Posts By: Jen Johnson

Published

WHY CREEP FEEDING IS SO IMPORTANT THIS YEAR

Extremely dry conditions across much of beef country this summer have limited available grazing for beef cow-calf operations. This puts growing calves at a disadvantage and can have additional effects later in the season.

“The primary concern is around pasture management,” says Cash Yount, nutrition consultant with CHS Animal Nutrition. “Maybe a producer typically turns out cows to a particular pasture on June 15, but limited moisture has stunted pasture growth. Or maybe it has to do with reduced allotments on U.S. Forest Service grazing permits — a reduction in the number of cow-calf pairs that they can go out with.”

Long-term financial impacts come with reduced grazing ability and start with milk production, says Yount.

“Reduced dry matter intake for a cow results in reduced milk production for her calf,” he explains. “As those calves mature, their milk intake decreases, and their diet is replaced with dry matter. But if there’s little pasture for the cow, there’s probably not very much left for the calf.” Those deficiencies can result in immunity challenges, which in turn could mean increased vaccine costs as well as sick calves in the weaning pen and reduced weaning weights in the fall.

“Here in Montana, our producers get paid based on the number of pounds of beef on the truck or in the feedlot when weaning is complete,” says Yount. “Immunity is the biggest challenge we face. We can also get calves with pneumonia and, when conditions get even drier, we can have calves with dust pneumonia. If calves aren’t getting very much milk through the summer, those passive antibodies that keep the immune system in check and in good working order are greatly reduced. Ultimately, this can result in a negative financial situation for producers.”


Introduce creep feeding to preserve ROI

Creep feeding can be an effective solution that extends pasture life and boosts calf health and growth.

“When we think about the potential need for liquidation in the cow herd or extending pasture, that’s when creep feeding really shines,” says Yount. “Research trials we’ve done at CHS show that for every 10 calves on creep feed, we can extend or save enough grass for one mature cow. So, each of those calves taking their percentage of dry matter from creep feed is going to leave standing forage for the mature cow. And we know that we’re going to reduce about 40% of the pasture those calves consume when they’re eating about 1% of body weight. So, a 200-pound calf eating 2 pounds of creep feed a day can help extend available forage, plus the calf receives trace minerals such as copper, zinc and manganese, which helps boost immunity.”


Creating an effective creep feeding program

Yount recommends keeping these factors in mind when creating a creep feeding program for beef calves.

  1. Keep the feed fresh. Appetite is driven by palatability, so don’t just fill the trough at the beginning of the season and leave it. Any labor saved will end up reducing the profitability of creep feeding. Keep product fresh and ensure it flows freely through feeder gates.
  2. Manage the feeder appropriately. Make sure gates are tall enough to let calves in but narrow enough to keep cows out.
  3. Keep the trough clean. Calves are social and enjoy congregating inside creep gates. However, this can lead to accumulations of feces and moisture from rainfall in the trough, which reduces feed palatability. Be sure to check the condition of the trough frequently.
  4. Adjust feeder location. Initially, set the feeder close to water and shade where calves enjoy congregating. As calves grow and reach 400 to 500 pounds, pull the feeder away from shade and water and make them walk further to get the feed so they eat less of it.

Even though a dry season is presenting beef producers with many challenges, creep feeding offers a way to keep calves growing and healthy and ready for success after weaning.

Contact your local Payback dealer or Payback nutrition consultant to learn more about Payback Calf Creep. 

What’s the solution for limited pasture this year?

June 15, 2021
Cash Yount, nutrition consultant with CHS Animal Nutrition, discusses the benefits of creep feeding, which can help give beef calves a good start and preserve pastures during this dry year.

Published

CHS Pro Advantage: Professional pricing for your grain


With the CHS Pro Advantage contract, you rely on the commodity trading experts at CHS Hedging to
professionally price some of your corn, soybean or wheat bushels. It’s a simple way to diversify your
marketing.
• Take some of the emotion and worry out of marketing
• Turn decision-making over to experienced traders
• Gain insights that help you when selling other bushels
• Have benchmarks for evaluating your marketing plan
• Save time so you can focus on the rest of your operation
Here’s how it works: You commit a specific number of bushels (no minimum) for a specific delivery destination.
The CHS Hedging professionals price your bushels over a set period of time. Cash settlement price is based
on the performance of the futures and options traded in the program by the professionals. You’ll receive
monthly updates and marketing insights. The basis decision remains with you. Ask us about CHS Pro
Advantage today!

