WINTER 2021 - ProVision Partners
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Stratford FFA advisor Becky
Wirkus distributes BOGO
milk vouchers to essential
community worker. Page 17.
Allied Cooperative and ProVision
Partners form a feed partnership at
West Salem mill. Page 5.
WINTER 2021
1
STRONG PARTNERSHIP HELPS
REACH GOALS
By David Brill, Board Chairman
On Sept. 30, 2020, ProVision Federation merger update
Partners completed a challenging Thank you for believing in us and for partnering in the
year. We made numerous changes union of Federation Cooperative with ProVision Partners.
and implemented protocols to We have appreciated your support and encouragement
comply with state regulations to limit over the past 12 months. The merger has improved both the
the spread of COVID-19. With solid western and the eastern regions of our unified company.
management, talented staff and continued
Because of your continued patronage and our talented
customer support, your cooperative ended up performing
employee base, our company performed very well —
very well, resulting in a record profitable fiscal year.
despite the pandemic. ProVision Partners will report its
Please read Rob Larson’s article on page 4 for a recap best year ever in local savings and in net earnings. Based
of our 2020 year. We’re grateful for your continued on the results of our 2020 fiscal year, we anticipate
support and commitment. paying out a total of $3.4 million in cash patronage and
equity redemption.
Below, I will address important changes and actions
being taken by your farmer-owned company. Feed partnership with Allied Cooperative
Dec. 1, 2020, ProVision Partners entered a feed
Annual meeting changes
partnership like the one we did with Federation
After board discussion it was decided to cancel the
Cooperative in 2017. Like last time, we are leasing the
meeting for this year, because of COVID-19 health
West Salem feed mill building from Allied Cooperative,
concerns and the serious risk of spreading the virus.
headquartered at Adams, Wisconsin. We have employed
Pertinent information will be presented by mail to Class
the mill staff and purchased their rolling stock.
A stockholders.
Your board and management expect this partnership
will lead to a greater working relationship with Allied
Cooperative, allowing us to do more things together in
the future.
ProVision Partners invested in another corn dryer and
a half-million-bushel grain storage bin at Hixton.
2
©2020 ProVision Partners. All Rights Reserved.
Property sales and reinvesting
assets
ProVision Partners Cooperative’s board
decided to sell the Oasis Convenience
Store, located along Interstate 94
in Black River Falls. Under state
requirements, we would’ve had to
make a substantial investment in new
tanks, underground piping and other
improvements at this location.
Instead, we opted to sell the
convenience store to an individual
who has other Interstate properties.
The sale and closing was completed
in November 2020. We also sold the
unoccupied Federation Cooperative
office building in Black River Falls to the
Jackson County Highway Department.
With the proceeds from both sales, we
were able to reinvest in improvements
to our western region. We invested
in another grain dryer and a half-million-bushel corn bin at Hixton, and we made
improvements and upgrades in equipment at other facilities. A portion of the proceeds
will also be designated towards an age stock retirement for the western region.
A change in our equity redemption payment date
ProVision Partners normally mails equity redemption payments in November and cash
patronage checks in December. This year, cash patronage checks were mailed, as usual,
in December. However, equity redemption payments will be mailed in February 2021, for
two reasons:
1. In November, our administrative staff is working hard with our auditors to close
the books on the previous fiscal year. Moving equity redemption to February will
spread the additional workload.
2. The regional cooperatives we work with (Cenex, Land O’Lakes and CoBank) retire
equities in February and March, which are used to help fund ProVision’s equity
redemption program.
For these reasons, we feel it best to move equity redemption payments to February now and
in the coming years. We anticipate meeting or exceeding our equity retirements of a year
ago. Since ProVision Partners was established April 1, 2015, we will have issued over $15
million in cash patronage estates, age, and stock redemptions including this years payouts. ■
3
A STELLAR PERFORMANCE
IN A DIFFICULT YEAR
By Rob Larson, General Manager
At the end of each year, we Our fiscal 2020 performance is the result of several factors,
celebrate the longevity within our such as continued growth, the improved ag economy and
employee group. We do this because the very beneficial merger with Federation Cooperative,
we consider the people of ProVision which began Oct. 1, 2019. This past year, the Eastern
Partners to be our number 1 asset. Region (ProVision) and the Western Region (formerly
Federation) shared agronomy equipment, technology and
Do you realize your farmer-owned administrative costs. All regions benefited from improved
cooperative employs 22 people who have been serving you cost control. See our Fiscal Year 2020 Financial Recap at
for over 10 years, 19 people who have been serving you the bottom of this page.
