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Ready alfalfa. In December 2010, the USDA released its final EIS (environmental impact statement). In announcing the release, Views from the Field Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said 3384 Excel Rd., USDA’s Animal and Plant Health by Mike Thompson Manhattan, KS 66502 Agronomy Production Specialist / Inspection Service (APHIS) evaluated 785.776.9467 Certified Crop Advisor three options when preparing the 2,300- page EIS. It weighed the pros and cons January has graced the area ~ VISIT US ON OUR WEBSITE ~ of maintaining Roundup Ready alfalfa’s with some much needed moisture in the www.manhattan.coop current regulated status vs. deregulating way of snow. This should be a good the transgenic crop, which would permit start in returning some much needed GENERAL MGR: Darin Marti growers to plant it with no restrictions. soil moisture to the area brome and But it also looked at a third option, AGRONOMY: Ken Diehl wheat fields that will start to break which essentially is a compromise CFO: Tony Hieger dormancy over the next few weeks. This between the first two. That alternative leads me to ask, “Have you planned calls for “deregulation accompanied by a ELEVATOR/FEEDMILL: your fertilizer needs for your brome or Rob Ashburn combination of geographic restrictions wheat acres?” and isolation distances on the ENERGY: Jared (Jerry) Fenske As a reminder, all of the production of GE (genetically enhanced) FEED: Rod Bohn locations have a great deal of field alfalfa seed and, in some locations, GE orders in for brome, wheat, and crop GRAIN: Doug Biswell hay,” Vilsack explained. ground fertilizer application. We have What does this mean for the SEED: John Watts been able to get across many of these local alfalfa producer? It sounds like the acres, but the lists continue to grow. If USDA is close to making a decision on BRANCH LOCATIONS you are still “thinking” on what you the release of RR alfalfa back into the want to do for your farm, go ahead and AMPRIDE – 785.537.3635 market with some potential get your name on the list to make sure “regulations” for growing the crop. One 215 E. Poyntz, Manhattan, KS that things do not get forgotten, and Manager – Jared (Jerry) Fenske of these regulations proposed is that stay in touch with your locations to keep alfalfa planted for forage within 165 ft ALTA VISTA – 785.499.6321 updated on changes that you might of a seed field would have to be 417 Washington, Alta Vista, KS make. Delays in fertilizer applications Manager – Matt Marshall harvested at or before 10% bloom. (I do and weed control can reduce your yield not see this being much of an issue in ONAGA – 785.889.4226 potential. We will do our request to get this area.) More info should be 401 Oak, Onaga, KS applications done in a timely manner; available soon, current news can be Manager – Rob McGowan your help can make us more efficient in found at: doing so. WESTMORELAND – 785.457.3671 www.roundupreadyalfalfa.com 203 S. Hwy 99, Westmoreland, KS Wheat: Plants will likely start If you have any questions Manager – Jeff Overbey to break dormancy over the next few weeks. Timely top dress fertilizer regarding any of your cropping needs, or BOARD MEMBERS applications are important to help your just want a second opinion; please feel yield potential. Watch for winter annual free to give me a call: 785-313-0518. I Hal Mayer – Chairperson would be happy to meet with you to Eugene Berges – Vice Chair weed pressure as well as insect and disease pressures. Stand not quite discuss your crop production issues and Allan Wegner - Secretary there? Evaluating the stand as the crop develop a plan to solve them. Tony Akin breaks dormancy along with tiller and “Too often we David Cederberg root development are all crucial in underestimate the power of a Tom Ebert deciding if the crop is economical in touch, a smile, a kind word, a Allan Holiday maintaining or replacing with an listening ear, an honest Stan Moore alternative crop. Late emerging plants compliment, or the smallest act of Glen Swartz are likely to only have a 40-60% yield caring, all of which have the potential as earlier seeded plants. If you potential to turn a life around.” OUR MISSION: To be your are unsure, or just have questions, give me a call. business of choice, meeting PRESIDENTS customer needs, and growing a RR Alfalfa Update: Last year at this time, the USDA was DAY viable, progressive company. finishing its 60 day public comment FEB. 21, period on the growing of Roundup 2011 have continued to show strength due in Typically the lowest contract prices Accounts Receivable large part to the USDA confirming of the year are offered between now By Jerry Humbert continued tight supplies. In their and the end of February. If anyone supply demand report