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WELCOME TO THE MAROA STOCKHOLDERS!!
On May 1st, the stockholders of Maroa Farmers Co-op Elevator voted to become stockholders of Topflight Grain.
As the manager of Maroa accepted another position, the directors of the company pursued several directions for the company, and then expressed a desire to merge with Topflight Grain. Studies were completed, and meetings were held (for the Maroa stockholders and the Topflight stockholders). The directors were very strong in their support of the merger and encouraged a positive vote from the stockholders. They were open with their patrons, and worked very cooperatively with all sides. The employees of Maroa have also been cooperative, working for their customers, their board members and with the Topflight employees. On May 1st, the votes were cast and counted. The vote carried and we are very happy to welcome the stockholders of Maroa Farmers Co-op to Topflight Grain.
Maroa is located north of Forsyth/Decatur about 7 miles, or about 4 miles north of Topflight Grain’s Emery facility. Two grain facilities will be acquired in the merger, the Maroa elevator, and the old “Waller Grain Company”, a mile south of Emery. These will increase the storage capacity of Topflight Grain by about 2,000,000 bushels. Along with the facility increase, several talented and experienced employees will join the Topflight staff. Dave Zelhart will be joining the Topflight Grain Board of Directors, from the Maroa area.
In the transition period, Denny has assisted as needed in the Maroa office, Chuck has assisted with the financials, Eric has assisted with the operations, and Dick has assisted wherever needed. As we move forward, computers will be updated and grain information will be transferred into the new system. The new patrons will be added to the newsletter list, the golf outing, the annual meeting, and the emailed morning comments. We look forward to building new relationships, as well as strengthening our present relationships with our current stockholders.
How ironic it is that we are celebrating the 100th year of the old Bement Grain Co. and still carrying on the same cooperative spirit of our forefathers who founded the company in 1903. I bet when Thomas Lamb Jr., S.H. Hoffheins, S.B. Priestley, J.D. Medaris, A.M. Totten, J.L. Bodman, John Moery Sr., and F.F. Hubbell bought the William Loveless elevator for $7,000, 100 years ago, they weren’t thinking about how the cooperative would be helping the farmers in 2003 to sell their corn that couldn’t be marketed locally. We have been transferring corn from one facility to another at quite an expense to the company, to market this year’s crop. Thank goodness, we are on some good rail lines that let us market our grain to several different destinations. We are finding that quality standards for certain markets differ quite substantially this year. For that reason, 50% of this year’s corn crop is being sold to markets not usually frequented by your company. Our founders would be very proud of our ability to handle this situation without having to pass any discounts on to our patrons. I hope those patrons and potential patrons who we helped out this year, remember the favor and continue to give us their business in the years ahead.
As I was getting all fired up about what we have done this past year to help our farmers out, I thought I’d take a look back to see what this company has done for it’s patrons in the last 100 years. I found some interesting information that I thought you might like to know. I could only find financial reports for 74 of the 100 years. Out of those 74 years the company had only lost money four years - 1920, 1967,1968, and 1969. The total profit in those 74 years was $14,661,803 and they paid back to the patrons $8,541,082 in patronage. From the initial elevator purchase of $7,000 the company has spent another $31,234,268 on property, plant, and equipment. The original stock that was sold to start the elevator amounted to $7500 and today we have $4.5 million in stock. Over those 100 years we have had only 5 managers with the original manager Mr. W. B. Fleming, serving the longest tenure of 35 years.
The name Topflight came from Topflight Feeds that was manufactured by Bement Grain back in the 1940’s. Mr. L.J. (Dick) Forcum is credited with coming up with the Topflight Feeds name and Bob Bodman for suggesting Topflight as the name for our new company formed in 1998.
Glen Durbin, the manager from 1945 to 1965, did a fantastic job of putting together a 75-year history of Bement Grain back in 1978. I cherish the publication more as the years go by. I hope someone will write about the last 25 years as well. Anyone want the job?
END
OF YEAR FINANCIALS
By
Chuck Bentley
Projections are coming
true. End of March financials show a
reduced profit level of approximately
$1,000,000 verses last year.
Storage income is down over $850,000 and volume is down over 3,000,000
bushels. Reduced volume accounts for
approximately $400,000 in less income generated in margin and drying
alone. As you can see, this year’s
profit level will be drastically different than last year. Thankfully your company is in a position to
stand a zero profit year without under going major changes.
Unfortunately the coming year could also be affected. Hopefully production levels will be normal or above this fall. If so, normal profit levels should return.
Enough financial news. I went turkey hunting down south and as usual there were lots of turkeys but none that wanted to die. If anyone in Piatt County would be willing to let me hunt, I would be willing to share my kill with them. That is, of course, assuming that I am able to kill one. The kind of turkey I am looking for is one that wants to commit suicide.
Have a great spring and safe planting season.
SPRING . ? . ? .
By Mikki Burns
We thought Spring was here - - then, we had another blast of Winter!
Seems like that happens every year! I guess it is nature’s way of telling us not to hurry things along.
The Cisco location has been busy receiving grain off the farm - - and moving grain out of the elevator. John and Garold have helped out at other locations off and on all winter with whatever was needed. Rick, then, helps outside here. We just got Mike Peebles over here to supervise and now he has left us. We wish him the very best!!
Roger Clymer will start here as supervisor on May 1st. Roger and his wife, Tammy, are from Nokomis. They have two children, ages 5 and 3. We welcome Roger to the Cisco location.
I guess we all survived the new ‘farm program’. I know sometimes, it was a question whether we would make it through it or not? But, we did, and I’m glad everyone is signed up. Our local FSA offices were very helpful…Thanks to all of them!
We hope everyone enjoyed our Women’s program this year. We had a lot of nice compliments and thank-you notes. We really appreciate that you had a good time and let us know. It is always a nice get-together to get spring off to a good start.
Jim and I had another ‘wonderful surprise’!! Stacey and her husband, Tim, have announced that we are going to be grandparents again!! We are very excited and have another wagon on order.
Our grandson, Blaine, is doing very well! He’s 9 months old now and is standing by things. It probably won’t be long until he is walking. I’ve been told that I had better ‘Blaine proof’ the house. It is such a joy to see him grow and learn things!
During this time of war, we need to be thankful for our freedom and SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!
We hope everyone has a safe planting season and a wonderful summer!!
PROJECTS
By Eric Clements
It has been a busy winter of shipping grain. As I write my article on Monday this is what the operations staff is working on. Garold and John are sweeping out the last bean tank at Cisco. Charlie is shipping corn out of Emery to ADM. Mark is receiving corn from the Shacks flat. Adam is loading trucks at Shacks with the tractor auger. Jim is recharging his corn bins in Bement in preparations for a corn train. The LaPlace crew is about to finish the grain bunker. The quality has been very good in this bunker. Pierson is receiving corn from Lanton and Burrowsville. Seymour crew is sweeping a corn bin in preparations for a corn train this week. I did not mention everyone but everyone is busy working on projects.
Speaking of projects we have a few for the summer. Pierson is getting a new conveyor to fill their biggest tank. This conveyor will increase from 5,000 bph to 10,000 bph. Emery is getting a new truck scale. This scale will be 70’x 12’. We will also have a remote readout on this scale for our customers and truckers. The scale will be moved out away from the office just west of the existing scale. LaPlace is getting a dust system for the bean dump. This will help contain a lot of the dust at the pit. This should make it a lot better for our neighbors and our truck dumpers.
My oldest son Mitchell is getting ready for another summer of little league. He says that he will not pitch in front of everyone this year. I guess that is one of my next projects. My youngest son Hayden visited his buddy Michael Clark recently and wouldn’t you know it, Michael is the proud owner of kittens. So now Hayden wants a kitten. I told him that it is against the law to own a cat in town. Well now he thinks that his grandma who owns a cat is going to jail. Lisa is not very happy with me telling Hayden this story.
I hope that everyone has a safe and productive spring. If you have any kittens this spring I do not need one. Thanks.
By Vanessa Stinson
Spring has sprung in LaPlace and we are glad about that. This past winter was one of those I remember from when I was a kid; it never ended.
Here in LaPlace we have been busy all
winter with grain coming in, picking up the corn pile, loading out rail cars
and sending grain by truck to Decatur. They tell me we are a terminal now at
LaPlace and I believe it. That is great though, because it makes the day go by
fast and you never know what is going to happen next.
We are working on getting a dust system
installed in the new bean complex this summer. You will be able to see when you
dump there this fall. Thank your board members for approving this
acquisition.
At home, the girls are getting ready for
summer vacation. Gretchen will be graduating from Richland with an associates
in business mgmt. She is working at Krogers in the pharmacy as a pharmacy tech.
Ashley will be graduating from high school and is looking to go to dental
hygiene school. Nicolle will be a senior and is already making plans for the
future. She wants to be a physical therapist in sports medicine. She will be
cheering on the broncos of Cerro Gordo high this fall also. That girl keeps me
busy! But we would not want it any other way.
Keith has been teaching me how to jig fish
for crappie this spring. He loves to fish and this way I can go be with him once
in awhile. Every couple should have a common interest; it helps the
relationship.
We hope that you all have a great summer
and keep praying for our troops in Iraq.