over 15 years, and 17 people who have served you for over
20 years? But get this — we employ 6 people who have Federation’s union with ProVision has been
served you for over 25 years and an even dozen employees positive for both organizations. We’ve worked
who have over 30 years of service, including one employee together to strengthen each other. The result
with over 50 years. continues to be more benefits for you as
customers. On Dec. 1, 2020, we began a feed
Let me put this in perspective. At times in the spring plant, partnership with Allied cooperative, which you
ProVision Partners employs over 300 people, but during can read about in David Brill’s article on page 2
the year we employ around 145 people full-time and and in Jonas Shank’s article on the next page. ■
100 people part-time. In total, over 25% of our full time
employees have been serving you for an average of over
20 years. ProVision Partners Cooperative
We’re very fortunate to have this experienced, professional Financial Highlights
staff with talents in a variety of areas. This past year has Fiscal Year 2020
been a challenging one for all involved. We’re blessed and
pleased at the stellar performance of our employees and (Ended 09/30/2020)
what they’ve done to make your company successful. Every
employee, no matter how long they have worked, is equal Sales $157,191,268
and is as important as the next employee. Gross Margins 31,995,206
Please take a moment to thank the staff at your ProVision % of Total Sales 20.3%
Partners location for their service to you, the member-owners. Local Net Savings 7,097,818
Our financial success % of Total Sales 4.5%
Your local cooperative recorded over $157 million in sales
Net Earnings 14,700,000
during fiscal 2020, which ended Sept. 30, 2020. We
achieved LOCAL net earnings of $7.1 million from local Assets 119,331,573
operations, and we attained net earnings of $14.7 million. Working Ratio 13,126,315
This figure included local net earnings, regional patronage,
and earnings from Energy Solution Partners of Tomah (ESP) Current Ratio 1.79:1
in which ProVision Partners has a 30% ownership. Ownership Percentages 73.7%
In December 2020, ProVision Partners will pay Local Ownership % 64.2%
out to our members about $1.9 million in cash Patronage Declared
patronage, based on the fiscal 2020 earnings. In
February 2021, we will return to our members Cash (55% rate) 1,936,000
about $1.5 million in cash equity redemptions. Equities 1,584,000
Between these two payments, we will return a
Patrons Equities Retired 1,226,615
record amount of cash to the country.
Debt-to-Equity 18.4%
4
ALLIED AND PROVISION
PARTNER IN FEED
By Jonas Schank, Feed Mill Manager at West Salem
Allied Cooperative and ProVision
Partners Cooperative formed a working
feed partnership on Dec. 1, 2020.
The purpose of this partnership is to better serve
Allied’s customers by utilizing the more substantial
resources — both personnel and facilities — of
ProVision. At the same time, ProVision should benefit
as Allied opens a new corridor for their animal
nutrition services.
Allied Cooperative serves farmers in central
Wisconsin, from Plover to Wisconsin Dells and over West Salem feed nutritionist Katie Swenson samples
to West Salem and Arcadia. The feed mill at West feed on Wedemeier’s Farm near Tomah, Wisc.
Salem was constructed in 1990, and serves our
southern area — Mauston, Adams, Wisconsin Dells Besides the rebranding of delivery trucks, we do not
and Wisconsin Rapids — with the help of Purina’s expect the feed customers of Allied Cooperative
Mauston mill. Feed revenue totals at the West to see a lot of change. In the long run, we expect
Salem mill are about $8 million, and we deliver ProVision’s Auburndale mill to do more bagging of
about 20,000 tons annually to our dairy and floor stocks, which is what they’re set up to do. But
livestock customers. at the end of the day, the same people will be
delivering feed to our Allied customers
West Salem will be ProVision’s western-most mill.
We employ a good team, and I think we’ll work Personally, I’m looking forward to having the
well under ProVision’s structure. Hopefully, both resources and people who can help our dairies
cooperatives will benefit from the expanded with their technical questions because, if we don’t
purchasing and marketing opportunities this have them, we don’t have anything. This is all about
partnership affords. bringing more value to the country. ■
EVERY DAIRY FARM’S
CALF PROGRAM IS DIFFERENT
By Nicole Pralle, Calf and Heifer Feed Sales Specialist
I grew up on my family’s they all have different goals. For this reason, no calf
registered Holstein dairy program is ever the same.
farm near Humbird,
Wisconsin, on the edge What are your goals? Some farmers have big goals.
of Clark County. I have Some want to take baby steps. My job is to assess
fed calves since I was 4 where you currently are and then determine the steps
years old, and I’ve been (big or small) the help reach your goals.
in love with the dairy
cow ever since. You can be assured that I will not advise you to spend a
ton of money on a completely different feeding system
I still feed the calves on my or management style that may or may not benefit you.
parent’s farm every weekend but I’ll assess your situation and figure out a way, within
during the week I am a ProVision Partners calf and your current system and budget, to meet your goals.
heifer specialist. It’s my job, now, to focus on the calves
of our customers. Your calves will help tell me everything I need to know
about your current program and its effectiveness. It is
Everyone in the dairy industry will tell you that calves part of my job to observe what your calves are saying
are an investment. They are obviously 100% right, but by their behavior, average daily gain, and overall
that investment can be as large or as small as you health, and to put that knowledge into an actionable
make it. My biggest question for farmers is: “Are you plan designed to reach your goals and expectations.
reaching your goals and are you making money on the
money you are investing?” In recent years, ProVision Partners Cooperative has
expanded its ability to advise farmers and to manufacture
I get it — calves are one of the first places a farmer feed. We now serve dairies from eastern Minnesota to
cuts back on when milk prices drop or the tractor just west of Green Bay. We can ship feed in quantities
breaks down, because calves are expensive to raise. as small as 4’ x 4’ pallets and as large as semi loads —
My job as a calf and heifer specialist is to help you whatever fits you. We steam flake corn at our Auburndale
capitalize on the investment you have made in your mill and offer custom grinding services at our Stratford
calves — whether big or small. mill. We recently partnered with Allied Cooperative to
operate their mill at West Salem, Wisconsin. (See page 5
I’ll work with you to develop a calf nutrition program for that story.)
specifically designed for your herd. Each one has a
different environment, genetic base, different buildings Let’s have a conversation about your calf program and
and a different management styles. More importantly your goals. I can’t wait to meet you and your calves.
