Topflight Grain Cooperative

MOVING FORWARD . . . . .

MOVING FORWARD TO RETIREMENT . . . . .

Congratulations, Garold!

After 27 years, Garold Hilligoss retired from Topflight Grain on December 31. Garold came to work for Cisco Cooperative Grain in 1980, and was a very valuable, very trustworthy employee for all those years. The east bin site was Garold’s responsibility. He dutifully filled it each harvest, and made sure the grain stayed in condition all year until it was shipped out. As Cisco Grain grew into Topflight Grain, Garold was very adaptable and dependable, and assisted other locations in loading trains and picking up grain piles. We always counted on him for a job well done.

Garold and his wife, Joyce, have two daughters and a son, and several grandchildren. They are looking forward to the time they will have to spend with their family, during retirement. We, at Topflight, wish them a Happy Retirement, and say Thanks, for all the years of dedication!

MOVING FORWARD WITH TOPFLIGHT . . . .

We welcome . . .

BEN CONNER

Ben Conner joined the Bement operations staff in December, having worked through the harvest season with us at the Pierson location. He has been great help in loading trains, picking up corn piles and general maintenance work.

MATT DEAN

Matt Dean is the assistant grain merchandiser and grain originator in the Monticello office. Matt continues to learn about grain merchandising, and crop insurance. He is also meeting the Monticello customers and enjoys visiting with them.

ADAM JACKSON

Adam Jackson is our newest employee. Adam is the grain originator at the Milmine facility. Adam is anxious to meet the great Milmine crew, and will be working closely with Rick Chestnut to manage the elevator.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GOOD PEOPLE

I heard my mentor say “Surround yourself with good people” on many occasions and it really didn’t dawn on me what it meant until I sat in the Big chair. “You need someone that is going to be reliable and make good day to day decisions. You also want someone that understands your business and believes in your culture.” Topflight also applies this to the businesses we work with from brokers to lenders to grain buyers. Topflight Grain has purchased 85% of the 2006 crop and we have a very large book of 2007 corn on the books also. The price run up to $4.00-plus has taken a tremendous amount of cash and we were forced to expand our operating loan to levels never seen before. Topflight Grain has been working with CoBank and they have been very good to work with in these volatile times. CoBank understands our business and has been a very supportive financial partner in some not so comfortable times. Relationships get tested when there is a strain or an unforeseen event that takes you down an unfamiliar path.

We hope that you would feel strong about partnering with Topflight Grain Cooperative as your grain elevator. We want to build a good working relationship with you, our patron, and offer the services that you need and help you grow and expand your business. We look forward to your feedback whether it is in person or the phone or e-mail, so we can fully understand your business and prepare for this exciting future in agriculture.

Some of the feedback you have shared with Topflight Grain Cooperative this past winter is the increase in corn acres versus a year ago. Our survey results showed an increase of 12% in corn acres in 2007 and a 12% decrease in soybean acres. This will add about 3,000,000 bushels to our fall corn receipts this fall. Topflight Grain Cooperative is building a new 105’ diameter Brock steel tank (730,000 bu) at Cisco this year and we have plans to build a 260’ by 6’ Lemar system at Milmine which will hold additional 1,000,000 bushels. We also have plans to rotate our large flat building at our Shacks facility this year which will free up another 1,800,000 bushels of space for fall. We continue to work on expanding our rail siding at Bement and the new rail expansion at Milmine is working very well with 3 trains loaded out and many more to come.

We look forward to another exciting year that will offer stimulating opportunities. Remember, Topflight Grain appreciates your business and we trust that you feel you can count on us to be reliable, financially sound, and that we can help you make good day to day decisions.

Have a safe Spring and a enjoyable Summer!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

By Vanessa Stinson

Spring has sprung! So we thought until the cold and snow came back into the picture. Oh well, when you live in central Illinois you can expect this. We can still get corn planted in good time.

This winter was one of those to remember, lots of cold and snow like we used to have when I was a young girl. Shoot, one day I could not even get home from work and I only live around the curve from here. Thank goodness I have family across from the office.

Laplace has been busy moving grain out of the elevator so that we could offer free DP. We will be moving grain all summer to make room for the big harvest that will be upon us sooner than we think. The rumor here is that there is 10-15 % more corn going to be planted in this area. So we are going to need all the room we can get. Maybe we will break our 3 million bushel record this year.

We ladies of Topflight hope that you all liked the Women’s program this year. It was a lot of fun preparing for it. It gets harder every year to try and top the year before. So far I think we have managed to do that. Again we hope you enjoy the programs.

We wish everyone a good growing season and have a great summer.

HANG ONTO YOUR SEAT…IT’S GOING TO BE A BUMPY RIDE!

By Amy Brammer

Spring is finally here, but winter did not go gracefully in this Southern Belle’s opinion!! Much like the changing weather, the grain markets have been quite a rollercoaster ride thus far. It all started in gut slot October, the market began the rally to ensure corn acres would be planted. January, February, and March were mostly friendly until Friday, March 30^th, when the USDA put corn planting intentions at 90 million acres versus 78 million last year! We saw the market go limit down as the Funds began to bail out of their positions. By Wednesday, April 4th, the market was rallying on weather chatter - cold and wet equaled planting delays. However, planting delays meant more bean acres could be planted, down go the beans. Then in early April the USDA again increased the 2006 ending stocks, the market slides again. But wait, in mid/late April the weather maps were changing daily! Up and down, loop-de-loop, the market opens up 14 and closes down 8. Add in Crude Oil and world events and off we go again on the volatile ride that has become the grain markets.

It can make one’s head spin and stomach turn! What do I do? Can/Will demand hold if we rally back to $4.80+ corn? At what levels do ethanol plants not get built? Should beans really be at $7.00+? Current prices are great, but I don’t want to miss an opportunity at better levels. What if we have a crop problem or don’t get the corn acres planted? Last year I sold too early. But, I don’t want to not sell $3.50+ and $7.50+ and have the market fall. I think it’s important that we glance backward, but look forward. We are living in an ever changing marketplace. One where supply and demand are no longer simple terms dictating the markets. You have all done a pretty great job of rewarding the market and selling a little here and there on our way up to the March highs. If you are nervous about possible weather rallies as the crop matures and want to sell current prices - go ahead. But, maybe buy a call for upside protection or if you aren’t comfortable with options, scale down your selling increments a bit. Perhaps, use a couple of marketing programs to spread out your risk. As of this writing in mid-April, the USDA continues to increase 2006 stocks, which eases the pressure on the ’07/08 crop, but doesn’t change the long term picture. Demand for corn and soybeans will continue to grow, and each crop year will bring new world and domestic scenarios. With the ever increasing cost of inputs, we need to treat our marketing strategies like we treat our business; they must grow and develop to insure success and profits. We glance back to see what we’ve learned, but we look forward to determine the best marketing approach to fit the circumstances of the present. Nothing is guaranteed, we use a variety of marketing techniques to protect ourselves from the wild price swings we’ve seen of late. You can contact me or your local Topflight Elevator to discuss your past marketing results and your future opportunities. No matter if you are bullish or bearish or just confused…one thing the past year has taught all of us is to make sure you are strapped in because it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

ACH

By Chuck Bentley

Please be advised that Topflight Grain is now offering ACH (direct deposit) to our customers instead of a written check. Advantages are many. It provides next day credit in your account if your local bank clears the next day. No lost checks in the mail. Lost mail seems to be getting worse each year. No hassle trying to get to the elevator to pick up your check. I could go on and on. Sign up is as easy as contacting your local branch manager or the Bement office and filling out the forms. It takes less than a week and we are ready to go. I encourage all of you to take advantage of this benefit…

Since I haven’t reported on the financial health of the company lately, here goes. Company profits are running about half of last year. We are experiencing added pressure on our cash flows and significant increases in our interest, utility, and trucking costs. At the same time our storage income has been reduced drastically. Your company continues to add permanent and temporary storage space, and plan for the future. With less than two months remaining in our fiscal year, we are relying on basis and futures spreads to carry us to another profitable year.

