plan
when a Federation Equity holder turns age 77, we
will issue a check for the balance of their qualified
equity by the 20th of the following month.
NOTE: We do not have current addresses and
dates of birth for all Federation members. If you
2 2
©2020 ProVision Partners. All Rights Reserved.
from the Board Chairman
and General Manager
are age 77 or above and do not receive a check for Feed: We continue to grow our dairy, livestock and
your qualified equities, please contact Sarah Scholze at wholesale feed business, particularly the steam-flaked
800-944-1784 in the Hixton regional office. corn, manufactured at our Auburndale feed mill.
Today’s commodity costs favor the use of steam-flaked
Non-qualified equities corn, which offers a higher nutritional value. Later
ProVision Partners has just completed its second year of this year, we plan to install another feed mixer at our
issuing non-qualified equity. Under the current program, Auburndale feed mill with 6 more loadout bins as well
your cooperative issues 55% in cash and the remaining as two additional storage bins to increase inventory
45% is retained as non-qualified equity in your name. capacity to meet demand: one for thin flaked corn
The benefits are that the cooperative pays the tax on the (dairy) and one for thick flaked corn (calves). This
non-qualified portion and limits the risk of future liability, summer, we will add another 24-ton feed auger trailer
since we have no plan of retiring non-qualified equity. and a 20-ton quad bulk feed truck to our rolling stock.
The benefit to our members is you are receiving higher
percentage in cash patronage up front and only paying Grain: As a result of the plentiful harvest, we took
taxes on the cash portion you received. in more grain than ever before. To enhance our
receiving efficiencies, we intend to add a second
Current financial update receiving pit at our main Auburndale grain site and
Through the end of April, ProVision Partners is up over to install a new receiving pit and leg along with
$19 million in sales, compared to last year. For the first a distributor and tubing to reach all bins at our
seven months of our 2021 fiscal year, your cooperative Auburndale West site, prior to fall of 2021.
has met or exceeded the financial expectations.
Energy: With the warm winter and early spring, we
Division updates expected propane sales to be down; but we did set a
Agronomy: Over winter, we experienced number of additional tanks last year, which offset the
more commitments from our customers than ever decrease in usage. In refined fuels we added a new
before. Along with an early start this spring, we’ve
Continued on the next page
encountered an increase in volume and sales. All
indications show we will have a good performance
year. Of course, we won’t know the final results until
later this summer.
This spring, our agronomy division installed additional
liquid storage at Auburndale and purchased a higher
capacity airflow applicator. We will continue to
analyze our equipment needs and make necessary
improvements.
Warrens Cranberry Supply: We would like thank
Penny Langer for her years of service as Warrens
Cranberry Manager and wish the best in her new
career change. We would like to congratulate
Danielle Cemenski on being promoted as the new
location manager. Danielle is an experienced
agronomist who had worked closely with Penny and
is a familiar face to most of the cranberry customers, A ProVision Partners applicator spreads protash on an
so this will be a smooth transition. alfalfa field for Adam Borchert.
3
PUTTING THE PANDEMIC BEHIND US Continued
7000-gallon delivery unit this spring which will help us
keep up with demand for farm and commercial deliveries. Our lawncare service continues to grow and is
experiencing very good financial results. This year we
Retail: Consisting of nine convenience stores, two added another motorized applicator unit to keep up
Country Stores, and a Tire/Service Center in Stratford with the growth.
and Lawncare.
ProVision Partner’s board of directors continues to pay close
Our convenience stores continue to do quite well. attention to updating and replacing facilities and equipment
Inside store sales along with fuel volumes are up. This to eliminate downtime and provide reliable service to you, its
summer we will be introducing Chester Chicken to members-owners. We will continue to make improvements and
our Fairchild and Pittsville locations. We continue to capital expenditures where needed.
do technical upgrades and improvements to all our
convenience store sites. In closing, we would like to thank you for your patronage
and your trusted partnership. You have a professional staff
Country Store locations through April are up working together for your success.
significantly in all areas, especially companion animal
feeds. As we head into summer, we wish everyone a good growing
season and look forward to a safe and prosperous harvest
Tire/Service Center sales have rebounded with a and continued good health. ■
nice increase over the previous year. COVID had a
negative impact due to the lack of travel resulting in
less service needs.
4
MANAGING
ALL SEASON LONG
By Brad Mathson, Agronomy Sales Manager
You spent all winter and spring planning, deficiency, and
calculating and executing. Now your other problems
crop is in the ground and coming up. that might be
What’s next? causing stress.
I like to compare the growing season Tissue tests,
to deer hunting. You take one shot, and pulled at stages V2
the deer moves. Now what happens? and V3 of a corn
Just like in deer hunting, the target is plant’s development,
constantly moving in crop farming. Factors can tell us why one part
influencing success or failure — the environment, the of your field is doing well,
economy and the weather — are constantly changing. and another part is not.
I can tell you what we at ProVision Partners agronomy Once the problem is identified, ProVision Partners
don’t do anymore. We don’t let everything play out on agronomy has several other tools at our disposal. We
its own. We don’t cross our fingers, and have air flow machines set up to side dress waste-high
hope there is something to harvest at corn, we have two Hagie sprayers with 360 Y-DROP
the end of the season. technology to apply both additional nitrogen prior to
“ We look closely and often at how the
tasseling with and fungicide, as well.