Call me at 715-650-7902 or email me at NPralle@
provisionpartners.coop. ■
6
INPUT TRENDS AND
WHAT WE LEARNED IN 2020
By Tom Hoffman, Agronomy Division Manager
After recent historical lows in plant food, we’re seeing What we learned
some subtle increases in the price of phosphorous and The 2020 growing season was outstanding and taught us
potash, due to lack of supply and trade disputes. With some important things. First, we learned the importance
today’s strong grain markets, however, plant food is still of timely planting. When combined with an outstanding
very economical and obviously has great value. growing season, timely planting can provide us with very
good yields. We continue to see soybean planting dates
Various crop protection products continue to decrease in moving earlier and earlier, with excellent results.
price from the previous year. These include some pre-
emergent herbicides for corn and soybeans as well as The use of tested and proven genetics continues to improve
some older fungicides. Glyphosates will see some slight yields, as well. This is one of the few things over which you
price increases. have direct control. ProVision Partners offers an arsenal of
proven seed products from leading seed providers.
Seed products in general remain steady, with new
genetics maintaining strength. We continue to see the As you head into a new crop year, I recommend securing
Enlist® soybean trait having a presence and positive proven, tested seed genetics and securing plant food
effect as Roundup-resistant weeds spread throughout needs early, as the market appears to be constantly
North Central Wisconsin. changing. Commodity prices are strong and intended
planted acres in 2021 appear strong as well. Demand
Please do not overlook the importance of controlling for plant food was outstanding in the fall of 2020, and
Roundup-resistant weeds. There are many good that normally leads to continued strong demand the
options for controlling these pests. Please consult your following spring. ■
ProVision Partners agronomist for options that fit your
management style.
LET’S GROW
TOGETHER.
You’ve got a lot of ground to cover and our growing
team of lenders are ready to move you forward!
Local-Decision Making
Experienced Lenders
www.forward.bank
REAL ESTATE LOANS, PERSONAL, PROPERTY LOANS,
Flexible Terms LINES OF CREDIT, OPERATING LOANS
Gary Schraufnagel Mike Henke Terry Johnson Steve Brost Nathan Kunze
VP
12 / Sr Ag Lender VP / Sr Ag Lender VP / Sr Ag Officer VP / Ag Officer Jr Ag Lender 7
715-316-0326 715-229-0072 715-267-3153 715-229-0083 715-389-6391
PROVISION PART
COOPERATIVE IS INTO
By Penny Langer, Warrens Cranberry Supply Manager
Some ProVision Partners members may not know this,
but your cooperative operates Cranberry Supply
at Warrens, Wisconsin. This one-location agronomy
business was a Federation location and became
part of ProVision when the two companies united on
Oct. 1, 2019.
Penny Jo Langer manages Cranberry Supply, which supplies
cranberry growers with fertilizers, pesticides and other production
needs. A certified crop advisor, Penny works with 82 growers and
their consultants to design nutrient information for their cranberry
crops. She contracts with local drivers to deliver the agronomy
products she sells.
“I earned my degree in 1998, and I’ve worked in agronomy for
over 20 years,” says Penny. She started doing nutrient management
for row-crop growers, earned her CCA in 2001, and in 2012 began
working with cranberry growers exclusively.
“It’s been a steep learning curve,” continues Penny, who took over
management at Cranberry Supply in 2017. “My experience in row-
crops helped me transition to cranberries, but I learn more each day.”
Penny and Cranberry Supply work with nearly a third of the 245
cranberry growers in Wisconsin. Cranberry Supply ships agronomy
products all over Wisconsin and provides some to Canadian and
Minnesota growers as well. “I work with growers who farm 12 acres
of cranberries up to 800-plus acre marshes,” Penny states.
Berry growers busy all year
“Right now, cranberry plants are dormant,” says Penny. “As soon as
cold weather sets in, growers will flood their beds to put a layer
of ice over the plants.” They’ll add inches of ice while taking water
from underneath, so the plants don’t suffocate. If weather permits,
growers will spread a thin layer of sand on top of the ice. Sanding
helps with insect and disease suppression along with vine health
and growth.
“In the spring, once the weather warms and the ice comes off,
growers will again flood the beds to protect against frost, remove
trash and late spring to control insects. The other time growers
flood their marshes is at harvest.
Cranberry Supply progressive
Traditionally, growers start fertilizing cranberries prior to bloom
and make several applications through bloom and fruit set.