When I first came to TopFlight in February, I did not know very much about it. I have been here a little over two months and I am not looking forward into leaving in May. So far everybody has been very nice to me, but then again I have not yet made too big of a mistake. I leave every day from school at 1:00 and leave TopFlight at 3:00. This has been a great experience for me. There is always something new happening everyday when I walk in. My goal is to pursue in accounting/ bookkeeping. This fall I will be attending Parkland College.
My first day at TopFlight was nerve wrecking, but as the more Pam talked to me it helped me relax. As the days went by, I started off doing some filing here and there. Pam decided to put me with Chuck, which made me nervous because I never talked to him until then. At first he put me with filing again, then he showed me how to do accounts receivable in the computer. My first time trying it on my own, of course he had to make sure I was doing everything right. Now he doesn’t have to worry anymore because Rod does it now, which has taken a load of worries off his chest. Chuck won’t have to answer any of my thousands of questions everyday. After Chuck tried to teach me how to run the scales, Pam showed me the right way with all the directions.
On March tenth we went on a field trip with the second graders to Decatur. We went to the WB23 station, which all the kids loved. The kids were so excited and had so many questions. After McDonald’s, we went to see a play at Milikin called “Amelia Badelia”. I noticed Louie enjoyed it the most. Later in March was the Women’s program in Cisco. All the women received masks to wear, since the theme was Mardi Gras. They all enjoyed the speakers and the magic show.
As the two months that I have worked here, I have never seen Pam in a bad mood. On days that she is really busy, she always has time to talk to me. If it weren’t for her, I probably would be afraid to ask questions. Richard always has something nice to say about anybody. He is very informative to his employers about what is going on. Eric and Chuck usually try to get each other in trouble by the boss, which is funny to listen to. Richard will be taking the Uof I intern and me to ADM towards the end of April. Also, I will be going to Pierson to see Gloria and how her job works. Jim took me up to the top of the elevator and told me about the Bentley switch, that Chuck’s curiosity went too far.
I am very glad that I have had this opportunity and to work with such a great organization. The people are very nice and have a great sense of humor. I would like to think Pam, Chuck, Eric, and Richard for letting me come here and taking their time to work with me.
TRAINS!!!
By Brock Casteel
Trains, Trains, Trains. That has been our main focuses these past couple of months since harvest. In between, we have been doing little jobs like emptying the rings at Pierson and the bullpen at La Place. The condition of the La Place bullpen was very good for the most part. I was pleased to pull back the tarp and find all of that bright yellow corn. Atwood’s new manager Jeremiah Osborne sure has been doing a great job, so stop in and see him if you get a chance.
The new rail fall protection unit is in place at Cisco. I’ve looked forward to having that project done so we can start using it. The ground seems to really be working up good this year, and it has been good planting so far, maybe that is a sign of a good crop to come.
I can hear the trains rolling into our yard, and it looks like I have two more 15 car corn units waiting on me right now, so I better be going, have a safe spring and summer, and I will look forward to seeing everyone at the annual meeting.
I would like to start by introducing myself. I grew up in Atwood and have lived here all but 4 years of my life. My family and I moved three times from when I was born until I graduated high school, but never moved out of Atwood. I guess you could say I was destined to be an Atwoodian. I love the small town life and the people in and around the area. The 4 years I did not live in Atwood were spent in the ARMY, where I was a medic. I have a two-year-old daughter named Megan who is such a good kid, a fathers dream.
I have worked on or around a farm ever since I can remember. I have driven the semis that Topflight uses to move its grain. I really enjoy the farming community and feel privileged that I will be able to help and serve you.
Bill and I have been busy getting grain shipped out of here and doing the repairs and necessary cleaning to get ready for next harvest. Bill has also been busy putting rock on the drives and a little area beautification. Bill and his wife have been busy planting trees around his house. The mare that Bill and his wife have was the proud mother of a colt at the end of March.
Bill and I are looking forward to the warmer weather and the summer’s activities. We look forward seeing you. If you want to stop by to chat or need anything don’t hesitate. We have doughnuts here every morning and fresh coffee. I will be trying to make my way around to meeting and talking with you all in the near future. Have a great summer and a safe planting season. Look forward to doing business with you! Thanks.
By Russel Wright
Spring has sprung, or so it seems by the many corn planters that are out in our area. But to get here, winter had to pass us first. Here at Pierson, we have been busy loading out corn and a few beans on rail cars. So far we have loaded 324 cars, that doesn’t sound like many compared to what Bement, Milmine, Monticello get, but ours are loaded by legging all the corn and beans. This year, due to the world situations, the grain inspectors require that all rail cars to be cleaned of all fertilizer residue, so consequently Brock and his crew of Benny, Willard, Roper, sometimes Tom Scheffer, when he isn’t farming, and the guys from Bement, hand scrape and broom out the leftovers. Then the inspector gives his approval and the loading begins. I have to admit that loading rail cars has come a long way since the days of using the tractor to pull each car down after they are loaded.
When they weren’t loading cars here, the crew went to Laplace to clean and load cars there. They also found time to pick up the two rings of corn at Pierson; quality was good and they beat two snowstorms to get the corn picked up.
With the new farm bill sign up deadline approaching in April, Gloria and I were spending lots of time looking up past records and getting them printed off, so our customers could get signed up. Now that the fertilizer season is in full swing, Gloria is busy with the billing and keeping Dennis straight on where to send the next load.
I had the pleasure to spend several days in Champaign at the Eighth Grade Career conference in January. I think all the schools in Piatt, Champaign, Douglas, some in Ford and Vermilion counties where there. Of course the kids from the rural communities understood what agriculture is about; however the kids from the inner city schools thought that all the food products came from the grocery stores. After I told them what a grain elevator was, and a little about farming, they went a way appreciating the American Farmer.
At the end of March, Benny resigned to take a job with Bill Schable. We want to thank him for all his hard work and determination and to wish him well with his new job. We will still see him from time to time, especially at harvest time.
On the home front, Marcus and his wife Nicole bought a house in Ivesdale. Now all the kids and grandkids live within a few blocks of each other. Debby and I, weather permitting, take drives in our Mustang convertible. We sure enjoy our second childhood!!
I want to thank all of our customers for their business and everyone have a safe spring and summer.
NEWS FROM UNITED PRAIRIE
By Tim Hughes
United Prairie is glad to be a part of the Topflight Newsletter and thought for our first edition we should tell you a little bit about our company and what we have been up to. First of all, we’re an agronomy company owned jointly by Topflight and Grand Prairie. We have four locations, Pierson Station, White Heath, Ivesdale and Tolono. Our main office is now in Tolono.
Over the last few years we’re pleased that our business is growing and along with that growth we have made several improvements at all are locations. In Pierson, we added a Pioneer seed storage warehouse, in Ivesdale, we built a Monsanto seed warehouse, recently we remodeled White Heath’s office and chemical bay and at Tolono we built a new dry fertilizer warehouse that we use to unload unit trains of fertilizer and also store product for a major manufacturer. The storage income we receive is offsetting the costs of the building. We also just moved into some new offices at Tolono and we are leasing out a portion of that building to a chemical distributor. The lease is actually paying for the building and allowed us to consolidate two offices into one and be a little more efficient. In addition to the building projects we also continually update equipment to make sure we can serve all our customers in a timely and professional manner while providing the highest level of service.
United Prairie will continue to work hard at serving our customers better and growing our business, which will directly benefit Topflight and all the patrons of Topflight. The main office number is 800-989-1922 and we will gladly answer any questions or concerns you have.
MONTICELLO AREA NEWS
By Stason Kopps
Trains! Trains! Trains! This year in Monticello we have been busy loading trains. Thanks to a better rail price, we have been taking corn from the elevator at Cisco to load out in Monticello. There has also been a great deal of corn hauled from Lodge to load on trains.
There are now a couple of new faces at Monticello. Bob Boughton has been hired to run the elevator. He is a quick learner and is doing a great job. Chris Frye has returned to help us out. Chris has worked for us during harvest for several years. Rob Dick has been keeping busy with maintenance. Ole Jim Shaffer is still here and is always ready to help out where needed.
For those of you who may not know me, I was raised on a farm near Pittsfield, IL. When I was in college at Western Illinois University, I worked at a grain elevator during the summer. Little did I know I would use my elevator experience more than my degree in History. The last six years I have been working for Topflight Grain. The first four years I worked at Milmine. After learning all I could from Louie, I was promoted to operations supervisor for Monticello, Seymour, and Lodge.
I hope everyone has a safe and productive planting season.
By Derrick Bruhn
Monticello has gone through a lot of changes in the last year. The office has a facelift inside and out. We have made use of almost all of the office space and have made the exterior maintenance free. Scott and Keith have made the office a lot more active. We have 4 phone lines coming into the office and it’s not uncommon to have them all lit up. I am learning more everyday and am doing my best to pass this information to our customers. The morning comment via e-mail is one of the ways that I am trying to do this. I have been e-mailing morning grain comments out to a list of farmers and landlords for the past couple of weeks. The time varies depending on what is going on that day, but they will be out between 8 and 9 a.m. If anyone would like to be added to the list let your local office know and if you would like taken off of the list do the same.
The operations crew has gone through some changes at Monticello also. Stason has been training our new outside superintendent Robert Boughton. Robert has been doing a great job of getting things cleaned up with the help of Jim Shafer and Chris Frye. They have been loading out trains about every other week. Rob Dick has been helping load trains when needed and doing repairs at Seymour and Monticello. Lodge is just about cleaned out and has a new paint job on the leg. Jim has a couple more things that need fixed before fall.