YOU HAVE crop is doing in the field. Is it getting Finally, we’ll monitor your yields at harvest to determine
TO WALK too much rain or not enough? Are what changes influenced the crop and to get a better idea
YOUR FIELDS nutrient levels where they should be? of how to plan for 2022.
REGULARLY, What factors are causing stress. Our
So, call your Provision Partners agronomist today. Tell them
OR YOU ARE agronomists constantly scout their
you want to look at some of your fields early.
ASKING FOR A customers’ fields, talking with them
TRAIN WRECK. about how to tweak their plans to get A customer once told me, “You have to manage your
“ better results. crop like you do a herd of cattle. You can’t just buy
a few head, put them in a pen and expect them to
We offer three tools to assess problems
grow all by themselves. You have to be out in that yard
and opportunities in a growing crop:
daily.” By the same token, you can’t just plant a crop
thermal imagery, satellite imagery and
and forget it. You have to walk your fields regularly, or
tissue testing.
you’re asking for a train wreck. Keep an eye on that
Thermal imagery is accomplished by flying over your crop. It’s constantly changing. ■
fields every 10 days and taking a visual temperature
of the growing crop. If it’s under stress, it’ll record a
higher temperature. If it’s doing well, it’ll show a lower You can see the rows
temperature. in this high-resolution
Thermal imagery ranges from purple (low crop thermal image of
temperatures) to dark blue to blue to green to yellow to corn about the height
red to white (high crop temperatures). Low temps indicate of a pop can. Taken
the crop is doing well. High temps indicate the crop is June 4, 2020, the
under severe stress. color ranges from
purple (coolest
Satellite imagery is more effective when you reach
temps) to white
canopy. Your agronomist can use this tool to determine
where he or she needs to physically enter the field (hottest temps).
and ground truth weed or insect pressures, nutrient
5
5
Three years ago, Ryan and Tonya
Wayerski built a 400-foot, free-
stall barn west of Pittsville with 27
four-foot fans at the end.
HEAT ABATEMENT IN DAIRY CATTLE
By Katie Swenson, West Salem Feed Nutritionist
Now that we’re in the hot group. A cow will drink up to 10 percent of her daily intake
months, paying attention to the immediately after milking if water is available, so having
temperature and humidity is water available along exit lanes of the parlor is significant.
very important when it comes
The other facet of water, when it comes to heat stress, is
to your animals. Heat stress can
evaporative cooling. A cow’s main sweat glands are around
affect your cows in some very
the nose and udder, so by applying water to the back of the
negative ways, including reduced milk
cow and with air flow to help evaporation, we can cool the
production, reduced feed intake, rumen
body temperature of the cow down significantly.
acidosis, and milk fat depression, among others.
Lactating cows are not the only group that needs cooling.
The optimal temperature for dairy cattle is 40-60
Cooling dry cows is also extremely important. Studies show
degrees, and cows have shown symptoms of heat
cows cooled during the dry period will have a higher milk
stress at temperatures as low as 65 degrees. Counting
yield in the coming lactation, produce heavier calves, and
respirations is one way to spot heat stress. Normal
have a higher dry matter intake at calving than cows not
respiration for cows is 40-45 per minute (normal body
provided with cooling.
temperature of 101.5 degrees).
If you have any questions
There are a few ways we can help keep our cows cool this
on how to implement
summer including areas of shade, air movement and water.
cooling systems at
The most common way to cool is through shade. This can be
your farm, contact your
from a barn roof, tree cover, shade cloth, etc. Often, we see
Provision Partners feed
an opportunity for shade improvement in free-stall barns. If
representative. ■
cows are avoiding certain stalls in the morning or afternoon,
watch the sun pattern. Cow comfort and stall utilization can
be improved by installing shade cloth to block the sun from Top Right: Ryan
hitting the stalls. shows the fan
Air movement is also important to keep cows cool. The control box. Pre-sets
velocity during periods of possible heat stress should be match inside air
4-6 mph, regardless of barn type. This can be achieved by movement to outside
placing fans over stalls and feed lanes, as well as in holding temperature.
areas. For existing fans, cleaning the blades of debris in the
spring before they get turned on will help keep the velocity Bottom Right: Fans
up to what the fan is rated for. It can also help keep the at the north end of
electric bill lower, as clean blades take less power to turn the Wayerski Dairy
than heavy, dirty blades. barn and baffles
Drinking water requirements increase with the ambient overhead keep air
temperature. Make sure adequate water space is provided to moving and cows
all cattle. The most common recommendation for water space cool.
is four inches per cow, and at least two watering areas per
6
WEST SALEM MILL
WORKS AS A TEAM
The West Salem Feed Mill Team, left to right: Alan Lehmann-Production, Darty Olson-Mill Laborer, Chris Barber-Production Manager, Greg Stetzer-Feed
Mill Driver, Larry Lakey-Feed Mill Driver, Jonas Schank-West Salem Director of Feed, Katie Swenson-LPS, Annah Dobson-Administrative Assistant, and Katie
Murphy-LPS. Not pictured: Dave Hartje-Feed Mill Driver, Ken Kalbarczyk-Feed Mill Driver, and Mark Walsh- Feed Mill Driver.