Harvesting cranberries at Cutler
Cranberry on their City Point Marsh.
88
TNERS
O CRANBERRIES
“They’ll fertilize until the end of August,” says Penny. “They won’t
fertilize much in September as they want the plants to think
dormancy not growth.”
Fertilizer, the majority of it dry, is applied to the cranberry ProVision Partners’ Cranberry Supply Division
plants through fabricated booms built specifically for each in Warrens, Wisc.
marsh. “ProVision has a proprietary fertilizer CranMax 8-8-
24 analysis that is manufactured for us,” says Penny. “No other
suppliers have our recipe.”
These days, progressive growers fine-tune their nutrient programs,
and Cranberry Supply encourages this. These growers use more
micro-nutrients and order prescription blends that address the
results of tissue samples taken during the growing season. “We
use various sources of NPK and create these blends at our Hixton
fertilizer plant,” according to Penny.
With just one Cranberry Supply location, Penny admits that
agronomy products for cranberry growers makes up a small
portion of ProVision Partners’ annual sales. “But cranberries are
the state fruit and Wisconsin is the #1 producer of cranberries in Harvest time at Cutler Cranberry on their
the country, so in that way Cranberry Supply is an important part City Point Marsh.
of ProVision.” ■
Contact one of our
Tim Hovre Ag Lenders today! Jeff Kolstad
NMLS #431543 NMLS #720549
From seed to harvest, let us help you grow!
9
Marshfield • Spencer • Stratford • PartnersBankWI.com
MARKETING YOUR GRAIN:
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME?
By Mike Raasch, Branch Manager, CHS Hedging
What a roller coaster of a year we much lower than the
have had. January started out with trade was expecting.
the signing of the China/U.S. trade Beginning stocks of
deal. We thought that would drive corn are now 1.702
commodity prices higher. Nope! Prices billion bushels instead
actually declined. of 2.167 billion, and
projected demand is
Next, COVID-19 hit. People were asked to stay at home and 14.825 billion bushels
did not drive as much. Oil plunged to a negative, and corn, instead of 14.575
beans and milk all took a hit. We heard the advice: “Tighten billion.
your belts, because it’s going to get ugly!” And for a while,
prices did. Milk prices swung this
year from $14 to $24
Then came a beautiful spring for planting all around the a hundred. How do we
country. The crops everywhere looked great, just before a think about locking in
little windstorm hit Iowa. A day later, the USDA came out grain prices when the milk is so unstable?
with their projection of record corn yields and a big bean
crop. Instead of going lower, prices started to climb. With the carryout so tight on beans and corn, we can’t afford
any hiccups in the weather in either U.S. or South America.
Over the summer and into the fall, China’s appetite for U.S.
beans and corn kicked in, and we had some great export My suggestion
sales. China had sold their reserve corn at auction, due to Here is one way to approach the marketing of your 2020
quality concerns and record high domestic prices. Recovery and 2021 crops. Arrive at a price you’d be happy with
from the African Swine Fever added to bean/meal demand. and write it down. If the market reaches that level, sell a
percentage — maybe 15-20% — to start.
Next, we entered a season of political uncertainty, and U.S.
currency started to drop. The funds started buying about Then, set another goal. By fall of next year, have 50% of
the same time. As I write this article, the funds are at near- your corn and beans marketed. All the while, remember the
record long positions. old saying, “High prices are the cure for high prices.”
Be Safe and Healthy in 2021. ■
This fall, we hit the magic bean price of $10/bu., and farmers
started selling their crops. Instead of slowing down, bean
prices went even higher. Now they’re close to $12/bu. By the This fall we hit the magic corn and bean prices,
time this article comes out, we may be at $13 or $14/bu. — or and farmers started selling their crops.
we may be back to $9/bu.
We must watch the weather, not only in the U.S. but in South
America as well. La Niña is having an impact on South
American farms, which at this point lack the moisture needed
to produce a good crop.
Let’s look at the November USDA Supply and Demand
Report. The report dropped corn yields by 2.5 bu./A. and
beans by 1.2 bu./A. That’s after lowering them in both the
September and October reports. The ending stocks were
102
BEST SELLERS AT THE CENTRAL
WISCONSIN COUNTRY STORE
By Taylor Willson, Lifestyle Product Specialist
Maybe you haven’t visited our Central find low allergen dog food brands that may not be
Wisconsin Country Store lately, or available at big box retailers. These brands include
maybe you’ve never been here — ever! Dr. Harveys, Farmina®, and Vital Essentials®. NOTE:
Small-town shopping gained great Our resident canine employees, Bella and Nelli, have
appeal in 2020, and the Country Store their own favorites and can help our customers bring
may have just what you are looking for! home just the right foods for their own dogs and cats.