This winter I took a preparation series 3 class in Chicago. These classes are essential when preparing for a test like this. I came home and spent the weekend at the elevator studying. Monday was d-day, and everything went well. I now have my series 3-commodity brokerage license. I really thought that after college the test taking was done.
By Doug Adloff
Spring has once again arrived, and those planters have been quite busy. A great deal of the corn has been planted, which is ahead of last year, when the spring was so wet that corn was still being planted into the first week of June. We will see how bean planting progresses in relation to the past year.
Last December, Mike was promoted to be Supervisor at Cisco’s elevator, which left me alone here once again. He has since resigned to return to his home area, around Quincy. I was busy all winter shipping grain and receiving grain from farm storage. The elevator is almost cleaned out again, well ahead of last year’s pace due to more trains during January and February.
Our project east of the elevator is progressing well. We are constructing a retention pond to collect storm water from the area where the outside storage bunker is located. The design of this pond will be such that it will only contain water during a large rain event and shortly thereafter. It will slowly release this water, and then remain dry until the next rain. This will help to prevent flooding north of the property.
We are accepting non-GMO beans for a 35-cent premium per bushel, up ten cents from last year. Also, high-oil corn may be delivered for a 25-cent premium. Those who haven’t signed a contract yet should do so soon because space is limited for harvest bushels.
Rob rebuilt the manlift for the Seymour elevator, this winter.
Everyone have a safe Spring and hope to see you soon.
MILMINE NEWS
By Louie Tieman
Since harvest is over we’ve been doing a lot of cleaning and D.P. handling of grain. Most of the farm stored grain is almost in now as we enter the planting season. Mark has been busy blending and shipping grain out.
Speaking of Mark, he was hired to replace Roy Riley, who went on to another job.
Mark is single, has 2 children, Robbie who is going to school at ISU in Bloomington, getting his master’s in business administration and Tracey his daughter, lives in the Chicago area, and works in the insurance business. Mark plans on moving to this area to be closer to work. He attends the Heartland Community church in Decatur. He worked for ADM for 21 years before resigning. He likes working for Topflight and has seen some old friends and relatives since being here.
Well on the home front, we have a new addition to the family, a HOT TUB. Kim bought me one for my birthday and it sure helps the old aches and pains, I guess from just being old. I’ve been running a little lately, but that’s once a week and that’s on race day. I did get an award in my age group50-54 at Whitmore park in the 10 mile run. It will probably be the only award I get this year. Running once a week just doesn’t cut it.
I moved # 2 son, Brian to Albany, Ky, a couple weeks ago. He moved there to be closer to Leigh Albertson, his girlfriend, and her daughter Kenze. Brian went to work at Huchinson’s, a factory that makes rubber hoses for cars and trucks. He was supposed to find me some “DRYLAND FISH”, which I didn’t know was mushrooms. I did go to Pana and found some so ole’ Thurm and Duane don’t have anything on me.
My grandson Collin Blake, is starting to take after me already. Yea, I know some of you are thinking “oh, my God!” He got his 1st awards too. 1st in the best hair category, and for 1st paige to the King.
Speaking of the Smith family, David, my son-in-law, started taking flying lessons and is also building a drag car.
Hope everyone had a safe planting season and continued good health. My letter is short this time as Stason is going to write an article and I wanted to leave him some room for his. Thanks for your business, and all of us here at Topflight appreciate it.
EMERY
NEWS
By
Denny Hill
It seems like harvest never finished this year, as we have been busy taking grain off the farm daily. In the time frame of December-March we took twice as much grain as we normally take in those months. The reason for the increase in bushels off the farm compared to past years is the aflatoxin problem in corn that has surfaced again in our area. This was last a problem for us in 1988 and is caused by drought-like conditions that we encountered last summer.
Being within 10 miles of Decatur we see farmers bypass the elevator and haul their grain directly to ADM or Staley’s. With the aflatoxin being more prevalent in this immediate area, quite a few farmers decided the local Cooperative was the best place to unload their grain instead of taking the chance of rejection in Decatur. When our loads out of Emery get turned away at ADM or Staleys, we have been going on to LaPlace and unloading the corn to be shipped by rail to the southeast market. This has been an extra expense to the elevator this year and I would hope in years like this the farmers will realize how important the local Coop is to them.
We are going to be empty here by the first of June, so they can get started installing a new scale for us. The new scale will be located just west of the old scale and will be 10 feet longer and 2 feet wider. This is something we have needed for a few years as the semi’s and tractors with wagons have outgrown our old scale, plus they were starting to need some work after 40 years.
By the time you receive this newsletter in the mail, I will have moved to my new home with Topflight Grain. As of June 1st, the Maroa Grain Company will be merging with Topflight and I will move to their office in Maroa. Sandy Davenport, who has worked at the Waller facility just a mile south of Emery for several years, will be taking over my old office in Emery. After 22 years here at Emery I have mixed emotions about moving, but I look forward to the new challenges that I will be confronted with. With the 3 elevators within 5 miles of each other, this merger is something I felt was inevitable at sometime in the future and the time was now. For all my Emery customers that I have grown attached to over the years, I would like to thank you for your business and support throughout the years and look forward to continue seeing and hearing from you.
Just a reminder to all you golfers, the Topflight golf outing will be July 23rd at Hickory Point golf course in Forsyth. We will be limited to 144 golfers, so when you receive your invitation in June, please respond promptly to insure a spot in this year’s outing.
By Keith Whitaker
It’s that time of year again when the planters are rolling, sowing what we hope to reap this fall. Derrick and I were able to get out of the office the other day for an afternoon and visit with some of our customers and give them a soda and something to munch on while they were planting. It was neat for Derrick to be able to show me where some of our farmers up here are located. Hopefully we’ll get to see more on another trip to the country soon. Also we thought this year, instead of our Focus Meetings like we have had in the past, in a group setting, we decided to try something different this year. We decided to choose a few of our producers and visit with them one on one in their homes and bring a bite to eat, and ask some survey questions about the services we provide for them and things they would like for us to do for them in the future. These meetings will be a very good tool to hopefully build relationships and friendships with our producers and insure that we provide customer satisfaction and a quality product for them.
Our specialty grain programs are progressing well. We currently have slightly over 11,000 acres of Non-GMO soybeans contracted and 450,000 bushels of High-Oil corn contracted to date. This year the Non-GMO premium increased from 25 to 35 cents per bushel after passing the check in strip test. The Hi-Oil premium is still 25 cents per bushel with 8% oil content and a 2 cent sign up bonus. If you have any interest in these programs and still need to sign a contract, please let us know so we can send you one.
We continue working to become ISO certified in our company. Dick, Pam, and I, continue working on the process with the assistance of our Millikin professors and our U of I Extension Advisor. We hope to have completion, if everything goes right, sometime before the end of August.
I hope everyone has a good summer and that we get some timely rains so that we will have a bounteous harvest this fall!
Throughout the year, Topflight is usually privileged to host a few tours of the elevator. These tours give us a chance to promote agriculture and to help people understand our responsibilities in handling your grain and your business. Visiting with people from outside our industry also re-awakens us to some of the things that we take for granted.
When the second grade class visits, one of the “WOW”s to them, is watching the grain disappear out of the pit. It just disappears, where does it go? Another “WOW” is the tunnel that travels underground from the west elevator to the east elevator. And thanks to Henry Larson, it is really COOL to watch the grain probe bring a can full of corn into the office for sampling!
When Morgan Park Academy, from near Chicago, visits us, they have had a day full of agriculture, thanks to Dick & Helen Ayers. The few years we’ve had the bean flat pulled down, they think it is just AWESOME to slip down the hills of beans. Then, they don’t know what those fuzzy little burrs are, clinging to their socks!!
When the Ukranians visited us, several years ago, one of the AMAZING stories we told them, was the honor of the industry, in filling contracts. When a contract is made, both parties honor the agreement, contrary to their ways or maybe filling a contract, maybe not.
This spring, one of our guests was Rosemary Woolley, and her friend from the eastern United States. Rosemary is Bob Boylan’s sister, so she was familiar with the grain business, but her friend was very new to central Illinois and the business of agriculture. She loved the small towns of our area, and was absolutely ENTHUSED about the business structure of a cooperative. She was so INTERESTED in the local leadership, directed and managed by elected stockholders of the company; your business is not controlled by a bunch of big-wigs in some far away land, more interested in their bonuses, than your patronage.
Some of these things we just get used to. We forget how Cora Marshall, Uncle Everett Sidwell, and Fred Mosier had to climb each truck to probe it. We forget about hanging on to the chain across the middle of the truck bed and rolling on the few soybeans remaining on the truck bed floor, peeling the cockleburrs out of our socks. We forget how hard our ancestors worked to form these coops, 100 years ago, so that they would receive a fair price for their grain.
We’re in a tough, competitive business. Sometimes, it is refreshing to view it through someone else’s eyes.
By Scott Docherty
The planters are rolling again the first week of April 2003. I have heard many a time that the ground is working up too good, like a garden. The USDA surprised the trade with its March 31 planting intentions report with intended corn acreage at 79.02 million acres, which was the same as 2002 corn plantings. The intended bean acreage came in at 73.18 million acres, which was at the high end of the trade guess. This type of corn acreage should keep Dec CZ corn futures supported at 2.25 until we see the crop planted and pollinated. The higher bean acreage will keep Nov SX futures under pressure and we’ll need a weather problem to get beans above loan rate. The 2003/2004 loan rates for Piatt County are $2.07 for corn and $5.17 for soybeans.