Have a great planting season and keep the grain a coming.

HELLO FROM ATWOOD

by Russel Wright

We survived another Illinois winter. Actually it wasn’t too bad except for the Blizzard of 2007. During the winter months, we were able to transfer a lot of corn to Bement and ship out beans to Decatur. Atwood had a Christmas open house in December. Many thanks to my wife Debby for making the “sloppy joes” and all the goodies that go with the holiday season. We had a good turn out. I think Tim S and JW Jacobs had a contest to see who could eat the most sandwiches. I don’t think there was a winner, but they sure had a good time. I also started a mini museum featuring any Unity Grain/Atwood Grain and Supply memorabilia. Many thanks to Steve Mutch for bringing in the gavel he used while he was president of Atwood Grain and Supply. So if anyone wants to loan me anything related to these two companies of ages past, I will put them on display.

After free DP was offered for corn and beans, we had several customers deliver their grain when the farm lots either froze or dried up. What a welcome relief March brought us, summer like weather, sure made the grass green up and the flowers bloom. It’s been a while since I mowed in March, but this year was an exception.

I really enjoyed going on the second grade field trip with Grandson Zac. We toured the Kroger grocery store in Decatur, a behind the scenes look at what goes on to keep the grocery selves stocked. Then it was on to McDonald’s for lunch, then to Millikin to watch a play about Stuart Little. Zac told me he is really looking forward to bowling, he wants to beat me, not hard to do, as I’m not a bowler. Tatum and Kady are looking forward to completing their kindergarten year and moving on to be first graders. Our other granddaughter, Kendyl, is looking forward to a new baby brother, due later in the summer. I’m sure she will be looking forward to that event.

Debby and I went to New Orleans in late April to attend an Army reunion with a few of my Viet Nam buddies. We have always wanted to go the New Orleans, so when this opportunity came along we jumped right in. I hadn’t seen these guys since 1970. We had a great time!

Everyone have a safe planting season.

WHAT WILL SUMMER BRING?

By Derrick Bruhn

With a smaller carryout on corn than normal and demand like we have never seen before, Mother Nature is going to be the biggest key to what the markets do this summer. We started off in January with the USDA estimating our 06/07 carryout was going to be 752 million bushels, the tightest since 95/96 crop year. That got the markets started thinking we may run out of corn. There is an old saying “high prices cure high prices” and that is exactly what seems to have happened. With the high prices, the feed sector of the industry started to cut back and the export markets started to slow down. The feed sector also has seen a lot of gluten feeding that has taken the place of corn in the market. The farmer started making plans to increase the acres of corn he was going to raise and by the March 30^th planting intentions report the USDA said we would see an increase of 12.127 million acres of corn over last year. This is the largest acreage switch we have ever seen in the US. This was enough acres to cover the additional demand that was expected for the 07/08 crop year. On April 10^th the USDA found that it looked like we may have 877 million bushels carryover on corn instead of the 752 million bushels they had estimated in March. As it looks today, we are not going to run out of corn, with many thinking carryout on the June report may be close to 1 billion bushels for the 06/07 crop year. We are going to plant enough corn to take care of the perceived new demand. The only question remains is what will the weather be like this summer? Even with the increased acres, we still need to have an average US corn yield to keep carryout at a comfortable level. If yield is down 2% in the US it will put our carryout around 645 for the 07/08 crop year. If anyone has the ability to determine what the weather will do this summer then they can make a lot of money.

Beans have set some records themselves as well. On the April 10^th USDA report, they estimated our carryout to be a record 615 million bushels for the 06/07 crop year. With this type of carryout beans should be below five dollars. The USDA estimated that bean planted acreage will be down 8.38 million acres. With an average US yield this fall 07/08 bean carryout is estimated to be 257 million bushels, which is still a very comfortable carryout. If US bean yields drop five percent then our carryout would be 114 million bushels which is getting tight. Weather will be vital to all markets this summer.

I am really excited about this summer. Mabry is 2½ and loves to be outside when the weather is fit. Lynne gets to spend the afternoons with her and they can’t wait to plant flowers and go to the park. I am in the process of building a swing set for this summer, which will probably be hours of entertainment for Mabry. We have a couple small trips planned this summer and Mabry will be a flower girl in Lynne’s sister’s wedding. She can’t wait to wear her princess dress.

SPRING? ‘07

By Mikki Burns

Will the weather ever decide between winter and spring? This past winter has really been our worst for a long time. Then when we thought it was over and spring was here, it came right back and got us again. Hopefully, spring is here to stay. I know the farmers are really anxious to get started in the field and planting the crops.

Cisco is getting another new bin. They will start erecting it soon, and it will be done by harvest. We really needed this bin with the bushels that we receive each fall. Plus, the increase in corn acres this year made it a real necessity.

Garold Hilligoss retired at the end of 2006 after 27 years of service. Cisco will miss Garold very much! Gary Wood has come over from the Maroa location to work with Russ and Rick. We welcome him to Cisco.

The grandkids are all doing great!! They are sure growing up fast and are so smart. In July, Blaine will turn 5 and start kindergarten in the fall. J.D. will turn 4 in July and Audrey will be 4 in November. They say the ‘cutest’ things…and as every grandmother has said, I should have written them all down.

The Cisco area lost a very good friend and farmer on April 16^th. Ron Reeves will be deeply missed by us all. This office will not be the same without him!

We hope everyone has a safe planting season! Enjoy your summer.

Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day and now the day was complete. ~ Marcy DeMaree

SPRING SCOOP FROM SEYMOUR

By Jason Goodner

Hello to everyone from Seymour. I hope this article finds everyone doing well. Spring is here! Finally some good weather to celebrate with planters to hit the fields this week. Now all we have to do is help the effort in getting 12 million new acres of corn in the ground.

I suppose we should step back for a moment to reflect on the past four months, and some of the things that have happened. Back on December 19^th, we had our annual open house here in Seymour. We had a pretty good turn out again this year. My wife and mother-in-law made some pork barbeque, taco meat and cheese dip, and some cookies for dessert. Mark Nibling shared a pot of deer chili again this year. It was a hit again and gone just as fast. Mark also happened upon some more jalapeño cheese deer summer sausage, which also was gone just as fast. I’d like to thank everyone who came to enjoy the holidays with us, and also for the good food and camaraderie. Kari brought Addi and Kolby over this year again. Last year Addi was a whole 5 days old at her first open house, so she got to make an appearance to show off how big she’s gotten. Kolby had a great time getting to eat, so that’s enough said. Oh, I forgot to mention that during all the holiday cheer and eating, a train was pulled in to be loaded. I guess work always comes before pleasure.

Addi was able to celebrate her 1^st birthday on Dec 16^th, along with present-opening help from Kolby. Christmas came and went, along with more space in our house being taken up from it. January 1, 2007 came with Topflight signing a lot of checks to customers for grain sales. We sent or handed out over 49 million dollars in grain sales to customers.