Published

Location Updates

Overall Company Updates:

  • We are limiting access at all locations and have eliminated walk-in traffic. Our staff members are available via phone (calls and texts) and email to fully serve your needs during this time.
  • We have restricted face-to-face meetings. Our sales staff will conduct business via phone, text or email. As a company that prides itself on the relationships we have built, this will be a difficult change. However, face-to-face meetings pose a greater risk for all parties. If you need to conduct critical business that requires an in-person meeting, please call for an appointment to confirm access to the facility and availability of staff. All visitors to our office will be required to complete a questionnaire before entering our facilities.
  • All grain checks and contracts and fertilizer booking contracts will be mailed out.
  • To price grain or talk about markets speak with:
    • Eric in the Sterling office at 701-387-4506 or cell at 308-222-0511
    • Ashley (working from home) on her cell at 701-301-2394
  • Direct deposit is an option for receiving payment for your grain. Talk to a member of our staff if you’d like to get set up.

 

Sterling Grain:

  • Hours of operation: 7:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday.
  • Office: 701-387-4506
  • Grain deliveries: Drivers will remain in their truck. We will communicate through a PA system as to which pit to go to (1 or 2) and to dump or wait. Drivers will dump themselves and staff will remain in the scale room.
  • We have signage on the doors to help guide everyone.

 

Sterling Agronomy Center:

  • Hours of operation: 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday (Will adjust once agronomy season begins)
  • Office: 701-387-4900
  • Tanner: 701-426-2689
  • Jeff: 701-222-0961
  • For dry fertilizer loading: Drivers will remain in their truck. Call Tanner at the number above for loading instructions.
  • For chemical and seed pickup/delivery: Call ahead. We will get what you need put together and have it ready when you arrive. Please remain inside your truck and we will load your vehicle for you.

 

Napoleon Location:

  • Hours of operation: 7:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday, Saturdays closed until necessary to be open, (ie busy feed season).
  • Elevator Office: 701-754-2573
  • Pat Peterson, Location Manager: 701-319-5266
  • Feed/livestock: Call ahead with orders so we can prepare them and deliver them curb side for pick up to limit your and our exposure points
  • Grain deliveries: Please stay in your truck. We will direct you using the PA and card system.
  • We will do everything we can to provide the customer service you are accustomed to but will be using a little different approach and communications with today’s environment.

 

Hazelton Location:

  • Hours of operation: 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday
  • Office 701-782-4123
  • Grain deliveries: Drivers stay in truck. Stop at probe and an employee will communicate through the PA system with you. You will receive directions on where to dump and will remain in your vehicle while we unload your grain.
  • Feed/Livestock: Call ahead with orders. Drivers stay in your vehicle. We will load you with what you need. After loading we will print an invoice in the office and bring it to you for a signature before you leave.
Published

General Manager update on COVID-19

March 23, 2020

As you are aware, the impact of the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 continues to rapidly evolve. Safety is a core value for CHS South Central and includes a focus on the health and wellbeing of our employees, families, customers and owners, and the communities in which we live and work.

We understand that spring is here, and I want to emphasize; we are operational for business. We are simply adjusting some protocols. CHS South Central has implemented the following changes effective Monday, March 23rd, until further notice:

  • We are limiting access at all locations. We respectfully ask you to contact us through phone or email whenever possible. Some of our locations have enacted split shift schedules; staff that can work remotely, have been asked to do so and will be available via phone or e-mail.
  • If you need a grain check, please contact us and we will mail it promptly, deliver it to local bank for deposit or setup a pickup location outside of the office.
  • All visitors to our office will be required to complete a questionnaire before entering our facilities. We are also asking all staff and visitors to adhere to the 6-foot distance recommended by the CDC to reduce virus spread.
  • We have restricted face-to-face meetings. Our staff will conduct business via phone, text or email. As a company that prides itself on the relationships we have built, this will be a difficult change. However, face-to-face meetings pose a greater risk for everyone involved. If you need to conduct critical business that requires an in-person meeting, please call for an appointment to confirm access to the facility and availability of staff.
  • We ask you to call ahead for product pickup whenever possible, our team will ensure that everything is ready to load upon your arrival.
  • For those customers or vendors delivering grain or picking up products, we ask that you limit your time in the office to essential business. At some locations, we are asking drivers to remain in their cab. Please check our location policies or watch for information and direction upon arrival.

We will adjust our practices as necessary in the coming days, weeks or months. Rest assured, it is our commitment that we will continue to provide excellent service and support throughout this unprecedented time, even if we must do it differently. We value your business, your trust in CHS South Central and appreciate your understanding during this time. We look forward to resuming normal interactions as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

Jeff Mehl
General Manager
CHS South Central

 

CHS_SouthCentral_JeffLetter_COVID19_3.19.20

 

Published

Area producers share in local CHS patronage distribution


For further information, contact:

Jeff Mehl
701-754-2573
jeff.mehl@chsinc.com
or
Lisa Graham-Peterson
651-355-4523
lisa.graham@chsinc.com

 

 

Area producers share in local CHS patronage distribution

NAPOLEON, NORTH DAKOTA, April 15, 2019 – Eligible farmer-owners of CHS South Central, based out of Napoleon, North Dakota, shared in the recent distribution of cash patronage and equity based on business done with CHS.
“We’re extremely proud to share this important cooperative membership benefit with our customers,” said Jeff Mehl, general manager. “Delivering an economic return to them on the business they do with CHS is one more way we help our owners grow.”
This locally based retail division of CHS Inc. allocated a total of $81,341.48 in patronage dividends to its eligible members based on business done Sept. 1, 2017 – Aug. 31, 2018, of which $14,372.95 is being paid out in cash.

