WHAT’S NEXT??

            By Scott Docherty

You have to ask yourself that question when you think about the past marketing year and wonder what the new crop year is going to throw at you.  The demand for energy and its affect on everything we do or use has caused an increase in price, from food to clothing to transportation. We have definitely seen some major changes in agriculture in the last 2 years and it is hard to believe that we are used to limit moves in grain like it is no big deal!! 

I have been struggling with the increase cost of running a business just like you are.  My last article talked about the dramatic increases in fuel, fertilizer, seed, concrete, steel, etc. Are we at the new plateau talked about in the mid 90’s???  Our bankers will demand us to become better risk managers of our business as the risk versus reward for our profit margins becomes increasingly challenged.

The summer high in December corn came in at $7.99 1/2  the last week of June, just like we have seen in many years before. Then we experienced a mild $2.75 per bushel break in corn futures moving into the August USDA crop report. You have to ask yourself what changed in those 45 days?? Could it have been crude oil breaking from $145.00 per barrel, the US dollar gaining on foreign currency, subprime mortgage crisis, or was it that the Cubs were maintaining their lead in the National League Central ??  Notice that I didn’t even talk about weather, exports, feed usage or domestic crush. What’s next ???

            The good news is we seem to find support at $5.00 December corn futures and many of you have told me that you need $5.00 for corn to pay for your increased inputs to be able to cash flow corn at $900.00 dollars per acre. If corn has support at $5.00, will November soybeans find support at $11.00 per bushel? When you look at world demand and the questionable US soybean crop, I would have to say, yes, it will find support and soybeans will have a tug of war with corn moving into 2009 for buying acres. You will have a good opportunity for post harvest pricing as we move into the second quarter of the new marketing year.

Topflight Grain has the Bement railroad siding complete and ready to use this fall so we can load 50 car NS trains without a switch charge. Topflight Grain still is trying to work out a final agreement with the Village of Bement on the 6/10 of an acre that our siding runs through to load these unit trains.  It looks like both parties could be headed to the 7^th appellate court in Springfield IL, if there are no negotiations from either side.

We have been shipping grain and performing a lot of maintenance to the facilities in preparation for harvest.  We feel that our corn crop could be down 2.5 to 3 million bushels from last fall and with a much later start date than fall 2007.

I have moved my office to Monticello along with Chuck Bentley and Rodd Runyen, putting the merchandising and accounting departments together in the same office. You will get the same great service in Bement from Pam Jarboe, Amy Brammer and Eric Clements as you have in the past. We have made some upgrades to the Monticello office and our plans will be to upgrade the Bement office after harvest. If you need to contact me you can reach me at 217-762-2163

 It’s hard for me to believe that Dillon is a senior in high school and Annie, our baby, turned 14 this summer. Whoa! Where did the time go??? Well, Serge got married this summer and Denise and I moved to a new home so that pretty much took up much of our summer. We are glad to get settled in and get the kids back to school and into a new routine. I still believe a person should move every 5 years to get rid of all the junk you seem to collect over the years.

What’s next is harvest is upon us, so I wish everyone a bountiful and safe harvest season!

 

NEWS FROM MAROA

By Denny Hill

     Another summer has flown by here as we get ready for a later than normal harvest. The wet spring pushed back planting anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks depending on your location, so it looks like we may not get started till the last week of September and hopefully we can finish by Thanksgiving.

     The wet spring set back our plans of picking up our corn bunker here, as we like to have it completed by the end of April, but this year we didn’t get finished until June. Fortunately the corn that was put out there was exceptionally dry and it kept well and we saw limited discounts. At this time it looks like we will carry over around 300,000 bushels of old corn thus making our storage a little tighter as we get toward the end of harvest. If we are able to get trucks to Decatur during harvest, we should be just fine.

     The only big change you will see around here from last year is we have oiled and rocked all of the driveways around the elevator and office. Dunn Company spent a couple days doing this back in May and it has done a good job of keeping the dust down. All the potholes were filled and it should be a much smoother ride for the truckers compared to the past.

     We reached one of our goals this summer here in Maroa! We took in over one million bushels of corn from off the farm since the first of January. With the big crop we had last fall, any available farm storage was used and we appreciate those patrons delivering it to us. This has kept Ronnie, Gary, Aaron and Andy busy throughout the year.

     Our daughters are back to school this fall with Jessica at the University of Kentucky working on her Masters and Meghan will be starting her 2^nd year at Eastern Kentucky. My wife Terri is back in Blue Mound teaching Math and she will be helping me here in the office this fall on the weekends.

HAVE A SAFE HARVEST

 

ANOTHER SUMMER GONE BY

            By Stason Kopps

            As I write this harvest appears to be about two weeks away.  The crops are looking good, and some late season rains were definitely a welcome sight.  It has been another busy summer loading trains, cleaning bins, and getting ready for harvest, but at least the weather has not been too bad.

            This summer Ben Jones and Dan Greer spent a lot of time working at Seymour and Lodge.  Ben will be running the elevator at Lodge this harvest.  Dan will be working with Jason Goodner at Seymour this harvest.  Chris Frye spent the summer moving grain and cleaning.  He is looking forward to his second harvest at Monticello.  Rob Dick spent the summer doing maintenance at many different facilities, and Topflight Grain bought a new maintenance truck for Rob to drive.

            I have had an interesting summer.  After living in an apartment for eleven years, I bought a house in June.  It is nice to have a house, but it seems yard work never ends.  In July I took my girlfriend, Marsha and her daughter, to a baseball game in St. Louis.  The Cardinals were playing the Cubs.  Unfortunately the Cubs won the game.  Marsha, who is a Cub fan, gloated over the Cubs victory for several days.

            I hope everyone has a safe and productive harvest.

 

LONG HARVEST AHEAD

          By Jason Goodner

            Hello to all of our customers, family, and friends from the Seymour location.  I know that this newsletter is later than normal, but we still have a few weeks until harvest kicks off at the end of September.  My, how things change in just a year's time.  One thing that hasn’t changed is market volatility, too much rain, not enough rain, and does anyone have margin money!?!

            We have been working hard this summer to get everything emptied out before harvest.  I can tell you that we have cleaned a lot of bins this summer, and should have plenty of room for the crop.  We didn’t have any major upgrades this year, but we are getting everything in running condition for grain to arrive.  After all of the rain that we experienced during winter, spring, and summer, we’ve had to pull some bunker walls.  The walls are going to be reset on concrete footings to make it so ground heaving and cutting won’t be an issue.  Thanks to Rob, Roger, and Willard for making the necessary repairS this summer. 

            This summer has been full of good times.  The Fourth of July parade is always fun here in Seymour.  Kolby and I flew the plane this year again, and I must say that my co-pilot is getting pretty good at candy tossing.  There were over 120 entries for the parade, which is amazing for such a small town.  Addi thought candy collecting was a lot more fun than having to give it away.  Our best guess from the “Coffee Group” was that we had around 2200 people in town for the parade. 

            Every year before harvest we get to go out on our Crop Tour.  Kolby and I went out this year all around Seymour and the surrounding area.  We came up with an average corn yield of 169 bu / ac.  That is a 15 bushel/acre decline from last year’s corn crop.  We did notice that where there were ponds, that the stalk quality was weaker and the ears were underdeveloped.  The soybean side of things saw an average of 46 bu / ac.  That is an 18 bushel/acre decline from last year.  The soybean crop was planted late enough that it shows the reflection of yield loss due to planting dates.  With the latest rain event, it should be enough to fill the pods the rest of the way. 

            As a reminder this year, please get any changes that you’ve had to your farming operation to us before harvest starts.  This includes changes in farm divides, percentages, or land no longer farmed.  If you have had anything that could affect your grain account, please come see us before rolling across the scale.  One last reminder, please make sure to display your farm code for what you are hauling in.  We will have new scale help this year, and it will help having it right the first time.

            As you start harvest we will have a new full time face around Seymour.  Dan Greer started for us back in May, and he will be supervising the outside help this fall.  Dan and his wife, Karen, live in Decatur with their three children.  If you have any problems outside this fall talk to Dan, and we’ll get things fixed, hopefully! 