released on the is interested in contracting, please We are accepting th 12 ending stocks for all three major call in and let me know gallons and applications for 2011 crop inputs commodities that we handle where for Wheat, Corn, Milo, and months you would like contracted reduced from previous reports. These Soybean production through for. very tight stocks to use ratios are March 15th, 2011 where you can Recently I have had several finance your seed, fertilizer, going to make for a volatile marketing year. Marketing decisions seem to calls from coop members regarding chemical, and general crop fuel prices and taxes charged on inputs for 2011 crops. This loan become more difficult for those of you dyed diesel. I would like to remind is 3.5% for seed, fertilizer and that watch the futures closely, I think chemicals until 9/15/2011 then that is due to the extreme price moves everyone of few changes that have 5.5% until the due date of that we see. I am going to give just a happened on both issues. 2/15/2012 and general crop bit of advice – don’t get caught up in First, during the winter input purchases are 5.5% until the day to day fluctuations in these months we blend all of our diesel. 2/15/2012. Contact Jerry markets pay attention to the trend. Each location has been blended and Humbert for more information Get serious about what your cost are will have blended diesel until the on (CFA) Cooperative Finance to raise a crop and have the discipline Association. winter is over. Blended diesel is a to sell bushels at profitable levels. I I would also like to thank mixed product with half #1 diesel would guess that for the majority of everyone for including the and half #2 diesel. Two different payment stub with their you out there our new crop price levels diesels combined to protect the fuel are profitable. The commodity bull payment since this helps us from gelling. A lot of people get this market of 2008 should still be fresh in distribute the funds into the confused with winterized diesel. correct accounts with the most of our minds, and just about the Winterized diesel is the mixing of #2 correct amounts. On many time everyone was figuring we where occasions we receive one check going to $10 corn at $25 beans we diesel with and anti-gel additive. No paying multiple accounts. went to $3 corn at $8 beans. When we #1 diesel is added in this type of Without the stub from the all look back on this marketing year I’ll mixing. Additives mixed with diesel statement we can only guess bet none of us are going to be able to are more prone to freezing up and what amount goes to what say “that was boring.” that is why we blend with #1 diesel. account. In most cases we put One last thing - for We don’t want you to have the entire payment on the those of you that have first account we find and the problems with your equipment. grain stored on the others become past due and Diesel costs more than additives and farm please give me a receive finance charges before it that is why most places only use is noticed. This not only makes call for so we can discuss what options additives during the winter time. If people angry but causes we have available to help you sell that anyone has questions feel free to grain. Thank you all for your grain problems with our accounting call me. business. and having to shift money Secondly, any of our retail around from account to Energy Department account. If your paying multiple pumps that dispense dyed diesel are accounts with one By: Jerry Fenske required to charge sales tax on the check please send the Throughout the past month fuel product. This includes fuel sold from stub for every account prices have continued to rise. I am the dyed diesel tank at Ampride. showing the checking on contract prices daily We do not charge this because we amount you want want to; we do it because it is applied to each and am trying to find a good time required by law. The posted prices account. to contract some fuel gallons for include both the fuel and sales tax. HAPPY patrons interested in locking in Any patron paying with a coop fuel VALENTINES DAY prices for this coming year. Several of the analysts from Cenex are card can call in and request the tax Feb. 14, 2011 forecasting a dip in the markets not be charged on their account. Please make sure before doing this Grain Comments by Doug Biswell within the next couple of weeks. If they are right, we will have an that you have a current sales tax It has been an exciting start opportunity to buy before things exempt form on file with us. Thank to the year 2011. The grain markets take off like they are expecting. you for your continued loyalty & support. FARMERS COOP EMPLOYEE YEARS OF SERVICE FEBRUARY RECOGNITION

JAMES BARRY MAN 26 YRS KEN DIEHL MAN 10 YRS JESSE FLOWERS ONA 11 YRS PAUL FOWLER WES 2 YRS