What makes the West Salem Feed mill Annah Dobson – Administrative Katie and her husband, Josh, operate
successful? Assistant – joined the West Salem a small dairy farm. Their daughter,
mill team in the spring of 2020, after Emily, is four years old.
“We have a great team of employees,”
graduating from UW – River Falls where
says Jonas Schank, who has managed Feed Manufacturing and
she earned a degree in ag marketing
three western Wisconsin feed milling Delivery
communications and animal science.
operations for Allied Cooperative
Annah grew up in southeastern Chris Barber – 7 years - Production
since 2015. (On Dec. 1, 2020, Allied
Wisconsin on a 40-cow beef farm. Manager
and ProVision Partners formed a
“That’s how I won the title National
working feed partnership.) Alan Lehmann – 3 years - Production
Hereford Queen in 2017,” she states.
Assistant
“We can help our customers because
Annah lives in Galesville and still
we all work together,” he continues. “No Darty Olson – 2 mos. - Mill Laborer
raises Herefords as well as some dairy
one is above another, and everyone is
cows for show. Dave Hartje – 35 years - Feed Mill
willing to go the extra mile.”
Katie Murphy – Livestock Driver
The mill’s fleet of trucks delivers about
Production Specialist – grew up in Ken Kalbarczyk – 33 years - Feed Mill
20,000 tons annually to local dairies
Minnesota and attended UW – River Driver
and other livestock customers. “We
Falls, earning a degree in animal
may be small, in comparison, but we Larry Lakey – 4 years - Feed Mill
science. Katie spent two years in AI,
are mighty,” adds Jonas. Driver (15 total years with Allied)
breeding both dairy and beef cattle.
The West Salem team consists of: She moved to Wisconsin in 2016 and Greg Stetzer – 1-1/2 years - Feed
has been a dairy nutrition consultant Mill Driver
Jonas Schank – West Salem for the past four years.
Director of Feed – started working Mark Walsh – 10 years - Feed Mill
in feed milling 18 years ago. Jonas In her off-time, Katie barrel races Driver
bought a herd of cows and milked for and has four quarter horses on their
a time, then sold them and went to ranch. Her husband’s family cash crops According to Jonas, the close working
work in agronomy. “In 2015, I went to 2,000 acres near Mauston. relationship of his staff means you can
work at the Arcadia feed mill,” Jonas ask a question of any mill employee
Katie Swenson – Livestock and get an answer.
recalls. He became mill manager in a
Production Specialist – graduated
couple of months and in 2019 Allied “We’ve always prided ourselves in
from South Dakota State University
appointed him feed division manager. visiting our customers on their farms —
with a degree in dairy production. She
Jonas, his wife, Misse, and children consulted four years for Cargill before from myself and the nutritionists to the
Hazel and Henry live in Arcadia on switching to Purina. She’s been with guys making and delivering the feed,”
the farm where Jonas grew up. They Purina for four years. states Jonas. “We’re a good, tight-knit
also raise honey bees. team willing to do whatever we can.” ■
Eighty percent of Katie’s customers are
dairies and 20 percent produce beef.
7
NEW OMEGA MATCH™
EQUINE PRODUCTS
By Taylor Willson,
Lifestyle Production Specialist
The Country Store offers the
best available products and
resources for your horse. For this
reason, we’d like to introduce two
new products in the Purina® animal
nutrition equine line-up, Omega Match™.
Purina Omega Match products are highly palatable
and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. We are excited to 1. Feeding Omega Match Ration Balancer as the sole
share these new Omega Match products: Ration concentrate ration, along with forage, to stalled
Balancer, and Ahiflower® Oil Supplement. horses for 11 weeks resulted in the development of
similar omega fatty acid ratios to horses on pasture.
Purina Omega Match Ration Balancer
Like a typical ration balancer, its purpose is a
2. Each pound of omega match ration balancer
provides a similar amount of omega-3 fatty acids
concentrated formula to fill nutritional gaps common
as grazing on fresh pasture for two hours.
in forage or unfortified grains with a lower intake
requirement than a typical maintenance feed.
Purina Omega Match Ahiflower Oil Supplement
Why is it different than a typical ration balancer? This is a plant-derived, highly palatable omega-3
1. It’s formulated without soy, alfalfa, corn, wheat and supplement. Ahiflower oil contains more and healthier
molasses to support horses with sensitivities to these omegas than any other natural plan tor seed oil,
ingredients. delivering the health benefits associated with fish oil,
evening primrose oil, olive and flaxseed oil.
2. Contains all the goodness of pasture without the
guilt! Controlled starch and sugar formula with no Why is it different from other oils on the market?
molasses that results in minimal glucose and insulin 1. No fish oil.
response to feeding.