            Last but not least.  Kolby started kindergarten this year at Mahomet.  What a change for Kari and me as parents.  Addi was lost without her brother, but now she sings, “Waitin’ on the bus, waitin’ on the bus.”  She truly believes that when she’s three they will let her ride on the bus too.  Kari is planning on working a couple of days again this fall running the scale for us, while also working full time and keeping our house running.  I am really thankful to have her as my wife.  Before Kolby started school we were able to go up to Indiana Beach for a family weekend.  It was nice and relaxing, not to mention the kids being completely worn out.

I hope this newsletter finds everyone doing well, and we would like to wish everyone a safe and bountiful harvest.  As you start harvest, please be patient as I expect we will be drying a large volume of grain this fall.  As always, if you have any problems this fall, please give us a call.  Thank you all for your business and we’ll see you in a few weeks.

 

CHANGING MARKETS

            By Derrick Bruhn

Today the grain markets are like nothing anyone has ever seen.  We read more and more about big money that has come into the grain markets and the affects it has had on everyone.  Each day it gets more difficult to decipher what may be moving the markets and what reaction it will have.  It could be a hurricane, oil prices, production estimates, and the price of gold or the value of the dollar against other currencies.  When talking with producers and their operations, we come back to an old saying, “You never go broke taking a profit”.  At current prices we can still achieve that goal.  There may be a time in which that motto won’t work and that will be a very difficult decision for the producer.  The expenses for agriculture continue to climb and are lead a great deal by the increased value of commodities.  It has taken the expenses a while to catch up to the prices of the commodities as they rise.  It will be the same if they begin to fall. 

Each harvest is different and this one is likely to be another challenge.  With the replants and the late planting, it is going to be difficult to segregate and store grain this year.  As always, we will be shipping a lot of grain this year during harvest and will have to take extra care to segregate and have a product ready for shipment when needed.  When we think about post harvest, it will be very necessary to monitor bins.  Last year everyone had it easy with the dry corn that was harvested and the ease of storing it.

For those of you that don’t know we have had some changes in the Monticello office.  Chuck and Rodd moved to the Monticello office the first of August and Scott moved the end of August.  Everyone is getting adjusted to the move.  Matt Dean left us the first week in September.  He chose to take a job with Cargill in Tuscola.  We wish him the best and appreciate all his hard work.

Lynne and the girls enjoyed a great summer together and now it’s back to school.  Lynne is teaching 6^th grade Language at the Monticello Middle School.  Mabry will be 4 in November and is attending preschool at Faith Christian School in Monticello and loves it.  It is great to come home each day and listen and see what she has learned. Mylin has just turned six months and is changing each day.  She just got her first tooth and loves to eat. I have been enjoying both of them as they grow and change. 

We hope everyone has a safe and prosperous fall and winter!! 

 

NORMAL HARVEST

            By Brock Casteel

“Normal Harvest”. That phrase can mean different things to different people. To some, a normal harvest can call to mind starting in the field sometime around the middle or last part of September, and finishing just before Thanksgiving dinner. For others, it may bring to mind firing the combine up the day after Labor Day, and having it cleaned up and put away before Halloween. For some, geographic location can play a factor in your “Normal Harvest”, and often it is a person’s age that will change an opinion of the so called “Normal Harvest”. Any way you look at it, this year’s “Normal Harvest” will be here, and gone before you know it.

For us here at Topflight it has been business as usual. We have been loading trains and trucks for delivery to processors, and making room for this years’ crop, along with all the scheduled and unscheduled maintenance projects that creep up in between. We certainly enjoyed the extra couple of weeks in September for further preparations, resulting in a little more relaxed pace at most of the southern facilities as Labor Day approached.

Early this summer, Lanton suffered severe damage from a strong storm that moved through the area. The main receiving leg was toppled, bringing with it all three spouts and a fill conveyor that connected two steel bins. The steel bin roofs were damaged due to the falling conveyor along with other numerous problems with all of this equipment crashing to the earth. The good news is we had emptied the facility on Friday, right before the storm on Sunday night. The Lanton elevator will not be reopened after its catastrophic damage.

Summer time went by all too quick as usual. The ITPA pulling season is over for me. We finished the season at Pontiac at the end of August. My best finish this season was a second place at Springfield during the State Fair. Not a spectacular season over all for me, but we did manage to get Derk’s Farmall M into the fourth spot for the season point’s race, and had a lot of fun doing it, so all in all, it was a good season.    

NEW EXPERIENCES

By Adam Jackson

Another eventful summer is coming to an end. For me it was a summer of firsts. I represented TopFlight in the Cerro Gordo parade. It was a rainy day, but Lindsay and I enjoyed tossing candy out to the kids. I also participated in my first rodeo this summer. Pat Lake, Ben Jones, and I made up the TopFlight calf dressing team at the Monticello Rodeo Days. Two calves were released into the ring and we went after them to try to catch one. The idea was to get hold of one and actually dress it with a pair of shorts. We competed against another team of three people, and even though I was lucky enough to have partners who have experience around livestock and rodeos, we couldn’t claim a victory. On the bright side, I can finally use the expression “this ain’t my first rodeo”.

The highlight of my summer was the Fourth of July when Lindsay and I spent the weekend in St. Louis. It was the first time we have had the chance to watch such an amazing fireworks show. The display was shot in the frame of the arch over the river. That show was, by far, the best I have ever seen and I highly recommend seeing it if you never have. The next day, we went to a Cardinals game. It was one of the most exciting games I have ever seen. The Cards came back to win in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Cubs.

            The end of summer means the start of another Fall and another harvest season.

I expect this harvest to be quite a bit different from last year’s. The biggest difference will be the time frame. The unusual weather we’ve had this Spring and Summer has kept the grain from maturing as quickly as last year. I am writing this newsletter on September 5^th, and there is still at least a week before we will start taking corn. Last year, on September 5^th, we took over 100,000 bushel of corn. There are going to be new challenges this fall, but we will be ready. I have good help lined up for the office, and Rick always does a great job taking care of the operational aspects. I look forward to seeing all of you that I haven’t since last year, and I hope everyone has a safe and productive harvest.

  

HARVEST!?!?!?!

          By Mikki Burns

Will it ever get going?  When will it be done? 

Everything is sooo late this year…therefore delaying the start of harvest.  As of this time last year, we were in the swing of things.  But not this year.  From what everyone says, it will be at least another two weeks (around 9.22.08) before anyone even tries it.  I just hope that we have decent weather and when they do get started, that they can go like gang busters and get it done!!

All the grandkids are doing really well!!  The newest one, Cooper, cut his first two teeth at the same time at a little over 4 months old.  JD played baseball this summer, Blaine is now playing Soccer and Audrey will start ballet this week.  They have all started school and like it a lot. 

Jack, Gary and Rick have really been working hard getting ready for harvest.  Justin McCabe is back this year to help with harvest.  Jon Sago and Joyce Bennett will be inside to help me.  Caroline Turner will work with me on Sundays.  We welcome them all – we sure couldn’t do harvest without them! 

Summer went fast again this year…wish it could last longer!  The warm and long days are so enjoyable and allow you to do and get so many things done.  It seems like your outlook is so much better with a lot of sunlight.  But, now we head into harvest, fall and winter. 

Everyone needs to be careful and have a safe and plentiful harvest!!

 

SUMMER PASSES QUICKLY

By Gloria Litwiller

I was going through the last newsletter, thinking about my article for this one. I noticed that most every article started with … spring is finally here, spring seems to be finally arriving, after a seemingly endless winter, winter seemed to drag on. This time I’m sure everyone will be saying things about how the rain would never stop coming and the summer went by quickly. The Pierson area got 3.70” of rain for April, 2.95” for May, 9.85” for June, 13.55” for July. One of the later storms in July brought down the augers and legs at Lanton, with a little damage to the bin tops. Lanton is not in working order, so we had to close it. Here it is the last few days of August and harvest is usually upon us right after the Labor Day weekend. This year with all the late planting and replanting harvest will be another 3-4 weeks. We spent our time transferring corn to Milmine for rail. We will be empty by harvest season.

