by Richard Thomas

When I started this newsletter, some 23 years ago, I wanted to pattern it after magazines published by Roy Reiman of Reiman Publications in Greendale, WI. The first time I ever saw one of Reiman's magazines was at my mom's house. She had been sent a free copy of "Farm & Ranch Living" and after one look at it, you had to subscribe. Reiman bragged about how his magazines had no ads in them, and he was betting that he could sell enough subscriptions to make the magazine profitable. The pictures in the magazine were just beautiful and all the pages had a nice glossy sheen to them. The first few pages were dedicated to "The Prettiest Place in the Country". That was followed by a diary of four farm families from all over the US, kept for a month by one of the family members. Then Roy always writes a short story of things happening in his life, on the back page. They have many other publications now, like Reminisce, Country Woman, Country, Birds & Blooms, and Light & Tasty, just to mention a few.

As I watched Reiman Publications grow, I was amazed at how he was able to get subscribers to build, bake, and share ideas with him, and then sell it back to them. He had a Clydesdale hitch team that went from the east coast to the west coast, stopping at nursing homes along the way. The driver of the hitch even got married during the trip. Reiman really knows how to merchandise stuff without doing any obvious advertising.

So, this summer, while visiting Bonnie's sister in Muskego, Wisconsin, we drove over to Greendale to see my idle's place of business. What I found out was Reiman owns the town of Greendale. He has a Visitor's Center where you can buy cookies from an award-winning recipe that someone sent in, and birdhouses made by subscribers who sent them in for a contest one of the magazines was having. You can buy books, videos, everything you don't need, but just have to have, because ol' Roy makes you feel you ought to. The town is absolutely beautiful; flowers everywhere, hanging baskets from the streetlights, to flowers in the boulevards and up and down every street. I might add that I noticed that the flowers were tended by people living in the community. Roy's magic at work, again.

To make sure when you visit Greendale that you have a nice place to eat, Roy has opened a very fine "Taste of Home" Restaurant, where we had Sunday Brunch. It was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. I was so impressed with the whole set up that I checked to see if they accepted tours. They assured me that they have tours every day and would be glad to accommodate us. So, if you would be interested, let us know.

In closing, I hope you appreciate that we have no ads in our newsletter. We have articles written by the people working for the company. We also try to have lots of pictures of customers and friends. We continue to get compliments from patrons as well as associates. We haven't mastered being able to make any money off it yet, but if you like it, that's what is important.

***

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR

by Doug Adloff

Let me take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am Doug Adloff. I am originally from Athens, Illinois, and received my Bachelor's degree in Agribusiness and Accounting from Illinois State University in May 2000. The following July, I accepted the Assistant Manager position at Farmer Grain Company in Latham, Illinois, where I was employed until just a few weeks ago, when I was given the opportunity to work for Topflight Grain. I am very excited and enthusiastic about my new position and am anxious to get into harvest in a couple of weeks.

One of the new additions to our facility is the half-million bushel bunker that we have constructed just east of the elevator. We are confident that this will alleviate any storage shortages that were incurred in the past. Other recent updates include a bell system for the scales, a light panel specifying which pit to dump in, and a camera system to aid in getting you weighed out quickly and efficiently.

Steve and I take a lot of pride in how well our facility looks. He and Stason have done a tremendous job in getting the elevator ready for harvest. I couldn't ask for a better operations crew. The staff at Topflight has been great at making me feel welcome, but I want to thank Derrick Bruhn, especially, for helping me adjust to my new position and learning how to navigate the Agris program.

As we get harvest under way, I want to wish everyone a safe and productive Harvest 2001 season. Thank you for your business, and I look forward to getting acquainted with more of you.

***

GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES

by Scott Docherty

Those are the words that I can here as harvest quickly approaches. I am sure the combines are fueled up, trucks checked over, and the auger wagons hooked up. I expect this year's harvest to come at us much faster than last year's did. The crop looks to be standing and in much better shape, so we are looking forward to a good quality crop as well as above average yields, also.

Topflight Grain will carry 2,500,000 bushels of corn into harvest with most of those bushels in the flat storage at the Shacks facility. We have 1,900,000 bushels of corn purchased for fall delivery of a possible 14,600,000 bushel corn crop. Topflight Grain will carry less than 100,000 bushels of beans into harvest. We have less than 10,000 bushels of beans purchased for fall delivery, so we have about 13% of the corn bought for harvest and less than 1% of the beans purchase for fall delivery. The USDA crop report for August projected a corn crop of 9.266 billions bushels, but with a carryout of 1.45 billion bushels. The USDA projected the bean crop at 2.867 billion bushels, but with a bean carryout of 300 million bushels for the 2001/2002 crop year. These carryout numbers are still at comfortable levels, but the point I want to make clear is that both corn and bean carryout numbers are less than previously reported and continue to shrink with demand continuing to stay strong. In my mind there is more upside potential coming out of this harvest than the past 3 years. The USDA has increased the average farm price for corn by 15 cents per bushel, with a range of $1.90 to $2.30, and raised the beans by 35 cents per bushel, with a range of $4.35 to $5.45. You should have your game plan in place for cash flow needs this fall.

In our grain page, we have a chart with seed corn events and their approval status. There are 2 events that are awaiting EU approval at this time. Roundup Ready corn is still NOT acceptable at Topflight locations. StarLink registration has been pulled and we no longer have a waxy program to offer.

We will, however, offer contracts for High Oil corn for the 2002 crop year, and will offer contracts for nonGMO beans. Details on these 2002 programs will be available this fall.

We are approaching the best season of the year with crisp blue skies, and beautiful colors. Enjoy and be careful!

***

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

by Eric Clements

I am writing my newsletter article on my 33rd birthday. Keith and I share the same birthday, so we had lunch together at the Iron Horse. I seem to appreciate phone calls, cards, and emails on my birthday more than I used to. My goodness, I must be getting older! Jim Kleiss called and wished me a Happy Birthday, and asked how long I have been working for the company. Well, it has been 15 years this past June. I started two weeks after graduation from Bement High School. Jim's reply was that Dick was the only boss I have ever had. I told him other than Lisa, he was right. Dick is easier to work for than Lisa, so that is why I show up for work everyday.

The office at LaPlace is finished and Vanessa has been practicing weighing loads on the new system. This is the first office Topflight has ever built. I didn't realize when we started what all went into building an office. I had to meet the power company three times just to get the juice for the place.

Topflight has built a grain bunker at Seymour that will hold 470,000 bushels. We purchased concrete walls from Wieser Concrete from Maiden Rock, Wisconsin. Paul's Machine and Welding from Villa Grove installed the conveyors and catwalk that will be used to fill the bunker. We used a conveyor that we had from the flat building at White Heath.

The outside staff has been busy putting the finishing touches on the elevators in preparation for harvest. I think that we are further along in our preparations this year versus last year, but it looks like the crops may come in a little earlier.

Mitchell had a good first year in Little League. Our team finished about .500. Scott and I had a bet before we played each time. After the season, I felt as though Scott knew something that I didn't. I believe I have him totally paid off now. We took Mitch and Hayden to Knights Action Park in Springfield this summer. Hayden, our little three year old terror, was in the little slide, when he decided to reach up and pinch the little girl in front of him, on the bottom. I asked him what he thought he was doing, and he just laughed. We decided maybe it was time to go home.

I hope everyone has a safe and productive harvest this year.

***

FAMOUS DAVE'S

by Louie Tieman

Well, it's newsletter time, so I have to start out with what Milmine is starting to become famous for. If you like BBQ ribs, you'll like "Famous Dave's" in Champaign. Larry Simonton stopped by the office one day to check on the markets and we got to talking about ribs. He's quite the rib man and has spent several dollars and traveled many places testing out ribs. He says that "Famous Dave's" has 2 important things: 1. The ribs are the best he's ever eaten and 2. They are close to home. He's right. We've had them at Milmine in the office, twice now, with Dave Thompson, Bob Perkins, Bud Jackson, Bill Sparks, and myself, having quite a feast. Only thing we didn't have was DQ ice cream. And we were too full for it anyway.

Speaking of DQ, I've seen Ed Beauchamp, Johnny Bailey and his wife, Jr Traxler and his wife, and Troy Smith and his wife there also. I've missed Jerry Day and Larry Traxler. Pat "li'l Gene" Pearl stopped by and had a hot fudge Sunday.

On May 5, Les Syfert drove over for coffee that morning, but the trouble was, he forgot it was Saturday and we were closed.

On July 12, I got to meet Dale Jarrett Walker, who was with his grandpa, Jerry Huffington, weighing pigs. He was named after the famous NASCAR driver. He's 2 ½ and quite a nice kid.

At our Topflight crop tour, Virgil Mewe's wife said she really enjoyed reading my articles in the newsletter, because I tell what's going on with everyone and I always include my family. That was a nice compliment and I thank her.

Speaking of family, Brian is living with Tosha Hooker in Bement. Travis is driving a semi with his Uncle Richard West, doing the same construction of plastic liners. Misty is going back to nurse's school in Martin, TN, and her husband, David, drives a semi for American Freightways.