All the items in stock have been personally picked and • As you enter our store, you’ll often pass customers
tested by our staff to suit your Central Wisconsin interests, leaving with their monthly supply of bird seed. Jim
whether you are an outdoor gardener, passionate about Bauer has thoughtfully developed a few of his own
land management, a backyard hobbyist, a wild bird mixes to attract just the birds you’re looking for. In 2020,
enthusiast, a pet lover, or a hobby farmer. we’ve sold over 3,000 bags of these custom mixes
which include Jim’s Finch Mix, Jim’s Wild Bird Mix, and
Here are a few items on our “best sellers” list: Jim’s Yummy Mix. These products are included in our
• Walking through the doors of our store, you can frequent buyer program, which gives customers a free
tell right away that we cater to pet owners! Our bag after buying 12!
staff has a wealth of knowledge in pet nutrition
and care. Choose from Wisconsin-made pet brands • A not-so-obvious item on our “best sellers” list is the
like Fromm® and American Natural Premium™, or Purina Deer Block Section. Purina Deer Blocks come
select an alternative to rawhide like Frankly pet in three varieties ranging from maximum nutrition to
products, which are also Wisconsin-made. Our staff maximum attractant! Try a few of each with our Buy 12
is continuously evaluating our inventory to keep Get 1 Free frequent buyer program.
products of the best quality and value on our shelves. • Hunting season is ending, so you’ll want to visit with Jim
At the Central Wisconsin Country Store you’ll also about maximizing the potential of your acreage with
CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS www.rands.com
TO KEEP YOU IN THE FIELD
John Deere Equipment ∙ Parts ∙ Service 715-687-4138
Precision Farming Solutions Stratford, WI
Shawano
Mariona food plot in 2021. Jim offers a selection of his “best
seller” mixes including Fall Flinger, Clover Mix, Rotational
Mix, Summer Greens, and more. You can even grab a
bag, head to the scale, and come up with a mix that’s all
your own! The Country Store’s Garden Section also offers
green mature, and native grass and pollinator seed mixes!
We look forward to seeing you!
For more information and links to the above-mentioned
products, click on the Country Store tab at www.
provisionpartners.coop. Then, stop in at the Central Wisconsin
Country Store, 106 South Peach Avenue in Marshfield or call
us at 715-387-1045. ■
We’ve sold over 3,000 bags of Jim’s Finch Mix, Jim’s
Wild Bird Mix, and Jim’s Yummy Mix this year.
WE PARTNER
WITH YOUR
TRUSTED
ADVISORS
As agriculture has evolved, the nature of the industry has become more
complex and regulated. At Ruder Ware our attorneys act as legal counsel
for producers and businesses providing products and services for the
agriculture industry, and partner with a client’s current trusted advisors,
wausau | eau claire ruderware.com
such as accountants and lenders. Contact us today to see how our team
approach yields the best results for your farm or business. visit our blogs at blueinklaw.comPROPANE:
USE UP, SUPPLY AVERAGE,
AND PRICES TBD
By Troy Thompson, Energy Division Manager
As the propane heating As far as supplies go, the dryer season wrapped up and
season ramps up, be proved to be normal, verses last year when everything hit
sure to help us watch at once. We never seem to have an over-abundance of
your tanks — especially propane in the Midwest, but we’re probably at that five-
with some of the COVID-19 year average as far as inventories going into the winter
concerns going on. If you are heating season.
working from home or your kids
are learning remotely, you may use We depend largely on rail transport to get propane in place
5% more propane than if you weren’t home at our plants and from there to our customers tanks. So far,
during this pandemic. We use a degree day rail has been good. Whether we have plenty of propane or
system to keep track of when your propane just enough to supply our customers will depend on how cold
supply tank needs a fill. This system considers how the winter is.
much propane you have used in the past. If you are using
more propane today because of COVID-19, that degree-day As for propane prices, the Energy Information Administration
system may be less effective as a measurement. (EIA) expects Midwestern households to spend 12% more this
winter — that’s 4% higher prices and 7% higher consumption,
For this reason, we are asking you to help us check your based on the winter weather outlook. I will note that this
tanks, whether you are will call or a scheduled delivery prediction is BEFORE you factor in the additional gas needed
customer. Let us know when the tank reads 20-30 percent. if you are spending more time at home during the pandemic.
(30 percent during colder more severe weather and 20 That’s why we ask you to help us watch your tank. There’s not
percent during normal temperatures). Sometimes, our a whole lot we can do to influence the price or weather.
propane routes are booked out 5-7 days, so if you let us That is to be determined. But our team is here to keep you
know when your tank reaches these levels, it gives us time and your family safe and warm this heating season. ■
to get to your house and deliver the propane you need.
Please clear a
WARNING path to your
tanks this winter.
Help our divers
stay safe and
deliver more
gallons.
Tough financial times may tempt you CLEARING YOUR TANKS
to use cheaper lubricants. Beware! In previous winters, the propane up to 150 feet of hose through waist-
In bitter winter temperatures, the customers of ProVision Partners deep snow and ice, but it allows us to
wax inhibitor in cheap oils may fail. Cooperative have done an incredible deliver more gallons to you and your
job of clearing a path to their supply neighbors.
The oil can set up like a gel, causing
tanks. Clearing a path to the tank
damage to critical engine parts. not only prevents our delivery people Thanks for helping us serve you
Avoid this by using high quality from injuring themselves as they haul efficiently and safely. ■
CENEX Lubricants.