    Even with the later harvest, summer still seemed to fly by. The Pierson employee’s summer consisted of:  Brock spending his summer at the fairs tractor pulling. He didn’t have the season he hoped for. So… this winter he will probably spend a lot of time in the shop working on his tractor; Willard and his wife, Jean, spent a lot of their time riding. They took several long trips this summer on their motorcycle; Ben Conner bought a fishing boat, so he spent his time at the lakes fishing. He must not be a true fisherman, because I never heard a monster fish story. OH, I take that back. I did hear about something he caught once while fishing… A SUN BURN… He was hurting for several days, especially the bald spots on his head.

    If you want to get rid of a dog, just drop it off in Pierson. There was a stray dog running around Pierson, so Stacey let it into the office one day. Well!..... no more needs to be said, except Stacey is kennel training and house breaking a dog. The dog, now named Abby, is a German Shepherd and Husky mix puppy (about 12 weeks according to the vet).

    My summer consisted of spending time with the grandsons and Hilary. Hilary entered the Piatt County pageant and won. Hilary’s title is now Miss Piatt County Fair queen. This win gets her a trip to the state pageant in January. So, we have spent a lot of time together getting ready for this pageant. She is really excited for this challenge. We moved Hilary into a townhouse this year at SIU. This year she will be reporting and anchoring on the SIU TV station. If you are in the Carbondale area anytime, turn the TV to channel 8 and you will see her. About 2 weeks before we moved Hilary to SIU, we moved Stacey and her family to Colfax. Stacey’s husband, Jared, got a job at State Farm. With the gas prices they decided it would be better to move closer to Bloomington. Michael is in third grade and was excited to move and loves his new school and friends. I’ve never seen a kid where change doesn’t bother them. Change doesn’t bother Michael at all. He looks at it as a new adventure and goes with it. He loves his new school and friends. He will be trying out for the traveling hockey team in Bloomington soon. Andrew is three years old and just goes with the flow. Andrew hasn’t decided if he wants to try hockey or swimming.

   As I’m finishing up this article, Ben Connor gave us the news that he has accepted another job. So, by the time this gets published and to you, Ben will have already left. Ben accepted a job in Indiana as a mine surveyor. Ben, thanks for all the laughs that you have given us here at Pierson. You kept my spirits up with all the stories and or sayings of yours. Best of Luck!!! to you in your new adventures. There will not be unfamiliar faces this harvest. Randy Drake and Steve Jacobs (Jake) will be running Pierson for the harvest season. Randy helped Ben here at Pierson last year and now that Lanton is closed Jake will stay here. Jake ran Lanton for us for many years.

   Have a SAFE & BOUNTIFUL HARVEST SEASON.

 

HELLO FROM EMERY

            By Sandy Davenport

I always say I am not going to lose any sleep over my job, but that is exactly what is happening tonight.  Here it is, 10:00 p.m. the night before the newsletter deadline, and I don’t have a clue as to what to write.

I guess that I have found that one thing stays the same, all harvests are different.  Last year at the end of the day on September 8^th, Emery had received about 400,000 bushels of corn and we started receiving beans on the 10^th of September.  Harvest was pretty much completed by October 22^nd.  This year, we will probably be having Thanksgiving dinner together!!!

Nothing too news worthy happened over the summer at Emery.  We have worked all summer in getting the bunker picked up and then shipping the corn out.  With the delayed start of harvest, we should be in pretty good shape for the ’08 harvest.  One new thing at Emery, are the doors on the south end of the corn pit.  They will be closed when each truck is dumped.  Hopefully, the dust and chaff will be more controlled.  The driveways were also chipped and sealed to help control dust.

You will be seeing some familiar faces at harvest.  We are fortunate to have John Boehm and Robert Arnold back this year.  Kenneth Ross and Matt McConnell will also be helping either at Emery or Maroa.  Once again, Sharon Brown and Dana Shull will be working in the office.  I hope that everyone realizes how valuable these harvest workers are.  They put in long hours and help make harvest go as smoothly as it does.  As always, if there is anything that you need, or you have a problem at harvest, please let me know.

Jerry and I didn’t take a big vacation this summer.  We did a couple of 3 day trips and camped a couple of times.  We attended our youngest grandson Max’s baseball games and our family had a co-ed softball team that we watched on Monday nights.  Now our oldest grandson, Devvon, is playing football, so we are kept pretty busy. 

There has been much speculation as to the size of the ’08 crop.  Be it small or a bumper crop, please know that everyone at Emery strives to give the best service possible.  We look forward to seeing you and everyone having a safe harvest!

 

LAPLACE 

          By Vanessa Stinson                   

You know summer is over when you see the big yellow buses rolling again, and the farmers getting their equipment ready to go to the fields. This is a sign to all of us to be on alert for children and slow moving vehicles.

This summer in LaPlace has been a productive one.  We have been moving the grain out to make room for the new crop that is about to come in. The lot has been oiled for dust control and the scales have been checked for perfection. The part time help has been hired to help where needed. There is one change this year in LaPlace we will be probing your sample twice so please be patient and watch for the light to proceed to the pits.

If you have changes that need to be made to farms please get with us before you pull on the scales so that we can get it in the computer correctly the first time.

We at LaPlace wish you a bountiful and safe harvest.

 

TIME TO CHANGE

          By Rodd Runyen

One of the many memories I can recall from my childhood is one of our family going to visit my Uncle Clarence and Aunt Vi’s house in rural Decatur when I was about 8 years old. They had four daughters, while my mom and dad had four sons. When we got together, it seemed to always be an adventure. Riding horses, playing in the creek, swinging a tall pole in the air at night to attract bats, and of course, their spooky basement - we always found something to do. But on this particular day we were in their living room playing music on the record player and dancing around. “The Locomotion” by Little Eva came on and we all danced around the living room. Then someone put on a record album by The Brady Bunch. One of the songs we danced to was “Time To Change”. And as we danced and listened to the song, I remember my cousin Becky saying, “This is for Sally, because she is getting married!” And the lyrics went, “When it’s time to change, you have to rearrange, who you are and what you’re gonna be.” Well, those lyrics come to me now because it seems as though change is everywhere in my life.

First, there is my job. I have been working in the Topflight Grain Bement office for the last 5 ½ years. I have gotten to know the farmers well from that area. They are a great group of guys – especially my fellow Chicago Cubs fans!! But after Labor Day, the accounting department was moved to the Monticello office. This move allows for more space and allows for the financial and merchandising departments to be located under one roof. Although I will miss seeing the farmers from the Bement area all the time, I know that I will still see them from time to time. And of course I will miss Pam and Amy, but they will be at Bement to continue taking care of the customers and keep the office running smoothly like they always have. I also look forward to meeting the Monticello farmers and getting to know more of the Topflight Grain customers there. The move has been great and we have settled into our new offices. If you get a chance, stop by and see the changes.

Second, I have to adjust to one of my children not being at home. I survived the Cerro Gordo High School graduation and handing my daughter Sara her diploma. There were a few tears, but it was a thrill and an honor. She is now attending Millikin University in Decatur. She decided to live on campus and left us with one less child at home. Her bedroom sits waiting for her to come back to it. And though her brother and sister want to take it over, we have kept it there for her. This change has been a little difficult because I know that when she does come home for visits or breaks, it will never be the same as before. The child has grown into an adult.

Third, is my son Bailey. He is 13 and has changed from a boy into a young man. He is now taller than my wife Tera and just as tall as me. The change is taking place right in front of us every day. He is the starting running back and starting linebacker for the Cerro Gordo Broncos JFL team. He can deliver a good hit and it seems to take 3 or 4 guys to help bring him down when he is running the ball! It is hard for us to believe that he is in 8^th grade now. In a few short months, change will occur again and he will be getting ready to head off to high school.

Last, but not least, is my youngest daughter Autumn. She is in 5^th grade and is a cheerleader for the JFL football team. She is also changing. She is almost as tall as Tera is now. She might be our baby, but she has grown into a beautiful young girl. And just like Bailey, in a few short months she will be going through a change of her own. She will be leaving grade school and going on to middle school. They don’t stay little long.