2. More omega - fatty oils.
3. Formulated with only a natural source of Vitamin E
and supports optimal Vitamin E levels along with 15
3. A filtered, fully traceable, plant-based oil.
mg of biotin to support hoof growth and repair. Omega Match Ahiflower Oil supplement supports
What does the joint, cardiovascular, skin respiratory and reproductive
research tell us? health, muscles, immune function, and normal glucose
metabolism. This product is recommended to administer
30 mL per day. NOTE: For horses needing additional
support, 60-90 mL per day is recommended.
Visit purinamills.com for a $5-off coupon to use at the
Country Store. Call me or any of our knowledgeable
staff at the Country Store at 715-387-1045 for prices,
availability, and questions.
Remember to “like” us on Facebook and to watch for
sales, events, and more! ■
8
8
NEW CROP GRAIN:
UP, UP AND AWAY
By Mike Raasch, Branch Manager, Then came the U.S.D.A.’s Quarterly Stocks Report that
CHS Hedging showed soybeans down 31% from March 2020 and corn
down 3%. The April WASDE report showed U.S. ending
Maybe you’ve wondered, “What is corn stocks tighter than expected.
controlling these soaring grain prices?” With ending stocks this tight, let’s discuss the weather. An
Is supply or demand influencing the corn early dry pattern in the Upper Midwest will put more stress
and the soybean markets? on the markets and will definitely drive prices this summer.
That answer is both; in the end, however, Are prices high enough to ration demand? Will the new
supply (or lack of it) may be the culprit. administration keep the same trade deal with China? A lot
of different things will affect the grain markets this year.
China bought up U.S. soybeans at a quick pace early in
the crop year but has since slowed its purchases. Japan Have you locked in any new crop corn and soybean
and Mexico have also been buyers of U.S. soybeans. In prices for this fall? Hopefully, you have 25-30% of your
addition, China’s demand for U.S. soybean meal and oil new crop priced, and you’ve sold 75% or more of your
has been strong. old crop. We have various options for you to consider,
including Compass Contracts. These are futures-only
On March 31, 2021, the U.S.D.A. issued its Planting
contracts where you can set the basis any time before
Intentions report. The trade was guessing corn acres
delivering your grain this fall.
would be 92.0-94.5 million and that soybean acres would
be around 90 million. Grain markets rose the limit after Give us a call at 715-687-4683 to discuss pricing, or
the U.S.D.A. indicated farmers would only plant 91.1 check out the cash grain bids on our website www.
million acres of corn and 87.6 million acres of soybeans. provisionpartners.coop. ■
LET’S GROW
TOGETHER.
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team of lenders are ready to move you forward!
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715-389-6391
9
SWITCHING
PROPANE SUPPLIERS
By Troy Thompson, Energy Division Manager
Late deliveries, non-competitive prices, What’s the deal?
extra fees…for any number of reasons you That was simple,
may be considering switching to a new wasn’t it? But wait
propane supplier this summer. ProVision — there’s more.
Partners makes it easy.
We’re offering
We’re reliable, affordable and local. You may a special deal
already do other business with ProVision Partners, so why for customers
not get your clean burning propane gas from your trusted who switch from
local cooperative? Now is the best time of the year to make their previous
the switch. Just follow these three easy steps. supplier’s tank
to a 500-gallon
Step 1 – If you are in our eastern region, call our Marshfield ProVision Partners
office at 800-236-1041; if you are located in our western tank. Through
region, call our Hixton office at 800-944-1784. Just say, “I October 2021, we’ll provide the first 50-gallons free
would like to become a ProVision propane customer.” when you fill the tank to every new LP gas customer with
approved credit.
Step 2 – Schedule the switch out. Our trained CETP
propane technicians have the industries’ best training and In addition, you get:
qualification. If you have propane in your existing tank, √ No fee installation on a leased tank (excluding parts)
we will be happy to pump it over into your new ProVision
Partners tank. This saves the hassle of trying to get credit √ No annual lease fee (with minimum annual usage)
from your previous supplier. √ New customers receive a free safety gas system check
We will take your previous supplier’s tank and set it aside in √ A wide service area
an easy-to-get location for pickup. √ 24-hour emergency service
Step 3 – Once we’ve set your new ProVision Partners tank, √ Budget payment and fixed price contracts available
call your previous supplier and ask them to pick up their Already a propane customer of ProVision Partners? Thank
tank. It is no longer needed. you for your business. You can earn 50 gallons too, by
referring a friend. ■
CHESTER’S CHICKEN
COMING EARLY SUMMER
We’re excited to announce the arrival of Chester’s Chester’s Chicken has done well at the
Chicken at our Fairchild and Pittsville CENEX cooperative’s Auburndale and Colby stores.
locations. Both convenience stores are well “Our customers like Chester’s Chicken
supported by their respective communities, because it is all fresh chicken that is hand
which have limited food options. breaded and cooked onsite,” says Troy.
“We expect big response to this delicious NOTE: Expect a resurgence of Chester’s
chicken during the workday and for carry- Chicken at the Colby CENEX which is
out to family and friends in the evening installing a new upgraded deep fryer this
and on weekends,” says Troy Thompson, who spring! ■
oversees ProVision’s nine convenience stores.