The grain markets have been on a rollercoaster ride since last fall. Corn and beans have both been very volatile. We saw corn prices keep climbing and climbing all the way up to the $4.00/ bu level for fall corn. Beans reached the $8.00/ bu level too. However, those prices were short lived for about four days in February. Basis levels have widened out as prices went up, but have been slow to narrow as the market has turned bearish in the last month after the planting intentions report was released. I’m sure it’s going to be another interesting planting season with weather rallys in the markets. For those of you who still might have some grain left on the farm, we are offering Free Delayed Pricing on all corn and soybeans until June 30, 2007. If you have any questions about this or any other contracting needs please give me a call.

I’m sure that I’ve forgotten a few things, but getting a ride home in the township end loader during our February snow storm will not be one of them. It was a tight and bumpy ride, but the only way home from the elevator. I guess another one was that I turned 30 on April 9^th. I’m not quite sure I like being out of my twenties, but I don’t think I can change time. One last one I can’t forget is that Kari and I celebrated our 6^th anniversary on April 21^st.

Before I go, I can’t forget to thank our operations guys that come to help. Big thanks to Chris, Rob, and Stason for all of your help at Seymour. We would also like to send our sympathy to the family of Celia “Louise” Karr. Louise had been ill for some time, and passed away on February 15, 2007. We’ve lived right across the field from J.C. and Louise since I’ve been at Seymour, and she will be missed for her sweet, caring, and compassionate nature that she showed to others. If anyone needs a candy bar or soda while out planting this spring don’t hesitate to stop by or give a call for take out. I hope everyone has a safe planting season and upcoming summer.

HELLO!!

By Matt Dean

Hello to the Topflight community. I have talked with many of you over the last few months since I first started with Topflight Grain in Monticello. For those of you that I have not had a chance to meet or sit down and talk with, I’d like to introduce myself. I was born and raised just down the road a bit in Tuscola where I spent many days on the family farm outside of town, and I’m currently still living there as well. I graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Agribusiness in 2003 and I immediately moved back to the East Central part of Illinois! I spent the previous two years of my professional career as an agent for COUNTRY Insurance, until starting with Topflight Grain in December.

I am based out of the Monticello branch of Topflight Grain as the Assistant Grain Merchandiser and Grain Originator for the Monticello branch. I will be helping with all of the marketing programs that Topflight provides for their customers as well as community involvement and crop insurance.

Here in Monticello we are ready for the warmer temperatures to set in for good, and to get this crop season underway. It’s a very exciting time as we try to get the facility and all of our local patrons ready for the upcoming Spring and Summer seasons. I look forward to meeting those who I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting and look forward to seeing the familiar faces that I’ve already been introduced to as the year goes on!!

NEWS FROM MAROA

by Denny Hill

I’m starting to wonder if the winter is ever going to let go this year. After so many mild winters in recent years, we got paid back with the weather we got in January and February and then to see March turnout real nice for a couple of weeks and April return with cold, damp days. Hopefully we will get a window of warm, dry weather to get all of these acres of corn planted before the first week of May.

We started picking up our bunker of corn shortly before Christmas and didn’t get into it very far when the weather broke and snow and ice kept us from returning to that project until late February. The men pushed hard and we were able to get it cleaned up by the middle of March which was a month or two ahead of any other years we have filled it.

By getting it picked up in a more timely fashion the condition was better than in the past.

April and May will find the men working down at Emery on nice days helping pick-up the 700,000 bushels in the new bunker built there last summer. We also have around 250,000 bushels of beans we need to move out of Waller before harvest along with getting the Maroa elevator and the 3 flats emptied up. So the men will stay pretty busy the next few months.

The markets have continued to be very volatile throughout the first 4 months of this year, up 5 to 10 cents one day and down the next. The USDA report at the end of March put a bearish tone in the corn market when they came out with 12 million more acres of corn to be planted this year along with higher stocks. This was 2 to 3 million higher than expected and corn futures have declined around 10% since then. The market will monitor the planting period closely and see if Mother Nature allows us to get 90 million acres of corn planted in an ideal time frame. This looks to be a year where we could see anywhere from $2.50-$5.50 a bushel for corn depending on the weather.

Our last year of High School is coming to an end shortly with our youngest daughter Meghan graduating from Maroa-Forsyth. What a year we have had following all the sports teams in their pursuit of championships. It is going to take sometime getting accustomed to no children in the house and no games to get to every night. Meghan is planning on attending Eastern Kentucky in Richmond in the fall and will be just a short drive from her older sister Jessica at the University of Kentucky. Terri and I will be making several weekend trips to visit them next year.

HAVE A SAFE PLANTING SEASON

SPRING IS ON ITS WAY (I think!)

by Brock Casteel

Finally winter has subsided, and with it comes a lot of grain hauling that was slowed due to the heavy snows, and soft lots. I am sitting down to write this article on the second day of ground pile clean up here at Pierson. I am proud to say that the corn quality is excellent, and if we can dodge the imposing rains it will be a very productive week. This project usually requires about seven days of non stop clean up and it will be completed. As many of you are aware, putting seven dry days together in April can sometimes be a little tricky.

The buzz around the office is of course the price of corn. What will beans do, and are we ready for this monster corn crop? Debates over these issues bring mixed theories. Some of these theories seem they could be valid, while others are somewhat off the beaten path. One thing is for sure, everyone has there own opinion, and we will just have to ride it out to learn the results. That’s what makes this industry so interesting, right?

While you are in your local Topflight office, you may notice a new sign displayed. This sign is a daily reminder of the number of days that facility has worked with out a lost time injury. Each facility is working towards 365 days of no lost time injuries, with awards and rewards going to the facilities that meet this goal. I have had several observant patrons notice these signs, and I thought this would be a great place to explain them. So next time you are at your local facility, let them know you appreciate everyone working safely to meet this goal.

Spring and summer are far and away my seasons of choice. The warm weather and long days always bring me out of my winter doldrums and give me the opportunity to take part in some of my favorite pastimes and attend several of the local county fairs. I enjoy the chance to interact and meet several of you outside of work. If you happen to see me out and about, be sure to stop me and say hello. Please have a safe planting season and thank you for your business.

APRIL SHOWERS

By Stason Kopps

It is newsletter time again. As I write this, many farmers are waiting for the ground to dry so they can plant corn. This wet weather has made life at the elevator tougher too. There is so much ground water that some of our sump pumps run almost all the time. Yet still we get water in our equipment. Perhaps these rains will help produce a bumper crop.

The operations crew at Topflight Grain is still dealing with last year’s crop. It is train loading time again. I recently heard Topflight has 31 trains to load between now and the end of July, so we will be pretty busy. The Monticello crew has had a busy spring. Jack Warren has been busy dumping trucks, loading trucks, and blending grain. Chris Frye has been reporting to work in Monticello, because things are kind of slow at Seymour. Chris has been loading trains and helping Jack. Rob Dick has been busy doing maintenance and loading trains.

It has been a busy year for me. I have been loading trains and working at Lodge. Also, earlier this year I was rehabilitating my left hand that was broken on December 7^th.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable spring and summer.

BEAUTY AND MYSTERY

By Gloria Litwiller

It’s that time of year when everyone is anticipating the planting season. I heard this saying the other day “a new season offers beauty, as well as mystery” and it reminded me of farming. The beauty and mystery of farming starts before the seed is in the ground and doesn’t stop until you market the crop. This spring is a good example, with the wet cold weather that has delayed planting, to how many acres will be in corn and how will this affect the markets. Each season affects the crop in a different way and these factors affect the farmer’s decisions, such as the type and trait of seed, chemicals, fertilizers, and selling of the crop. The decisions of a farmer never turn away from the season of the crop and the mystery of how and what will affect it. Thinking about all of this brings me to a quote about the beauty and mystery of farming. “A good gardener always plants 3 seeds- one for the bugs, one for the weather and one for himself”, by Leo Aikman. These 3 seeds symbolize the beauty and mystery of a crops season.