Patty Loveless sang about it best…”Life’s about changing, nothing ever stays the same.” So whether it is Topflight Grain, my family, society around us, technology, the leaves on the trees, or the seasons - change is always happening. Although we may not like change, change can be for the better. I know it will be for Topflight Grain as we move all the decision-making into one office. And with my children, even though I would love for them to stay little forever, they will change into adults with families of their own. I will then be able to look back on all the memories that were created from these changes and realize that change is good.

 

ATWOOD HAPPENINGS                             

by Russel Wright

Another summer has come and gone, it seems like it was just yesterday when school was letting out and all the fun summer events were still in the planning stages. As the summer months progressed, so did the work at Topflight Grain. There were bins to empty and clean out in anticipation for the next harvest. There was always grass and weeds to mow, especially after all the rains we received in June and July. Wheat harvest began around the Fourth of July here in Atwood. Some pretty good yields were reported. Now as the summer months begin to wind down, harvest looks like it is just around the corner. I don’t need to remind everyone about all the farm ponds that were re-planted, not once, but in some cases twice and then it was too late to replant them again.

Speaking of farm ponds, there was a report of a pond north of Atwood that had a Dolphin floating in it.

In early June, Debby and I traveled to Deadwood South Dakota, to meet with my Vietnam Army buddies. Of course that was the time that Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois were getting all that rain with major flooding in Iowa. However we made the trip without any detours. We saw lots of water and compared our new planted crops with theirs. I had to admit, despite all the farm ponds in our area, our crops looked like a million bucks, compared to those states. We had a good time visiting with everyone, took a tour of Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Badlands, and Custer’s National Park. We even got to watch Wild Bill Hickok’s shootouts with those desperados of the Wild West.

The rest of the summer, we enjoyed watching Grandson Zac play baseball, and granddaughters, Kady and Tatum play softball, it seemed like we were going to some different town about every night. Our other grandchildren, Kendyll and Jaxon are still too young to play, but I bet when they do we will go and watch them play too. 

Now that the Labor Day weekend has come and gone, we will concentrate on the upcoming harvest season. Just a reminder please let us know if there are any changes of farms or new ones that need to be added.  Also if you need signs to show the scale person, please let us know, we would be glad to make some for you. Please check your scale ticket before leaving the scales; it is easier to change then than to wait a few days if a mistake was made. This year we will be implementing a new probe procedure for semi trucks, two samples will be taken, one in the front hopper and one in the back. Remember to watch the pit sign, and listen for the buzzer to tell you to proceed to the pits. Bill and I want to wish everyone a safe and bountiful harvest.     

 

WHERE IS THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE?

            By Amy Brammer

            We are quickly beginning to see a pattern emerging in Agriculture. No, I’m not referring to volatile grain prices or even high fuel costs. The situation is that finding young individuals to work in the industry is becoming increasingly more difficult. As the Baby Boomers retire there aren’t many lining up to take their places. There are jobs to be had in all forms of the industry…just not many are willing to take them. Traditionally, the hallowed halls of Ag Colleges were filled with “farm kids.” They were going into agriculture because it was what they’d always known and provided a constant supply of new faces to join the industry. Well, “farm kids” are few and far between these days as the “family farm” slowly disappears. (That’s a whole other topic of conversation, but also growing concern.) So, now we need to attract individuals from various types of backgrounds and lifestyles into agriculture. However, today’s non-farm and many farm background students alike don’t think of Agriculture as lucrative. Many still view agriculture as “farming.” They don’t see agriculture as exciting or the diverse opportunities it possesses. Other industries are scooping up potential agriculture students with big paychecks and promises of travel and corporate ladder climbing before they even consider giving agriculture a look. The problem is perception.

            Most young individuals do not realize agriculture can take them any where they want to go, whether it’s back to the farm or to travel the world. The possibilities today are endless. One of our nation’s largest Agricultural Universities has 26 undergrad agriculture majors! I’ve had six different jobs since I began in the industry 10 years ago and I’ve stayed within the realm of the Grain Industry. They could work for food companies and travel to Mexico to buy jalapenos, Spain to buy olives, and Hawaii to buy pineapple. I know individuals who’ve lived in China, South American, Europe, and Mexico. Want to stay closer to home - how about companies that make farming equipment, sell agriculture inputs, or do agricultural research. There are jobs for the traveler and the non-traveler alike in elevator management, grain trading/merchandising, transportation, sales, commodity buying for the food industry, agriculture lending, recruiting, processors, manufacturers, etc. Jobs in rural areas are plentiful and offer relaxed, lower cost living, and shorter commutes. The list of opportunities is long and the need is large.

            A major attribute that I think sets our industry apart from the rest is the camaraderie amongst its members. You will undoubtedly find people in the agriculture industry to be warm and genuinely interested in your well being. There is a completely different attitude and environment amongst agriculturalists compared to most all other business industries. It’s almost like family.

            By now, you are probably thinking, “OK, I get the problem, but why is she writing this in a Cooperative newsletter sent out to people already deeply involved in agriculture?” As agriculturalists, it is our responsibility to spread the word to today’s youth that the potential for an exciting, productive, and growth filled career is there for the taking and it doesn’t have to start with production agriculture. Do you know a high school student or a young college student looking for direction? Ask them if they are interested in working in an industry to which there will always be a need. Ask them if they are interested in working for an industry that can take them virtually anywhere they want to go, from the next county to the next continent. Ask them if they are interested in working for an industry where science and technology are continuously expanding its horizons. Ask them if they have explored the opportunities that the Agriculture Industry has to offer.

Even though I’ve rambled on and will surely catch flack for how long my article is…I can’t forget Brenden! He is doing great! Eating all sorts of fruits and veggies and sitting up all by his self! Here are a couple of his 6 month pictures. We are already prepping him for the 2030 World Series!

Have a safe and bountiful harvest!!!

 

UPDATES

By Chuck Bentley

Duck update:  I raised 14 baby ducks this year.  You feed them, you water them, you protect them each and every day.  What do they do?  They won’t even go into the pond.  I thought they loved water.  That is what I got them for.  They sh** on me and flew away.  There will be no more ducks raised on the Bentley homestead.

Road update:  I live on Shadyrest Road.  It is finally getting an update.  They have installed new culverts under the road, replaced bad concrete and are getting ready to asphalt a temporary coating like they did on old route 47.  Before this work, I would  give Shadyrest Road  the roughest road designation in the State.

Subdivision update:  My great view has finally gone away.  I used to see the skyline, sunsets, and deer roaming the land straight west of my house.  It will be no more.  Civilization has come out to see me.  The first house in the subdivision adjoining my property is going up.  I know they will be great neighbors.

Company update:  In case you haven’t heard yet, my office has moved to Monticello.  I invite everyone to visit.  I must admit that after being in the open for 17 years, my own personal office is very nice and conducive to doing business and my work.  Of course, I have picked the outdoor decorating motif.

Political convention update:  The four women in my life (wife and three cats) seemed to enjoy the first political convention on TV this year.   I myself preferred the second convention on TV.  And yes, I have another woman in my life now.  VP elect Palin.

Last update:  In case you missed the annual meeting financial results, your company had an excellent year profit wise and also was able to build working capital that is so desperately needed during the current financial times.  The first three months of this fiscal year is showing returns ahead of last year at this time.  Since most of your company’s profits are dependent on the upcoming harvest, let’s all have a bountiful year and be safe.

 

BEMENT SUMMER

          By Pam Jarboe

            It’s been a busy summer in Bement, at the elevator and in the village.  As Rodd and Chuck mentioned, we’ve had a big change in the Bement office.  Scott, Rodd, and Chuck have moved their offices to Monticello.  Amy & I immediately took over the space they left and spread out our desks. After harvest, we hope to repaint the office to give it a fresh, clean coat of paint.  We’re still adjusting, finding jobs that Chuck and Rodd performed daily are left to us, and we certainly miss Rodd’s family stories and Chuck’s duck stories.  Eric is in and out of the office a lot, meeting with people and working on projects.

            The Bement rail siding has been completed and we loaded the first train using that track on September 12 & 13.  The guys said all went well, and now know a few small changes to make that will improve the loading process. Durbin Construction did the ground work for us at the west edge of town, and after they finished that, they tore down the old “Moore” building east of the office.  That building had seen better (much better) days, as bricks were falling out of the walls on the north side and the roof had a very definite sway to it.  The building had a lot of history though.  We called it the Moore Building, because it once was the home of Moore Farm Service, but it had also been the home of Bement Water Works, and Bement Pottery.  We’re still collecting stories, and hope to share some of the history with you in later issues. 