5RISKING BREAKDOWN
WITH LOW-SULFUR DIESEL
By Mike Kampstra, Certified Energy Relationship Manager
Regardless of whether you run old or The additive packages in
new equipment, the extra 5 cents per CENEX Premium Diesels put
gallon for premium diesel fuel is worth lubricity back in the fuel and
it. Let’s just talk about used equipment. proactively address issues like
fuel pump and injector failures.
Many of you depend on tractors from the Plus, these premium diesel additives
80s, 90s and early 2000s. Even some of the larger farms keep low-sulfur fuels from oxidizing and
I visit have a few pieces of vintage equipment. These breaking down in the storage tank.
farmers tell me, “I run older tractors, so it would be a waste
of money for me to buy premium diesel.” A recent University of Idaho study of ultra-low sulfur diesel
showed that the fuel degraded within 28 days of delivery.
That’s not true. Premium diesel is exactly what these The additives in CENEX premium diesel make our fuel shelf
older-model White, Massey, Case-IH or John Deere stable for smaller farmers who take delivery and sit on the
models need. They were never designed to run on ultra- fuel for months.
low sulfur diesel. All the lubricity has been removed from
today’s regular diesel, making your older equipment prime I’d be glad to give you more reasons to consider CENEX
candidates for breakdown in the farmyard or in the field. Premium Diesel fuels. I’ll also be glad to help solve any
mechanical, storage, or contracting issues you have with
You need to keep your equipment running, especially diesel, propane, or lubricants. Call me at 715-218-3792
nowadays when planting and harvesting windows are and ask about CENEX’s Total Protection Plan for both new
getting smaller and smaller. and old equipment. ■
CONVENTIONAL VS. SYNTHETIC OIL
By Tom Dommer, ProVision Tire Center Manager
What’s the If you change at the top end of the uniform, and it doesn’t get around your
difference recommendation, that’s one hundred rings as easily. There is a place for
between a 60-mile trips. conventional oil — in a tired engine.
conventional
motor oil, A full synthetic, like CENEX We do have a product called Seal
a synthetic MAXTRON, will go 6,000 to 10,000 Conditioner to put in a motor. This
blend and a full miles between changes. If you change will bring back heat damaged
synthetic? at the top end of the recommendation, gaskets, which will reduce oil
that’s just over one-hundred sixty-six consumption as well.
Well, let’s start with the conventional. 60-mile trips.
You should change conventional oil For all other vehicles, a synthetic blend
every 3,000 miles. That’s fifty 60- Synthetic lubes hold up longer because or a full synthetic, like AUTO GOLD
mile trips. But studies show that most their additives stay cooler and or MAXTRON, is usually worth the
people drive 4400 miles (seventy-three withstand more heat, which breaks extra expense. Synthetics offer less
60-mile trips) before they change oil. down additives. oil breakdown and longer drive times
between changers.
So, let’s take a look at synthetic blend So, what’s best for you?
oils, like CENEX AUTO GOLD. The If your vehicle is using oil, you may Questions? Call me at ProVision
industry recommends changing these want to move to a conventional oil Partners’ Mr. Tire/Service Center in
every 4,000 to 6,000 miles. to reduce your consumption. The Stratford at 715-687-4139. ■
molecules in conventional oil aren’t as 6
15A GREEN, WEED-FREE
LAWN IN 2021
By Todd Halvorsen, ProVision Lawn Care Service
The 2020 season was a successful is a broadleaf herbicide and fertilizer. The third is fertilizer
one for ProVision Partners’ lawncare with a spot treatment for broadleaf weeds. The fourth is
services. another broadleaf herbicide and fertilizer. We also offer
winter fertilizer, aeration and insecticide treatments!
I want to thank all our customers
for their patience in 2020. Currently, If you are interested in getting on our schedule, please
our lawn care division serves the towns feel free to call and we will provide you with an estimate
of Marshfield, Stratford, Hewitt, Spencer, as soon as conditions are fit to measure your property.
Abbotsford, Colby, Mosinee, Auburndale, Pittsville, If you are already a client, you will be receiving a 2021
Milladore, Arpin, Neillsville, Loyal, Greenwood, Dorchester, contract in the mail. Please select the treatments you would
Medford, and Owen. like and send the contract back as soon as possible. My
phone number is 715-387-3734, or email me at thalvorsen@
If you are in an area we do not service but you want us provisionpartners.coop
to, please call and we can put you on a list. When we get
enough clientele in that area, we will certainly call and get NOTE: We’re hiring additional staff for our lawncare services.
you on a schedule. If you or someone you know is energetic, wants to learn more
about how to care for lawns, and takes pride in their work,
We offer six different treatments for your lawn. Four please feel free to apply. Applications can be found on our
are offered as a full season lawncare program. The first website at www.provisionpartners.coop/employment.php.
treatment is a crabgrass preventer with fertilizer. The second
“Your Fabric Building Specialists”
(877) 687-2453
118280 Forward St
Stratford, WI 54484
www.structuresunlimited.com
sales@structuresunlimited.com
These buildings provide the maximum
amount of light along with the best
ventilation I’ve ever seen.WHAT PROVISION DID WHEN
MILK PRICES DROPPED
By Angie Schiller and Dawn Beihoffer
When COVID-19 hit middle America worsened, the milk board began to of cheese to their customers, and
last March, and the price of milk hand out free BOGO coupons for just in time for the holiday season
dropped sharply as schools and dairy products redeemable at our ProVision Partners made dairy voucher
restaurants closed, your farmer-owned Western region Cenex Convenience donations to local food pantries so
cooperative wondered, “What can we stores ProVision Partners donated people could come into our stores and
do to help our farmers?” products to their efforts. receive dairy products to provide for
those who need some assistance.