Beans have risen to their highest close since September 11, 2002. The funds have been huge buyers of bean futures and China has been a huge buyer of cash beans. The South America soybean crop is currently 75-80% complete (4-24-03) and no major harvest problems. The lineup of ships at ports waiting to load soybeans has been 17-20 days long and for this reason China has been switching purchases from Brazil to US ports for nearby shipments. This nearby demand from China and the funds buying close to 400 million bushels of nearby beans has taken SK May futures to 6.23. The corn market has not performed as well; corn has stayed in a narrow trading range between 2.43 and 2.28 since harvest. There is still 1.1 billion bushels of corn under loan with the 600 million bushels under loan in just IA and MN. Corn carryout is projected to be 950 million bushels and bean carryout is projected to be 125 million before the new crop starts hit the scales. The bean carryout is very tight and will keep processors scrambling to secure supplies or they will start slowing down their crush rate and taking longer down times to get by to new crop.
The introduction of Biotech crops, in my opinion, will be good for the producers and the grain industry in the long run. The European Union, however, is still struggling with this new technology and is NOT accepting grain or processed grain products with the Roundup Ready, Rootworm resistance, or Herculex Characteristics. Topflight Grain still
ships grain into these markets and needs to keep these buyers as a valid outlet for your grain. If you have purchased seed with these Non approved events remember that Topflight Grain will only accept these varieties Post harvest buyers call at Laplace, Bement, Monticello and Seymour locations. When you have filled out your grain marketing communication plan please contact one of our locations to make arrangements prior to delivery. Topflight Grain is pro biotechnology, but we fully understand the ramifications if these varieties are not channeled into the correct markets. For more information on the approval status of biotech corn hybrids go to www.ilcorn.org or www.ncga.com for a complete list of events and varieties.
I wish everyone a safe planting season. If you have any questions on biotech crops or need market information please call one of our locations and we would be glad to help you.
GRAIN PAGE
By Derrick Bruhn
Crop insurance carriers notice a big increase in the spring price guarantee this year. The price went from 2.32 to 2.42. By using the revenue insurance policies the farmers can lock in some very good revenue guarantees. I had the opportunity to spend some time with customers individually to determine which program worked best for their operation. We have been using these guarantees to develop a marketing program. Crop insurance has changed like everything else around us and what I tried to do was give everyone I spoke with a better understanding of how the programs worked. I think everyone that took the time, left our meeting with a better understanding of what they were doing. If anyone has question give me (Derrick) a call at the Monticello office or stop in and I would be more than happy to explain.
We have hail insurance rates published now at $1.00 per 100 dollars coverage on soybeans and $0.40 per 100 on corn. You don’t have to use your same crop insurance agent or company when you buy hail insurance. Give me a call with any questions.
By Derrick Bruhn
The Average Price Program is over half way done pricing. We start pricing new crop corn on January 9th and will continue through May 29th. The program has three different delivery prices. The fall delivered fall pay average is currently 2.25 ¾ and the Jan pay is one cent more. The Jan delivered price is 2.32 ¼. At the end of the pricing period each person who participated in this program will get a contract for the ending average price.
The Illinois Grain Code is in the midst of some important changes and re-write, mostly due to a major claim against the Grain Insurance Fund last year. The Grain Code is the Illinois law that provides for audits and accountability of grain dealers and warehouseman, and protects grain producers when an elevator fails. Many changes in the law have been proposed, including changes to the purpose of the fund, examinations, fees and licensing, assessments & funding, and compensation to the producer. Attached to the changes, of course, are changes in how the program is funded. Most of the new proposals are designed to increase protection to the producer, in the event of an elevator insolvency. Grain producers and elevators are watching the progress of the negotiations as the state legislature re-writes the bill.
The Big “A” word
“Aflatoxin” has been muttered many times this winter among farmers and grain elevators. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mycotoxin that can affect corn (and other commodities). Mycotoxins are carcinogens, and therefore, when present if excess levels, may be hazardous to animal and human health. The Food and Drug Administration has established levels of aflatoxin present in food or feed that provide a safety margin. These levels are based on the use of the commodities, such as feeding to immature animals, breeding animals, finishing livestock, or human consumption. Most of the grain is tested for the level of aflatoxin before it is accepted for sale at a processor, to ensure a safe end product. If excessive levels are determined, another, acceptable, market for the grain must be found. Often, this is time consuming, and costly.
Aflatoxin is produced by two types of mold. The molds can infect corn, sorghum, wheat, beans, rice, peanuts and popcorn. Stressful growing conditions encourage the infection of the mold; “normal” weather allows the plants to fight off most the molds. Earworms, beetles, and hot, dry weather can produce the stress, friendly to the formation of aflatoxin, and some hybrids are more susceptible than other hybrids. Aflatoxin is not new; it has been around a long time. It is not usually a problem, since the local growing season normally provides enough plant health to defend against the mold. Occasionally, a stressful year occurs, and the mutterings begin about the big “A” word.
The 2003 premium for nongmo beans is 35 cents per bushel.
The 2003 premium for high oil corn (based on 8.0% oil) is 25 cents per bushel.
If you are growing either of these crops, for the premium program, please be sure that you have signed a grower contract.
Michael and Henry have hauled a lot of grain off the farm this winter, to the elevator, for our customers.
We think farm sign up is over! All of you, and us, did a lot of record searching to meet the new requirements!!
Derrick, Lynn, Eric and Doug accompanied the Topflight Grain float in the Monticello Christmas parade.
We sold our wheat to Seimer Milling in Teutopolis.
Jeremiah, Russel, Gloria, Louie, Mikki and Rick stuffed the yearend statements and customer status reports envelopes that were mailed to you in January. That was a major job!!!
Joyce Hilligoss has become a regular email friend of Bill Self; now, everyone is wondering what she told him, that made him choose to leave the U of I.
Since the January 1, Topflight Grain has shipped out 2,151,000 bushels of beans, 6,628,000 bushels of corn, 290,000 bushels of nongmo beans, 179,500 bushels of high oil corn, and 18,850 bushels of wheat. 68% of the beans (including nongmo beans) were hauled by truck; the remaining 32% were shipped by rail. 23% of the corn was shipped by truck; the remaining 77% has been shipped by rail. This has been a very unusual year, where the southeast rail market has been the strongest bidder, as well as accepting a different scale of grade factors, that has allowed us to access that market, to offer you a better bid.
Rob Dick rebuilt the manlift at Seymour.
Scott spoke to the Monticello Rotary, about Topflight Grain, at their February meeting.
Both rings at Pierson are empty. The big ring held 200,000 bushels; the smaller ring held 100,000 bushels.
The big bunker is empty at Laplace. It held 400,000 bushels of corn.
Gloria attended the Farm Show in Louisville.
Many of the employees and directors attended the Grain & Feed Convention, in February, to learn about the latest trends, concerns and solutions in the business.
Daphne Bates is interning, at Topflight Grain, as a senior at Bement High.
Wyatt Muse is interning, once a month at Topflight Grain, as a junior at the University of Illinois.
Eric is planning some asphalt, and rock and chip projects for some of the elevator lots, to smooth out some of the bumps.
Bonnie Thomas won the NCAA tournament pool.
The flat at Shackelfords has about 550,000 bushels in it. We’ve hauled about 400,000 out. We plan to have it empty by summer.
OREANA
By Richard Thomas
As you know we continually try to work with all the small towns within our trade territory. I recently met with the mayor of Oreana about some land we own along side our railroad that the city has a street on. Before they can get the grant to resurface the street they need to own it. The county is also going to pave the main road through Oreana and would like to put down a concrete crossing on our railroad. Then the city is going to lay a new sewer line along side the new street. To accomplish this they needed to make a cut across our railroad tracks. Of course lots of things have to happen before this can all be accomplished, but we agreed to trade 0.545 acre of our land for the city fixing the crossing.
CONGRATULATIONS to .
. . . .