            Our very talented and skilled maintenance staff spent a few weeks here this summer, and at all of our locations, making harvest preparations.  We have a great group of men who can do just about anything, and their job through most of the summer was to make sure all of the elevators were ready for harvest.  Each elevator had a “to-do” list for these guys when they arrived.  They worked through the list, and went on to the next elevator.

            In Bement, we had a great summer.  I helped with the Old Glory Celebration and the 50-60’s Show that were held on June 14 along with the Lions Club Chicken Fry.  The entire day was wonderfully planned, with plenty to do for everyone.  Then, in late July, I helped serve lunch with the Chamber of Commerce, during the Lincoln-Douglas Debate event.  Marilyn Ayers, as director of Bryant Cottage, hosted a great day, including a debate between Lincoln and Douglas, Civil War Camps, the Bement play, many, many guests dressed for the time period, and tea in Mr. Bryant’s house. It was truly a step back into time, and every Bement student & resident should have been there, to relive that part of our town’s, and our nation’s, history.

            So, it was a busy summer at Topflight and in Bement, and now harvest is upon us.  Please remember that we need any changes in your farm codes, farm ownership, or farm names before you pull on the scales. We also greatly appreciate a sign on your truck telling the scale attendant which farm you’re hauling from.  We have plenty of cardboard and markers; we’ll be happy to make the sign!  Please slow down, be safe, and have a bountiful harvest.

 

BUSY SUMMER

            By Eric Clements

This summer was full of many important projects for Topflight Grain. The biggest project during the summer was the completion of the new rail siding in Bement. Topflight received a building permit for the rail siding from the Village of Bement on June 23^rd and finished the project September 5^th. The dirt work and drainage were completed by Durbin General Contractors of Bement and the rail work was completed by Ameritrack of Frankfort, Indiana. The rail siding consist of two tracks that will hold a total of 52 cars. This will allow us to load a fifty car unit without the NS railroad performing a mid-train switch. We loaded our first train with the new siding on September 12^th.

            The maintenance staff (Roger Burton, Rob Dick and Willard Kaufman) worked together for most of the summer, going from elevator to elevator working on pre harvest repairs. When a crane was required to complete a repair this summer, we called on Paul’s Machine and Welding from Villa Grove and LMC Millwrights from Springfield. The maintenance staff worked together with these millwrights to complete the necessary repairs timely. Atchison Electric performed pre-harvest electrical and mechanical checks on our grain dryers this summer. We will probably run our grain dryers longer this year and these inspections should help our dryers to run more efficiently.

            Andy Parsons, Pat Lake, Henry Lust and Paul Peeler spent a lot of time this summer empting grain bins at Shacks and Voorhies along with loading trains and helping out wherever needed. Steve Harding hauled a lot of loads out of Shacks and Voorhies to ADM along with helping to empty the bins. Jim Murphy emptied the Bement bean flat by himself this year and loaded out several trains. These guys have worked very hard this summer to prepare us for the upcoming harvest.

            I hope that everyone has a safe and productive harvest.   

 

Congratulations to . . . .

Jennifer James, daughter of Stuart & Janet James, graduate of Georgia State University Law School; Jessie Muse, recently married; Joe & AnnaMary Bicknell, married 50 years; Frank & Betty Bragg, married 60 years on August 8; Richard & Beulah Robson, farming together in Piatt County for 60 years, since September 19, 1948; Freeman Wildman, who celebrated his 80^th birthday with a cousins reunion; Bob & Jeanne Jones, married 60 years; Steve Graliker, pictured in the Decatur Herald & Review, in a 1942 photo, “America on the March”; Jack Fombelle, recipient of the ISU Agriculture Alumni Association Scholarship, the award for Outstanding Junior, Department of Agriculture at ISU, and named an ISU Bone Scholar, the highest award given to an undergraduate; Reed & Joann Fombelle, proud grandparents of Connor Reed Himes; the proud parents are Craig & Kate Himes; Martha Ann Stanley Rhoades, who celebrated her 80^th birthday in July; John & Judy Cain, married 50 years on July 17; Paul Wright, winner of the Tuscola Open with a 2-under par 70; Wayne Redman, whose World War II experiences were described in the Champaign News-Gazette.  Wayne was scheduled for a flight in a restored B-17 (Larry Bartram assisted with the flight arrangements.), but was unable to make the trip, so the newspaper presented his WWII story; Lindsey Daugherty celebrated his 80^th birthday this summer; Carlee Conour, Reilly Ferrell, Hilary Lehew and Sam Dalton, Piatt County royalty, crowned at the fair in June; Sara Runyen, signing with Millikin University, to play softball, following a record-setting high school career; John & Jane Linville, featured in the Sunday Decatur Herald, involved in special teachings at East Park Baptist Church; Carroll Elliott, celebrating his 85^th birthday in August; Ruth Marvin, JD Benson, Marlene Schultz, Charlene Smith, Knox Morton, Ramona Henricks, Sue Mull Siburt, Kelly West, Kaylin West, Kelly Witts and Doreen Henricks, all Cerro Gordo natives, celebrating their July 26 birthday; Family of Ron Reeves, honored by Ron’s memorial, dedicated at the Cisco Fire House; Jacob Shackelford and Megan Durbin, married August 16; Matt Hendrix, named to the President’s Honor Roll at the University of Central Florida; Shannon Carroll, featured in the Journal-Republican’s Farm & Country Life Section; Bob & Issabelle Bodman, who celebrated their Illini alumni team surrounded with the orange and blue, at Bement Healthcare; Zachary & Mary Ann Hillard, parents of Katherine Lucille; proud grandparents are Steve & Marilyn Ayers and Ed & Michelle Hillard; proud great-grandparents are Helen Ayers, Robert & Mary Lou Hermes, Ed & Helen Hillard and Caroline Herter; Mark & Mindy Bunselmeyer, parents of a new daughter, Emery; Neil Lubbers and Dayna Cummings, engaged to be married in October; Serge Docherty & Lindsey Strack, married in June, at Allerton Park; Mary & George Riley, married 25 years (George serves as your director of Topflight Grain); Bob Wisehart, who recently celebrated his 83^rd birthday; Mary Shepard, 80 years old; Colin McHale and Grace Catlin, parents of Ruby June; Winners in the Bement Old Glory 5K Run – Jerry Stout, Jason Jennings, Adam Rosenbery, and Elliott Brammer; Sierra Day, exhibitor at the 2008 National Junior Angus Show in Iowa; Roy & Mona Babcock, who celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary this summer; Austin Brandenburg, placing 7^th in the 2008 state track & field competition in May; Tiffanie Davis, first place recipient in painting at the Annual Decatur Area Arts Council Student Show; Chris Perkins, graduate of University of Notre Dame; Ralph & Virginia Clark, married 60 years; Luke Feeney and Hayley Smith, married July 12; Bob Jones, participant in a veterans appreciation ceremony at Cosby High School in Richmond VA; June Sago, who celebrated her 97^th birthday in June, with a reception at the Cisco Center; Nicolle Stinson, earning Dean’s list recognition at Eastern Illinois University;  Dorothea & Ira Jacoby, both celebrating their 80^th birthdays in June; John & Stacey McRae, proud parents of Tatum Mae, born May 11; Will Fombelle, named to Illinois State University Dean’s list, Spring 2008; Othella Remmers, who celebrated her 95^th birthday in August; Roger Young, retired from Caterpillar, and looking forward to some Florida winters!; The Monticello Lady’s Bowling team, sponsored by Topflight Grain, placing 3^rd in their winter league.

 

Our sympathies to the families of . . . . Peggy Albert, Lloyd Turner Sr, Edythe Weddle, Doris Bennett, Delbert Conley, Alfred Anderson, Sandra Augustine, Bill Morgan, Eloise Hiser, Cheryl Lust, Ruth Schall, Tony Edwards, Margaret McIntosh, Warren Ater, Dorothy Moore, Nellie Boyd, Dawn Marquis, Jasper Burton, Liesette Lavon Moody, Lola Tompkins, Donna Hoffman, Ken Steidinger, Gloria Hendrix, Charlotte Scott, Betty Thomas,, . . . and all others who have lost loved ones.