Our solution was to figure out how to We started a similar program in the
distribute as much milk and cheese as Marshfield region, with the goal Our goal was to create a wave in the
possible and try to get dairy products of moving excess dairy products market. It started with Jackson County
flowing through the system again. to consumers. We teamed up with giving away a free gallon of milk with
Auburndale, Stratford, Pittsville, and the purchase of a gallon. So far, along
Colby FFA groups to get coupons with matching donations from the Land
for a BOGO gallon of milk into O’Lakes Foundation and CO-Bank
the hands of the essential workers we’ve distributed over $17,000 in dairy
of those communities. We also products to consumers in our market
handed out a free gallon of milk and area, and we’ve heard similar stories in
pound of butter to our employees in other areas of the state.
appreciation for their work during
the shut down. Class A stockholders Since last spring, milk prices have
also received that coupon with their turned around. It is our hope that
To promote the health and wellness of cooperative update letter. other cooperatives and farm groups
dairy products in our diets, the Jackson will continue to pick up on this effort
County Milk Board launched a Under the June Dairy Month and keep the ball moving, further
program back in March called “Dairy banner, all ProVision Partners animal improving the markets. ■
at Dinnertime.” As the pandemic nutritionists distributed free blocks
Stratford FFA advisor Becky
Wirkus distributes BOGO milk
vouchers to an essential worker
in the community.
17NEW FACES
Brandy Holicky
Energy Assistant, Hixton Brandy and her husband Larry have a blended family of four
Growing up in Montevideo, Minnesota, children. Their oldest son, Ethan, serves at Ft. Riley, Kansas, as
Brandy Holicky had many work a veterinary technician and their daughter, Sydni, is a junior at
experiences. For many years, she worked Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa. Their son, Nolan, is
in a family restaurant as a server. Jenny-O a freshman in high school, and their son, Hunter, is an eighth-
employed her in production where she grader both in Black River Falls.
worked a variety of shifts, worked in quality
control, and eventually became a supervisor. “My goal is to take care of our customers,” says Brandy, who
Brandy has also worked for an electronics began working for ProVision’s energy department in June 2020.
manufacturer and for a convenience store as assistant manager. “If all of their needs are met and their accounts are in order at
She’s lived in many locations, including Manhattan, Kansas, the end of the day, I feel I’ve done my job well.”
Grafenwoehr, Germany, and Black River Falls, Wisconsin.
Mike Kampstra “Here I get to work with family farmers again,” Mike says of his new
Certified Energy Relationship position with ProVision Partners Cooperative. “I also like the idea of
Manager being home with my family at night.”
My favorite part of the job was going
out to visit with farmers and helping Mike and Amy have been married for 14 years. The couple has two
them solve problems,” says Mike daughters: Atia and Renata. Mike spends most of his free time with
Kampstra, of a job he started seven his family in Stratford, Wisconsin.
years ago with a local cooperative.
Three and a half years ago, CHS hired As our new certified energy relationship manager, Mike will coach
Mike as a business development manager and mentor the company’s certified energy specialists and work
for its CENEX® premium diesel fuels. He learned a lot about with ProVision’s customers to grow the energy business.
premium diesels, but most of his time was spent on the road,
working with fleets and construction companies.
Keenan Kelly dryers, but I had a first today,” says Keenan. “I filled a tractor with LP,
LP Driver, Black River Falls which I thought was pretty interesting.”
On St. Patrick’s Day in 2019, Keenan Kelly
joined ProVision as an LP driver serving Keenan graduated from high school in Phillips and currently lives in
the area around Black River Falls. His Strum. Keenan’s wife Kayley just gave birth to their first child, a boy
recent deliveries include Fairchild, Osseo name Parker.
and all the way down to Camp Douglas,
City Hall, Taylor, White Hall, Blair and “I’m impressed with how family-oriented ProVision is,” says Keenan.
Ettrick. “I’ve been delivering propane to corn “Everybody treats me as if they were my brother (or sister) and
everyone comes together as a team.”
Nicole Pralle
Calf and Heifer Specialist “I grew up working with calves every day,” says Nicole. “It’s
She grew up feeding cows on a been my love since I was 4 or 5 years old — now I do it in a
registered Holstein dairy farm, and she different way.”
still feeds calves every weekend. Nicole
Pralle majored in dairy science and ag After college and before coming to work at ProVision Partners this
business at UW Madison. In her senior past March, Nicole had internships in the U.S. and in Australia. She
year, she participated in a Land O’Lakes/ currently lives in Marshfield and in her free time helps coach her
Purina program that convinced her to help old high school basketball team. “I’m very passionate about helping
dairy farmers reach their goals through improved kids find their potential and reach their goals,” says Nicole.
calf management.