I've been working 16-17 hours a day since January, but hopefully that will end real soon. Update later, in the next newsletter.

I'm putting the rain totals in on our Topflight web page. Ol' Gaylord likes that and checks it every night. If we could just get him to get a new computer, we'd have it made.

This is a short letter for me, but wanted to leave room for Denny, 'cause he's got to write about how well I golfed at our Topflight Grain outing.

Hope everyone has a safe harvest and a bountiful harvest and my guesses are in the last line of my newsletter. See how far off I am, in the next newsletter:

First load of beans - Sept 13

First load of corn Sept 8

Corn yield 169

Bean yield 51

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HARVEST PREPARATION

by Mikki Burns

The summer has gone so fast! I can't believe it's almost harvest time. We hope everyone had a good summer. It's been "hot", but then, I guess that's what summer is all about. Whenever the guys clean the flats, it seems like it's 95 to 100 degrees. And it was no different this year. The guys have really worked hard. Therefore, we are ready to handle your grain!

As usual, please inform us of any farm changes you may have prior to your first load, so we can have it in the computers the correct way. Be sure and have your forms signed at the FSA office. Although prices have improved, it is better to be prepared.

This is nothing new, but maybe will have to think differently, our policy has been: "All grain not sold as cash or contract or to be put on price later, will be stored each Friday". Although it may not be physically done, it will be considered stored and will not be able to be sold, without storage charges,. So, please keep that in mind as you decide what to do with your grain.

A policy that I would like to add is "Any farmer in our area that wants their grain on price later, I would like you to come in and sign the contract." I will keep them, so that when it is convenient, you can come in. I've had several lose them in the harvest rush. So, I'm just trying to avoid that problem.

We anticipate a busy but smooth harvest. If there are any questions, please let us know. We are happy to help in any way we can. Please be careful and have a safe harvest.

***

EMERY NEWS

by Denny Hill

Another busy summer is coming to a close as the corn and bean fields begin to turn. It looks like the first of September will see harvest activity beginning with the corn starting to dry down.

This crop year will be quite challenging for our patrons on how to market their grain. At this time, it looks like the LDP payments will not be as substantial as we have seen the last couple of years, and we might not see any at all for our corn. This might lead to some cash flow problems if no fall purchases have been made. I urge everyone to evaluate his or her own situation and have a marketing plan in mind. If you need any help on FSA policies for this year, or any help at all with a marketing plan, please feel free to give me a call.

The setup at Emery this fall will be the same as last year. We will be taking nonGMO soybeans and dumping them in the old house straight ahead from the scales. A contract needed to be signed to be in this program. All beans not under a nonGMO contract will be dumped in the west pit. All corn will be dumped around on the east side, or straight ahead in the old house. We will be testing the nonGMO soybeans as they come in.

Charlie has been busy this summer cleaning out bins, making minor repairs and mowing the grass. We will be practically empty going into harvest, but a ground pile for corn will be needed to handle this year's crop. At this time, it looks like a pile similar to last year's will be necessary.

My oldest daughter, Jessica, will be helping me in the office after school, and on weekends this fall when she can. This really makes me feel like I'm getting old. She is a varsity cheerleader at Maroa-Forsyth, in her sophomore year. Meghan will be entering 7th grade this fall, and is looking forward to basketball, which starts in September. My wife, Terri, is back at Meridian (Blue Mound) teaching 8th grade math this year. So, it looks like another busy fall and winter schedule.

Have a safe harvest!!

***

TURNING 50

by Chuck Bentley

I had a great birthday party. Live entertainment, friends, food and drink. I told Dick that I wanted a tattoo and was going to grow a ponytail for my birthday. I took care of the tattoo part, but Dick supplied me with a ponytail attached to a Topflight Grain hat. After wearing the hat for a while, I have decided not to grow the ponytail. (It bothers my neck.) I did come to the conclusion that a yearly party could become a tradition in my life, though. You know the saying that when a person turns 50, he tries to act like a kid again, or is having a late mid-life crisis. Not sure about that saying, but it does make you reflect on the past and ponder the future.

Your company had another successful year, financially. Prospects for another good crop look good after taking our crop tour. We look forward to serving your needs again this year, and hope you have a safe and bountiful harvest.

***

PREPARATION

by Derrick Bruhn

For those of you that do not know me, or have not met me, I am Derrick Bruhn. I started with Topflight Grain on May 29, 2001. I am the branch manager of the Monticello facility. My wife, Lynne, and I recently moved to the area from Goodland, Indiana.

Lynne and I are both originally from Litchfield, Illinois. I attended college at Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois, and Lynne attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Illinois. I was assistant manager of the Litchfield Rural King store for 5 years, and after college, accepted a job with ADM. I worked as an assistant manager at three of their country elevators: Macon, IL, Tallula, IL, and Goodland, IN. Lynne is an elementary school teacher. She is planning on substitute teaching this year, in search of a full time teaching opportunity in the Monticello area.

Since coming to work for Topflight Grain, I have had the opportunity to meet numerous people and am looking forward to meeting many more. The Monticello facility has been preparing for this harvest. I have been working on getting all of the paperwork, files, and computers set up so that harvest will be as smooth as possible. On the outside, Stason has had the guys doing repairs and cleaning bins so that they are ready for this fall, also.

Scale procedures for this fall, will be very similar, but we will no longer use the farm numbers that Monticello grain used. With the new computer system, we use letters instead. The farm name will be all that is required on the cards in the windows of the trucks. An added bonus for those of you that have semis, the probe has been moved so that you don't have to pull up in order to get the back hopper probed. I will need to know by the end of the week of delivery of grain, what is to be done with the grain, for example, if it is to be stored, delay priced, or spotted.

***

READY OR NOT, HERE IT COMES

by Keith Whitaker

We've had a really good summer this year. I've had the opportunity to meet a lot of people here at Bement, and by filling in at Monticello, Seymour, and Atwood from time to time. It was also good to be able to attend the annual meeting in Decatur at the Civic Center.

I had an opportunity to go on a barge tour in August from Pekin to Peoria. It was a really nice day and we learned a lot about the Illinois River and the importance of the river as a mode of transportation for shipping agricultural products. We got to tour the boat that was pushing the barge. It had four different levels and ran on two diesel locomotive engines. There are two rotating crews, one works a 30 day shift and is off 30 days, and switches with the other crew and they work 30 days and then off 30 days.

To date, we have over 12,000 acres contracted in our nonGMO soybean program this fall. Thanks to all who will be participating in the program.

The crops are coming along really well and before we know, it will be into harvest. I hope everyone has a safe and productive harvest and we look forward to serving you soon!

***

GREETINGS!!!

by Sara Rawlins

Greetings from Atwood. I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and tell you all how excited I am to be here at Topflight. I grew up in Melvin, going to high school at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley. I then attended Parkland and graduated from Illinois State in May of 2000. I grew up on a dairy and grain farm, helping with harvest when I could. It is interesting to now be on the other side of the scale. My dad thinks that I'll now be able to give him some good marketing tips. I guess we'll see.

After starting with Topflight this spring, I've had a busy summer getting settled in and acquainting myself with all of the daily activities. We were busy most of the summer cleaning out bins and preparing for harvest. Along with being busy here, my husband, Ben, and I purchased our first home, here in Atwood, in June, and have been getting settled in. I am very happy to call Atwood, home.

Amongst all of the activities here, I managed to sneak away for a few days in June and attend the National Guernsey Convention in Shakopee, Minnesota, near Minneapolis-St. Paul. Farmers in that area were still working ground late in June. It was a fun trip, however, to our disappointment, Governor Ventura did not attend the banquet.

Bill just returned from his vacation, working at the State Fair. What a great week of weather to be on vacation! I got to enjoy one day of the nice weather at the State Fair, myself. A few of us also got to enjoy a barge trip on the Illinois River on August 14th. We were able to tour the tugboat and experience going through the locks. It was an interesting and enjoyable trip.

Now that our summer fun is coming to an end, it is time to look to harvest. I am really looking forward to getting to meet more of you. Remember, if you have any changes in your splits, be sure to let us know. Also, be sure to let us know when you bring your nonGMO beans across the scale, so that we can take the appropriate measures. If we work together, we can have a successful harvest.

I wish you all a safe and successful harvest. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon.

***

JUST AROUND THE CORNER

by Brock Casteel

Harvest is just around the corner, and things here are coming together nicely. We are emptied out for the most part and looking forward to receiving your grain this fall. We have kept busy this summer with sweeping bins, emptying flats, and doing lots of repair work to our facilities, as most of our customers have done to their equipment, due to last year's downed crop.

We have also made purchases of safety equipment for the well being of our staff. We are currently reviewing and putting into place, new safety procedures for everyday use. We are always trying to make Topflight a more safe place to work. I greatly urge everyone to be careful this harvest. It only takes thirty seconds to stop, take a deep breath, get back on track, and then continue with what you were doing. It just might prevent an accident. I hope everyone has a safe and profitable harvest.

***

PIERSON HAPPENINGS

by Russel Wright

Another summer has come and gone. The kids are back in school. It seems like yesterday that everyone was planting corn and beans. Now it is almost harvest time.