Bugs = the type and trait of seed, pesticides and herbicides

Weather = cold, wet, hot and dry

Yourself = markets

So plant your seeds and watch the beauty and mystery of the season. Everyone have an enjoyable summer!!!!

IT WAS 1970 SOMETHING

By Rodd Runyen

Spring is here and summer is fast approaching. This time of year reminds me of when I was a kid growing up on the east side of Oreana in the 1970’s. It was a subdivision where it seemed all the families had kids who were all about the same age, within 4 or 5 years. There was never a time when you couldn’t find someone who wanted to play.

During the day it was baseball. We would all go down to “the phone company”. It was the GTE building and lot on Belle Street. It is a huge lot that is perfect for playing baseball in. The whole neighborhood would be down there playing baseball. Each team would have a ton of kids on each side! If we got thirsty, we could cross the highway (Route 47 & 48 at that time!) to go to the International Harvester dealer and get a bottle of pop that you pulled out of the soda machine. It was ice cold and hit the spot. Then it would be back to the phone company for more baseball. The games would last until it was time for dinner. Everyone would run home, but the playing wasn’t over.

After dinner, we would all meet back again at someone’s house for flashlight freeze. Boundaries would be 5 or 6 yards in the neighborhood. One person was it with a flashlight and would look for the others who were hiding. If he shone the flashlight on you, you had to “freeze” until one of the others came and “unfroze” you by tagging you. Kids would hide in trees, on top of garages, behind bushes – anywhere you could think of. To win the game was hard to do because it wasn’t easy “freezing” a big bunch of kids. But it was fun running around the neighborhood in the dark and playing with your friends.

On Fridays, there was another ritual. We would spend the night at someone’s house. We would all bring sleeping bags and pillows. We would eat and play games until 10:30. Then it was time for….Tales Of Terror! This was on WAND-TV and was a show that showed scary movies. Of course they weren’t the gore we have today, and it seemed like Vincent Price starred in every one of them!! But they were classics and were scary at the time! After the movie we would try to stay awake all night. Sometimes we did, but most we didn’t. As we got older these overnights moved outside where we slept in a tent. Then we progressed to just sleeping on the ground. It was always an experience sleeping out there looking up at all the stars as you talked with your friends. Then your friends would drift off to sleep one by one. The next thing you knew, you were waking up and the sun was shining.

Gradually the neighborhood changed. With kids moving away and everyone growing up, it would all come to an end. But while it lasted, it was a lot of fun and created some wonderful friendships and memories.

Today, many kids wouldn’t dream of doing such things. They would rather sit inside at the computer cruising the internet or being on MySpace. Why go visit a friend when they can call them on their cell phones? Play flashlight freeze? Come on, we have involved them in sports and activities that run year round so they don’t have time for childhood fun anymore. We’ve given them cell phones, I Pods, Wii, Nintendo, Sony Playstations and X Boxes. Why go out and play when you can sit on your couch and do it inside?

The fun and memories that we created for ourselves back then can’t be created on a television screen or a video game. I remember one time riding in the car and asking Mom if she would want to be a kid again. She replied, “No, not in these times.” I didn’t understand her answer then, but I do now. As the song says, “I wouldn’t trade those days for nothin’ … It was 1970 something.”

MY FAVORITE THINGS

By Pam Jarboe

We had so much fun preparing for this year’s program. We hope that you had as much fun at the program.

As we typed the recipes for the cookbook, many times we commented about how good a recipe sounded. So, we decided that each of us would prepare one recipe from the cookbook, for our next meeting. We had a nine course meal that included oatmeal rolls, chicken casserole, hamburger noodle casserole, scalloped pineapple, cheese soup, lemon bars, cream cheese stuffed cupcakes, and more!! It was absolutely delicious! (The guys are waiting for us to do the same for the next staff meeting!)

Then, Donna thought she should show us the spa treatment before she presented it to all of you. So, she came to a meeting. We took our socks off, applied lotion to our feet, wrapped them in a plastic bag and cotton booties. While our lotion was softening our callused feet, we exfoliated our lips and applied lip balm to them, we exfoliated our hands and applied lotion to them, then sat back with the refreshing eyepads on our eyes, while Donna played her soothing music for 10 minutes. It was a wonderful experience!

Then, we went to Talbots to select the clothes for the style show portion of the women’s program. Talk about service! The ladies greeted us at the door, asked us what type of clothes we liked, and helped us select our personal clothes. They helped us put together a set of clothes that was our style, our age, and our colors. They carried the clothes back to the dressing room for us, then retrieved shoes, jewelry and additional accessories as we needed them. They offered suggestions and advice, but never pushed us to be uncomfortably fashionable. It was a great, spoil-me-rotten experience!

Of course, we can’t forget the time we spent together, practicing the skit that Denise choreographed for us! Denise had all the confidence in us, but we weren’t quite so sure. She was patient with us, as we waltzed with our walkers, to the tune of “My Favorite Things”. We laughed, we swore, we thought we would never make it, and then were afraid that no one would laugh. But, we had fun, and assume that you enjoyed it, too, since you asked to see it a second time that day.

I think it added up to a great day. We hope that you were able to attend the program, that you enjoyed it, and that you will join us again next year. We’re just not quite sure what to do for next year’s program.

BUSY WINTER AND SPRING

By Eric Clements

This has been another busy winter and spring at Topflight. We are working on the last two temporary corn piles and we are emptying the Shacks flat. The corn has been in the Shacks flat for three years and it is coming out in good condition. There is still over a million bushels in the flat, so it will take us a couple more months to finish it.

The maintenance crew is working with Paul’s Machine and Welding to replace worn spouts and leg discharges. We need their crane to reach and replace these parts. The maintenance crew is also working on the maintenance list that each elevator operator has put together for us. The elevator operators give our maintenance crew a hand in some of these repairs when they are not busy loading out and taking in grain.

Topflight is building a 105’ diameter bin at Cisco. The concrete foundation is finished and the bin erector is starting to erect the tank. Koehl Bros is the contractor for this project. The new bin will be west of the bin we had built in Cisco two years ago. We are pleased that the work has started already on this project. Topflight is also adding temporary storage at Milmine this summer. We are building a 260’ diameter grain storage ring with a 6’ tall wall. This ring will have a tarp that stays on the ring while that pile is filled. This will help prevent the corn from getting wet from a rain while the ring is filled. This will be a great improvement over piling corn out uncovered as we have the last several years at Milmine.

Mitch and Hayden are both starting to practice for their summer baseball teams. They got so excited practicing that they broke a window out of the house. Hayden quickly informed me that Mitch threw that ball at him. Notice that he was not throwing it to him, but that he was throwing it at him. I mentioned this to Hayden and he said that he had to duck out of the way. I asked him to take one for the team next time. He said that he will think about it and get back to me.

I hope that everyone has a safe and productive spring planting season.

HELLO FROM EMERY

By Sandy Davenport

Looks like there just might be a spring after all. I think a lot of us thought that winter would never end, but the planters are beginning to roll.