10UNUSED
PREMIUM VEHICLES
DIESEL STILL NEED
AT ALL SERVICE
PROVISION The past year has been difficult on our vehicles. We were
home more because of COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean
C-STORES your vehicles are road-ready. Stored in our sheds and
garages, tires can crack, and suspensions can dry out.
By Mike Kampstra, CERM, and Alignments may be off and there may be other things that
Isaac Brown, CES could wear your tires and impair the performance of your
Did you realize that each of ProVision’s car or pickup.
nine Cenex convenience stores offers Bring your vehicles to the ProVision Tire Center in Stratford,
Roadmaster XL® Premium Diesel at its and we’ll get them ready for the road. The first thing we’ll do
pumps? is change your oil.
In fact, we’ve recently installed a new “But, I haven’t driven 3,000 miles in the past year.” That
high-flow pump for dispensing this doesn’t matter. If it’s been six months or longer since you
Mike Kampstra over-the-road premium fuel at our changed oil, you need to do it. Oil breaks down over time
Fairchild Cenex. and vehicles in storage can take on moisture that can
Premium diesel definitely improves fuel damage the engine.
economy. Thousands of Nebraska field When the technicians at ProVision Tire Center change oil in
trial hours with every original equipment a vehicle, we also do a multi-point inspection. An oil change
manufacturer proved that, regardless of takes 30 minutes, and the inspection (free of charge) takes
whether you operate a semi, a pickup or another 15. With that inspection, we’ll top off your fluid levels,
a tractor, you will see a benefit to burn- check your rear differential, measure your tires’ tread depth,
ing premium compared to No. 2 diesel. and check your air pressure and cabin air filter. In short, we’ll
Isaac Brown
We guarantee a 3% increase in fuel make your car or pickup road ready for summer.
economy to customers who switch from No. 2 to Vacation time is coming, and the American driving public will
premium diesel, but they often report 5% or more. put on some miles this summer. Be ready.
So, burning premium diesel should pay for the
difference in cost. Then, there are all of the other Tires: Our specialty
benefits, such as We sell a wide variety of major tire brands in all price
• Better cold weather starts ranges: Coopers, Hankook, Mastercraft (Toyo), Yokahamas,
Kumos, Firestone and Bridgestone — to name just a few.
• Better moisture control
Need a tire patched? We repair almost any tire, from vehicle
• Reduced maintenance
to truck and from lawn and garden to ATV. We also sell and
One of our premium diesel customers who repair implement tires. If the tires are good but you need a tube
owns 20 semis said he only replaced one patched, we can repair implement, lawn and garden tubed
injector in 10 years, and that injector was in a tires. (Not vehicle tires. That is illegal).
used semi-tractor he had just purchased.
Stop in or call 715-687-4139 for quotes on tires and parts.
To learn more about the benefits of burning Service work can also be scheduled by phone. We do take
Roadmaster XL Premium Diesel, contact Mike walk-ins, but the availability is limited. It’s better to call for an
in ProVision’s eastern region at 715-218-3792 appointment. ■
(michael.kampstra@chsinc.com) or Isaac in
ProVision’s western region at 712-660-6448
(isaac.brown@chsinc.com). ■
11PROVISION PARTNERS
SERVES LOCAL BUSINESS
Our Fairchild CENEX Manager April Eisenberner tries to community
promote local businesses and local people. For this reason, driven,” says
she was delighted to talk up Tim Berger and his company, April.
Berger Custom Hardwoods.
Local store
“Tim’s business, located just two miles away from the features local
convenience store, started out small but grew as the years products.
went by,” says April. “He has a great group of employees.” April has been
managing local convenience April Eisenbernber, our
Many of the company’s 14 employees come to Fairchild
stores for six years and likes to
CENEX for their morning coffee break. Fairchild store manager.
maintain a hometown store with
“At noon, they often come to the store for their lunch,” says local flavor — literally.
April, “so we make sure the warmer is full for them.” The
“Because we’re locally controlled,” she says, “we can bring
c-store manager says she always tries to keep the food
in local products like Amish popcorn, which is amazing, and
fresh for them and asks them for new ideas.
pickles from another business just 15 minutes away.” In the
“Many of them stop back at the store for their afternoon future, April plans to clear a space in the corner of her store
break as well,” she states. that will feature only local products like maple syrup and
Amish candy.
Berger’s drivers stop throughout the day to fuel their trucks
and give April and her staff a hard time. But there is room for national brands, too.
“We love them,” adds April. “They are loyal customers.” News Flash! Fairchild CENEX is working now to plumb its
food preparation area and bring the equipment it needs to
She aims to provide the best possible service to locally offer Chester’s Chicken by early summer. ■
owned businesses who employ local people. “They’re
CUSTOMER PROFILE: Berger Custom
Tim Berger started his business 12 Wisconsin, the company buys
years ago with a single employee locally harvested green lumber,
— himself. After working for dries it and then planes it down.
another hardwood company for In addition, Berger buys dried
years, Tim decided to try a new hardwoods from every corner of
occupation, but he couldn’t shake the country to distribute.
the contacts he’d made in the
Its customers are mostly one- or
industry.
two-man shops. About 50% of
“My largest customer at that time them are Amish, although Tim
Tim Berger came to me and encouraged me does supply a handful of larger
to continue selling to him,” recalls furniture manufacturers, too.