Steve & Juanita Balance, married 60 years;
Catherine Redman, celebrating her 80th birthday last December;
Randy Howland, pictured in the Champaign News-Gazette, splitting firewood, for a Habitat for Humanity project;
Mary Broutin, recently celebrating her 80th birthday;
The students of St. Michael’s 2nd grade religion class, and Olivia and Hannah Warren, pictured in the local paper for the contributions to the Bement Food Pantry;
The John Sebens family, recently recognized as the owners of an Illinois Centennial Farm;
Derek & Tracey Albert, parents of twins – daughter, Devin, and son, Landon; proud grandparents are Dean & Chris Jimison and Carrol & Peggy Albert; proud great grandparents are Thelma Albert, Wally Jimison, and Max & Hilda Born;
Jacki Morris, who celebrated her 60th birthday with many family and friends;
Sam Funk, recently meeting the requirements to earn his pilot’s license;
Dave Thompson, whose children, Megan & Paul, remembered his 50th birthday;
Karen & John Bonness, parents of a new son, Benjamin Edward Bonness; proud grandparents are John & Marilyn Mackey; proud great-grandparents are Stanley & Twilia Mackey;
Charles & Kathryn Disbrow, recently celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary;
John McCabe, Topflight employee at the Cisco facility, celebrating his 60th birthday;
Corwin & Virginia Hill, celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary;
T J Shambaugh, pictured and quoted in the Prairie Farmer;
Bob & Jeanne Jones, celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary;
Grant Briggs, son of Greg & Vicki Brigss, recognized by the Illinois State Scholars program, for his academic achievements;
Herald Swarts, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday;
Ashley Stinson, daughter of Keith & Vanessa Stinson, prom queen candidate for Cerro Gordo High School;
Edith Morr, recently celebrating her 90th birthday;
Steve Wentworth, pictured and quoted in the Prairie Farmer;
Ivan Jones, pictured in the Piatt County Journal Republican, with a Topflight Grain cap;
Mary Ann Ayers Hillard, the nurse who accompanied the governor’s wife and new baby, to the press conference, which was viewed throughout the state of Illinois;
Tom & Mary Fulk, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary;
Daphne Bates, breaking the record at Bement High for girls basketball field goal percentage at 60.4%;
Andrew Henry, son of Don & Susan Henry, honored as an Illinois State Scholar for his academic achievement;
Nicolle Stinson, daughter of Keith & Vanessa Stinson, elected to the National Honor Society;
Lindsay & Janice Daugherty, married 50 years;
Larry Lecrone, recognized in the Journal Republican, for winning 8 track events (this was mentioned in the “50 years ago” column!);
Louie Tieman, very proud grandfather of Collin Blake Smith, who is the son of Louie’s daughter, Misty Smith;
Jo Ann Thomas, sister-in-law of Richard Thomas, featured in “The Peoria Woman”, as principal of Kellar Primary School;
Trent & Jenny Brandenburg, and daughter Mia, as they welcomed their new daughter and sister, Riley;
Nicole and Ashley Stinson, both receiving high honors at Cerro Gordo High School;
Our sympathies to the families of . . .
Flo Stout, Ralph Goken, Mary Conner, Hazel Dobson, Pam Kaufman, Vivienne Vogel, Judith Ann Clarkson, Donna Mitsdorffer, Gerald Curran, John R Hendrix, Bill Sheffer, Janet Kay Heiserman, Mike Walsh, Lenore Quinn, Marjorie Willliams, Margueriete Reeder, Margaret Helen Brown Thompson, Mary Lou Meece, Alice Keel, Eunice Winings, Steve Baum. . . . .
And all others who have lost
loved ones.
I just wanted to let you know that I have recently been diagnosed with AAADD- Age-Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. This is how it goes . . . I decide to do the laundry, start down the hall and notice the newspaper on the table. OK, I’m going to do the laundry . . . but first, I’m going to read the newspaper. After that, I notice the mail on the table. OK, I’ll just put the newspaper in the recycle stack . . but first, I’ll look through the pile of mail and see if there are any bills to be paid. Yes. Now, where is the checkbook? Oops . . there’s the empty glass from yesterday on the coffee table. I’m going to look for that checkbook. . . . but first, I need to put the glass in the sink. I head for the kitchen, look out the window, notice my poor flowers need a drink of water. I put the glass in the sink and there’s the remote for the TV on the kitchen counter. What’s it doing here? I’ll just put it away . . but first, I need to water those plants. I head for the door and. . . aaaagh! Stepped on the cat. Cat needs to be fed. Okay, I’ll put the remote away and water the plants. . . but first, I need to feed the cat.
End of day: laundry is not done, newspapers are still on the floor, glass is still in the sink, bills are not paid, checkbook is still lost, and the cat ate the remote control. . . And, when I try to figure out how come nothing got done today, I’m baffled because, I KNOW I WAS BUSY ALL DAY!! I realize this condition is serious . . .I’d get help, but first, I think I’ll check my email.
LOST A FRIEND
By Richard Thomas
When Bonnie and I moved to Bement some 34 years ago one of the first couples we made friends with was Barney and Ayleen Camden. Ayleen passed away this winter and I had these thoughts I wanted to share with you and her family. First of all, with a name like Ayleen you have to be a strong person because not too many people ever pronounced her name correctly, let alone spell it right. She had to tolerate aches and pains caused by a car accident that she wasn’t expected to live from early in her life. Ayleen was so talented that in my eyes she could do anything. One of the many things she did for me was come up with those Burma Shave slogans we had on signs along the highways. Here are a few of them
SEE RONNIE RUN
WATCH LOUIE JUMP
JUST BE PATIENT
AND YOU’LL GET TO DUMP. (Referring to Ronnie Ammann and Louie Tieman who ran our Milmine elevator.)
THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN
WHO LIVED IN A SHOE
SHE DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH STORAGE
SO WHAT DID SHE DO?
SHE CALLED BEMENT GRAIN.
THE BEST IN SERVICE
IS OUR AIM
GIVE US A CALL
BEMENT GRAIN.
If I remember right it took her just a day or so to come up with the slogans.
She did so much for the community as well, and what she didn’t do she talked Barney into doing. Then she stood behind him and kept the railroad ties out from in front of the moving train. She had a way of keeping him on track. She also was a wonderful cook. Our kids use to beg Bonnie and me to leave town so they could go stay with Barney and Alyeen. They loved her mashed potatoes and gravy. I don’t think I ever remember her losing at cards or any other game she ever played, and if she did, she wouldn’t let you go home until she won.
The other reason the Camdens were so special to me is because both of
their kids ended up being associated with the grain business. Don works for
Cargill and Jodi works for Advance Trading.
Then I had a little to do with whom Don married. Her father is in the grain business, not to
mention Jodi’s husband who also runs a grain elevator.
This is the first person out of our group of friends to pass away and I guess it brings up the point that I’m getting to that stage of my life. At our last family reunion one of my cousins said to me, “Dick look around the room there’s not many here older than us, we’re the next in line to go.” In other words I said to him we’re the outer layer on the onion and we both agreed that was the case.
I know Alyeen’s up in heaven visiting with all her friends, playing cards and waiting for the rest of us to show up to play Mexican train.
We grow a lot of soybeans in central Illinois, and there are many uses for those beans. If you would like to use soy based products in your home, we have a few suggestions. Some of these would make terrific gifts, for your farm and city friends. The Website, www.soyworld.com, lists addresses and phone numbers for several soy based products. If you don’t have Internet access, we’ll list the products and phone numbers, if you’re interested:
Hand care Franmar Chemical 800-538-5069
Sun screen Franmar Chemical 800-538-5069
Hand & Body Creams SoySoft Inc. 800-668-2262
Diesel fuel additives Archer Petroleum 402-597-8889
Schaeffer Manufacturing Co 800-325-9962
Hand cleaner Archer Petroleum 402-597-8889
Cenex/Land O’Lakes 800-232-3639
Custom Solutions 816-847-6905
Franmar Chemical 800-538-5069
Soysolv 800-231-4274
Solvents Ag Environmental Products 800-599-9209
Fluid Sciences 337-291-2778
Candles Indiana Soybean Growers 888-326-4458
Indiana Soy Products 800-735-0195
Fabric Conditioners Espial 888-286-2956
Paint Removers Archer Petroleum 402-597-8889
Franmar Chemical 800-538-5069
Soy Environmental Products 913-599-0800
Furniture Ecologic Inc 800-899-8004
Horst Inc 610-683-5730
TableTopics 888-986-9860
Cleaners Franmar Chemical 800-538-5069
Iosso Products 888-747-4332
McMaster-Carr Supply 630-833-0300
Mr Good Chem 800-505-5176
Safe & Clean 651-765-0137
Interchem Environmental 913-422-0769
Ink pens Rocket Manufacturing 360-887-4751
Wax & Polish Franmar Chemical 800-538-5069
Deere & Company 309-765-8000
Composites Phenix Biocomposites 800-324-8187
Hair Products Soya Systems 800-533-9599
Crayons Dixon Ticonderoga Co 407-829-9000
We haven’t tried all of these products, but we know the crayons, candles and hair products are great. We encourage you to try any of these products, and all products produced from beans and corn. This is just a small listing; if you find other products that we can list in future issues, please let us know.
The Norfolk-Southern is using a
soybean-based lubricant to reduce friction between the rails and the car
wheels.
By
Richard Thomas
Through the last year, friends and neighbors have supported and prayed for the Walsh family as Mike Walsh fought a malignant brain tumor. Very sadly, Mike lost that battle, this spring.
When I think of Mike Walsh I think of someone physically fit, man of few words, sports enthusiast, coach, 50’s music collector, antique tractor restorer, semi truck connoisseur, school board member, ditch commissioner, elevator board member, dedicated son, fantastic father and grandfather, older brother, land owner, and a loyal supporter of the local coop. I also think about how much he enjoyed watching his three children play sports. Tim, the oldest, excelled in football and baseball, Kevin, the middle child, was a basketball star, and Julie, his youngest, was a renowned basketball and softball player. Mike coached Tim in Pony League baseball and Julie in High School softball and basketball. It seemed like he had better luck with coaching the women, maybe it was because I always thought he looked like Pierce Brosnon.
Mike had a relationship with his parents that I always admired. For the last several years you could almost set your watch by seeing Ray, Patty, and Mike going by our office around 8:00 a.m. coming back from breakfast at Hardee’s. Mike carried on the same tradition with his mother after Ray passed away. Patty told me at visitation that Mike always sat at a certain place around the kitchen table and now that he is gone no one wants sit there. I could see why, because it would be a hard seat to fill.