No matter what the weather conditions are, Charlie has to have the grain ready to ship. We might start the day out shipping corn, but you never know when ADM or Tate & Lyle will decide to shut down on a moment’s notice and then he has to have beans ready to ship. We have shipped a lot of corn out, but also have received several bushels from off the farms. I think this is the first year since I have been at Emery that we have not been able to offer free DP on corn. We did open the bunker up on March 26^th. Things are going pretty well, but it takes a lot of time to bring the corn back into the elevator. Henry Lust and Andy Parsons are doing a great job of getting the trucks loaded.

The high grain prices kept me pretty busy in the office until the past several weeks. Now, I am pretty busy at the scales as we are trying to get all this grain shipped. It will probably be pretty close to harvest, but we should get most of the corn shipped before we start getting new in.

I think I about wore Jerry out this winter with all the basketball games we attended. We had a really good time watching Parkland play in New York City and then watching the Maroa-Forsyth boys. Kinda hard on old people’s nerves! Now, we are into baseball. The boys are having a good season and I believe as of this date, the girl’s softball team is undefeated. What I think is really commendable is that every time the High Honor and Honor Rolls are published, you see the names of many of the athletes.

I believe we had another successful Women’s Program this year. It was different than any that we have had in previous years. Although some of us girls were pretty hesitant on doing “the skit”, we did have fun practicing!! I think a couple of girls already have ideas for next year’s program.

I hope that everyone has a good planting and growing season. Charlie and I will continue working hard to be ready for harvest ’07.

LET US PAMPER YOU!

“Pamper” was the theme of the 2007 Topflight Grain Women’s Program. The ladies met on Wednesday, April 11, 2007, at the Cisco Center for a day of relaxation, rejuvenation and renewal.

As Scott welcomed the guests, the stage curtain opened to 9 ladies dressed in dusters, with walkers. Denise Docherty began to sing the geriatric version of “My Favorite Things”, while the 9 ladies (the female employees of Topflight Grain) danced and twirled with their walkers. It was a fun and amusing skit to start the morning.

The first speaker was Terri Jacobus. Terri talked about developing and making perfume with natural ingredients. Her fragrance business began as she became concerned about the environment, and wanted natural products in her life. She also presented ways that individuals can incorporate natural products into their lives, to be environmentally friendly.

Diane Seaman, owner of Curves, emphasized the importance of moving and stretching. She encouraged gradual, simple exercises and life-style changes to maintain body strength and energy. She had a pleasant message of encouragement and motivation for us to remain active and involved in our physical health.

After the break, Donna Gillespie guided everyone through the spa therapy treatment. Each lady was given a “Lip APeel” treatment to exfoliate and smooth the lips. Next, lotion was distributed to condition the elbows (also very good for the dry skin on feet). Next, cool, refreshing eye pads were placed over everyone’s eyes. The lights dimmed and soothing music was played so that all the ladies could relax and forget some of their stresses. The last step of the spa treatment was an exfoliating hand treatment, followed by moisturizing hand cream. It was a great, relaxing time!

Lunch was served by Basket Case Catering. Chicken Cordon Bleu, crunchy slaw, fruit salad, lemon buttered vegetables and assorted desserts were delicious!

The afternoon program began with a style show, presented by Talbots in Champaign. The real-life models included several of the Topflight Grain employees, and wives. The clothes were very nice and the girls at Talbots were wonderful to work with!

Concluding the day’s program was the Speech Class from Atwood-Hammond, who presented several skits that were award winners for them in various competitions. The skits were cute, and the students showed a lot of poise and talent!

It was a great day, full of great friends and pampering experiences. We hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as we did!

Congratulations to . . .

Amy Brammer, featured in the Decatur Herald & Review, in the Lifestyle section; Cheryl Day, recognized at the Illinois Council on Food and Agriculture Research annual meeting, for the Illinois Association of Drainage Districts; Jessie Wright, promoted to the rank of Captain, US Army; Scott & Denise Docherty, who celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary in January;

Larry & Loretta Bartram, who celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in March; Robert Mills, engaged to Katherine Sutton; Walt and Leora Adams, who celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary on March 25; 2007 Cerro Gordo Juniors named as delegates to the ALA Illini Girls State, Brittany, Palmer, Katrina Marmor, Sara Runyen, Brittany Weaver, and Kayla Richardson; Justin Walsh, whose father, Steve, assisted with the Bement Bulldogs conference title, exactly 25 years prior to Justin’s team’s conference win; Wailes & Ann Allen, parents of a new daughter, Addison Alyna. Proud grandparents are Harry & Ellen Allen of Custer, Montana; Jack & Faye Miner, who celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in February; Lauren West, honored with several volleyball awards at Parkland College; Kyle Taylor, scoring his 1000^th point during the LOVC tournament; Shawn & Brenda Reeves, who recently celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary; Shirley Sievers and Carol Otis, whose mother was named on the Lupis quilt on display at Allerton Library; Bement High School state scholars Steve Bramlett, Clair Bryan, and Matt Hendrix; Bruce & Emma Jean Stahl, married 65 years; Tom Fulk, who celebrated his 85^th birthday in December; Matt Hendrix, honored as Bement High School November Student of the Month; Dr. William Shackelford, selected as Grand Marshall of the Christmas on the Hill Parade, in Cerro Gordo; Larry & Janice Simonton, who recently celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary; Howard & Margaret Kamm, parents of a new granddaughter, Riley Jo Robinson; Garold & Joyce Hilligoss, proud grandparents of Riley Nicole Hilligoss, born on January 6, and to the proud parents, Gary & Kelly Hilligoss; Justin & Angie Huisinga, proud parents of James Heath Huisinga, born April 1. Proud grandparents are Rob & Cynthia Huisinga; Great-grandparents are Dale & Nancy Huisinga; and Great-Great-Grandmother is Leta Heath; Meghan Hill, 2007 valedictorian at Maroa-Forsyth; Steve Mills, promoted to Group Vice President-Information Technology at ADM; Noel & Donna Alexander, who celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary late last year; Bert & Jean Stoddard, who celebrated their 55^th wedding anniversary in December; The Bennetts – and their new family member, Bentten Matthew. Proud great-grandparents are Dale & Joyce Bennett, proud grandparents are Rob & Jeanie Bennett, and proud parents are Jake & Ashley Cain; Katherine Chenoweth, 2007 valedictorian at Sangamon Valley.

Our sympathies to the families of . . . . Ron Edwards, Cathy Harper, Paul Lamb, Rosalind Simonton, Ramon Wierman, Helen Agee, Ina Lou Walker, Frances Phillips, Everett McCoppin, Celia “Louise” Karr, Ruth Groves, Don Betzer, Guy Totten, Phyllis Egan, Ron Reeves, Ardath Kendall, Ernie Hildebrant, Victor Bowlby, Joe DeVincent, Jerry Shinneman, Willie Shull, Chester Crowe, and all others who have lost loved ones.

FOCUS

This year’s Focus meetings were held on March 16. We began at the Hammond Community Center, serving breakfast with the meeting; then served lunch with the noon meeting, in the Monticello Topflight Grain office; and served supper with the evening meeting at the Friends Creek Community Center in Argenta.

Topics of the meetings included the company’s financial statement, a brief market outlook, updates on building projects, and a review of the company website. After the information was presented by the Topflight staff, questions were answered, and a survey was handed out. A new gold dollar coin was given to each one who turned in a completed survey. And yes, a few tried to turn in more than one survey!!

We appreciate everyone who took the time and interest to attend the meetings, ask questions and share your opinions on the survey. We also thank our caters, the Atwood Country Buffet, God, Family and Friends, and Basket Case Catering. We ate very well that day!!!