 

SUMMER INTERN

                  As Amy mentioned in her column, we are concerned about young people choosing agriculture as a career.  In response to this issue, GROWMARK has developed an internship program to develop interests and skills in a variety of agricultural fields.  We were pleased to welcome Weston Horberg to Topflight Grain this spring and summer through the Inter program.  We asked him, as part of the program, to introduce himself, and tell you a little about his experience at Topflight Grain:

 

12 Weeks at Topflight Grain

                  By Weston Horberg

                  It’s amazing how fast 12 weeks can go by, so here I am three days from the end of my internship at Topflight. For those of you who didn’t know Topflight had an intern this summer, I’m him. I grew up on a small farm in Cambridge, Illinois. This year I will be a senior (wow that’s scary) at the University of Illinois in the college of ACES, and my major is Agri-Business: Markets and Management. I’m a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, captain of the paintball team, and involved in activities such as ACE Club and Leadership in Action. I have had a great experience at the U of I so far, and if anyone has a son or daughter going there I would be happy to answer questions. So through on-campus recruiting by Growmark, I was offered an internship at Topflight which I gladly accepted. This summer has been a great experience. I have had the privilege to work with a lot of good people, and the opportunity to learn about many different aspects of the grain industry from them. The work I did took me to nearly every location, and it was very interesting to meet the people who worked in those locations. Also I was able to learn how each of the facilities operated; along with the history of them joining Topflight Grain. It is impressive to see how through good management and a strong outlook Topflight has grown into one of the largest grain cooperatives in the state. So I guess it would be a good idea to let you know what I was up to all summer. I spent most of my time working in Bement, and I really enjoyed getting to know Chuck, Scott, Pam, Eric, Rodd, Amy, Jim, Henry, Pat, Andy, and Paul. For the first quarter of the summer I was lucky enough to work with Jim Murphy, and I really enjoyed getting to know him. Whether it was cleaning muck out of the tunnel, dumping trucks, or landscaping around the office, work was always a little more interesting with Jim. The next part of the internship saw me working with Chuck Bentley, another great guy to work with. Chuck and I spent a week working on our yearly audit. We covered all the locations with board members and auditors to take grain measurements. I was able to meet board members Greg Briggs and Bill Schable. Interestingly enough, I found out that Bill’s son-in-law was one of my high school football coaches, and I grew up three hours from here! The world seems so small sometimes. Anyway, Chuck demonstrated how we account for our grain inventory and finalize our books for the year’s end. It was nice to see some of the concepts I was taught in my accounting class actually being implemented, because at the time it was not my favorite 8 am class to wake up for. The rest of the summer I was all over the place. In Monticello I filled in for Sherryl when she was on vacation, helping weigh and sample trucks; loaded trains in Milmine, Bement, and Monticello; loaded trucks in Emery; helped Matt and Derrick paint the new offices in Monticello; and a multitude of other tasks that all gave me a great sense of the grain business. The last three weeks were spent working on my project. After talking with Scott, we decided that a project on risk analysis would be most beneficial to Topflight. I started by researching the effects of high prices and market volatility on our finances. The result was that large market swings can greatly affect our financial status, and being prepared for those swings is necessary. After researching the situation and talking with Scott, Derrick, and Chuck, I began work on a program that could analyze the risk level of our position. By inputting specific variables to formulate a predicted grain position and price level, risks can be accounted for and assessed. This all comes back to being prepared for the future and putting Topflight in a safe and prosperous position. After working at Topflight this summer, I feel that I now have a much better understanding of how a grain cooperative operates, and what it takes to be successful. With a great establishment of patrons, directors, and employees, the future of Topflight Grain looks very bright. I feel lucky to have been given the chance to work here, and the experiences and acquaintances I’ve made will stay with me a long time. I wish everyone who is a part of this outstanding cooperative the best of luck. Thank you for the opportunity and everyone take care!

 

TOPFLIGHT GOLF OUTING

By Denny Hill

     The 11^th annual Topflight Grain golf outing was held on July 30^th at the Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth, Illinois. After 10 great years of weather for our outing, it looked like our luck had run out on that morning as we arrived at the course under cloudy skies and a light rain. But as play began for 110 golfers, the rain subsided and it turned out to be a wonderful day for golf as temperatures were in the upper 70’s.

     Our field this year of patrons, employees and vendors played a scramble format to see who would take home the many prizes to be awarded. The winners of the Championship flight were the team of Mitch Myers, Ralph Myers, John Hill and Mike Ferrill with a score of 65. First flight winners were Ty Hildum, Dave Foutz, Scott Atchison and Bob Burtschi who shot a score of 69. Second flight winners with a score of 72 were the team of Bill Kirkland, Gene Wieland, Fred Perry and Jason Perry. Third flight winners were Ryan Aupperle, Jeremy Crouch, Jason Goodner and Gilbert Quick who shot 75.

     Proximity winners on the day were Scott Docherty for longest putt on #9, Ken Smith for longest on #18, men’s longest drive went to Tom Courson, women’s longest drive was won by Deb Good, men’s closest to the pins were won by Bill Voorhees on #13 and by Ben Connor on #16 and the women’s closest to the pin on #8 was Terri Hill.

     After a nice lunch was served by the Decatur Park District, a drawing was held for the many prizes donated to us by our many vendors. Golf balls, hats, shirts, jackets, gift certificates, umbrellas, Cardinal ball tickets, were just a few of the prizes taken home by the lucky winners.

     Thanks to all the vendors who donated prizes and all the Topflight employees who helped make this event another success. We looked forward to hosting this outing again in the future.

 

SMALL TOWNS

 Those who grew up in small towns will laugh when they read this. Those who didn't will be in disbelief and won't understand how true it is.
1) You can name everyone you graduated with.

2) You know what 4-H means.

3) You went to parties at a pasture, barn, gravel pit, or in the middle of a dirt road. On Monday you could always tell who was at the party because of the scratches on their legs from running through the woods when the party was busted. (See #6.)

4) You used to 'drag' Main Street' .    

5) You whispered the 'F' word and your parents knew within the hour.

6) You scheduled parties around the schedules of different police officers, because you knew which ones would bust you and which ones wouldn't.  

7) You could never buy cigarettes because all the store clerks knew how old you were (and if you were old enough, they'd tell your parents anyhow.) Besides, where would you get the money?

8) When you did find somebody old enough and brave enough to buy cigarettes, you still had to go out into the country and drive on back roads to smoke them.

9) You knew which section of the ditch you would find the beer your buyer dropped off.

10) It was cool to date somebody from the neighboring town.

11) The whole school went to the same party after graduation.

12) You didn't give directions by street names but rather by references. Turn by Nelson's house, go 2 blocks to Anderson 's, and it's four houses left of the track field.  

13) The golf course had only 9 holes.  

14) You couldn't help but date a friend's ex-boyfriend/girlfriend.

15) Your car stayed filthy because of the dirt roads, and you will never own a dark  vehicle for this reason.

16) The town next to you was considered 'trashy' or 'snooty,' but was actually just like your town.

17) You referred to anyone with a house newer then 1955 as the 'rich' people.

18) The people in the 'big city' dressed funny, and then you picked up the trend 2 years later.

19) Anyone you wanted could be found at the local gas station or the dairy bar.  

20) You saw at least one friend a week driving a tractor through town or one of your friends driving a grain truck to school occasionally.

21) The gym teacher suggested you haul hay for the summer to get stronger.

22) Directions were given using THE stop light as a reference.  

23) When you decided to walk somewhere for exercise, 5 people would pull  over and ask if you wanted a ride.

24) Your teachers called you by your older siblings' names.

25) Your teachers remembered when they taught your parents.

26) You could charge at any local store or write checks without any ID.

27) There was no McDonalds.

28) The closest mall was over an hour away.

29) It was normal to see an old man riding through town on a riding lawn mower.    

 30) You've pee'd in a cornfield.

31) Most people went by a nickname.

32) You laughed while reading this because you know it is true.I would not have wanted to have been raised any other way!!!!
Tough times don't last... Tough people do... AMEN! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!!