Summer is always a busy time of the year at Topflight. Brock, Benny, Willard, Bill, and part time summer help, Bobby Beck, were busy shipping out corn and beans, cleaning out bins, repairing holes in spouts, putting air tubes together, not to mention mowing the grass and spraying weeds at Pierson, Atwood, Lanton, Burrowsville, and Lake City.

Summer time is always a busy time of the year for everyone. Debby and I have a new granddaughter, Kady Ann Wright, Matt and Jodi's daughter. She was born May 7. Her brother, Zac, is sure proud of her. We also watched Colin and Tyler Auth play Little League baseball. Now they are playing Junior Football for the South Piatt Wildcats. Tatum Auth is happy she has a girl cousin to play with instead of boys. We also went to Liberty, Missouri, to pick up the Farmland Leadership campers. Each year, we hear of different stories from them about their experiences. Debby and I are looking forward to Marcus and Nichole's wedding in November.

Gloria has had a busy summer as well, going to Hillary's softball games, taking her to various camps, and visiting with Stacey and son, Michael. Gloria and Rob also found time to go to Las Vegas for a weekend with other employees of United Prairie. They also went on a barge trip on the Illinois River.

Brock has had a busy summer as well. He moved to Lovington and participated in numerous tractor pulls in the area, as well as out of state. Maybe we will see him on ESPN someday. He and Katy also went on the barge trip.

Benny and his wife, Sharon, and son, moved to Atwood this summer. I guess he didn't like to be snowed in during the winter, and missing work. They have also been busy with their garden.

Willard and Jean had a busy summer. They went to see their son in Alabama. They also installed new siding on their house. It sure looks nice.

Yes, summer time is a busy time of the year. As Benny says, "Before you know it, harvest will be over". Hope everyone has a safe and bountiful harvest.

***

LAPLACE NEWS

by Vanessa Stinson

New looks at Laplace!! The new office is done, and we are now working out of it. The old one has been moved to the fair grounds in Cerro Gordo, for use as an office for the fair board. The lot to the west of the office has been laid out for truck waiting. So, now, all we are waiting for is the grain to start coming in (which will probably have already started by the time you read this!)

The new facility has two scales. The north scale will be for inbound traffic and the south scale is for outbound traffic. This is a big change for all of us, but I have faith that all of us will adapt very quickly. You will again turn right and go behind the elevator on your return trip to the scale. Other than that, everything else is the same.

Can you believe that the summer is over and harvest is knocking on our doors? Summer has been a good one for my family and myself. We spent a week at our trailer in Shelbyville, took a short trip to northern Illinois for the wedding of my niece, and our middle daughter, Ashley, got her driver's license. Our youngest daughter, Nicolle, will be cheering for the Cerro Gordo Broncos this fall. She made the varsity squad and our oldest daughter, Gretchen, will be bringing in the planes at the Decatur airport. She has spent 2 weeks in Irving, Texas, learning the computer system for American airlines. So, you see, we have been busy this summer with our three great kids. Hope yours has been, also.

We are looking forward to a great harvest. Be safe!

***

PRIORITIES

by Pam Jarboe

As you read this newsletter, I think you will notice 4 obvious themes, or priorities, among the employees, and included in the articles. First, we all wish you a safe harvest. In Brock's article, he talks about upgrading Topflight's safety equipment so that the employees can experience a safe harvest. We also encourage you to be safe. We want to keep you around for a long time!!

Second, the importance of harvest. Each facility, each employee is focused on harvest. That is the time of year that everything has to work right, at the elevators and at the farm. The operations staff has done a terrific job of preparing the facilities for harvest.

Third, although we're focused on harvest, we had a fun summer. We left the winter meetings, and continued programs with the second graders, played golf, attended the annual meeting, brought our kids to work, and wandered the fields counting corn and beans. We value the time we spend with you, and the relationships we build, and we try to find enjoyable ways to do it!

Fourth, is our families. Each of us has wonderful family and friends that we cherish and count on, to balance our lives. Dan & I have been especially fortunate this summer to have Eric, Dan's son, home for the summer. Eric came home, after Dan had shoulder surgery in April. They both leave home about 6:30 in the morning, for the hay fields, and return home about 9:30 or 10:00 at night. Although rainy days are not good for the hay business, rainy days were good for visiting with Eric (and Dan!). We're also fortunate that Dan's daughter, Shannon, and her husband live in Bement. Although we don't see them a lot, it's nice to know they're close. We enjoyed my aunt and uncle from New Mexico, visiting this summer, and their two daughters, who came from Colorado and New Hampshire. Dan's niece was married this summer, and I spent a day with my nephew and nieces, near Harristown, and celebrated Jonathan's birthday in late August with homemade ice cream. Mom & Dad are always my backup. I can always call or visit anytime, and if I don't, they still bring the roasting ears over, ready for the freezer!!

We wish you a safe harvest, lots of fun, and most of all, a wonderful family to keep your priorities in line.

***

Our sympathies to the families of . . . .

Larry Robinson, Dorma Wood, John Raymond Ruddock, Lee Henneberry, Ed Creviston, Wayne Bryson, Catherine Stauder, Harold Dragstrem, Robert Gallivan, Marjorie Clark, Richard Stair, Aleda Smith, John Saathoff, Laura Patton, Robert Wolfe, Neil Blickensderfer, Nora Quick, Joyce Durbin, Lester Wolfe, William Joynt,

and all others who have lost loved ones.

Congratulations to . . .

Derek Stierwalt, our spring intern, who was featured in the Decatur "Herald", for pitching a 15-2 ball game for the South Piatt Wildcats on April 20;

Matt & Jody Wright, parents of a new daughter,

Proud grandparents are Russel & Debby Wright;

Dale Fulton, recently celebrating his 80th birthday;

Justin & Kristi Goble, parents of a new son;

Bob Perkins, pictured in a J R Heath ad, proudly wearing his Topflight Grain cap. Bob won a Topflight "Hats On" award, and was treated to lunch, by Topflight employee, Louie Tieman;

The Tony Noel family, with the dedication of the Tony Noel Ag Center at Parkland College.

Tony's widow, Dena (Womer) Noel and Tony's family wanted to provide a tech training center for agriculture students in the Champaign community. Dena is from the Milmine area. Her father farmed in the Milmine area, and her grandfather, Frank O Lefever, served for 30 years as president of the Milmine Grain Company;

Michael & Jane Burton, newly wed in June;

Dennis & Donna Hoffman, parents of a new son;

John R Hendrix, recently celebrating his 80th birthday;

Gitte, Dick & Bonnie's friend from Denmark, and her new son;

Randy & Michelle West, newlyweds;

Derrick & Nichole DeGrofft, parents of a new son;

Rolland & Donna Malone, who celebrated their 50th anniversary on May 31;

Pat & Jennifer Riley, parents of a new son;

Jerry & Ellen Gregg, newlyweds.

***

Here's Your Chance. . . .

for a free dinner, with a Topflight employee

Wear your Topflight Grain cap, when you are photographed for news items or advertisements, and we'll buy your dinner! Bob Perkins was the first recipient of the "Hats On" award, with his appearance in the Piatt County Journal, wearing his Topflight cap. Louie Tieman, manager of the Milmine facility, treated Bob and his two sons to lunch at the West End in Bement.

***

PLEASE WELCOME . . . .

Topflight new employees

Sara Rawlins is the new grain originator at the Atwood office. Sara grew up on a farm near Melvin, Illinois, and has earned a degree in ag education. Her husband, Ben, works for United Prairie. They just recently moved to Atwood.

Derrick Bruhn is the new grain originator in the Monticello office. Derrick grew up near Litchfield and worked for ADM in Indiana for a few years. His wife, Lynne, is a school teacher, and they live in Monticello.

Doug Adloff is the new grain originator in the Seymour office. Doug is from Athens, Illinois, and worked as assistant manager at the Latham elevator.

Tommy Durbin and Brandon Durbin have joined the operations staff, full time. Tommy has moved from part time employee, to full time, at the Monticello facility. He is a Bement-Milmine native and will be working with the Monticello crew to receive, condition and ship out the grain.

Brandon will work out of the Bement facility, but is flexible and works wherever he is needed. Brandon is a Bement-Milmine native, and is also a welcome addition to the operations staff.

Rob Dick will be working maintenance, primarily at the Monticello and Seymour elevators. Rob and his wife, Lyn, live near Ivesdale. Rob has been in the elevator construction business, helping to build a few of the bins at Topflight.

Henry Lust is driving the blue semi. Henry and his wife, Jeanne, live in Hammond, where Henry has been involved in agriculture most of his life!

Cory Fay will be working at the Monticello elevator, receiving and shipping grain, and keeping it in condition. Cory, and his wife Julie, live in Monticello.

***

CHANGE IS GOOD!!

SERVICE CHANGES . .

Working to make your life easier, Atwood farmers can make grain contracts and get copies of delivery sheets from Sara, in the Atwood office. If you're in the office, or on the phone with her, and want to make a grain contract, or offer, Sara can take care of that for you. If you need a delivery sheet reprinted for the FSA office, or proof of yield run for the insurance company, Sara can do that for you. Just ask her!!!

