The Graymont Granger - Progressive Farmer

The Graymont Granger
April 2013 Graymont Coop Association
Volume 1, Issue 2
“We can’t
help everyone,
but everyone
can help
someone.”
Ronald Reagan
Inside this issue:
The Insurance Corner 2
Words from the General Manager
The start of a new year has
come and gone. At the end
of February the company
completed another positive
fiscal year with all departments
being profitable. The
Grain department income
was down from last year due
to the historical drought but
the Feed, Agronomy and
Insurance departments each
had a very solid
performance. This year we
will once again be paying
patronage back on grain and
agronomy products and we
also will be paying an 8%
dividend on stock. Stock may
be purchased by producers
of Agriculture products in our
trade area. A stockholder
may only own 100 shares
total and shares are available
for sale at $100.00 each.
Contact me with any stock
questions.
If you have had a chance to
drive through Graymont over
the last few months, you may
have noticed the new office
building we are constructing
on the north side of town.
The new building which is
proudly being built by your
Coop staff will be the main
office for the company. Also,
a new inbound scale will be
installed and the existing one
will become the outbound
scale. This long coming
addition will greatly enhance
the ability for grain loads to
flow through the Graymont
facility. We are anticipating
occupying the building in mid
-summer and we look
forward to that day.
Another improvement to the
company is that we are
currently getting setup to
offer online access to your
Graymont Coop account with
a product called iView. The
details for iView will be
posted on our website and
we hope this new addition
brings value to your
operation. I hope everyone
has a productive and safe
spring. Thank you for your
support of the company and
we look forward to serving
your agriculture needs in the
future.
Matt Jacobs
General
Manager/
Grain
Manager
Illinois Pork Producer
Reviews
2
Fertilizer
Preparations
3
The Grain Line
The Grain Line
Continued
3
New Office Pictures 4-5
Employee Spotlight 6
Feed Ingredient
Costs
8
While many of you are
substantially sold of your
old crop, we are once again
upon the start of a new one.
So far this is turning out a
lot different than last year
with March being the 7th
coldest on record and so far
a fairly wet April. Weather
has not been a big factor in
the U.S. so far, but has been
a key element in South
America’s harvest. While
some parts have been great
for conditions, others have
been extremely wet and have
caused some major
logistical issues.
Trucks traveling the
BR-163 have to travel
about 1500 miles
from Mato Grasso to
ports in Southeast
Brazil to deliver a load
of beans. As seen on
the right, lines can be
2-3 days for waiting
time and many ships
at sea are sitting stationary
hoping to get called in for a
Continued on pg. 3

The Graymont Granger
Page 2
Insurance Agent
Donna Van
Weelden
Insurance Agent
Dee Winterrowd
“Due to
various
factors, the
premiums are
somewhat less
for the 2013
crop.”
Graymont Coop Feed
Mill
The Insurance Corner
As during the writing of the last newsletter,
the insurance department has been working
non-stop to meet the crop insurance needs
of Graymont Cooperative patrons. Last fall
and early winter, we were processing federal
crop insurance claims by acting as the gobetween
for the clients and the insurance
company. While federal regulations do not
allow us to actively participate in federal crop
insurance claim settlements, we were able to
facilitate the transfer of information between
the client and the adjuster. By doing that, we
were able to improve the turnaround time
for claim payments.
In late January and early February, we began
actively talking with clients about 2013 crop
insurance. Due to various factors, the premiums
are somewhat less for the 2013 crop.
That fact, along with the knowledge that the
crop insurance system DOES work, has
prompted many clients to increase crop
insurance coverage for 2013. Now that the
2013 crop insurance coverage decisions
have been made, we would encourage all
patrons to learn to use their crop insurance
as a marketing tool. Matt has spent
countless hours perfecting the Graymont
Coop marketing system, using crop insurance
as the marketing tool. We would encourage
you to contact Matt to learn more about this
valuable service. While crop insurance
definitely gives you peace of mind, it can also
be used to increase your income.
On another crop related issue, we would like
to touch on field fire. In the fall, when the un
-harvested crops are dry, there is a risk of
fire. Only field fire caused by natural sources,
such as lightning, is covered by federal crop
insurance. Field fire caused by man is not
covered by federal crop insurance. As a
result, field fire caused by equipment, or
malicious mischief, must be covered in other
Environmental Review Service to be Offered to Members of IPPA
The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA)
has hired professional engineer and former
University of Illinois faculty member Ted Funk
to be available to visit individual farms upon
request. Some examples of assistance that
can be provided include:
Identifying areas of the farm facility of
manure handling system that might not
be in compliance with regulations for the
environment or could possibly cause
problems with water or odor concerns.
Basic review to help identify parts of the
farm’s manure nutrient management
plan that needs to be updated or
improved.
Assist producers in providing a response
to regulatory agencies visits or written
notices or help with the preparation of
an upcoming visit.
“This new membership benefit will act like an
environmental preventative maintenance
program,” said Dereke Dunkirk, a hog farmer
from Morrisonville, IL and current IPPA president.
“We take a number of steps each day
Continued on pg. 7
to ensure we are caring for our land, air, and
water. No one is more dedicated to preserving
our natural resources and protecting the
environment than farmers,” he concluded.
Funk’s 30 years of doing farm visits all over
the state of Illinois as an Extension Ag
Engineer assures member that the visits he
conducts will be worth-while. “I thoroughly
enjoy talking with farmers about their
operations, and I am sure I can help our
producers gain confidence that they are
doing the best possible job of environmental
stewardship,” says Funk.
Brad Folkers, a hog farmer from Polo, IL says,
“It really helps to have another set of eyes
look at your farm and try and find areas
where you can improve on. I would
encourage all pork producers to take
advantage of this service.” Interested producers
should contact IPPA directly to sign up
for and schedule service. (217) 529-3100.
From Tim Maiers, IPPA Director of Public
Relations