Tim, who bought a one-ton flatbed
COVID-19 has created some
and began his own business
growing pains.
selling hardwoods out of another
company’s inventory. “Last year we were up 25% from
the previous year,” Tim explains.
Growing a little every year,
“This year, we’re up over 40% as
Berger Custom Hardwoods
people buy more furniture and
now operates five kilns with 14
complete projects like building
employees. Located in Fairchild,
kitchens.”
Planing area inside Berger Hardwoods.
12
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Hardwoods
Fuel and something for lunch his employees take their lunch and
You may not have heard of Berger afternoon breaks at the convenience
Custom Hardwoods. That’s probably store, too.
because it is a distributor, not a
With five diesel trucks and one gas
retailer. But maybe you know the
truck on the road all the time, the
local people who work there. If
Fairchild CENEX, just two miles
you live in or near Fairchild, you
away from Berger’s shops, kilns and
certainly benefit from the company’s
warehouses, keeps the fleet fueled up.
growing economic base.
“Honestly, if that store wasn’t here to
ProVision’s Fairchild CENEX knows
provide fuel and something for lunch,
Berger Custom Hardwoods. (Read
I don’t think my business would be in
“ProVision Partners Serves Local
Fairchild,” states Tim.
Business” on the opposite page.) And
Berger Custom Hardwoods knows Berger Custom Hardwoods and
Fairchild CENEX. Fairchild CENEX, two local businesses
contributing to the success of the
“My guys go there at 9:00 a.m.
community. ■
like clockwork to buy burritos and
breakfast pizzas,” says Tim. Many of
A Berger Hardwoods warehouse. 2
13SUMMER L AWN CARE
MADE EASY
By Todd Halvorson, ProVision Lawn Care Service
Growing and maintaining Application 3: This is applied from
a good-looking lawn is not mid-July to mid-August. For the most
difficult. During favorable part, this is a spot treatment of any
growing conditions, you want to broadleaf weeds in your lawn, with
be mowing your grass properly. granular fertilizer spread across the
Four steps will guide you. lawn.
Step 1: Make sure your lawn mower Application 4: Application is
blades are sharp. You want clean cuts performed from mid-August to October.
across your grass blades, not tearing, It’s another blanket coverage of
like dull blades will do. broadleaf weed control, and liquid
or granular fertilizer. To be diligent in
Step 2: Set your mowing height at
taking control of a creeping charlie, wild
2-1/2 to 3”. Remember, you don’t want
violets, plantains, and other stubborn
to cut off more than 1/3” of the blade
weed outbreaks in your lawn, I strongly
per mowing. You don’t want to add undo
suggest doing all three broadleaf weed
Creeping Charlie stress to your lawn.
applications. These are very stubborn
Step 3: If you leave your clippings, weeds that are hard to control. NOTE:
you will give back healthy nutrients to If you are on a strict budget and you are
your lawn. battling these weeds, the best application
Step 4: You need to get rid of those for the biggest bang is Application 4.
pesky broadleaf weeds and maintain A Reminder: As summer temperatures
healthy grass plants by using fertilizer. rise and if you don’t have irrigation,
That is where we come in! your lawn will go into dormancy.
ProVision Lawn Care offers four Don’t worry, these lawns usually come
application services: out of dormancy later in August and
September when temperatures start to
Application 1: The time period for cool, and they start to get more moisture.
this year’s application is past. Next I will monitor lawns and use my best
year, consider having us put down judgement on whether to treat or not to
a crabgrass preventer with fertilizer. treat during these hot, dry times.
For the remaining months of summer,
we offer three applications to help If you are interested in any of these
Wild Violets control broadleaf weeds (dandelions, applications or if you have any other
chickweed, creeping charlie, wild violets, lawncare questions, please call me
plantains, etc.), and apply a fertilizer at 715-387-3734, or email me at
with just the right nutrient ratio that your thalvorsen@provisionpartners.coop. ■
lawn needs.
Application 2: This needs to be done
between now and mid-July. It consists
of a blanket coverage of a liquid
broadleaf herbicide, and fertilizer (either
liquid or granular).
Sharpen your
blade and set it
at 2-1/2" to 3".
3
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15NEW FACES AND NEW PLACES
At ProVision Partners Cooperative, we consider our employees to be our most valuable assets. So, we are proud
to tell you when someone new arrives or someone familiar moves into a different role. Here are a few of our most
recent employee changes.