GUNG HO, FRIEND!

All Topflight employees participated in the employee training offered on March 1. Dick Lyons guided us through the lessons taught in the book “Gung Ho”. We learned to work independently (the way of the beaver) toward the common goal (the way of the squirrel), using information and feed back provided by management. The way of the goose taught us to support and praise our co-workers, and to pick them up and help them along when they need a boost of encouragement.

It was fun, and we learned a lot. Employee training is an annual goal of Topflight Grain.

AND THE WINNERS ARE . . .

Winners of the Topflight Grain Trivia contest were Mike Rose, Steve Koss, Jake Kamm, and Rolland Miller. Each of these winners was presented with that much coveted, world-famous Topflight Grain T-shirt, for their correct answer to the Topflight Grain Trivia contest. A new question is posted weekly. The monthly winner is chosen from all correct answers submitted throughout the month. Click-on and answer the question for your chance to win that super-duper T-shirt!

GRAIN PAGE

Please be aware of the latest development in corn hybrids and an unapproved market:
Agrisure RW - Agrisure is a root worm event that can be found in various rootworm products available through Golden Harvest, NK Brand and Garst. Syngenta is releasing the root worm event titled "Agrisure RW MIR 604" after receiving approval from the U.S. The problem is that Agrisure MIR 604 is NOT yet approved in any other country in the world. As the planting season is upon us we need to remind ourselves of the stewardship that is entrusted upon us by the corn consumers of the world. Wise introduction of technology is important to every corn grower in every state because corn markets are so integrated. In Illinois, we export so much of our crop as corn and Distiller Dried Grains (DDGS) that we have an enormous stake in this process. It means that you must keep it out of any export market and corn processing channels as they all are exports as well! In light of the non-acceptance of Agrisure Root Worm corn internationally, Topflight Grain will NOT accept Agrisure MIR 604 corn. Topflight will continue to monitor the review of approval into foreign countries; we need full approval because of the risk and acceptance of corn products as well as whole corn shipments into these foreign countries. Should you decide to plant Agrisure RW MIR 604, every kernel of the product must be used domestically at this time. The safest market available to you is if you feed livestock yourself or can market to a feed mill that will accept it for domestic use. The Illinois Corn Grower's Association has found only 3 feed mills and elevators in the State of Illinois who are willing to take Agrisure MIR 604. Should Agrisure MIR 604 be found in the export channels, it has the potential to cause a major market disruption that could be quite devastating to the US Export Program.

HISTORICAL PRICES AND YIELDS

The University of Illinois website has a lot of valuable information for farmers. One of our favorites is www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu. You can find farm expense calculations, farm program help, historical yields, historical prices, and much more information. When you’re surfing and cruising the Internet, stop by and take a look at their website.

INCREASED PREMIUM FOR NONGMO BEANS

The premium for nongmo beans has increased to 70 cents for fall 2007 delivery, and to 75 cents for post-harvest, buyers call delivery. Certified seed must be used in this program. Each load will be tested at the scales, to ensure a positive nongmo test. And, very important – a grower contract must be signed to participate in this specialty program, earning the 70 cent per bushel premium. Nongmo beans may be delivered to Topflight facilities in Atwood, LaPlace, Seymour, Shacks, Emery and Maroa. Space may be limited. Be sure to contact your local Topflight office for the grower contract, as soon as possible, if you are interested in the program.

YOUR CHECK-OFF DOLLARS AT WORK . . .

Each time you receive a corn or soybean check from Topflight Grain (or any Illinois grain dealer), you contribute to the check-off fund for that commodity. The monies collected by Topflight Grain are paid to the Check-off Boards, who oversee the disbursement of the money. The funds pay for research in breeding, growing, disease-resistance, product development and market promotion. Ethanol and soydiesel are two major research and promotion projects of the corn and soybean boards, currently.

In January 2007, Topflight producers paid $31,000 to the corn checkoff, and $81,000 to the soybean checkoff. Your first quarter 2007 payments were $37,500 for the corn checkoff and $116,300 for the soybean checkoff.

The corn checkoff rate is currently at ¼ cent per bushel. On March 29, corn producers voted to increase the rate to 3/8 cents per bushel, effective October 1. The soybean checkoff rate is ½ percent the value of the beans, or 3½ cents/bushel when beans are $7.00, 3cents/bushel when beans are $6.00, or 4 cents/bushel when beans are $8.00.

HIGHER GRAIN PRICES VS. HIGHER FOOD PRICES

We’re beginning to hear the rumbles, that our higher grain prices will result in higher food prices, and the doomsayers predict even worse scenarios of starvation because we’re using our food for fuel.

If you’ve noticed higher food prices, don’t blame it all on the farmer. According to studies by the National Corn Growers, if corn prices were to stay in the $3.50-$4.00 range, cereal and bakery items are likely to cost 1% more, if all other factors remain the same. Food inputs represent about 4% of the retail price of cereal and food items.

The USDA estimates that the following input costs are a percentage of the retail prices:

Cereal & bakery items 4%

Beef 48%

Pork 27%

Chicken (fryers) 50%

Dairy products 38%

Fats & oils 15%

If grain prices remain high, food will be marginally impacted; if the high prices are temporary, the impact of grain prices on retail food prices should be minimal. Many other factors affect retail food prices; the grain input prices are only a part of the end cost.

The USDA Economic Research Service breaks the food dollar up as:

19 cents Farm value

38 cents Labor

8 cents Packaging

4 cents Transportation

3.5 cents Energy

4.5 cents Profits

4 cents Advertising

3.5 cents Depreciation

4 cents Rent

2.5 cents Interest

1.5 cents Repairs

3.5 cents Business taxes

4.0 cents Other costs

The information breaks down even further, calculating how much corn it takes to feed cattle and hogs, and how that translates into consumer costs. It’s quite interesting. If you would like to see the complete report, please contact the Bement office

A WOMAN’S REVENGE

“Cash, check or charge?” the salesclerk asked, folding the items the lady wished to purchase. As shopper fumbled for her wallet, the clerk noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse.

“So, do you always carry your TV remote?”, asked the salesclerk.

“No”, replied the shopper, “but my husband refused to come shopping with me, so I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him.”

TOPFLIGHT INFORMATION

STOCKHOLDERS

As a stockholder of Topflight Grain, you are among over 3,000 ag producers who own Topflight Grain. We have stockholders in Illinois and 32 other states.

As a cooperative member, you elect the directors who set the policy for Topflight Grain. When the cooperative makes money, the profits are returned to the producers. Some of last year’s profits are also being used to add additional storage at Cisco and Milmine, and to expand the rail line at Milmine.

ELECTRICAL RATES

Just as your power bills have gone up at home, so, too, have power bills increased at Topflight Grain. Chuck, Eric, and Scott are trying to understand the new billing rates, and find ways to reduce the power pull on the electrical meters. It takes a lot of electricity to run grain legs and fans. We’re trying to monitor our procedures carefully to economically reduce power consumption. Needless to say, the rise in electrical rates is affecting us, too.

JANUARY MONEY!!

We paid you a lot of money in January 2007!! The first two days of January, Topflight Grain wrote $39,500,000 in grain checks. The total month of January, grain checks were written for $52,500,000. Chuck has been busy all year, making sure we had enough money in the bank!

ISO CERTIFICATION

After serious review and much consideration, the decision was made to cancel Topflight Grain’s ISO certification. Many of the benefits learned during the ISO process have been maintained, and quality control will remain a high priority of Topflight Grain. Internal audits will also continue, to ensure quality procedures are followed.

