September Newsletter
FROM THE MANAGER'S DESK
Now we all will soon be busy with the planting of the wheat and getting our fall crops harvested. The kids are busy in school. We hope that they will be able to continue in-person learning and that the Covid-19 doesn’t make any more changes.
On August 31, 2020 wheat was $4.19 bu.
Peetz corn was $3.58 bu. Iliff corn $3.63 and millet was $17.00 CWT. Peetz new crop corn is $3.53. Iliff new crop corn $3.58.
SNOWMASS/WHITE WHEAT PREMIUMS
Ardent Mills has announced their incentives for delivering Snowmass and Snowmass 2.0, and Breck. Snowmass 2.0 has shown better or equal to most red varieties for the 2020 wheat crop. We will be able to pay 20 cents base premium per bushel. 11 protein or better will be paid 30 cents and a nickel for every ½ point up to 13. Since we are working with Ardent on this program, we will only be able to accept Snowmass or Snowmass 2.0, and Breck at our elevator next year. All protein discounts and premiums will be applied to both red wheat and also be applied to white wheat. Anderson Farms from Haxtun (970-774-4143), Terry Ring (970-253-5009, Mertens Brothers (970-437-5480), Luhrs Certified Seed & Conditioning (308-882-5917) are all selling this brand of white wheat seed.
PLAN AHEAD FOR YOUR WEANING SUPPLIES FOR YOUR CATTLE
Gary wants to remind you to plan ahead for what you will need for your herd after weaning the calves. You may want feed that requires a VFD script from your vet. We will need this script before we can sell that type of feed to you. If you aren’t sure, give Gary a call at 970-334-2341. He will be glad to help you with your questions.
MILLET HARVEST
This year we will be taking millet with12.5 moisture or less. There will be no exceptions. Sample your grain before bringing in a truck load because a truck load over 12.5 will be turned away. Millet is not a grain that can be stored wet and dried out with aeration. We appreciate your help with this. Millet space will be tight this year. Please plan ahead and call us if you have millet you want to bring in that is not contracted.
The Co-op lost another member, T. J. Crowder of Iliff, in August. We also lost a member of our community, Hal Baker. Our condolences go out to their families and friends. We will miss them.
PREP YOUR FUEL TANK FOR WINTER
Part of operating a farm or business includes the challenge of equipment maintenance. For agricultural and construction firms it means more than packing a warm down jacket and driving carefully on ice-slicked roads.
Cold weather can cause specific and serious problems to your valuable diesel equipment- like plugging filters and fuel lines and forming ice crystals in fuel containing water. These problems are preventable. You’ll save time, frustration and money by doing your due diligence now before winter comes calling.
The key issue is to remove water from storage tanks, vehicle fuel tanks and filter bowls.
A QUICK CHECKLIST FOR WINTER READINESS
Tilt tanks to direct water and debris away from the outlet.
Pressurize tanks to keep vapor and air inside.
Drain and remove all contaminants every three months.
Install proper filtration systems on bulk tanks.
Replace fuel filters according to manufacturer recommendations; if filters have a drain valve, periodically drain water that may accumulate from condensation.
Clean pump screens regularly.
If tanks are not properly blended down, you are asking for major fuel performance problems, problems you don’t need after a long day of work.
To make certain your tank is properly blended down, you need to know how much fuel is left in the tank and calculate the treat rate accordingly. For example, if you have 700 gallons of #2 diesel remaining in the tank, and need to create a 50-50 blend of #1 and #2, ordering 700 gallons of a 50-50 blend (a common mistake) would create flow problems. Instead, the most cost-effective way is to bring in 700 gallons of #1 to be at a 50/50 blend.
USING COLD FLOW IMPROVERS
Using cold flow improvers extends the operability of fuels in cold winter weather. They change the wax structure of diesel fuel so it passes through filters more readily. They also keep wax crystals dispersed longer when congregating in the fuel. Cloud point is the temperature at which paraffin in fuel begins to form cloudy wax crystals and reduce flow. When blending fuels, biofuels and additives, the components must all be at least 10 degrees above their cloud point. If lower, the additives will not blend in and may clog filters. To avoid problems, take a proactive approach to proper tank maintenance and blending down your current fuel supply before cold weather blows in. Take note - #2 diesel fuel typically has a cloud point of 14 degrees F. Every load of diesel is different.
Have a good month of September.
Sincerely yours,
Phillip M. Schumacher
CEO/President
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