Brit Groshek based Air Scout to diagnose our customers’ fields through thermal
Keeping a Positive Attitude imaging. Since arriving at Warren in February, Danielle has found
Brit Groshek came to work in Auburndale interest among cranberry growers in thermal imaging technology.
last September as a seasonal grain
elevator operator and was hired full- “I’m a good source of technology information,” says Danielle, who
time in December. Her duties involve studied crops and soils at UW-River Falls.
weighing and unloading trucks and testing
all incoming grain and feed products. Danielle grew up outside Le Sueur, Minnesota. Both sets of
grandparents operated dairy farms that later switched to row
“When I started, it wasn’t too busy, but when the farmers started crops.
bringing in their beans, it was a mad rush,” she states. Brit says
she had good training, “but at harvest time you got to jump in In her sophomore year at River Falls, Danielle joined the Army
and figure it out.” National Guard, completing both basic and advanced individual
training. She returned to the university and graduated in the
Farmers drive some of the trucks themselves while some are spring of 2017.
driven by helping hands. “I’ve seen school-age kids hauling corn,
too,” she says. Daniel describes herself as a good listener. Acknowledging that
her experience to date has been with row crops, she says she has
Brit’s positive attitude has served her well. “Things can get much to learn. “My customers have generations of experience
stressful during harvest,” she notes. “You’ve got to stay calm and in growing cranberries, and any information they can give me is
positive when it’s frustrating and everyone is working long hours.” much appreciated,” she states, adding, “I’m here to help them.”
Brit likes working for ProVision Partners with its agricultural The Cranberry Supply Division handles all manufactured and
foundations, especially after being asked to work full-time. blended fertilizers and crop protection products, as well as
She went to school for corrections but thinks she may want to specialty products like non-ionic surfactants. ProVision Partners
stay with the cooperative and advance. “There are a lot of has its own proprietary fertilizer, CranMax 8-8-24, that is
opportunities in this company to progress and to learn more,” manufactured just for cranberry growers.
she states.
Bailey Larson
Besides, she likes conversing with all the truck drivers. They Ag and Sports Define Her
have a lot in common. Like many of them, she grew up on an After graduating with a Bachelor of Science
Auburndale farm. in dairy science and ag business, Bailey
Larson jumped at the opportunity to apply
Brit has two children (six and three) and one on the way. for the position of administrative assistant at
“We’re outdoorsy people, so we’re always fishing, swimming and ProVision Partners’ Hixton office. She started
camping,” she states. April 5, 2021.
Danielle Cemenski Despite the rigors of learning a new position which involves
From Row Crops to Cranberries processing accounts payable in agronomy and scale tickets in
Danielle Cemenski is our new location grain, this new hire will begin work on her Master of Business
manager and agronomist at the Administration through UW-River Falls at the end of May.
cooperative’s Cranberry Supply Division in
Warrens, Wisconsin. “I do well under pressure,” she states with calm assurance. “I’m
always looking for that obstacle or challenge to over-come.”
For the past three years, Danielle has proven her Bailey describes herself as an organized person who always tries
expertise at the computer, creating plant nutrient blends for to smile, no matter the situation.
our Hixton fertilizer plant. She has also worked with Wisconsin-
Growing up on a small dairy farm near Alma Center, Bailey has
already been involved in many aspects of ag. She has shown
16dairy cattle her whole life, and continues to milk cows each Growing up in Fairchild, Connor did chores on his uncle’s farm.
evening, after leaving the office. He graduated from Augusta High School and worked in delivery
for the Woodshed in Augusta and for Ashley furniture in Arcadia,
After graduating from U.W. - River Falls last spring, she taught before joining ProVision Partners Cooperative on Dec. 13, 2019.
math at Alma Center High School until offered her current
position at ProVision Partners, which she describes as “right in Connor lives in Osseo, Wisconsin, with his wife, Sadie, and their
my wheelhouse.” two-month-old daughter, Grace. The couple had previously lost a
child through stillbirth. Connor usually spends his free time with his
In addition to farm experience, Bailey has been around co-ops family but enjoys hunting in the fall.
her entire life. “My parents did business with Federation (now
ProVision Partners) ever since I can remember,” she states. Doug Blaess
Co-op Staffer Returns
Bailey continues to show cattle all year long and is big into any Doug Blaess is back with the co-op after
Wisconsin sports. “I play softball, basketball and volleyball,” she gaining experience in ag equipment sales.
states. “Ag and sports sum up who I am.” Formerly with Federation Cooperative,
Doug worked for Ziegler Equipment at
Connor Larson Rochester, Minnesota, for the past two
ProVision Partners, a Family Business years. He joined ProVision the end of May.
Connor Larson has been employed by
ProVision Partners Cooperative for over a After helping the Auberndale and Unity applicators complete a
year, doing maintenance and inspections at busy spring season, Doug will focus on logistical operations for
the company’s nine c-stores. the agronomy division in both regions.
“All the employees I’ve worked with have been “I’ll be working with the agronomy staff in both regions to
very helpful and caring,” he states. “It’s like a family business where efficiently move both products and equipment using technology
everyone treats everyone very well.” we’ve installed,” says Doug.
Recently, Connor has accepted a new position as ProVision Doug started work for Federation in 2010 as a general laborer,
Partners’ LP cylinder route driver in the western region. “I replace working in the fertilizer plant, running equipment and making
the empty cylinders at the Cenex stores in the Hixton area and repairs. He has managed both the grain and the agronomy
stop at businesses to replace their fork-lift cylinders,” he explains. divisions and was agronomy manager when the new Hixton plant
was completed in 2015.