Seymour customers can get full service bookkeeping at the Seymour office, now. Grain contracts, delivery sheets, grain checks, and anything else you need, can be handled at the Seymour office. Doug will be glad to take care of your needs, and to make your life easier!

WEBSITE CHANGES

Visit the Topflight website at www.topflightgrain.com. You'll see a new format which includes the new features of a rain map, an employee page, and a special news page. Louie Tieman updates the rain map, which shows the daily rain, the monthly total, and the seasonal total. From the employee page, you can see our faces, who works where, and email us, from that page.

During harvest, you'll also find a "daily receipt" link. This page will show you how much grain was received at each location, during harvest, along with the seasonal total.

FACILITY CHANGES

LaPlace farmers will spend less time at the elevator this fall, with the addition of a second scale. Grain trucks will weigh in on the north scale, and out, on the south scale. This will be a new traffic pattern, at the new office, and will take some adjustments by the truck drivers. It should speed up the grain delivery process at the LaPlace elevator.

The Seymour facility has more outside storage. A new asphalt pad and concrete walls for the bunker on the east side of the elevator will add about 750,000 bushels of temporary storage to Seymour.

***

ANNUAL MEETING

The third annual Topflight Grain annual meeting was attended by 850 stockholders on Friday, April 10, 2001, at the Decatur Civic Center. Guests were served a buffet meal as they arrived, by Don & Connie McLaughlin, from Mason City. Steak, pork, or chicken was accompanied by lettuce salad, pasta salad, green beans, corn, au gratin potatoes, baked potatoes, and cake.

Board member, Kenny Ruff welcomed the guests, and introduced Reverend Bramlett to give the invocation. President Tim Morton called the business meeting to order, and Kyle Johnson, as credentials chairman reported that the required number of stockholders were present, to conduct the meeting. Secretary Byron Brown read the minutes from last year's annual meeting. Controller Chuck Bentley presented the financial report, and Manager Richard Thomas presented the manager's report. He introduced as very special guests, the 1969 Board of Directors. This board included Larry Morton, Chalmer Hinton, Brad Fristoe, Babe Foran, Cotton Wright, Zinc Tracy (deceased), and Spud Shepherd. This was the board who hired a young man from Foosland to manage their company. It's been a special friendship between them since 1969. Josh Hendrix, Chrissy Lecrone, Jesse Muse, and Shaun Gallivan reported on their experiences at the Farmland Youth Leadership Conference. Other special guests and employees were introduced, as the manager then continued into some of the improvements and changes of the past year.

Byron Brown, nominating committee chairman presented the slate of nominees and the election results for the 2001-2002 board of directors. Elected directors of Richard Larimore, Bill Schable and George Riley will join the current board members of Tim Morton, Kyle Johnson, Cary Hinton, Allen Reeder, JW Day, Kenny Ruff, Louie Stoerger, Duane Robson, Ron Meece, and Tim Menacher.

Beck and Robertson, provided the entertainment for the evening. Trained and schooled by Capt'n Stubby, the two presented a comedy of jokes, stories, and music. The farm stories, the people stories, and the music (good and not-so-good!) provided a light hearted and humorous conclusion to the wonderful evening of fellowship and visiting enjoyed by the stockholders.

If you were unable to attend the annual meeting,this is the manager's report, and his special recognition of the Board of 1969:

MANAGER'S REPORT 2001

I am very proud of the financial success your company had this last year. One point three million dollars is a lot of money. Being able to pass back to the stockholders and patrons over $800,000 in cash is another satisfying accomplishment. When you add the stock of $587,914 issued for this year's patronage to the cash paid out, it equals almost $1.4 million going back to the owners of the company.

What I think is so great about this accomplishment is this money was all made with facilities you own, run by local people you know. If you're like me, you own some stock in other companies that send you their year end results, ask for their proxy back, and want you to attend their annual meeting in California. I often wondered what they would do if I actually showed up for the meeting? Do you suppose I would get a free meal? Would they greet me at the door as I entered? Do you think the room would be full of friends, neighbors, and relatives? Would I know any of the directors that were running for the board? Then do you think they would hand me a pound of bacon when I left?

I view everyone in this room tonight as a part of the Topflight Grain team. If you are still actively farming, I hope we earn the right to buy and store your grain. If you are not actively farming, but still own land, I hope you encourage your tenant to deliver grain to us. And if you're neither one, I hope you say good things about us to your friends, neighbors, prospects, and future farmers.

There are a couple of slogans distributed to our employees this last year, that I think exemplify what Topflight Grain is all about. The first one is to "Exceed Customer Expectations" and the second one is "Working to Make Your Life Easier". We actually have a certificate we award an employee when we are informed that they have exceeded a customer's expectations. We have awarded at least 12 of these certificates since the program was initiated. As I grow older, I'm finding that if someone can "Make my Life Easier", I want to know about it. I think we have done this by giving back to you most of the money we made this year. I know money always seems to make my life go easier, most especially my wife's. I hope the end of the year statements we send with all the business that you have done with us for the calendar year are beneficial, especially at tax time. The on-the-farm pickup of grain has been a popular service to some customers. Our grain pool, where you decide the bushels you want to enroll, and we do your marketing, has proven to be very beneficial to many customers. We deposit checks, print delivery sheets for FSA and insurance companies, sometimes we even take them to the FSA office. These are just a few of the things we do to "Make Your Life Easier".

Just a little about the future of the company. We're going to start to concentrate on adding value to our customer's products. At our board retreat last month, the board gave me that challenge. I will be talking to universities and research facilities about ways to enhance the commodities we handle. We are open to any ideas you might have and to any contacts you might suggest. Because we want to give you back even more of your money in the future.

In closing, I would like to thank my wife for her concern this past year, the board for their support, and you, the stockholder, for your business.

BOARD OF 1969

As you get older, you begin to appreciate people who took a chance on you when you were maturing. I wanted to honor the board of directors that hired me back in March of 1969, at this year's annual meeting. They were a unique group, and the older I get, the more I appreciate them giving me a chance to become their elevator manager. The best board a manager will ever have, will be the board that hired him. Obviously you're the one they picked to do the job, so they want you to succeed. I've enjoyed working for all the boards I've had in my 32-year career here at the grain company, but these seven guys are just special. Remember that book about "All I Ever Needed to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten"? Well, all I ever needed to know, I learned from these seven guys. They are all here tonight, with the exception of Francis "Zing" Tracy, who passed away a few years ago, but his wife, Ag Tracy, is here representing him.

So, I'll start with Zing, and what I learned from him was "Take Life Easy". Zing was a wonderful husband, father, and a good farmer, but some how, he always found time to take a nap, or go to Ivesdale for an afternoon drink. I can still see him headed for Ivesdale in that old mustard yellow colored pickup with his dog, Cookie, beside him. He had a bumper sticker on the truck with a picture of a turtle out ahead of a rabbit and it said "I May be Slow, but I'm Ahead of You".

From "Cotton" Eugene Wright, I learned to "Always be Honest". When I applied for the job in Bement, they interviewed me in the small office upstairs where Eric now has his office. While the interview was going on, I thought I could hear water running. I mentioned it once in the interview, but everyone seemed to ignore me, so I shut up. Well, after the meeting was over, Cotton took me aside and said, "We do have a small water problem here at the office" and proceeded to take me down to the basement where the water was up to the top of the first step. I always appreciated Cotton being honest with me and also for all the times he picked me up for Lions Club in the little red truck of his.

From "Spud" Dean Shepherd, I learned it is "Okay to get Mad, Just Get Over it in a Hurry". Spud has a temper and can get pretty upset, but when it's over, he forgets about it. One time, he got upset at me over a weight on a load of grain. Boy, was he mad, and he let me know about it. After he did, it was all over with, and we went on about our business. I'm sure after he thought about it, he realized I was right, but nothing else was ever said about the incident. I really have to work at this because I want to try and get even. I don't get mad too much, but when I do, I always think of Spud.

From Chalmer Hinton, I learned "There are More Important Things in Life than Material Things". After my interview for the job was over, Chalmer told me if I needed to get in touch with him, I would have to call his folks, and they would get in contact with him, because he didn't have a phone. I must have had a very puzzled looked on my face, because after all, it was 1969, and he didn't have a phone! He explained that he lived up a long lane and the cost to install a phone was pretty expensive. I'm sure he could have afforded the cost, but having a phone just wasn't important to him. Just like he still plays ball with the original ball glove his folks bought him when he was a kid, although I understand he has taken up playing ball again, and is looking for a new glove.

From Larry Morton, I learned "You can Separate Friendship and Business". Larry and I are the same age and our families became good friends. We went on several winter trips together as our kids were growing up and he was always able to keep business and friendship separate. We still get together once in awhile to play "Mexican Train" and "Uno Attack" and eat his homemade ice cream. One of my most embarrassing moments happened with Larry's wife. We were at a grain convention and I went to introduce Sandy to someone, and I couldn't think of her name. So, I introduced her as "Mrs. Morton", and she has never let me forget it, to this day.