I’m putting this picture of Mike with this article because this is how I want to remember him - being with his Dad and brothers, plus good old Dave, working in the field, just having received a wonderful meal from Patty. We will all miss him very much but he left us with a lot of fond memories.
Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah’s
Ark:
1. Don’t miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, somebody may ask you to something really big.
5. Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that neds to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you’re stressed, float awhile.
10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.
Now, fast forward to 2003. Noah lives in the United States:
The Lord speaks to Noah and says, “In one year, I am going to make it rain and cover the whole earth with water until all is destroyed. But I want you to save the righteous people and two of living thing on the earth. Therefore, I am commanding you to build an Ark.”
In a flash of lightning, God delivered the specifications for an Ark. Fearful and trembling, Noah took the plans and agreed to build an Ark. “Remember,” said the Lord, “You must complete the Ark and bring everything aboard in one year.”
Exactly on year later, a fierce storm cloud covered the earth and all the seas of the earth went into a tumult. The Lord saw Noah sitting in his front yard weeping>
“Noah.” He shouted, “Where is the Ark?”
“Lord, please forgive me!” cried Noah. “I did my best, but there were big problems.
“First, I had to get a permit for construction and your plans did not comply with the codes. I had to hire an engineering firm and redraw the plans. Then, I got into a fight with OSHA over whether or not the Ark needed a fire sprinkler system and floatation devices. Then, my neighbor objected, claiming I was violating zoning ordinance by building the Ark in my front yard, so I had to get a variance from the city planning commission.
“I had problems getting enough wood for the Ark, because there was a ban on cutting trees to protect the Spotted Owl. I finally convinced the U S Forest Service that I needed the wood to save the owls. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service won’t let me catch any owls. So, no owls.
“The carpenters formed a union and went out on strike. I had to negotiate a settlement with the National Labor Unions. Now I have 16 carpenters on the Ark, but still no owls.
“When I started rounding up the other animals, I got sued by an animal rights group. They objected to me only taking two of each kind aboard. Just when I got the suit dismissed, the EPA notified me that I could not complete the Ark without filing an environmental impact statement on your proposed flood. They didn’t take very kindly to the idea that they had no jurisdiction over the conduct of the Creator of the universe.
“Then the Army Corps of Engineers demanded a map of the proposed new flood plain. I sent them a globe.
“Right now, I am trying to resolve a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that I am practicing discrimination by not taking godless, unbelieving people aboard!
“The IRS has seized all my assets, claiming that I’m building the Ark in preparation to flee the country to avoid paying taxes. I just got notice from the state that I owe some kind of user tax and failed to register the Ark as a recreational watercraft.
“Finally, the ACLU got the courts to issue an injunction against further construction of the Ark, saying that since God is flooding the earth, it is a religious event, therefore unconstitutional.
“I really don’t think I can finish the Ark for another 5 or 6 years!” Noah wailed.
The sky began to clear, the sun began to shine and the seas began to calm. A rainbow arched across the sky. Noah looked up hopefully. “You mean you not going to destroy the earth, Lord?”
“No,” said the Lord sadly. “The government already has.”
Our website is just one more method of communication we have with you. We’re always looking for ways to keep it interesting, and to offer more benefit to you.
Have you logged into the “Grainger” site from our bid page? By shopping Grainger’s huge catalog of supplies through our website, you can save 15%. Go ahead and try it!!!
Another new feature we will soon have on the website is called “iView”. This product will allow you to view your grain account with Topflight Grain, through your Internet connection. You can check open and filled contracts, grain deliveries, and grain balances. The summer months may be a good time to familiarize yourself with the program. This fall, you’ll be able to check your daily deliveries; or your land owners can check their accounts to see if their grain has been delivered. This program is very new; we’re still offering improvement suggestions to the programmers, but we think it is a good product and will give you timely information, 24 hours a day. Right now, you can call the Bement office, or email Chuck or Pam to set up your account. Soon, it will be available as a link on our website.
Check out our rain map, throughout the growing season. It is updated by Louie Tieman everyday that we receive rainfall. The rain page shows the daily rainfall, and the monthly totals. It’s a good place to stop and see the varied amounts of rain, especially if you do not live near your farm.
By Keith Whitaker
On January 24th of 2001, the Macon County Extension Office had a Marketing Seminar meeting, which Russ Wright, Vanessa Stinson, and Keith Whitaker attended from TopFlight Grain. We came away with interest in what we had learned.
The first session featured Gunnar Lynum, President of Strategic Market Development, of St.Louis, Kankakee and Yokohama, Japan. He is a broker to help his customers trade specialty soybeans around the world. He talked about good premiums and that his business was a world wide business and that the inspections on grain were to be done by a 3rd party.
The second speaker was Reg Clause of Iowa State University. He was discussing ISO 9000. The things he presented grabbed our attention. He told us that ISO, which stands for International Organization of Standardization, is a specialized international agency for standardization. He talked about the 8 Quality Management Principles: 1) Customer focus, 2) Leadership, 3) training- involvement of our people, 4) Process Approach, 5) System approach to management, 6) Continual improvement, 7) Factual Approach to decision making, and 8) Mutually beneficial relationships.
In ISO you demonstrate your quality system to a 3rd party registrar. Your documentation backs you up that you are what you say you are. The company is registered with a world wide registration organization. This process involves total company involvement, a platform for documentation, traceability, and credibility. Customer satisfaction needs to be measured.
Attributes of Quality systems include prevention, not detection, continuous review of critical process points, corrective and preventative action, employee relations-consistent communications, traceibility, top management responsibility, total quality awareness tailored to your process, and common sense guidelines. Attributes of ISO companies are as follows: lean-find costs you didn’t know about, sensitive to customer needs, highly reactive-respond to changes in specification with customer, efficient-well positioned in market place. Benefits of ISO: market access, less waste, lower risk, continual improvement, employee comfort and satisfaction, increased productivity.
The third speaker was Nick Huston, Manager of Colusa Elevator Company. He became certified in the ISO 9000-1994 version. He said he was looking for a standard that could help his customers choose to deal with him, instead of someone else.
We attended another seminar about the subject at the Macon County Extension office on March 23, 2001. We contemplated things for a while and on February 22, 2002, we met with Paul Mariman of the Uof I Extension, and two Millikin business professors, Larry Stapleton, PH.D.,and Charles R. Smith, CPA, PH.D. to investigate if we could proceed and try to become ISO 9000-2000 certified. We approached it as a take it one day at a time type of thing and since that meeting we have done a lot of work to try to achieve the goal of becoming ISO certified. We met several times throughout the summer of 2002 and took some time off during harvest and we hit it hard again in January of this year. At that time, Pam Jarboe joined the ISO committee and her experience has been very helpful in the process.
We currently have a mission
statement for the company and a vision which was developed by our board of
Directors at this year’s annual board retreat.
Our mission statement is as follows:
We are committed to the future
of agriculture by improving the profitability of our customers through quality
service and exceptional people.
Our vision is as follows: Working to make your life easier.
We hope that we can have this certification process completed before the end of this summer.
Your board of directors and management met for a board retreat on February 28 & March 1, with the purpose of analyzing the company’s current position, and planning for the future position.
The session began under the guidance of Mike Turner, from Growmark, who compared the financial statistics of Topflight Grain to others in the industry. The comparison showed people and administrative costs at Topflight to be slightly less than those in the comparison. It showed that 82.4% of our service income is needed to cover operating expenses. Analyzing the cash flow suggested a net profit of $1.7 million is needed to support the current budget, and allow a planned rate of stock redemption.
Controller, Chuck Bentley reviewed the current financial position, with a projected end of the year profit much below last year’s. More detail showed decreased sales, increased insurance expense, decreased storage income and a significant drop in volume. Management, labor and administrative costs are slightly lower than last year.
Operations supervisor, Brock Casteel, presented the “wish list” for facility maintenance. It included track expansion in Bement, track scales at LaPlace, general maintenance at LaPlace, a conveyor and truck for Pierson, safety equipment for Cisco, bean leg upgrade at Emery, removal of the wood house in Monticello, a retention pond in Seymour, a leg painted in Lodge, and removal of the ramps at the old elevator in Argenta. Some of these projects must be done (such as the safety equipment at Cisco); others may be postponed.
Brock continued, as the safety manager, to outline the monthly safety meetings that are attended by the operations crew, and to describe some of the safety equipment that has been purchased, and what else is needed. Rules have been implemented so that bin-cleaning procedures are safer, and rail-loading safety has been improved and will continue to improve. Smoking areas at each facility have been designated. Smoking is permitted on site, only in these designated areas.
Discussion continued, to look forward to 5 – 10 years. Farm size is anticipated to increase; the number of farmers may decrease. Our buyers continue to look for high volume suppliers. Biotechnology, although thought to provide good benefits to production agriculture, is not accepted in all of our market place, and will be dealt with on individual basis. Customer communication will help us determine how to meet the rapidly changing needs of our patrons.
The ISO certification program was discussed, and the new Internet tool, iView, which allows access to customer records, was presented.
The next morning began with a meeting of the directors and their wives. The first mission was a mission statement and a vision statement for Topflight Grain. Topflight’s mission statement is “We are committed to the future of agriculture by improving the profitability of our customers through quality service and exceptional people”. Topflight’s vision statement is “Working to make your life easier”.