Connor’s goal is to earn a regular bobtail route, delivering larger
quantities of LP to farms, homes and businesses. “My family and I are excited to be back in Wisconsin,” Doug
states, “and I’m looking forward to the new challenges of this job
and to getting back into agronomy.” ■
REMEMBERING MARK T YSVER
Mark Scott Tysver, 58, Chili, Starting in 1999, Mark worked exclusively in the Chili feed
passed away peacefully with mill. He served as operations manager from 2004 to 2018.
his family at his side on Monday, (In 2015, Central Wisconsin Cooperative and Harmony
April 5, 2021 at Marshfield Cooperative unified as ProVision Partners Cooperative.)
Medical Center.
In 2018, Mark took over management of the mill in Stratford.
Mark was employed at cooperative locations in Chili, Stratford
In 2019, he moved to the new ProVision’s Auburndale mill
and Auburndale for almost 33 years.
where he was employed until his passing.
In 1988, Mark came to work for Chili Farm Service. He
Mark was affectionately known as “Monkey.” A kind, caring
manufactured feed, ran the agronomy plant and applicators,
and devoted coworker — we will miss him. ■
and worked in the office. (In1996, Central Wisconsin
Cooperative purchased the business.)
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Marshfield • Spencer • Stratford • PartnersBankWI.comCOOPERATIVE AWARDS
SCHOLARSHIP CLASS OF 2021
ProVision Partners awarded scholarships to 22 high school Hannah Meier, daughter of Scott and Kim of Colby. A Colby
graduating seniors with plans to attend post-secondary schools. High School graduate, she will be studying wildlife conservation at
We also would like to encourage students to inquire at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.
cooperative for various internship/employment opportunities.
Cameron Nieman, son of Donnie and Kim of Spencer. He
Scholarship recipients for 2021 are: graduated from Spencer High School and will study biology with a
Summer Antal is the daughter of Donald and Dana of minor in photography/videography at Freed Hardeman University.
Melrose. Summer graduated from Melrose-Mindoro High School Jacquelyn Paul, the daughter of James and Kara of Alma
and will attend Western Wisconsin Technical College to major in Center. A Lincoln High School graduate, she will attend Iowa State
agriculture-business science and technology. University to study in the College of Human Sciences.
Garrison Armitage, the son of Travis and Stacy of Blair. Ashlee Piskow, the daughter of Walter and Sandra of Granton.
Garrison graduated from Blair-Taylor High School and will attend She graduated from Granton High School and will study farm
Chippewa Valley Technical College to study in the agronomy production-dairy science at Northeast Wisconsin Technical
management program. College.
Brooke Aue, the daughter of Dale and Kelly of Auburndale. An Alyssa Rueth, the daughter of Rick and Pam of Loyal. A
Auburndale High School graduate, Brooke will attend Southwest Columbus Catholic High School graduate, she will attend
Wisconsin Technical College to earn a degree in livestock Concordia University to study rehabilitation science.
management and agribusiness.
Rainna Simone, daughter of Chad and Amy of Marshfield. A
Rebekah Downs, the daughter of John and Marlis. She graduate of Marshfield High School, she will study animal science
graduated from Pittsville High School and plans to attend UW- pre-veterinary at UW-River Falls.
Milwaukee in their engineering program.
MaKenzie Skibbie, the daughter of Paul and Kari of Stanley.
Halle Fecker, the daughter of Ryan and Stacey of Stratford. A A graduate from Thorp High School, she will study food industry
graduate from Stratford High School, she will attend Northcentral business at UW-River Falls.
Technical College, pursing a degree in criminal justice.
Sara Snortheim, daughter of Dan and Cindy of Arpin. An
Brooklyn Filtzkowski, the daughter of Michael and Linda of Auburndale High School graduate, she will study dairy science at
Colby. A Colby High School graduate, she will attend St. Norbert Northcentral Technical College.
College to study english and medicine.
Aaron Sternitzky, the son of Patrick and Lisa of Chili. A
Ethan Frank, the son of Derek and Angie of Augusta. A Marshfield High School graduate, he will study agribusiness at
graduate of Wildlands School, he will attend Chippewa Valley Black Hawk College.
Technical College to study marketing.
Sophia Thompson is the daughter of Kari Johnson of
McKenya Grassel, the daughter of Josh and Alisha of Melrose. A graduate from Melrose-Mindoro High School, she
Marshfield. An Auburndale High School graduate, she will attend will pursue a liberal arts degree in english or communications
UW-River Falls to major in dairy science. at St. Mary’s University.
Aiza Larson, the daughter of Robert and Vicki of Fairchild. A Gracie Walker, daughter of Tim and Tracy of Wisconsin Dells.
graduate from Augusta High School, she will major in nursing at A Wisconsin Dells High School graduate, she will study animal
Winona State University. science at UW-Madison.
Zalexis Mannigel, the daughter of Larry and Lila of Spencer. Tristan Wirkus, the son of Anthony and Rebecca of Edgar.
She graduated from Spencer High School and plans to attend UW- A Stratford High School graduate. He will pursue a degree in
Stevens Point, Marshfield to major in business. environmental geography at UW-Eau-Claire. ■
19PO Box 988
Marshfield, WI 54449
MAIN OFFICE
Marshfield. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-236-1041
REGIONAL OFFICE
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