From Brad Fristoe, I learned "Not to Worry". Most of you know, Brad came to work for the company when we bought Roy Allen's fuel business back in 1975. We were on a bus trip sponsored by Farmland Industries out to Kansas City, Missouri, and were on our way back from Lawrence, Kansas, where we had visited an oil refinery. The trip was long and tiring, and for some reason, the people in the back of the bus seemed to be thirstier than those in the front. Every time the bus would slow down or stop, cans would roll to the front of the bus, causing quite a bit of noise and confusion. Midge Mills, our bookkeeper at the time, started giving me dirty looks every time this would happen. I went back and told Brad what was happening and that Midge was getting upset. He said, "Dick, you worry too much.". We did make it back to Kansas City without incident but I still worried. You know, I wouldn't have this job today if Brad had anything to say about it. On my first interview, I actually turned the job down because of having to make my mind up too fast. Brad always said they should have never given me a second chance. I'm sure glad they did.

From "Babe" Wilmer Foran, I learned how to say NO. Babe was president of the board and took his job very seriously, with the exception that he let me know right off the bat that we wouldn't have board meetings on Tuesday or Friday nights because that was when his boys played basketball. I hadn't been here long until I realized that we had a couple of accounts that needed to be collected. So, Babe picked me up one day and we headed out to talk to these people. On the way out, he gave me this lecture about how these accounts should have never gotten this big in the first place, and what a burden it had caused on the families involved. I would always think about Babe's lecture every time I had to go collect an account. So, it became easy for me to say "No". I can honestly say sometimes when he would tell me "no", I would really get annoyed. But I found out that Babe had a great deal of common sense and I learned to respect his judgment. Babe, I might tell you I have become more sophisticated in saying "no" on some occasions. Now, I say, "I really wish I wanted to, but I don't".

As I prepared this speech, I thought how ironic it was there were four of these board members that were known mostly by their nicknames, Zing, Cotton, Spud and Babe. I never did ask any of them how they got their nicknames, but I'm sure it would be interesting.

I made mention in our last newsletter about "if you were going to die soon, and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call, and what would you say? And why are you waiting?" So, I'm telling you now, Thanks for teaching me all I ever needed to know to be a successful person.

***

DOWN THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI!!!

by Harold Nickey

On Tuesday, June the 26th, Bernie and Edyth Bork, and guests Harold and Eleanor Nickey ventured onto a barge in Cairo, Illinois, headed for Baton Rouge Louisiana. This 725 mile trip, at a speed of 9 mile an hour, would take four days to complete.

The captain and his crew were very good to the visitors and fed them good! The trip was purchased by Mr. Bork at a Lutheran Benefit Auction earlier this year.

The way it sounds, the trip was enjoyed by all four.

***

TALK ABOUT A DANGEROUS SNAKE!

Green garden grass snakes can be dangerous. Yes, grass snakes, not rattlesnakes!

A couple in Sweetwater, Texas, had a lot of potted plants, and during a recent cold spell, the wife was bringing a lot of them indoors to protect them from a possible freeze. It turned out that a little green garden grass snake was hidden in one of the plants, and when it had warmed up, it slithered out and the wife saw it go under the sofa. She let out a very loud scream.

The husband, who was taking a shower ran out into the living room, naked, to see what the problem was. She told him there was a snake under the sofa. He got down on the floor, on his hands and knees to look for it. About that time, the family dog came and cold-nosed him in the butt. He thought the snake had bitten him, and he fainted. His wife thought he had a heart attack, so she called an ambulance. The attendants rushed in and loaded him on the stretcher and started carrying him out. About that time, the snake came out from under the sofa and the Emergency Medical Technician saw it, and dropped his end of the stretcher. That's when the man broke his leg and why he is in the hospital.

The wife still had the problem of the snake in the house, so she called on a neighbor man. He volunteered to capture the snake. He armed himself with a rolled up newspaper and began poking under the couch. Soon, he decided it was gone and told the woman, who sat down on the sofa in relief. But in relaxing, her hand dangled in between the cushions, where she felt the snake wriggling around. She screamed and fainted, the snake rushed back under the sofa and the neighbor man, seeing her laying there passed out, tried to use CPR to revive her. The neighbor's wife, who had just returned from shopping at the grocery store, saw her husband's mouth on the woman's mouth and slammed her husband in the back of the head with a bag of canned goods, knocking him out and cutting his scalp to a point where it needed stitches. An ambulance was again called and it was determined that the injury required hospitalization.

The noise woke the woman from her dead faint, and she saw her neighbor lying on the floor with his wife bending over him, so she assumed he had been bitten by the snake. She went to the kitchen, brought back a small bottle of whiskey and began pouring it down the man's throat. By now, the police had arrived. They saw the unconscious man, smelled the whiskey, and assumed that a drunken fight had occurred. They were about to arrest them all, when the two women tried to explain how it all happened over a little green snake.

They called an ambulance, which took away the neighbor and his sobbing wife. Just then, the little snake crawled out from under the couch. One of the policeman drew his gun and fired it. He missed the snake and hit the leg of the end table that was on one side of the sofa. The table fell over and the lamp on it shattered and, as the bulb broke, it started a fire in the drapes. The other policeman tried to beat out the flames and fell through the window into the yard on top of the family dog, who startled, jumped up and raced out into the street, where an oncoming car swerved to avoid it and smashed into the parked police car and set it on fire. Meanwhile, the burning drapes had spread to the walls and the entire house was blazing. Neighbors had called the fire department and the arriving fire truck had started raising his ladder as they were halfway down the street. The rising ladder tore out the overhead wires and put out the electricity and disconnected the telephones in a ten-square city block area.

Time passed. Both men were discharged from the hospital, the house was rebuilt, the police acquired a new car, and all was right with their world. About a year later, they were watching TV and the weatherman announced a cold snap for that night. The husband asked his wife if she thought they should bring in their plants for the night. She shot him.

***

TOPFLIGHT GRAIN GOLF OUTING

by Denny Hill

The 4th annual Topflight Grain Golf Outing was held on July 25th at the Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth. After the first three were held at Scovill Golf Club, we decided our patrons would welcome a different venue.

With the sky overcast, 144 golfers teed off at 8:30 with a shotgun start. The format once again this year was selective-shot with four people on a team. The pace of play was excellent and teams never waited on the team in front of them. With a 60% chance of rain in the forecast, not a drop fell on what turned out to be an ideal day of golf.

The winning team this year, shooting 11 under par at 61, was Ralph Myers, Mitch Myers, John Hill, and Mike Ferrill. Mitch Myers also took home the longest drive award on number 10, and John Hill won the closest to the pin on number 8. The second place team consisted of Jim Mills, Dave Murphy, Jay Browning, and Jon Lippard. The third place team was Gary Wierman, Marvin Sanders, Pat Pearl and Pete McPheeters.

All the golfers had a shot at a $5000 hole in one prize on hole number 13, but with Roy Riley graciously watching the hole this year, and taking pictures, no one was able to bring home the cash. Other great prizes were offered for hole-in-ones on 3 other holes.

After the round concluded, we gathered in the new clubhouse for a delicious lunch served by the Decatur Park District. Special guests were recognized and several great prizes were given away to some lucky ticket holders. Before we concluded the outing, everyone was able to come up and pick a prize, so no one went home empty handed.

Everyone seemed to have a great time on such a wonderful day for golf, and I hope to see all of you next year at the outing.

***

HEAVY WEIGHTS!!

The weights on the sled behind the tractor were mighty heavy, as the pedal pullers participated in various Pedal Tractor Pulls, sponsored by Topflight Grain. Working with the Piatt County Farm Bureau Young Farmers, the pedal pulls have been held at Lincoln School in Monticello, in White Heath, at the 4th of July Celebration in Bement, and at the Apple Dumpling Festival in Atwood.

The young participants are weighed into three divisions, taking their turn at pedaling the tractor the farthest distance. As the tractor progresses down the track, the weights on the sled behind the tractor, move forward, putting more weight on the sled. As the distance increases, the pedal power increases. Parents and supporters cheer each participant on as they move down the track.

As a sanctioned event, the top three winners in each class, participate in the state pedal pull, at the State Fair each August. Emily Harms, from the White Heath Pedal Pull, was one of the State Fair winners, this August.

***

BEAN COUNTERS

Teams of bean and kernel counters toured the Topflight Grain trade area on Tuesday, August 21, to help predict the bean and corn yields of the 2001 crop. Groups left each office around noon, to make several stops through out the area to evaluate the corn and beans. They all met in the Bement office, late afternoon, to compile and average the results.

The results were presented at the Bement Country Opry, that evening, following a pork chop dinner served to everyone at the meeting. Scott Docherty showed the results, which predicted an average 164 bushel corn crop and an average 50 bushel bean crop.

Also, on the program, Mike Hall, commodity broker from MLH Futures in Litchfield, discussed the market outlook, and Kyle Rogers, from the Piatt County FSA office, reviewed changes in the LDP program and forms this year. Mike showed price charts and supply/demand tables, which showed strong demand, sensitive to the crop size this year. Kyle encouraged everyone to be certain the FSA office has all changes in farm operations, and that the proper forms are completed prior to harvest.

Members of each team reported on crops on their tour. Some noticed low population, some had light hail damage, and a few reported wind damage.