Customer relations, advertising and publicity and other areas of concern concluded the session.
The retreat gave the participants an opportunity to review the financial trends of the company, and compare those numbers to others in the industry. Using that information as a base, and current trends as a direction, future plans were developed, incorporating flexibility and adaptability into the future of Topflight Grain.
THE FABULOUS 40’S & 50’S
“Hey Dad,” my son asked the other day, “what was your favorite fast food when you were growing up?”
“We didn’t have fast food when I was growing up.”
“C’mon, seriously. Where did you eat?”
“We ate at home,” I explained. “My mom cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we all sat down together at the table, and if I didn’t like what she put on my plate, I had to sit there until I did like it.”
By this time, my son was laughing so hard I was afraid he was going to suffer some serious internal damage, so I didn’t tell him the part about how I had to get my father’s permission to leave the table.
Here are some other things I would have told him about my childhood if I had figured his system could handle it. My parents never wore Levis, set foot on a golf course, traveled out of the country, flew in a plane or had a credit card.
In their later years, they had something called a “revolving charge card” but they never actually used it. It was only good at Sears-Roebuck. Or maybe it was Sears and Roebuck. Either way, there is no Roebuck any more.
My parents never drove me to soccer practice. This was because soccer back then was just for the girls. We actually did walk to school. By the time you were in the 6th grade, it was not cool to ride the bus unless you lived more than 4 or 5 miles from the school, even when it was raining or there was ice or snow on the ground. Outdoor sports consisted of stickball, snowball fights, building forts, making snowmen and sliding down hills on a piece of cardboard. No skate boards, roller blades or trail bikes.
We didn’t have a television in our house until I was 16. It was, of course, black and white, but you could buy a piece of special colored plastic to cover the screen. The top third was blue, like sky, and the bottom third was green, like grass. The middle third was red. It was perfect for programs that had scenes of fire trucks riding across someone’s lawn on a sunny day.
I was 13 before I tasted my first pizza. It was a Sam’s Pizza at the east end of Fruit Street. My friend, Steve, took me there to try what he called “pizza pie.” When I bit into it, I burned the roof of my mouth, and the cheese slid off, swung down, plastered itself against my chin. It’s still the best pizza I ever had. Pizzas were not delivered to your house back then, but the milk was.
I looked forward to winter because the cream in the milk was on top of the bottle and it would freeze and push the cap off. Of course, us kids would get up to get the milk and eat the frozen cream before our mother could catch us.
I never had a telephone in my room. Actually, the only phone in the house was in the hallway and it was on a party line. Before you could make a call, you had to listen in to make sure someone else wasn’t already using the line. If the line was not in use, the operator would come on and ask, “Number, please”, and you would give her the number you wanted to call. There was no such thing as a computer or a hand held calculator.
We were required to memorize the “times tables.” Believe it or not, we were tested each week on our ability to perform mathematics with nothing but a pencil and paper. We took a spelling test every day. There was no such thing as a “social promotion.” If you flunked a class, you repeated that grade the following year. Nobody was concerned about your “self esteem.” We had to actually do something praiseworthy before we were praised. We learned that you had to earn respect.
All newspapers were delivered by boys and most all boys delivered newspapers. The daily paper cost seven cents a paper, of which the paper boy kept 2 cents.
Movie stars kissed with their mouths shut on screen. Touching someone else’s tongue with yours was called French kissing and they just didn’t do that in the movies back then. I had no idea what they did in French movies. French movies were considered dirty and we weren’t allowed to see them.
You never saw the Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, or anyone else actually kill someone. The heroes back then would just shoot the gun out of the bad guy’s hand. There was no blood and violence.
When you were sick, the doctor actually came to your house. No, I am not making this up. Drugs were something you purchased at a pharmacy in order to cure an illness.
If we dared to “sass” our parents, or any other grown-up, we immediately found out what soap tasted like. For more serious infractions, we learned about something called a “this hurts me more than it hurts you.” I never did quite understand that one . . .
In those days, parents were expected to discipline their kids. There was no interference from the government. “Social Services” or “Family Services” had not been invented (the ninth and tenth amendments to the constitution were still observed in those days.)
I must be getting old because I find myself reflecting back more and more and thinking I liked it a lot better back then. If you grew in a generation before there was fast food, you may want to share some of these memories with your kids or grandchildren.
Just don’t blame us if they burst their sides laughing. Growing up today sure ain’t what it used to be.
Morning market comments from Topflight Grain are emailed out each morning by Derrick Bruhn, or Scott Docherty. These comments are brief, but summarize the main factors in the market yesterday, and what may influence it today. If you are not receiving these comments, and would like to receive them, please call, or email, your local Topflight office, and we will be happy to add you onto the list. (If you are receiving the morning comments, and do not wish to receive them, also please call, or email, your local office.)
Afternoon bids can also be emailed to you, if you are interested. The bids are emailed to each Topflight facility, and to others who have asked for the information. Again, if you would like the daily bids via email, just call your local facility.
It is very important that we have your current email address. Occasionally, we will see a market trend that we feel is very strong, and will notify you with an email. We don’t give your addresses out to any sales groups; we will use it for communication between you and us. Please be sure that we have your current email address, and if you would be interested in receiving the morning comments or evening bids via email.
The music and magic of Mardi Gras highlighted the 2003 Topflight Grain’s annual women’s program. 150 women attended the program, on March 19, at the Cisco Center. Dillon Docherty mingled with the ladies, entertaining during the social hour. Dressed as a court jester, Dillon performed various juggling acts.
The program opened with a rousing, energetic assortment of popular songs, performed by the Cerro Gordo High School Band. Directed by Barb Ozier, the band set the tone for a fun filled day. Next on the program was Manager Richard Thomas, addressing the group about the company, its direction, and services to the customers. Alice Collins concluded the morning as she talked about “Fat Tuesday and Fluffy Grandmothers”. Alice was recently selected as an author in “Chicken Soup for the Grandparent’s Soul”. She described the wonderful feelings that grandparents share with their grandchildren, to the group of ladies.
The New Orleans lunch included Bourbon Chicken, Red beans & rice, tossed salad, and Cajun Cake. The mystique of Mardi Gras followed into the afternoon as Keith Page presented a show of magic and mystery. His scarf tricks, card tricks and rope tricks amazed and amused the crowd.
ADM donated samples of “Enova” oil, a new soybean & canola oil, for the meeting. The vegetable oil is manufactured through a new process that, when consumed, metabolizes as energy, rather than fat. Colorful metallic beads adorned the ladies and feather masks decorated the brightly covered tables.
It was a wonderful, fun filled day, also filled with many friendships.
The Mardi Gras theme of the women’s program gave Dick an opportunity to compare the beads and feather masks of the festivities, as symbols of Topflight Grain:
Masks: As a contrast to people wearing masks, who may be trying to hide something, or not be honest and forthright, Topflight Grain is open with their customers, believing that the stockholders should be well informed and know what is going on in their company. The company newsletter, focus meetings, women’s program, annual meeting, web page, crop surveys, and golf outings are some of the communication tools used to meet those goals
The food this year, seemed exceptionally delicious. These are the recipes used by Hump’s Cut Catering:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
4 ounces soy sauce
2 Tablespoons dried minced onion
½ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup bourbon
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1. Place the chicken breasts in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the ginger, soy sauce, onion flakes, sugar, bourbon and garlic powder. Mix together and pour mixture over chicken. Cover dish and place in refrigerator. Marinate overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
3. Remove dish from refrigerator and remove cover. Bake in the preheated oven, basting frequently for 1 ½ hours or until chicken is well browned and juices run clear.
(The original recipe used 3/8 cup bourbon – feel free to experiment!!)
1 (14 oz) package boil in bag rice
2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (24 oz) jar picante sauce
1 ½ Tablespoons paprika
½ Tablespoon chili powder
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
12 oz shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1. Cook the rice according to package directions.
2. Add the beans, picante sauce, paprika, chili powder and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well and let simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir in cheese and let simmer for 10 more minutes.
(The original recipe also added 1 ½ pounds ground beef, browned and crumbled, and used 1 Tablespoon chili powder.)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple with juice
¾ cup white sugar
¾ cup evaporated milk
½ pound butter
1 cup chopped pecans
1 ½ cups flaked coconut
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 inch pan.
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, 1 ½ cup sugar, salt and baking soda. Add eggs, pineapple and juice. Mix at low speed until well blended.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes, or until done.
Have topping ready when cake is done.
4. To make topping: In small saucepan, combine milk, ¾ cup sugar and butter. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add pecans and coconut and combine. Remove from heat.
5. When cake comes out of the oven, pour on the topping and carefully spread while cake is still hot.
Topflight Grain welcomes several new employees this spring!!
Rodd Runyen will be assisting Chuck, with the bookkeeping and accounting, in the Bement office. He is also learning about the grain markets, and to buy corn and beans.
Rodd grew up in Oreana, graduated from Argenta-Oreana and received his business & economics degree from Eureka college. Rodd and his family live in Cerro Gordo. He and his wife, Tera, have three children: Sara is 13 and playing club volleyball this spring; Bailey is 8 and just placed in the top 16 of the Pinewood Derby for the Prairieland Council Cub Scout Pack; and Autumn is 5, and was just crowned Little Miss Cerro Gordo.
Mark Albert has joined the operations staff, taking charge of the Milmine elevator. Mark worked for us a LONG time ago, and we’re glad to have him back!