Volume 1, Issue 2
Page 3
Preparing for the New Season—The Agronomy Route
A new crop season is finally
here and I’m sure most are
ready to move on past the
frustrations of last year.
Moisture concerns behind us
for now, let’s look forward to
formulating a plan for a successful
2013 crop year. Let’s
review last fall’s plan: you
applied adequate rates of dry
fertilizer or limestone. For
those who applied anhydrous
split-shot rate (100-120# N),
you did your homework and
purchased most of your seed
corn and soybean needs.
What’s left to do?
Of course, you have maintained
your equipment,
The Grain Line—continued
installed your new RTK unit,
washed and waxed everything,
and are ready to go!
But what about calibrating
insecticide boxes? Putting
insecticide under traited
corn? Spraying fungicides at
V5 stage and R1 stage on
your corn? Determining how
much nitrogen to add to your
split shot NH3 or total nitrogen
needs? Spraying fungicide
and insecticide on soybeans?
Applying mid-season
nitrogen to your soybeans?
Each of these practices has
been known to enhance
yields over many trials and
weather
conditions
over the last
several years.
The commodities
have
shown
strength for a
long period of
time, and we
have to plan
load. As of April 8th, Brazil was almost 80%
completed while Argentina was still trying to get
the first 10% because of excess rains. These
issues have helped keep prices supported
somewhat up until now.
The biggest surprise has been the March 28th
Stocks report. With the corn number being
higher than expected, we saw it lose about $1
over three trading days, which also put pressure
on soybeans. With many farmers and elevators
much shorter than usual for this time of year,
supplies should start getting tight by mid summer
for old crop, even with markets as inverted as
they are. Soil moisture levels are pretty much
back to normal and extended forecasts are
showing drought conditions diminishing for the
next couple months. If we see a favorable
that Mother Nature is on our
side this year. Try something
new on a few acres.
Insecticides, fungicides and
split-shot nitrogens work!
Dry fertilizer prices have not
changed for several months,
and I don’t see much change
in the near future unless the
planned crop acres change
dramatically. Most of my
suppliers are saying nitrogen
supplies (28% or NH3) are
adequate, storage tanks are
full at this point, and water
levels on the rivers system,
doesn’t seem to be a problem.
The only factor that
could influence supplies is a
later than usual spring. If the
season starts across the US
about the same time,
supplies could be tight in
some areas but still not a
problem. Best wishes for a
great 2013 season. Thank
you for your business.
Tom Miller-Agronomy
Manager
growing season, it is very possible for
new crop prices to drop the way they
started to last spring/early summer.
In Graymont, we are having some good
progress on the new office and are still
shooting for August as the completion
time. We have also been working at
taking down the old Aeroglide dryers
and replacing them with a new 7000
bushel per hour machine. As always,
we are keeping busy shipping grain
from different elevators and catching
up on maintenance items. We thank
you for your business and wish
everyone a great planting season.
Brad Follmer
Tom Miller, Agronomy
Manager
“If we see a
favorable
growing
season, it is
very possible
for new crop
prices to drop
the way they
started to last
spring/early
summer.”
Dryers being dismantled on east side
of Graymont Elevator

The Graymont Granger
Page 4
New Grain Office
Top left: Inside of Office as coming in from the South doors. Top right: View of offices and work area in southeast corner of
office. Middle left: View of offices on east and northeast side of office. Middle right: View of scale lookout and ticket area.
Bottom left: South entrance to the building facing the Agronomy office. Bottom right: Brick stacked on outside of scale lookout
on north side of the office.

Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 5
CONFUSED
ABOUT HEALTHCARE AND HOW THE
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WILL AFFECT YOU?
At GCA Insurance Services, we are doing our HOMEWORK.
We want to make sure you have the RIGHT INFORMATION.
*We will help you determine if you qualify
for subsidies and what to do if eligible.
*If you do not qualify, we will help you
avoid the exchange and the extra paperwork.
If you know anyone concerned about healthcare and
how the Affordable Care Act will affect them, have them
contact GCA Insurance Services.
GCA Insurance Services Inc.
405 N Main St
Graymont, IL 61743
815-743-5982
insurance@gca-insurance.com
Agents: Donna Van Weelden and Dee Winterrowd

The Graymont Granger
Page 6
Employee Spotlight—Ben Beutke, Manager of Long Point and Dana Locations
“It is easy to
see that
grain has
been in Ben’s
blood for
generations.”
Throughout the 110 year
history of the Graymont
Coop, there have been many
people
who have
punched
the time
clock for
the
company.
The Coop
currently
employs
35
individuals
as part of our workforce. In
this issue of our newsletter,
we decided to focus on Long
Point/Dana Manager Ben
Beutke to get an insight of his
career path and how he has
gotten where he is today.
Benjamin Beutke was born
on February 25, 1954 in
Streator, IL. He grew up on a
farm outside of Long Point,
where his parents farmed
and ran Wheeler Grain
Company located in
downtown Long Point. In
1972, Ben graduated from
Woodland High School and
went on to get a degree in
Ag. Business from Joliet
Junior College, where he
graduated in 1974.
Following his college
graduation, Ben started work
at ADM grain company in
Ottawa, IL. He had general
responsibilities working
outside maintenance for
about 6 months. From there,
he went onto work for about
a year at the Early & Daniel
Company in Cincinnati, OH.
He came back to work for
ADM for about 4 years as the
Assistant Manager. In 1979,
he then moved to Manager
position of Moon Grain in
Wenona, IL.
The next big
phase of
Ben’s career
came in
1984, when
he
purchased
Wheeler
Grain from
his father
and uncles,
becoming
the Owner
and
Manager.
Wheeler
Grain had
been in Ben’s
family since
its inception
in 1872 by
Atwell M.
Taggart, who is
relation. After he
passed away in
1881, his brother
James H. Taggart
ran the business
until he sold it to
his son-in-law O.B.
Wheeler in 1898.
From then until
1951, the business
was operated by
him for 32 years
and his son O.B.
Wheeler, Jr. for
the next 21 years.
E.W. Beutke
took over the
company after
Jr.’s death in 1951.
It was then passed
on from him to his
sons and
eventually to Ben
in ‘84, as
mentioned. So it
is easy to see that grain has
been in Ben’s blood for
generations.
The Evolution of Wheeler Grain. Top: the original
elevator as seen in the late 1800’s. 2nd: The elevator
around the 1930’s-1940’s. 3rd: Wheeler Grain as
seen around the 1960’s. Bottom: The current
elevator as seen from 1977-present

Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 7
Employee Spotlight—continued
When asked what new challenges he
faced in this transition, he said it was
not as bad as he expected. The
biggest difference was going from an
employee to owner. New
responsibilities included being in
charge of administrative duties such
as overseeing company finances,
taxes, payroll, etc. Of the 26 years of
running Wheeler Grain, the only
major struggle he mentioned was
getting through the 1988 drought.
That year, the elevator received
about half of the bean crop they
usually earned and only about 25%
of the typical corn crop. If you ask
him about the wet 2009 harvest, he
will tell you they took a lot of grain
in, but it was one big pain. Besides
these two years, Ben said each year
ran pretty smoothly.
In 1999, Ben made a major addition
to the Wheeler Grain Company. He
ended up purchasing the Dana Grain
Company from Ron Johnson and his
brother Jerry which added
approximately 600,000 bushels of
capacity in a new, nearby territory.
He added temporary storage units
and equipment in the
coming years to help
evolve with the growing
number of bushels
coming in each harvest.
After 11 years of solely
running Long Point and
Dana, Ben decided to sell
the Wheeler Grain
Company to the
Graymont Coop in the
summer of 2010. When
asked what helped him
make the decision to sell,
he said there were a few
factors. Not having
anyone in line that wanted
to take over after him
was one reason. He said
at the time, elevators
were making pretty good
money, but it was taking more money
to keep things running also. While
things were in position and the time
was right, he knew it was the most
opportune moment. He said the fact
that Wheeler and Graymont Coop
shared the same ideology made him
feel better about where it went also.
“Graymont believed in putting
customers first and giving customers
the best service possible, which was
the basis of Wheeler Grain.” Since
then, he stated it has definitely been
a lot less stress knowing the
responsibility load is now shared
rather than having it completely on
his shoulders.
Today, Ben has been married to his
wife Debbie for 38 years. They raised
3 children Donald, Tricia, and Daniel
and have 7 grandchildren. Ben’s
hobbies include boating and
snowmobiling at their home away
from home in Wisconsin and farming
around home outside of Long Point,
IL. Asked of what his future plans are,
he wasn’t quite sure. He said he
plans to continue to work for the
Graymont Coop and looks forward to
Ben and wife Debbie with their grandchildren Josh,
Clarissa, Carter, Ethan, Ashlynn, Drew, and Brynna.
focusing on farming a little more. He also
said he has been really fortunate to be able
to spend so much time with his family and
hopes to continue this more as time goes
on. As Ben says, “It’s family and the little
things that makes life enjoyable.”
If you would like to receive
text messages for internet
alerts instead of phone calls,
please call the Graymont or
Long Point office and give
your name, number and cell
phone carrier!!
The Insurance Corner—continued
ways. Farm policies will often afford field
fire coverage. Hail policies include field fire
as well. We would encourage patrons to
check their farm policies to determine how
much field fire coverage is included. Some
companies have a respectable amount,
some have a small amount, and some have
none. It is important to know what you
can expect from your farm policy in the
event of a field fire.
Hail policies are a reliable source of
coverage for field fire. Along with hail
insurance, GCA Insurance Services is now
able to offer a CropFire Only policy for
those who do not choose to carry a hail
policy. The CropFire Only policy has a
minimal premium and covers the need for
field fire coverage, if the farm policy does
not cover field fire and a hail policy is not
purchased. Feel free to contact us for
more information regarding Crop Fire Only.
At GCA Insurance Services, we strive to
provide insurance coverage to meet your
personal and business needs in a fair and
honest manner, while providing accurate
information and excellent service. Thank
you for your business.
Donna Van Weelden

Grain Department
PO Box 98
403 N. Main St.
Graymont, IL 61743
Phone: 815-743-5321
Fax: 815-743-5759
E-mail: grain@gcacoop.com
Have a Safe and Happy Spring from
Everyone at the Graymont Coop!!
www.graymontcoop.com
Feed Department
(815)743-5747
Agronomy Department
(815)743-5701
Insurance Department
(815)743-5982
Long Point and Dana
(815)854-2444 Long Point
Internet Department
(815)867-0016
Taking a Look at Your Feed Ingredients and Costs
High ingredient prices are encouraging
producers to evaluate their
feeding program. The worst
parameter that can be used in
feeding program evaluation is cost
per ton. The feed cost per ton does
not account for the effects on pig
growth performance. A good
parameter that can be used in the
evaluation is the cost of feed per
pound of gain. Therefore, any
improvement in feed conversion can
be considered as an opportunity to
fight the increasing feed prices.
In order to optimize feed conversion
*(F/G), it is important to recognize
the factors that can affect it and
their effects to increase or decrease
feed to gain conversion. The
following factors can have a
significant influence on feed to gain.
It is important that good
management practices are used to
optimize feed conversion and
profitability.
Efficient feeder management and
biosecurity practices can have
dramatic effects on improving
feed conversion. (Factors 1-9)
Manipulation of nutrient levels in
the diet need to be oriented to
match pig nutrient requirement,
and to improve pig nutrient
utilization.
Knowing your feed conversion
ratio whether it be hogs, beef
cattle, chicken or dairy is an
important management tool. Just
because animals are eating well
doesn’t mean your feed
conversion is acceptable. If you
have any questions, please call us
at the Feed Department. Thank
you for your business.
*(F/G) is lbs. of feed/lbs. of gain
Tim Roarhig-Feed/Seed Specialist
Factor
Potential
Impact on F/G
1) Feed Wastage 0.5
2) Scours 0.5
3) Continuous Flow 0.25
4) Pneumonia 0.25
5) Mange 0.25
6) Mixing Pigs 0.2
7) Multiple Source Pigs 0.2
8) Marketing Above 270 lbs. 0.2
9) Less Than 7 sq ft at 200-271 0.1
10) Proper lysine level -0.18
11) Reducing Particle Size -0.15
12) Pelleting feed -0.15
13) Antibacterial Additives -0.07
14) Proper phosphorus Levels -0.05
15) Adding 1% Fat -0.05
16) Genetics -0.05