198At ProVision Partners Cooperative, we consider our employees to be our most valuable assets. So, we
are proud to tell you when someone new arrives. Here are a few of our most recent employee additions.
Karin Shafer
Convenience Store Manager, Karin became Pittsville’s store manager in July, but she has worked
Pittsville Cenex at the store since 2013. “Over the last seven years I’ve worked as
“I love the convenience store,” says cashier, cook, assistant manager and now the store manager,” she
Karin Shafer, manager of our Pittsville says, adding that she has worked at various convenience stores for
Cenex. “We have the best customers 30 years.
down here, but I’m a little biased.” One
of Karin’s goals is to bring the store to the Karin lives in the Pittsville area with her two dogs: Gus, 10; and
community. Recently the store has sponsored Astro, 2. “He’s named after the Jetsons dog,” she smiles. “Can you
VFW and volleyball team brat fries, as well as tell I’m a child of the 60s?”
drawing and coloring contests. “We want to be the social center
for the community,” she states.
Amber Wolf A graduate of Marshfield High School, Amber earned a degree
Accounts Receivable, Marshfield in ag business and accounting from UW Platteville. Not only can
Office she balance books, but Amber (who worked for a local mill after
Growing up on a dairy farm outside high school) can bag and deliver feed. “I can even tie a miller’s
Marshfield, Amber Wolf was was helping knot,” she declares. Since college, she has worked in grain and
with chores at a very early age. She and agronomy, and as a safety and compliance specialist.
her three-year-old son Connor now live
in Chili, Wisconsin, but she still helps on the Amber went to work at ProVision’s main office in June and currently
family farm. audits the cooperative’s accounts receivable. “I’m interested to see
how the role grows from here,” she states. “I think there are some
opportunities.” ■
SIN RAPIDS • ME
ON DF
ISC OR
•W D
•
D
L
M
IE
ER
HF
RIL
RS
L
MA
• Average per vehicle savings of $5,300 Learn More:
and up to $11,000. www.wheelersgm.com/partnerprogram
• Improved Warranty
Call (888) 204-0965 - or -
• Very competitive pricing and off-invoice Visit any of our Central Wisconsin Locations.
rebates (no waiting). 1019
• Lease or purchase financing available. Marshfield • Wisconsin Rapids • Medford • MerrillPO Box 988
Marshfield, WI 54449
MAIN OFFICE
Marshfield. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-236-1041
REGIONAL OFFICE
Hixton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-944-1784
AGRONOMY
Auburndale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-652-2300
Hixton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-963-3211
Stratford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-687-4373
Unity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-223-2308
Warrens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608-378-4640
CENEX STORES
Auburndale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-502-3131
PROVISION MEMBERS
Black River Falls (Hwy 54). . . . . . .
Colby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
715-284-3138
715-223-2440
INVEST $2 MILLION
Fairchild . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-334-5901 By Sarah Scholze, Controller
Hixton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-963-3752
Merrillan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-333-7650 In November 2019, Interest is compounded monthly.
Northfield. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-984-2419 the cooperative Member investors receive quarterly
Pittsville. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-884-2501 launched statements, and they can add funds
its Member at any time.
Stratford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-687-3217
Investment program
FEED/GRAIN The program was Members can also withdraw
Auburndale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-502-3134 designed to offer a funds any time and continue
strong return to members for the account and earn interest,
Chili. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-683-2406
investing, while lowering the provided they maintain minimum
Hixton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-963-3211
cooperative’s cost for borrowing balances of $2,500. Fill out a
Humbird. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-964-2411 funds. The member can earn a withdrawal form, and Provision
Stratford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-687-4136 competitive rate of return. The will send a check for the amount
West Salem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608-786-1102 cooperative can use the money requested in 3-5 business days.
invested to fund operations, instead
COUNTRY STORES of borrowing on a line of credit. To invest, simply call me at 800-
Hixton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-963-3211 236-1041. I will be glad to answer
Marshfield. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-387-1045 We have some wonderful news. any questions and send you an
After one year, the program has information packet to review.
FIRESTONE TIRE/ achieved two million dollars in When you are ready, just complete
SERVICE CENTER
deposits and has paid members a subscription form including your
Stratford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-687-4139 who invested an average 2% on name, address, and the amount
BULK FUELS/LP GAS their money. you want to invest. Send the form
to ProVision Partners Cooperative.
Hixton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-944-1784
This funding tool has generated a
Marshfield. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-236-1041
lot of interest during its first year NOTE: You must be a member and
LAWN CARE in operation. Most investors have active customer of ProVision Partners
SERVICE. . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-387-3734 not been withdrawing their funds. Cooperative and a Wisconsin
They’ve treated it as a long-term resident to participate in the Member
investment, and many have added Investment program. The minimum
provisionpartners.coop to their initial deposits. investment is $2,500. ■You can also read