You can read more about Mark in Louie’s article from Milmine.
Jeremiah Osborne took over as grain originator at Atwood, after harvest. Jeremiah and Bill are getting the Atwood elevator in good shape, and Jeremiah is enjoying visiting with his customers. You can read more about Jeremiah, in his article from Atwood. Stop by & see him!!
Robert Broughton grew up in the Deland area and currently resides outside of Weldon. He is a 1992 graduate of Deland –Weldon School District. After graduation Robert attended Parkland College for 2 years studying computer drafting. He has been married to Victoria for 31/2 years and they have two daughters, Gracie (2 ½ yrs) and Elizabeth (1yr). Victoria is an accountant at the Illinois Farm Bureau in Bloomington. Robert enjoys spending time with his family. In his spare time he enjoys shooting trap and working on collector cars and trucks. Robert is very dedicated to his job and has a goal of making Monticello one of Topflight’s best and most productive elevators.
Roger Clymer joins the Cisco crew, as operations supervisor, to work with John and Garold (and others) in maintenance and operations. Roger and his wife, Tammy, will be moving to the Cisco area, from Nokomis, where Roger worked at a grain elevator. They have two children, a son and a daughter.
We’re happy to have all of these new employees join us!! Please stop by and get to know them.
SAFETY MEETINGS
Safety procedures at Topflight Grain are one of the topics discussed at
the operations meetings. All of the
operations and maintenance staff attend the meetings, where Brock outlines safe
operations techniques, and discusses new safety equipment within the company. At different times, “specialist” speakers present
the topics, and at other times, video tapes are used to demonstrate proper
procedures. Some of the information is
review, some of it is new; but safety is always worth it. Employees are also updated on company issue
and concerns, and usually, a good lunch is served!!
MOTOR CAR CONVENTION
The Pioneer Railroad wouldn’t let my friend Richard Hinds have the motorcar run on our railroad this year. Last year the Motorcar Association gave me the certificate of insurance and I said go ahead and have fun. This year for some reason I decided to run it past the company that runs our railroad for us. They were concerned about liability and since they are responsible for anything that happens on the rails they nixed the whole deal. Dog gone, I was really disappointed. I’m old enough to remember that section foreman running up and down the old Wabash on what, as a kid, we called Patti Cars. They were yellow with a windshield in front and some had a little flat car that they would pull behind with supplies on. In the wintertime they would have Plexiglas side curtains to keep the operator warm. I can remember how when they knew a train was coming they would have to pull the handles out of the back of the car and lift it up and push it off the tracks at a designated place. Anyway I was looking forward on taking a ride this year but I guess it will have to wait.
NonGMO beans and high oil corn were two of the specialty grains discussed at several meetings throughout Piatt County in January. Topflight Grain and FS co-sponsored these meetings.
The meetings were held in Monticello, Argenta, and Hammond. Speakers from Piatt County FS, Cornbelt FS, and Topflight Grain presented the information about the premiums, yields, and contract specifications.
Vanessa Stinson was presented a 4-H plaque by Randal Oakman, in recognition of Topflight Grain’s contribution to Macon County 4-H.
DELEGATION – FRUSTRATION
By Richard Thomas
One day a few weeks ago Chuck called me on the intercom and told me he had a problem that I needed to work on and then he left. The problem was IP was at LaPlace and they were going to shut our power off at 3:00 p.m. if we didn’t pay them a $2200 bill we owed. Chuck says we never got the bill in the first place, but we did get a notice that they were going to shut our power off it we didn’t pay it. He said he thought the notice was from a previous bill he had already paid so threw the notice in the round file. I thought this is no challenge for a person of my abilities, so I called IP to get this matter all taken care of and show Chuck just how important I am. Well, I called at least 20 people at IP and all I got was voice mail telling me to leave my name and number and they will call me back. Hey!! It’s 1:00 p.m. already and this guy is shutting our power off at 3:00 p.m. I don’t have much time to wait for someone to call me back. I finally decided to call the main office and talk to the receptionist, which I did. She was very nice and passed me on to the proper person she said I should talk to. After talking to this person and explaining my dilemma she says I have two options. I can pay for the bill with a credit card or I can give her my bank account number and they would electronic transfer the funds out of our account to IP’s bank account. In the next breath she informed me that this would cost TOPFLIGHT $5.95 for the bank withdrawal and for the credit card it would cost $5.95 for each $500 we owed. I explained to her how we had already paid IP over $500,000 dollars this year, we didn’t believe we ever got this bill, it was only 11 days old, and I would drive the check down to LaPlace and give it to the IP man in person. In the next breath she says if I don’t like the way she is treating me to call the Interstate Commerce Commission and she proceeds to give me their telephone number. I gave in and took the cheap route and gave her our bank account number so she could debit our account. I hung up the phone and the more I thought about it the madder I got. So I called the Commerce Commission and told him my sad story. He said; “Mr. Thomas you better make sure this doesn’t happen to you again, because if it happens two times in a row IP can make you pay in advance.” I asked him if he was supposed to be working for the consumer or IP. I really didn’t want to hear his answer so I hung up. Well, needless to say the money got transferred in time and they didn’t shut Vanessa’s electricity off. I only tell you this story not to run down IP but to show you how impersonal business is getting to be these days. So as long as I’m your manager here at Topflight Grain we will have NO voicemail. You may have to hold for a while, but a real person will eventually answer the phone. And we try to have something on the hold tape to keep you interested while you wait.
EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL
By Richard Thomas
Jim Murphy, who runs the elevator in Bement has been raising his daughter as a single parent since she was 6 months old. When Jim came to work for us 8 years ago Tasha was 7; she’s now 15 and has her driving permit. Over the years, I have thought a lot about Jim’s situation and marveled at what a great job he has done in raising her. The two of them have a relationship that any parent would envy. This is an example of their relationship and what prompted me to write the story:
I was at Randy’s Super K the other day filling my car up with gas and went inside to pay. There stood Tasha at the door eating lunch with several other high school kids. On my way out I stopped to talk to some of the students I knew and as I passed Tasha she asked me what her dad was doing. I replied by saying he was moving grain or something like that and she said, “Would you tell him I love him?” Now, this is a freshman girl surrounded by junior and senior boys and she has the courage to tell me to tell her dad she loves him. I came back to the office and shared the experience with the rest of the office help and then told Jim what she had said. Jim I’m sure, didn’t think too much about it because that’s just the kind of relationship they have with each other. Wouldn’t it be great if more of us could have such a relationship?
FUN FILLED SCHOOL YEAR
We’ve had a wonderful year, with our “adopted” class, the 2nd grade class in Bement. While we were enjoying Christmas cookies and punch with them, we heard a distinct ringing of sleigh bells, and a jolly “ho-ho-ho”. Yes, Santa arrived and had time to visit with each student about this year’s behavior, and their wishes for Christmas.
Tom’s Bowl was our destination on February 24. Our tour guide, Teri Ekiss, showed the class how the machinery behind the alleys works, to reset the pins and return the balls to the bowlers. Ace bowlers Louie Tieman and Vanessa Stinson demonstrated bowling techniques during the tour. After the tour, the classes divided into teams, and tried their skills at bowling as they cheered for each other. There were a few strikes thrown, and maybe a few gutter balls, but it was a fun afternoon.
On March 10, our field trip took us to Decatur for a visit of the TV studio of WB23. Jennifer, our tour guide was enthusiastic and interesting, as she led us through the advertising department, the computer room where the shows and commercials are scheduled, and the camera studio, where shows and commercials are filmed. She described the job requirements of each job, so that each student had a talent for the business. Lunch was enjoyed at McDonald’s with a short time to crawl through the playland, then onto Kirkland Fine Arts Center. At the Kirkland, on the Millikin University campus, we watched a play, of several short stories, the star story about Amelia Bedelia. All of the skits were fun and interesting!
Our last outing with the class will be “picnic” day, where we all take a sack lunch. They’ll be given a short quiz about some of the places we’ve been this year, then, weather permitting, we’ll go to Coles Pasture for some old-fashioned relay races!
Spending time with the 2nd grade class is a wonderful experience for us, and we hope, for them. Our goal is to teach them a little about agriculture, to build some relationships with our future customers and neighbors, and to honor our commitment to be community involved. Each year brings its special rewards as we watch the students grow and enjoy the activities!
By Richard Thomas
Chuck Bentley, our controller, and Richard Larimore, our board president, attended the Co Bank meeting in St. Louis in early March. Chuck reported back to me that the meeting was great and they learned a lot. As usual, when I asked what the economist had to say it was the same old story - everything was going to get better. Then he told me something that bothered me, but I guess it’s a sign of the times. Chuck said that Co Bank now has two people take the minutes at their board meeting. Then they send the minutes to an attorney who looks them over before sending them back to the board for final approval. See, I think that’s what’s wrong with the country today. You can’t go to a school board meeting, a town board meeting or hardly any other meeting without having an attorney present. The reasons for their presence they say are the threat of a suite and most recently the Enron situation. Now, my daughter is an attorney and I appreciate their profession, but I feel like it would be an intimidating factor to have them present at every meeting. In the 34 years I’ve been your manager we’ve never had an attorney present at any of our regular board meetings or one on a retainer. As tough of a time as we have finding someone on the board to be the secretary, I sure hope we don’t have to find two.