 

LOOKING FOR MARKETING ALTERNATIVES???

         By Amy Brammer

Have you thought about advancing your marketing tools? What about setting a price floor for your 2009 crop? With today’s wild markets, maybe you’ve considered adding grain options to your marketing plan? Did you know there are three Topflight Grain employees with their Series 3 licenses to help you learn about and trade commodity futures and options to hedge your crop sales? We have two FCC Futures, Inc branch offices: Monticello – Derrick Bruhn & Scott Docherty and Bement – Amy Brammer. There is no such thing as a guarantee in the grain markets and there is always some risk involved, but there are strategies we can use to attempt to limit your price risk. Contact one of these offices if you want to learn more about how this is possible. Monticello at 762-2164, or            Bement: at 678-3121.

The risk of loss in trading commodities can be substantial, and past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Therefore, you should carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you or your organization in light of your financial condition. This material should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any futures or options on futures contracts.

EMERY IS THE NAME!

We were so excited when Mark & Mindy Bunselmeyer chose “Emery” as their little girl’s name, we had to tell you about it!  Soon after that, Sharon Brown adopted a stray cat and chose “Emery” for its name.  To honor both namesakes, Amy Brammer and Mikki Burns combined their poetic talents:

 

Our Emery elevator has a claim to fame...

Two more Emery's have taken that name!

There is a beautiful new addition to the Bunselmeyer clan…

Of her name we are a big fan…

Little Miss Emery is the new babe divine!

But this little Emery angel is not alone...

Sharon and Herman Brown have an Emery addition of their own...

A brand new bundle of joy in the form of a furry little feline!

HARVEST NOTES

      Please be sure that any changes in your farm ownership have been updated with Topflight Grain.  If the landowner has changed, if the farm has changed to/from cash rent, or any other changes have occurred, we would like to have those changes in the computer as soon as possible.

      As a reminder, all grain delivered to Topflight Grain during the harvest season will be considered stored on Friday of the week it was delivered, unless you have contracts for the grain, or unless other arrangements have been made.  If you do not wish to store your grain, please be sure to contact your local grain manager with harvest instructions.

CONTRACT SIGNATURES

      When you sell grain to Topflight Grain, you will receive a confirmation of purchase, to verify the oral contract.  Although the verbal contract is considered a valid contract, we must have the signed contract returned to us for our files. Please be sure that you sign and return any grain purchase confirmations that are mailed to you.

      Delayed pricing contracts also must be signed, dated and returned to Topflight Grain.  The State of Illinois checks these contracts carefully during our annual audits.  State law requires that DP contracts not signed and dated within 30 days of the last date of delivery be priced out and check be written for the grain. 

      Please, be sure that you sign and return all contracts sent to you by Topflight Grain. This is very important to you and to us.

DIRECT DELIVERIES

      As our grain buyers try to schedule their grain deliveries to meet their processing schedules, our grain sales are tied to these schedules.  Because of this, we have had to implement a late delivery discount on any grain sold direct to the processor. This fee, subject to market situations, is applied to any direct contracts that are not delivered by the due date.  Please keep this in mind as you’re making sales, to be sure that you can meet the contact terms of delivery for bushels and date of delivery.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

      We would like to wish Wayne S. Kempshall a Happy 100^th Birthday!!!!

      Wayne was born in Maroa, on September 12, 1908, as a son of William Lee and Edna Kempshall.  He worked in Columbus Ohio, for the Ohio General Depot, and retired from the Depot, moving back to Illinois.  Recently, he and his wife, Ruth, moved to Mt Zion, to be closer to their daughter Ann.  Wayne has four wonderful grandchildren, Brian & Robin Kempshall of Orlando FL, Shawn & Angela Kempshall of Vandalia IL, Michelle & Scott Barbee of Oakley IL, and Debie & Scott Mayberry of Mt Zion IL. Wayne also has four great-grandchildren who live in Illinois.  Ruth has recently passed away, and their son, Robert is deceased.

      Wayne’s birthday was celebrated with a surprise party for family and friends on September 13.

      Happy Birthday, Wayne!!

TOPFLIGHT SUMMER

Summer is a busy and fun time for celebrations and parades.

Adam and Lindsay decorated the truck for the Fat Hill Parade in Cerro Gordo. Tatum Auth and Kady Wright wrote with Grandpa Russel in the Apple Dumpling Parade in Atwood. Derrick, Mabry & Mylin piloted the airplane in the Piatt County Trailblazers Rodeo parade.

 

SUMMER CLEAN UP

The two houses north of the Milmine office were torn down this summer.

The Moore Building, or the old water works building, in Bement was demolished this summer. The building also housed the Bement Pottery factory

 

EMPLOYEES

Congratulations to . . . .

Amy Brammer, passing her Series 30 exam, which allows her to be a branch manager trading futures and options accounts;

The Casteel brothers, for their 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th place winnings at the Piatt County Fair;

Ben & Kendra Jones, married in September;

Ronnie Miller and Stacey Clifton, parents of a new little girl, Abby.  Abby was welcomed home by her two older brothers;

Paul Peeler and Tonya Hugler, parents of Sierra Nicole.  Sierra was born in late July;

Stason Kopps, who became a homeowner, with his recent purchase in Bement;

Rodd Runyen, delivering the “care-givers” speech at the Piatt County Relay for Life;

 

Scott presented Jason Goodner with the Topflight Award for the greatest increase in harvest receipts, for the 2007 harvest.  This is a new award, and will be presented each year to the facility with the largest increase in harvest receipts.  Congratulations to Jason, as the first recipient of the award!

We bid farewell to Ben Conner and Matt Dean.  Ben has chosen to move to Indiana to survey the coal mines, and Matt took a job closer to home, with Cargill.

We welcome Paul Peeler to the operations staff.  Paul has worked part time for Topflight Grain, and now will join the crews in loading trains, elevator maintenance and the daily operations.

Administrative Assistant’s Day was celebrated at Topflight as Scott treated the girls to lunch at Yoder’s Buffet, and the play “Cabaret” at the Little Theatre in Sullivan.  It was a great day!!!

 

HARVEST PREPARATIONS

      Topflight employees have been making their lists, and checking them off through the summer, in preparation for the fall harvest.  Some of the items on the lists included oil and chipping the truck lots, drainage on the Emery scale pit, concrete footings for the bunker walls at Emery and Seymour, lots of bins to empty and sweep, lots of corn to transfer, bins painted, office and maintenance supplies ordered, dryers filled and test-lit, tarp delivered for the Milmine pile, extra help hired, truck scales inspected, moisture meters tested, lots of mowing, computer upgrades, and maintenance on the dryers.  Much of the maintenance work was performed by our maintenance staff as we approached the harvest season. 

      Planning for the harvest also includes an estimation of total grain receipts at each location and comparing that number to the storage space available at each location.  Eric, Derrick and Scott then make plans for grain movement to create the space that may be needed, based on the estimates.  Rail and truck grain sales are made, ground piles are readied and bushels may be transferred by truck to more spacious facilities.  As harvest progresses, they watch these numbers closely, and adjust grain movement to facilitate the most efficient handling of the grain receipts.

 

ONE EARTH ENERGY UPDATE

            By Scott Docherty

It is hard to believe that One Earth Energy could be producing Ethanol by March, 2009. We have been working on this project for over 3 years now.  Fagen our General contractor is moving the project along and slightly ahead of schedule.  We have 70 % of our water line completed and the grain receiving and DDG building 85% complete. The RR siding is 75 % complete so we will have the majority of the plant completed before winter sets in and the snow begins to fly. The OEE Board continues to review the construction budget and look for ways to lock in a good crush margin for 2009. The ethanol industry continues to find ways to extract more value and become more efficient as this young industry is accepted and matures.

 

FUN IN 2^ND GRADE

Our spring concluded with two exciting activities with the Bement 2^nd grade classes.  On May 5, we had a great time at Tom’s Bowl.  Teri lead small groups of students to the back of the bowling alley, where we watched the pins reset and the balls return, as Sherryl, Vanessa & Adam demonstrated their bowling techniques.  Vanessa and Sherryl provided instructions and courtesy suggestions to all of us, as the classes split into smaller groups and practiced their bowling.  It was a lot of fun, watching strikes, spares and even a few gutter balls.  The afternoon finished with refreshments provided by Tom’s Bowl.