We learned a lot during the process to become ISO certified, but felt that the economic benefit was not sufficient to continue the actual ISO registration.

IMPROVEMENTS AT MILMINE

When you stop by the Milmine office to meet Adam, your new grain originator, be sure to notice the improvements in the office. We’ve installed new blinds in the office, have some new pictures, and the bathroom has been remodeled! Two of the pictures depict Milmine pre-1955 and now, with the new bin built last fall. We thank Dick Skagenberg for sharing the old picture with us. In the Milmine office, you will also notice a display of Dick’s wood working.

Be sure to stop at the Milmine and look at the changes!

MARKETING & CROP INSURANCE MEETINGS

Derrick Bruhn and Matt Dean conducted a series of meetings in February, about factors influencing the markets and the choices presented by crop insurance. Crop insurance seems to change every year; if you have questions about it, please feel free to visit with Derrick or Matt, in the Monticello office.

GROSS RECEIPTS TAX

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has proposed a Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) as part of his 2008 budget. He campaigns for the new tax to support education, state-funded health care and better roads. We urge you to review his proposals and evaluate what it may cost you. It is expensive. We also urge you to contact your state legislatures to tell them that it is a very costly tax and that you do not support it.

Governor Rod Blagoviech’s “Tax Fairness Plan”

.85% Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) – This tax applies to gross receipts from sales. It has a 2 million dollar threshold, meaning if gross receipts total less than 2 million, you will not be directly taxed.

1.95% Service Tax – This tax applies to all gross operating or service income (drying, storage, etc).

3% Payroll All companies with over 10 employees that work at least 20 hours per week are subject to paying in the 3% payroll tax, no initial exemptions..

We estimated the impact of this tax will cost Topflight Grain approximately $1 million in extra taxes.

How will it affect you, the farmer? According to the Illinois Farm Bureau:

Bottom line: All Illinois farmers will feel the impact the GRT either in the higher cost of inputs or in lower prices received at the elevator, sale barn, or processing plant.

As increased costs are passed down from input suppliers to farmers, corn producers will pay an extra $5.29 per acre for fertilizer, seed, chemical, and custom application, and soybean producers will pay an additional $2.74 per acre for fertilizer, seed, chemical, and application. Using 2006 USDA production figures, that means Illinois corn and soybean producers would spend an additional $87,451,000 a year to put a crop in the ground.

As grain elevators are taxed, they will pass along their costs to corn and soybean producers in the form of lower prices paid – 4 cents per bushel of corn, 7.4 cents per bushel of soybeans, assuming $4 corn and $8 per bushel soybean prices. Using 2006 USDA production figures, that means Illinois corn and soybean producers would receive an estimated $108,395,600 less each year at the elevator.

GRT will reduce pork producer profit margin by $1.14 per marketed pig – a 42% cut in profit margin. Using USDA hog inventory figures for Illinois, the GRT impact will be $4,788,000.

GRT will reduce beef producer profit margin by $9.56 per marketed head – a 25% cut in profit margin. Using USDA cattle on feed inventory figures for Illinois, the GRT impact will be $2,055,400.

In the top four sectors of Illinois agriculture, the GRT will cost producers at least $202,690,000 per year in higher crop inputs and lower prices received.

You may feel this is such a killer of business for the state’s economy, that there is no way it could pass. It can happen unless you take action! The Illinois Senate will be the first to vote on these bills, so please ask your Senator to commit to a vote "NO." Let your Senator know that this tax is not business friendly! Legislators make decisions by hearing directly from people and businesses in their district. Please contact your Senator, follow this link: www.elections.state.il.us/DistrictLocator/AdressSearch.aspx to contact/e-mail your State Senator.

TO THE RESCUE

Kirby Ambulance in Monticello recently received a Grain Rescue System, to aid in the rescue of anyone entrapped in a grain bin. The system consists of 4 lightweight panels that fit together and slide into the grain, around the endangered person. This structure will relieve the pressure surrounding the confined person, while emergency personnel remove the grain surrounding the entrapped person.

Bin entrapment is a very dangerous and life threatening situation. For various reasons, a person will be in a bin, and the grain will draw him in, with such pressure that he cannot pull himself out. The grain pressure can be so strong that sometimes it is very difficult to breathe. With this system, the pressure of the grain can be somewhat relieved while the grain is removed, allowing the person to breathe, and eventually to assist in pulling himself up. Kirby Ambulance will have the system in the active emergency vehicle, to deliver on site to the grain bin. They will also assist in information to the local rescue teams so that the local Fire Departments can be trained to use the system. By keeping the system with Kirby Ambulance, most of Piatt County, and other nearby calls, will be served in this type of emergency situation.

Topflight Grain saw the need for such a system and arranged funding for the Grain Rescue System, through a matching grant from Land O’ Lakes. Land O’Lakes annual matching grants support community, non-profit projects.

ONE EARTH ENERY

By Scott Docherty

One Earth Energy (OEE) continues to move forward with building a 100 million gallon ethanol plant near Gibson City IL. The energy market has seen crude oil trade from $50.00 per barrel to $80.00 per barrel in the last 12 months and ethanol trade in a range of $1.80 per gallon to $2.40 per gallon.

There have been numerous articles in papers and magazines discussing the pros and cons of ethanol and what $4.00 corn will do to the profit margins of these new dry grind plants. The One Earth Energy Board has believed all along that we had a very strong project and still believe that to be the case today.

One Earth Energy will be closing the equity phase and finalizing contracts and permits so we can break ground in May 2007. OEE contractor Fagen Inc. is ready to deploy crews and equipment to start building the plant.

We truly believe the renewable fuels will continue to expand and be supported by increasing the RFS with the driving force becoming more independent of foreign oil.

If you have any questions about your personal investment or Topflight Grain’s investment in One Earth Energy please call me at 217-678-2261.

THOSE MOUNTAINS OF GOLD

Those mountains of gold, or piles of corn, that provided temporary storage for last fall’s bumper crop, have been moving to market. The Milmine corn pile was picked up in early December; the outside pile at Maroa was finished in late November; the Maroa bunker was started and stopped several times due to weather, but continues to be worked on; the Emery bunker pick up has begun and is progressing; and the Seymour bunker was picked up and put in-house by early January. This pick up process takes a lot of work by our outside crew, and many truckdrivers. We appreciate their hard work and dedication!

As well as picking up the corn stored on the ground, the conveyor and truck crews plan to empty the flat at Shacks, which is about 1.8 million bushels of corn.

FUN WITH 2^ND GRADE

Another year of fun is winding down with our adopted 2^nd grade class, in Bement. On December 20, Scott, Rodd, and Russel joined the classes while they were making Christmas decorations. In the midst of the activity, Santa arrived! Each student visited with Santa, naming a few items on a Christmas wish list. It was a great day, and we were so pleased that Santa had time to visit with all of us.

Our spring field trip this year took us to Decatur. Our first stop was at Krogers in Brettwood Village. We saw all the sections of the store, and even the storage areas behind the aisles. We saw the meat packaging area, the freezers, the coolers, and the doors and ramps where the food is loaded off the trucks into the store. They gave us coloring books, cookies, snacks and fruits as we left! It was a wonderful experience and we learned a lot! After Happy Meals at McDonalds, we were entertained by the “Big Adventures of Stuart Little” at Kirkland on the Millkin campus. It was a play about a little mouse born into a human family. We enjoyed it very much!