***

LEAVING ON A JET PLANE

Each year, insisting that the women at Topflight Grain are more than secretary's, Dick plans a special event, to recognize them on Secretary's Day. Secretary's Day was celebrated in June this year, at Topflight, with a very special trip organized by Bement native Bernie Whalen. Dick called Bernie, who works for Monsanto in St. Louis, to ask for a tour of the Monsanto Research Center. Bernie asked for a couple of days to make plans, and returned with a day full of activities, for the girls (and Dick!). The Monsanto jet met the group at Willard airport, for the flight to St. Louis. Bernie welcomed everyone to St. Louis, and escorted them to the research center, in Chesterfield. In one of the conference rooms, various Monsanto representatives talked about the company, their research, the research process, and answered questions.

The tour of the facility included the growing chambers, and research centers. Plants were seen, experiencing various growing conditions of light and moisture. Informative displays along the way showed stages of research and some agricultural history.

Finishing up the tour at the research facility, Bernie escorted the group to Redbird Stadium for a St. Louis Cardinals game. In the sky box, lunch was served and other Monsanto personnel were introduced. It was quite a view, with very comfortable seats and accommodations to view the game.

Another famous guest, Fred Bird, visited the girls, posing for a picture and creating some humorous situations!

At the end of the St. Louis event, the jet returned the girls back to Champaign, Illinois. Dick treated them to supper, and thanked them all for the work they do for Topflight Grain.

It was a wonderful trip, and so first class! We thank Monsanto, and Bernie Whalen for their fine generosity and hospitality. It was the trip of a life time!!

***

MARKET POOL NEWS

by Denny Hill

The final checks on the 2000 Marketing Grain Pool were distributed to all the patrons in the pool in August. The final results of the corn pool for fall delivery corn was $2.11. This figure is a net result after having option coverage up until August 24th. We were 24 cents ahead at harvest time in the options, but our protection against any rallies the last 10 months showed a 13 cent loss.

The soybeans netted out at $5.47 for our customers for the year with protection on the upside since last October. At harvest time, we were 7 cents ahead in our options, but our calls, since harvest till the middle of July showed a 21 cent loss.

The 2001 Marketing Pool sign-up was September 1, 2000 and January 31, 2001. The final bushel total in the pool for 2001 was 1.4 million corn and 312,000 soybeans. This showed an increase of nearly 50% from the previous year. The following is an update on where we are in the 2001 Pool as harvest is upon us:

CORN CASH SALES - 20% sold at $2.36 for fall delivery

20% sold at $2.11 for fall delivery

20% sold at $2.08 for fall delivery

All of these sales were backed up with call options to protect any upside rallies. The remaining 40% will be priced out before harvest concludes. (The fall price at the time of this writing was $2.00)

SOYBEAN CASH SALES - No sales were made at this time with beans trading well below the loan rate. A November call was purchased in July on one-half the bushels, to capture any rallies we might see before harvest. A strategy will be put into place on the beans at harvest time, after we digest all the factors.

We offer this marketing service to all our patrons to give them another alternative to his or her marketing plan by having full time advisors working to make better market decisions for your operation. The 2002 Marketing Pool sign up will be from September 1, 2001 through January 31, 2002. If anyone is interested, please give me a call, at 1-800-955-2180, or contact your local branch manager.

***

JUST FLOATING ALONG

The Topflight Grain parade float made several appearances this summer, during the festivals of our community towns. The design, engineered by the operations and office staff, displayed the Bement elevator, complete with a Norfolk Southern train running on the track around the elevator.

The first parade was the Fat Hill Parade in Cerro Gordo. This parade produced an invitation to participate the Decatur Celebration in August! The float and employees also entered the Arthur 4th of July parade, the Bement 4th of July parade, and Argenta and Maroa July 4th celebrations, Monticello TrailBlazers rodeo, and the Atwood Apple Dumpling festival. We've encountered many wonderful people along the way, including the village of Arthur, who provides a meal for all participants, and John Butterfield, who loaned us storage in his machine shed prior to the Maroa parade.

The float won grand prize in the Argenta parade and Pride of the Prairie award in the Decatur Celebration parade.

It was a fun summer, and we hope you were able to see your float in at least one of the parades!

***

MOVING ALONG!!!

The old grain office in Argenta was donated by Topflight Grain to the Prairie River Historians, in Argenta. On April 20, the old office was moved to the Prairie Park in Argenta, where the historians will open a museum in the building, in 2002.

The former LaPlace office was donated to the Piatt County Fair. On August 14th, that familiar office moved out of LaPlace, as the new office was completed

The old Tipperary office, located between Bement and Monticello, was purchased by Marilyn Walters. She plans to move it, and manage an herbal business from the office.

***

YOUTH LEADERS

Chrissy Lecrone, Jesse Muse, Josh Hendrix, and Shaun Gallivan, four young adults from the Topflight area participated in Farmland's Youth Leadership Conference, in early June. This is an annual conference, held in Liberty, Missouri, for high school youth. They participate in marketing coops, to learn how a coop works; they have workshops to encourage self confidence and self esteem; they meet others from all over the country; and they have lots of fun. It is a rewarding experience for all who attend, and most of them continue correspondence with some of the friends made during the 4 day adventure.

***

www.topflightgrain.com

by Richard Thomas

Have you ever looked at our web page? If you haven't, I would suggest that you do. You may see a picture of yourself! Some of the things customers have told me they like about our site are, being able to get the grain prices, rain totals in our trade area, market news, ability to read the newsletter, pictures of customers, employees, and facilities, calendar of events in the area, contracts, specialty grains, service rates, link to United Prairie, plus this fall we are adding receipts of grain at each location. We are doing this so you can see how much grain a certain location is receiving to know whether you want to move to that area to harvest or not.

This is just a sample of the information you can get from our web page. If there is anything we could add to make your life easier, please let us know.

***

SCHOOL'S OUT!!!!

Our year with the 2001 second grade class concluded with an Easter Egg Hunt and a Play Day. The weather was threatening, on April 12, for the Easter Egg Hunt, so the 2nd graders graciously invited the Topflight employees into their classroom. Refreshments of cupcakes and fruit drink were served, and each class member was given an Easter sack with filled eggs. Games with 2nd graders are always fun, and we really enjoyed the "old" game of London Bridge!

Our last day with this class included Sack Lunch day and a Play Day. Following a sack lunch, in their classroom, ink pens and quizzes were handed out. The quiz summarized some of the year's activities, beginning with the elevator tour, and including the Christmas Party, the trip to Curtis Orchard, the trip to Tom's Bowl, the Monticello field trip, and the Easter Party. It was a group quiz, and everyone participated in the answers. Out to Coles Pasture, the class was divided into teams for games of Tug-of-war, potato sack races, and three legged races.

We hugged and "high-fived" the students, as we said good by to another wonderful year.

***

NEW HEIGHTS

Topflight employees gathered to ease one burden of John McCabe's. John was injured this spring, and underwent an extensive rehabilitation time and effort. To take at least one problem off of his mind, the Topflight employees re-roofed John's house. The new roof was one of John's summer projects, that he was unable to complete. The operations staff met at John's house Saturday morning, tore the old roof off, and put on the new roof. They scraped, shoveled, measured, sawed, and nailed. The new roof was nearly complete as the afternoon blew up a rain storm! After the rain, a few days later, the crew returned to finish the roof.

Grilled burgers and brats were served by Mikki, Angela, and Pam, with cookies and chips donated by others.

It was a day of working together, to help a coworker.

***

HARRIS FARM MUSEUM

by Russel Wright

Located on the north edge of Atwood, across the road from the high school is Harris Farm Museum. Owned and operated by Roger and Glenna Harris, this fine early American museum has been open to the public for two years. Please call Harris Electric at 217-578-2231, to set up an appointment to view the many fine antiques of the era. The only cost is a small donation.

Roger's goal for the museum is to present to the public what farming and early American life on the farm is about, from the horse to the tractor era. As you step into the modern building, you will find lots of old and well kept equipment. Some of the farm machinery includes many horse drawn equipment and "up to date" tractors. There are a couple of 1935 John Deere A and B models as well as a Hart Parr Oliver and Allis Chalmers. Roger is particularly proud of the 1919 Ford Model T Dump truck that is completely restored. Just recently, at the Apple Dumpling Parade, you could see Roger driving this fine looking old truck.

One of Roger's plans for the museum is to finish the upstairs area so the different displays can be set up. Some of these are an old 1920's kitchen, a barbershop, a meat and groceries market and an old grain elevator office. Topflight Grain donated the old bid board that was in the Bement Grain office, in Bement. Before the computer age of getting the grain bids, the only way to record what the grain markets were, was by writing them down. So, promptly at 9:45 AM, and every hour till the close, some one would write down the grain bids.

Once he gets these displays moved to the upstairs area, there will be more space for the old equipment that is outside the building. There is also an extensive collection of old hand tools and, be sure, to see the bed pan collection and medicine bottles.

Many of the items on display are donated or on loan from people in the area. Roger will take the time from his busy day of running Harris Electric to show you around. Lots of people have toured the museum, also school age children from the different schools in the area have enjoyed the fine collection.