The annual play day on May 22, completed our adventures with the 2007-08 2^nd grade.  We joined them for sack lunch day, which is always a treat.  Scott brings a few special treats and barters the goodies with the students, to simulate the corn and bean trading at the Chicago Board of Trade.  Each one involved feels they have the best deal.  Then, it’s quiz time!  Each student is given a quiz asking questions about the year’s activities.  They take the papers home, to hopefully, help them remember the fun we’ve had the last year. Once they’ve passed they test (it’s group answers!) we enjoy lots of fun, outside in Coles Pasture.  The students are divided into various teams for games of tug-of-war, wheelbarrow races, three-legged races, potato sack races, and a few more games.  At the end of the day, the end of the year, there are a lot of hugs and hi-fives as we say good by to this year’s 2^nd grade class. 

 

WORKIN’ ON THE RAILROAD!!

Working through meetings and proceedings, Topflight Grain was finally granted the permit to build the railroad siding at the west edge of Bement, on the former railbed purchased from the NS several years ago.  Durbin Construction cleared the area and moved the dirt as needed to prepare the rail bed.  Bob Postlewait and Chuck Walsh worked with us on the drainage.  The track was laid by AmeriTrack.             Most of the work was completed on schedule, and the first train using that track was loaded on September 12 & 13.  Using this track allowed the Topflight crew to load the entire 50-car unit without the use of the NS switch service, as has been required in the past.  Time was saved, as well as the switch fees charged by the NS for their service.

 

CROP TOUR

Approximately 100 friends and neighbors attended the Topflight Grain annual crop tour meeting on August 26, at the Cisco Center in Cisco.  Following the pork chop dinner served by Basket Case Catering, Derrick presented the results of the tour groups.  The overall Topflight area averaged 172 bushels per acre as a projected corn yield.  This was obtained from the 12 groups scouting the fields in the Topflight area. Derrick  cautioned that these numbers did not account for the bare ponds left by the spring flooding.  In the bean fields, the teams counted the pods on three plants, obtaining an average of 42 pods per plant.  This compares to an average count last year of 47, indicating a lower yield for the 2008 crop.

            Reports from the teams talked about the tips on the corn ears blanking out or not filling.  Most felt this was due to early stress, bugs, or the later season dry weather.  Bean fields showed a great variation in height, along with a great variation in maturity, with some fields still blooming, and others with well-filled pods.

            After the tour results were announced, Derrick introduced Jeff Carpenter, commodity broker for FC Stone in Bloomington. Jeff showed price charts correlating the price of corn with the price of crude oil. Both of these commodities tend to feed on themselves as the dollar weakens.  Jeff posed the bigger question of why the US dollar is so weak.  He cited lenient lending practices that have created more money as one of the causes of the weaker dollar. Currently, a lot of money is flowing into the commodity markets. The risk is that what went up together (commodities & oil) may come down together.  Jeff stressed that if your personal evaluation of the economy is nervous, you need to work that into a marketing plan, because the economy greatly affects the price of our corn & beans.

            Brad Owen, also of FC Stone, continued the market analysis with some basic laws of commodities. He described “discounting”, where the market has been anticipating market news, “convergence” that at some point in time, cash and futures prices will come together, and ‘”random walk” stating that prices will achieve an equilibrium, in a random way.  Looking ahead to the demand for corn, Brad felt that corn prices would have to go higher to ration the demand for corn. To produce the needed supply of corn, the US will increase corn production acreage and decrease soybean acreage while South America will continue to increase bean production.  Brad concluded by saying the world has a lot of money to invest and buy commodities, that crude oil will determine the fund interest in ag commodities, and that grain prices should be stable to higher into the harvest season.

Members of the Topflight crop tour teams included: Russel Wright and Tedd Romine in the Atwood area; Gloria Litwiller and Bob Jamison covered the Pierson area; Vanessa Stinson, Matt Muirhead and Brock Casteel scouted near LaPlace; Adam Jackson and Dave Thompson worked in the Milmine area; Chuck Bentley, Rodd Runyen, & John Tapscott covered the southern Bement route; Pam Jarboe, Tim Mitchell and Ken Harashima covered the northern Bement route; George Riley, Greg Briggs, Dave Huisinga, Rob Huisinga, Kurt Robson & Duane Robson counted in the Cisco area; David Boyer, Richard Haynes and Denny Hill toured the Maroa & Emery fields; Derrick Bruhn, Matt Dean and Bruce Stoddard worked the Monticello area; and Jason Goodner, and his son Kolby took in the Seymour area. 

 

Prior to the crop tour, Denny, Vanessa and Pam joined pilot Bob Cundiff for an aerial view of the crops.  This was especially interesting this year, to observe the damage from the spring floods.  The group noticed many drowned areas over the entire trade area, with larger holes along Route 36, and several more holes in the Cisco-Argenta-Emery-Maroa area.  In the Bement-Monticello area, many of the holes had been re-planted, showing different shades of green, due to maturity differences.  Throughout most of the area, yellow trails were visible in the fields, following the water paths. 

 

ANNUAL MEETING

            It was wonderful to see almost 600 stockholders and guests at this year’s annual meeting.  The yearly event was held at the Decatur Civic Center, on Friday, August 15.  The doors opened at 5:30, for the buffet dinner, where a choice of steak, chicken or pork was served.  Kyle Johnson, annual meeting chairman, welcomed the guests, at 6:30 and introduced Ron Meece, president of the board of directors, to conduct the business meeting.  Secretary Cary Hinton read the minutes from last year’s meeting, then Chuck Bentley presented the financial statement from the 2007-08 fiscal year.  In the manager’s speech, Scott Docherty recognized employees and guests, and described the past year’s accomplishments and struggles. Kurt Robson presented the nominating committee’s report, introducing the 2008-09 board members as Ron Meece, Dave Zelhart, Richard Larimore, Cary Hinton, Bill Schable, JW Day, George Riley, Greg Briggs, and Kyle Johnson.  The business meeting was closed, and Kyle Johnson thanked everyone for their attendance and their support of Topflight Grain.

 

TOPFLIGHT VISITORS

          It was a summer of visiting with different friends who wanted to know more about the grain business.  The Morgan Park Academy was in Bement for their annual tour to central Illinois. Richard Ayers initiated this tour a long time ago, and it continues today with the assistance of the Farm Bureau.  The 40-some students make a day trip from northern Illinois to Bement, to visit the Ayers farm, Bryant Cottage and Topflight Grain.  While at the farm, they learn about the farm machinery, hear about soil conservation from the Soil & Water Conservation staff, and listen as Piatt County FS agronomists describe the importance of proper fertilizer and pesticide use.  A visit to Bryant Cottage tells some Illinois and Bement history, and the stop at Topflight Grain is the final stop in the ag-related tour.  We tell them a little bit about the cooperative form of ownership, and give them a tour of the elevator.

            We also visited with a group of business students from Taiwan, led by Larry Stapleton, of Millikin University.  Larry coordinates the summer study group, as they pursue interests in several American businesses.  One week of classes focuses on agriculture, including tours of a central Illinois farm, the Chicago Board of Trade, ADM, and Topflight Grain.

            Another favorite summer group is the Caring Place students, led by Jenny Einhorn.  Jenny’s class ranges from about 2^nd grade to 6^th grade.  They listen intently as we talk about farming, then how we store the grain and ship it out later to processors.  Grandma Bentley always accompanies this group and it’s a special pleasure to see her with the group!

            For the first time this year, we met some Tolono students.  There were 80 of them, so we split them between the Monticello and Bement facilities.  We had a slide show that illustrated how a cooperative operates, described some of the farming operations, showed products that used corn and beans as ingredients and the importance of agriculture to Piatt County and the state of Illinois.  Outside, in the elevators the young students learned how the operations staff monitors grain temperatures, moves grain to different bins, and how grain is loaded back out into trucks and trains.

            We enjoy all of these tours, as a way to promote agribusiness and to make new friends.  We appreciate the opportunity to share our business with all of these groups.