In April, we went bowling. Tom’s Bowl is always a wonderful host for this outing. Teri takes small groups to back of the alley, to watch the pins re-set and the balls return to the bowlers. Then, Vanessa and Sherryl gave everyone some instructions and tips for bowling, and we bowled!! We saw some strikes, some spares, and maybe a few gutter balls, and once again, we had fun!

CHAMPIONS!!

It’s been a victorious year for the Maroa-Forsyth Trojans. Their football team was the Class 2A champions and the basketball team won the Class A Championship this winter. Riding the wave of excitement that started with the football team, the basketball team carried the spirit forward, through another state championship. Each game in Peoria was exciting and nerve-racking, but so glorious by the final bell. We send our congratulations to the entire team, coaches and the community that supported them.

The excitement brought back the memories of 50 years ago, when the 1956-57 team played in the Sweet 16 tournament. During the weekend of December, a reunion was organized for that special team. Many memories were shared and special recognition was given to that team of 50 years ago at the evening’s basketball game.

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

The Christmas season brought many of our friends to the Topflight offices, especially during our annual open houses. Each office selected their own menu; many prepared the food themselves. It was all very tasty! If you missed the open houses, you missed some very good food, and some very good friends!

I’M GLADYS DUNN
Gladys Dunn had recently moved into a retirement community in a small town. One beautiful Sunday morning she walked to church not far from her apartment. She was in awe of the beautiful church, as well as music from the choir. She wasn't too impressed with the sermon. She thought it was kind of boring, and as she looked around the church, she noticed that many of the parishioners were nodding off.
When the reverend finished he encouraged his congregation to greet those sitting close to him. Gladys turned toward the man sitting on her left. He, too, had fallen asleep and was yawning and stretching trying to wake up. He smiled at her, and Gladys returned the smile.
She politely offered her hand and said, "I'm Gladys Dunn."

"You and me both!" the man replied.

TOPFLIGHT COOKBOOKS

The Topflight Grain cookbooks are here!!! We had many great contributions from many great cooks! They are available for sale, at any Topflight Grain office, for $8.00 each. We’ve tried some of the recipes and they were very good! The cookbooks would be great additions to your home cooking library. They would also be great gifts! Stop by and get your cookbooks soon!

Just to slightly tempt you, here is one of the great recipes featured in the Topflight cookbook:

CHEESY CORN CHOWDER

1 chicken bouillon cube 1-17 oz. can cream style corn

1½ c. boiling water 1-8 oz. Cheese Whiz

2 c. chopped small potatoes ½ c. milk

¼ c. chopped onion

1-10 oz. package frozen mixed vegetables

Dissolve bouillon cube in the water; add frozen mixed vegetables, potatoes and onion. Simmer covered for 10 minutes or till vegetables are tender. Next, add cream style corn, cheese whiz and milk. Heat till cheese is melted and chowder is warm thru. Yields 6 – 1 cup servings.

Norma Hall Hartman

MEETINGS

Not only is the winter season the season that we conduct meetings, but we also attend meetings and conventions.

This winter, we conducted the marketing and crop insurance meetings, the Focus meetings and the women’s program. All were well attended, and we hope you learned more about your business and your company at the meetings.

Many of your employees and directors attended the Illinois Grain & Feed convention in February. The convention presents workshops on the issues facing the grain industry and features a trade show that displays the many products that meet the needs of the grain business.

Vanessa and Pam attended the Agris Customer Conference. Agris provides the software for Topflight’s grain accounting. The girls brought back several new procedures to be used in the computer system.

Eric and Brock joined grain operation managers at the GEAPS Exchange Convention, where they discussed safety issues, grain storage options and maintenance improvements. Ethanol and biofuels were one of the big topics of discussion at the GEAPS exchange.

Ethanol and biofuels were also the big topic when Scott went to the National Grain & Feed Convention. Transporting the projected larger corn crop this year, and transporting ethanol, soydiesel and the by-products of the fuel production were studied and discussed.

Attending these meetings give us information about our industry, as well as the opportunity to discuss issues with others in our business.

FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS

As mentioned in Scott’s article, the Milmine rail project has been completed. The first 50-car train was loaded on January 29, in about 10 hours. After a few trains, the guys changed some procedures, and can now load the 50 cars in about 7 hours, if all goes right.

The new bin at Cisco is growing taller! The foundation was poured in late April. The bin sits west of the bin built in 2005. It will store 730,000 bushels of corn.

As Eric mentioned in his article, a new 1-million bushel ring is planned for Milmine. The ring, with attached tarp should be completed for the 2007 harvest.

These improvements are part of the long-range building project for Topflight Grain to provide better service to you, our stockholders.

A first grade school teacher in Virginia had twenty-five students in her class.
She presented each child in her classroom the first half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb.

1. Don't change horses ...... until they stop running.
2. Strike while the ..... bug is close.
3. It's always darkest before ..... Daylight Saving Time.
4. Never underestimate the power of ..... termites.
5. You can lead a horse to water but ..... how?
6. Don't bite the hand that ..... looks dirty.
7. No news is..... impossible.
8. A miss is as good as a ..... Mr.
9. You can't teach an old dog new ..... math.
10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll ..... stink in the morning.
11. Love all, trust ..... me.
12. The pen is mightier than the ..... pigs.
13. An idle mind is .... the best way to relax.
14. Where there's smoke there's ............ pollution.
15. Happy the bride who ..... gets all the presents.
16. A penny saved is ..... not much.
17. Two's company, three's ..... the Musketeers.
18. Don't put off till tomorrow what .... you put on to go to bed.
19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and ..... you have to blow your nose.
20. There are none so blind as ..... Stevie Wonder.
21. Children should be seen and not ..... spanked or grounded.
22. If at first you don't succeed ..... get new batteries.
23. You get out of something only what you .... see in the picture on the box.
24. When the blind lead the blind ..... get out of the way.
And the WINNER and last one:
25. Better late than ..... pregnant

The bonds of matrimony are a good investment, only when the interest is kept up.

Many girls like to marry a military man – he can cook, sew, and make beds, and is in good health, and he’s already used to taking orders.

Eventually, you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age, and start bragging about it.

The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.

Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know that I’ve traveled a long way and some of the roads weren’t paved.

When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth . . remember about Algebra.

I don’t know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.

Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft . . . today, it’s called golf.

Two priests decided to go to Hawaii on vacation. They were determined to make this a real vacation escape by not wearing anything that would identify them as clergy. As soon as the plane landed they headed for a store and bought some outrageous shorts, shirts and sandals.

The next morning they went to the beach dressed in their tourist garb. They were sitting on beach chairs, enjoying a drink, the sunshine and the scenery when a drop dead gorgeous blonde wearing a string bikini came walking straight towards them. They couldn't help but stare.

As the blonde passed them she smiled and said, "Good Morning, Father. Good Morning, Father," nodding and addressing each of them individually; then she passed on by. They were both stunned. How in the world did she know they we're priests?

So the next day, they went back to the store and bought even more outrageous outfits. These were so loud you could hear them before you saw them. Once again, in their new attire, they settled on the beach in their chairs to enjoy the sunshine. After a while, the same gorgeous blonde, this time topless with just a thong bikini, taking

her sweet time, came walking toward them. Again she nodded at each of them, she

said, "Good morning, Father. Good morning, Father," and started to walk away. One of the Priests couldn't stand it any longer and said, "Just a minute young lady."

"Yes, Father?", she said.

"We are priests and proud of it, but I have to know, how in the world did you know we are priests, dressed as we are?"

"Father, it's me, Sister Margaret."