So, next time you want to see how farm life was during the early part of the 20th century, give Roger a call. You won't be disappointed.

***

SHOPPING FOR CORN & SOYBEAN PRODUCTS??

We grow a lot of corn and beans in central Illinois. Wouldn't it be nice to use some of our own products, or give them as gifts? One company that sells soy & corn based products is "New Use Products", in El Paso, Illinois. They sell moisturizing lotions, sunscreens, soap, and cleaning products, all made from corn and soybeans! You can order for yourself, or you can order special gift packages that combine several of the popular items.

If you'd like more information, you can call them at 1-888-251-1366, or visit their website at www.newuseproducts.com.

***

SALSA OUTSELLS KETCHUP

Dick and Chuck attended the CoBank meeting on March 2 & 3. They had several good speakers, and Dick took lots of good notes:

The first speaker was Todd Buchholz, about "The New Economic Order". He talked about speed, here today, gone tomorrow, here today, gone today; scissors, cut the middle man; change x people = opportunity; the US has more golf courses than McDonalds; salsa outsells ketchup; without education, what jobs can our children hold; wages may have to go up because stock in companies is going down.

Randy Etheridge, Second Vice Chairman of CoBank, talked about CoBank. CoBank is the Cooperative Bank that Topflight borrows most of its money from. Randy's definition of child abuse was "leaving the family farm to the children". He talked about investments that CoBank has made in credit, technology, and communications.

Dr. Terry Barr, Chief Economist from the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives talked about the Ag Economy. He said that no one wants to own anything because things are changing so fast; the average Illinois farm is 372 acres, compared to 487 acres, on the national average; if you give the Japanese the $300 each American will save on the tax cut, the Japanese will spend $150 and save $150, the Americans will spend $450; the average price on corn after all government payments is $2.53, the average bean price after payments if $5.78.

It was an interesting meeting, with good speakers, and a chance to meet other cooperative managers, and discuss the grain business with them.

***

EXCEED . . .

In last month's newsletter, we announced a new employee award, called "Exceeding Customer Expectations". This award is earned by the Topflight employees who go the extra mile, or make the extra effort to make sure that our Topflight customers receive the extra attention they deserve.

Recently, Denny Hill has received the award for working with a customer whose grain was stored on the farm;

Jim Murphy for connecting a Topflight customer who had an interest in roses with another rose grower;

Russel Wright for obtaining the market price board for Roger Harris;

Charlie Bliss and Brandon Durbin for the extra work they did to assist with the move of the Argenta grain office; and

Benny Ayer for helping Bob Jamison move equipment around early one morning.

These nominations can come from fellow employees or from you, the customer. If you received extraordinary service, please report it to Manager Richard Thomas, so the award can be presented to your employee.

***

EMPLOYEE TRAINING

The office staff met, on June 19th, for a meeting presented by Dale Anderson of Growmark, to enhance skills used to meet customer needs. Dale presents numerous training seminars to Growmark fertilizer and chemical representatives, and transferred those skills to the grain business. He demonstrated the tools used to build relationships with customers, or future customers. The first tool is listening; we will be listening to you.

Now, and in the future, you may receive a call or a visit from a Topflight employee, asking for a few minutes of your time. This time will be spent developing a relationship, getting to know you better, and looking for a way that we can serve you better.

The operations staff participated in safety meetings on Thursday, August 23rd. The meetings were held in three of the Topflight facilities, so that all of the employees could attend one of the meetings. Richard Beers and Barb Rokos, from Farmland Insurance presented safety videos and training. Discussions followed the tapes, to review safety procedures that should be followed in the outside operations.

Brock Casteel, Topflight's safety director, plans to implement more safety meetings, and to procure safety equipment for bin loadouts, and rail car loading.

***

TOPFLIGHT GOES TO THE FAIR

A part of any county fair is the lovely queen contest. Topflight Grain was well represented in the Miss Piatt County Fair Queen contest this year, through the sponsors, the contestants, the emcees, and the coordinators.

Annie Docherty represented Topflight Grain as "Little Miss Topflight Grain", in the Little Miss Pageant. Annie was beautiful in her white dress, and crown. She has also represented Topflight Grain in some of the summer parades.

We were very honored during the Queen contest, when the question was asked "If you were showing Piatt County to guests, where would you take them to best represent our county?". Kendra Clark, the queen contestant sponsored by the State Bank of Bement, told the judges and audience that she would show them the grain facilities of Topflight Grain. Kendra emphasized the importance of agriculture to Piatt County, that Topflight Grain has been serving the farmers since 1903 and that representatives from different companies and even different countries have visited Topflight Grain.

Emcees for the contest were Peggy Mueller and Pam Jarboe. Peggy is administrative assistant for the Piatt County Farm Bureau, and Pam, of course, works for Topflight Grain. The two ladies did a fine job of introducing the ladies and describing their hobbies and interests, as they vied for the titles of Little Miss, Jr. Miss and Miss Piatt County Fair.

Coordinating the training, the show, the scheduling, the gifts, the scholarships, and everything else that must be done in the contest, were Tracy McRae and Denise Docherty. Tracy, one of Topflight's stockholders, is the data processor for VanHorn Ag Center, and Denise's husband, Scott, is the merchandiser for Topflight Grain. Assisting and supporting the entire show was the fair board, of which several members are also Topflight stockholders.

It was a beautiful contest, with many talented, confident young ladies. We're proud of all who represented our county, and wish all of them success as they pursue their goals.

***

NO KIDDING!!!

No kidding, it was Kid's Day!! August 16th, Topflight employee's children joined their parents at work, to observe and to help perform the tasks that are required to do each one's job. The young workers sat side by side through the morning hours, others joined their parents later in the morning. After lunch, everyone met at the Bement office, where Manager Thomas prepared homemade ice cream for all the young workers!

After that delicious treat, Eric, Jim, Dick, and Michael provided rides in the trackmobile, the semi, the golf cart, and rides to the top of the elevator for those who were interested. Each young employee was given their own supply of notepad, ink pen, business cards and Topflight shirt, in order to perform the job.

We received several thank yous from the young employees, and a special article, for the newsletter, written by Dillon Docherty:

KIDS' DAY

by Dillon Docherty

On August 16th, it was "Kids Day" at Topflight Grain. My sister, Annie, and I went to work with pen and paper. We started with a Farm Service meeting at the Bement Country Opry. My dad said a speech about corn and beans and getting ready for harvest.

We went to dad's office at Topflight. We took papers to different people in the office. My dad is on the phone a lot! He is talking to the market in Chicago and the farmers. We went to a safety meeting and to watch 2 movies about safety. Meetings are cool! We had a popcorn snack and pop.

There is a new corn tester in the office. I was reminding Pam about the time last year during harvest that I accidentally spilled a lot of corn all over the floor and counter. When I was talking, I went over and opened the lever for the corn to come out and THERE WAS CORN IN THERE! "I didn't know it was there!" I spilled corn AGAIN, but not as much as last time. Pam was laughing so hard that she was about to cry. She didn't know there was corn in it either. "Pam, I hope you don't think I am a bad kid!" "I was really surprised!"

Dad got lunch for Annie and me. We ate at the big meeting table by my Dad's office. Mr. Thomas made homemade ice cream for all of the kids and their parents. It was excellent! Especially when you have a sore throat. (I almost didn't get to spend the day with dad because I had a sore throat the day before.) Everyone took turns taking rides on the track mobile, semi, and Annie & I both got to drive the golf cart.

Everyone got a bag with really cool stuff in it. We all got a T-shirt, pen, paper, balloons, and best of all . . our own business cards!

So, to everyone at Topflight Grain, a very big thank you, from

Merchandising Assistant . . . Dillon Docherty

and also my sister, Merchandising Assistant . . . . Annie Docherty

***

MAKING YOUR LIFE MORE PROFITABLE

After a successful year due to your support and business, Topflight Grain mailed out stock redemption checks and patronage dividends, totaling $1.3 million dollars. $330,000 was spent to redeem the 1980 issued stock (and any previous stock). $980,000 was sent to stockholders as patronage dividends, in cash and in patronage stock. The patronage dividends were calculated on your business during the last fiscal year, from June 2000 to May 31, 2001.

We're working to make your life more profitable.

***

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED . . . .

We need to know if you're interested.

This winter, we have considered planning a couple of trips, for the Topflight patrons. One trip would be to Moline, Illinois, to tour the John Deere museum and related sights. Another trip we would like to plan is the Greendale, Wisconsin, to visit the home of Reiman Publications (Country Woman, Taste of Home, etc.), and to eat at their "Taste of Home" restaurant.

We also plan to host an after harvest trap shoot. Our list of trap shooters is not very complete, so if you would like more information about that event, please call your local Topflight office.

The two tours are thoughts we have, and would like to do, if there is enough interest. Dates and schedules have not been set, until we determine that we have enough people who want to go with us! Please let us know if you're interested in either one (or both!) of these trips, or the trap shoot, so we can plan them, and keep you informed.

GRAIN PAGE

UNACCEPTABLE EVENTS

As we come into the harvest of 2001, and make plans for the spring of 2002, please be aware that some biotech traits are not accepted by the end users of our products. We suggest that you consider this when ordering seed for next spring, and if you planted any of these varieties this fall, please contact us immediately, so that we separate your grain, for a different end user. The traits listed below show the acceptance of "events" in the seed corn, and who accepts it. You can use this chart with your seed representative to determine that corn has an acceptable market when you are ready to sell it.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR . . . .

As we enter into the harvest season, please remember that the more we know about what you're doing, the less chance there is for mistakes. Please, keep us informed about the correct farm, and the correct commodity as you bring it into the elevator. You don't always deliver corn and beans, anymore. It could be beans, or it could be nonGMO beans. There's a 20 cent difference between the two types of beans. It could be corn, or it could be high-oil corn. There's a 20 cent difference between the two types of corn. So, please, make sure the scale attendant knows what commodity, or specialty grain, you are hauling.

If you have changes in farm names, farm divides, new farms, and have not told us, please do so immediately. This will save time at the scale, when you're delivering. If you have new landowners, we need their name, and address, BEFORE THE GRAIN IS DELIVERED!

As always, your grain is stored on Friday, unless you have contracts, or have told us to do otherwise with your grain.

If we can help you with marketing, paperwork, FSA procedures, please let us know.

SPECIALTY GRAINS

Specialty grains require special handling. Some of those "specials" are:

High oil corn deliveries will be accepted in mid-September, at moistures below 20%.

High oil corn & nonGMO beans have specific delivery points.

High oil corn & nonGMO beans must have a producer signed contract.

High oil corn & nonGMO beans must be identified at delivery.

High Oil corn & nonGMO beans must be sold or delay price, if fall delivered.

These procedures will net you a higher price for your crop, because of the extra steps that you followed to handle your specialty crop.

nonGMO PROCEDURES

To ensure grain purity, nonGMO beans will be tested at the scale this year, for the nonGMO trait. We plan to test the first load of each field, then will save a composite sample of the field's delivery, to run the check on the final sample. The test takes about 10 minutes, and for that first load, you will be asked to pull off the scales and wait for the results of the test. When the test results indicate nonGMO, you will be asked to proceed to your appropriate dump pit. Please be sure that your scale operator and dump pit operator are aware that you have nonGMO beans. These beans must be separately dumped, and separately stored.

SECOND CHANCE

If you missed the first nonGMO bean program, a second program has been announced. These beans can be delivered to any of the nonGMO Topflight locations, and must be sold or delay priced. The premium for this program is 10 cents a bushel. Unlike the first program, though, certified seed is not required for the program. Bin run seed is eligible for this program, (providing there were no Roundup Ready seeds in saved seed). You must sign a grower contract to participate in the program, so please call your local Topflight office for more information, and a contract

FSA CHANGES

A couple of items have changed at the FSA office. Form 666 has been replaced by the Form 633. It is the same form as the 666, but with a different number.

You can now visit the FSA office on line at www.sc.egov.usda.gov. This site will give you the forms you need for the FSA office, allow you to complete them on line, print them and fax them in. Be aware, that if you fax papers in, you must complete a 237 form which records your signature in the FSA office. This must be completed before your faxed forms can be processed. The 237 form can be printed off, and signed at the FSA office, or signed and witnessed by a notary public (that is new this year). The website also provides answers to some of the common questions of filling out the forms.

Of course, you can always call your local office for assistance!

***

LEAVING THE FARM

Although many of our youth are leaving the farm, many have not left agriculture. Others, have chosen other careers, which are fascinating and rewarding. We would like to begin a feature, in each newsletter, to recognize some of these youth, whose rural values and upbringing have lead them into successful and interesting careers, or worthy accomplishments. If you know of someone, from the Topflight area, who is working in an interesting field, please let us know. We're looking for these bright youth, with their roots in central Illinois. This issue, we are highlighting Karen Robinson.

Karen is the daughter of John & Anna Robinson, growing up just south of Monticello, on a grain and livestock farm, with her two brothers, Michael and Andrew. She is currently a student at the University of Illinois, in Urbana. Karen, and her colleague, Monica Carlin, were recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association and Checkoff Board for their creation of "Soy Muffun".

Soy Muffuns are a refrigerated soy-enriched muffin, packaged in individual muffin containers, ready for baking. According to Karen, "The main soy ingredient used was soy protein isolate because it is the most concentrated form of soy. The recipe also contains soybean oil. It took almost 8 months to develop the Soy Muffun. It was very challenging because soy contains a lot of protein. High amounts of protein in a baked good, such as muffins, are undesirable because it adds structure and rigidity. This produces a hard muffin. Therefore, low protein flour and crumb softeners had to be added to obtain the desirable, soft texture."

Each muffin contains 6.9 grams of soybean protein, which meets the FDA's soy health claim that soy protein reduces the risk of heart disease. It targets consumers who use muffin mixes and refrigerated rolls, who have busy lifestyles, careers, and families. Currently the product is not available locally, but once in production, it is estimated that the muffuns would use 8.6 millions pounds, or 144,000 bushels of soybeans, with higher usage predicted for consecutive years.

For their idea, work, and product, the girls were awarded with a check from the Soybean Association, for their entry into the "SoyLutions '01" contest. The board awarded first prize to the girls for the their tasty product that offers healthy benefits to the fast pace lifestyle of today.

We're really proud of them!

***

A FEW OF LIFE'S UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

Why is it considered necessary to nail down the lid of a coffin?

Why does the sun lighten our hair, but darken our skin?

Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?

Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?

Why is a boxing ring square?

Why is it called lipstick if you can still move your lips?

Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?
Why is it that rain drops, but snow falls?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dish washing liquid made with real lemons?

Why is the person who invests all your money called a broker?

Why is the third hand on the watch called the second hand?

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?

Why isn't there a special name for the tops of your feet?

Why isn't there mouse flavored cat food?

Why can't they make the whole plane out of the same substance that little indestructible black box is.?

Can fat people go skinny-dipping?

Why do you need a driver's license to buy liquor when you can't drink and drive?

***

WHAT'S HAPPENING

The Pierson office has a new floor.

Roger Burton and Adam Logue relined the drag in the bottom of the concrete in Bement.

Jim Murphy and crew cleaned out the bean flat in Bement.

Roy Riley loaded out the last of the beans at Piatt.

Michael Burton, Benny Ayer, and Randy Miller hauled beans from Van Horns to LaPlace.

Tommy & Brandon Durbin swept out the tanks at Burrowsville.

Bill Dirks & Brock Casteel swept out the tanks at Atwood.

Jim Murphy & Cory Fay ran the bean cleaning mills at Bement.

Garold Hilligoss & Gary Hunter hauled high oil corn from the bin site, to the main elevator.

Charlie Bliss cleaned out the big bean bin.

New Topflight signs have been put up at Monticello and Seymour.

Louie Tieman celebrated his big 50th birthday on April 2.

The Agris grain accounting software was updated in mid April. This improved communication

with the outstations, and will allow for more Internet service to our customers.

Stason Kopps is the new superintendent at the Monticello and Seymour elevators. He will be

working with Jim Shaffer, Steve Riggs, Cory Fay, Rob Dick, and Tommy Durbin.

Sara Rawlins completed an on-line grain merchandising course through Parkland.

The big outside ring of corn at Pierson was picked up in late April

Eric Clements & Scott Docherty coached Little League this summer. Denny Hill coached his daughter's team.

Morgan Park Academy visited the Bement office on May 16. The group of Chicago students

visits Bement every year, to tour the CIMCO plant, Bryant's Cottage, and learn about

agriculture.

The elevator lot in Monticello has been chipped and rocked.

Dick Thomas & Scott Docherty helped with the Lion's Club Chicken Fry in Bement, in June.

Pam Jarboe spoke to the Piatt County Farm Bureau women, about a simple marketing plan,

in May.

Chuck Bentley celebrated his 50th birthday on June 27th - a few days before his actual birthday on June 29th!

The Pierson office was broken into on June 25th. The thieves took some candy, some money, and did some property damage.

Topflight farmers delivered 22,000 bushels of wheat this summer.

Denise Docherty was in charge of the Jr. Miss Piatt County Fair, and assisted with the Little Miss and Miss Piatt County Fair Contests. Pam Jarboe emceed the Little Miss and Jr. Miss contests.

New dust collectors have been installed at the Milmine elevator.

A Nussbaum truck, turning around in the Bement lot, caught a phone line, which caught a power line, which snapped a power pole in half, on July 10. Half of Bement and most of Ivesdale were without power for a couple of hours. The Bement office was without power from the 10:00 event till 7:00 that evening. Without computers, it was a quiet day, and without air conditioning, it was a hot day!

Sara Rawlins, Adam Logue, Benny Ayer, and Steve Riggs attended a Grain Grading Seminar, to correctly learn how to grade foreign material and damage, and the different types of damage to corn and beans.

Angela Warnick, Louie Tieman, Brock Casteel and Katie Feazel, Sara and Ben Rawlins, Gloria and Rob Litwiller and Keith Whitaker joined the Illinois Corn Growers on a barge trip down the Illinois River, from Peoria to Pekin. The trip illustrated the importance of the river to the grain trade, and to Illinois industry in general.

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