 

Overall, CHS Inc. will return $150 million in cash patronage and equity redemption to its farmer-owners in 2019, part of the cooperative’s commitment to sharing profits with our owners and returning money to rural America where it can be reinvested in the community. More than 840 local cooperatives and 25,000 farmers share in this distribution of cash patronage and equity redemptions.
The percentage returned to owners is determined annually by the CHS Board of Directors and based on performance, financial strength and long-term growth opportunities.
“Returning cash to our owners enables farmers, ranchers and cooperatives to invest in their own futures,” said Dan Schurr, chairman of the CHS Board.
In the past 12 years, CHS has returned about $3.5 billion to its owners in the form of cash patronage.

The Napoleon-based retail business delivers agronomy, grain and feed products and services to North Dakota ag producers and other customers from six locations. It is part of CHS Inc., a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. Diversified in energy, agronomy, grains and foods, CHS is committed to helping its customers, farmer-owners and other stakeholders grow their businesses through its domestic and global operations. CHS supplies energy, crop nutrients, grain marketing services, animal feed, food and food ingredients along with financial and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries/pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products.

 

This document and other CHS Inc. publicly available documents contain, and CHS officers and representatives may from time to time make, “forward–looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Report Act of 1995. Forward–looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Forward–looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on CHS current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of its businesses, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward–looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of CHS control. CHS actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward–looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward–looking statements. Important factors that could cause CHS actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward–looking statements are discussed or identified in CHS public filings made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the “Risk Factors” discussion in Item 1A of CHS Annual Report on Form 10–K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. Any forward–looking statements made by CHS in this document are based only on information currently available to CHS and speak only as of the date on which the statement is made. CHS undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward–looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

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Harvest for Hunger

Help put a meal on the table to those in need within our local area.

We are in the business of feeding the world, which is why our annual Harvest for Hunger campaign is an important part of what we do through CHS Country Operations. Though these rural communities are growing the crops that are feeding a hungry world, that doesn’t mean there isn’t hunger right here — the family next door, the neighbor down the street. We may not know who in our communities are going hungry, but through our Harvest for Hunger campaign, we are helping local and regional food shelves feed those people in need.

1 in 13 people struggle with hunger in North Dakota.

How can you help put a meal on the table to those in our local area?

Harvest for Hunger is a fundraiser exclusive to CHS, we care about the issue of hunger in the United States and we are dedicated to do what we can to alleviate hungry citizens. This fundraiser not only raises awareness and funds aimed towards food poverty, but also focuses on putting dollars back into our communities. If CHS South Central raises funds, CHS Inc. will match that funding! These funds will will come back to the community in form of donations towards local projects and academics.

We will be accepting grain, monetary funds and non-perishable food items for the local food pantries now through March 20th.  Contact us to learn how you can help fight hunger in our local communities.

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Changes to IRS Section 199 DPAD affect CHS owners

The U.S. House and Senate have passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and the President has signed it, which repeals the IRS Section 199 Domestic Production Activities Deduction (DPAD), effective Dec. 31, 2017. As a result of this pending change, CHS will share fiscal 2017 DPAD allocations with eligible owners by Dec. 31, 2017.

Past federal income tax law allows agricultural cooperatives, like CHS, to pass through Section 199 Domestic Production Activities Deduction known as DPAD to eligible patrons. The CHS Board of Directors determined that, based on fiscal 2017 performance, eligible owners will receive the unused portion of the company’s DPAD, totaling nearly $151 million generated from patronage-related business conducted with CHS for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2017.

The fiscal 2017 allocations being made by the end of December 2017 replace the DPAD allocations eligible owners would have typically received in May 2018. You are encouraged to consult a tax professional to determine how this deduction can be claimed for federal and state purposes.

CHS farmer-owners will receive a statement outlining their Section 199 DPAD allocation for fiscal year 2017 within the next week. The Section 199 DPAD allocated to you is available as a deduction for the tax year in which you received this statement. For most individuals, this means the deduction can be used on your 2017 federal tax return. The deduction allocation will also be shown in Box 6 of a 1099 PATR that you will receive by mail in January 2018. Deductibility for state purposes varies by state.

If you have additional questions, please contact the CHS Patron Equities team at 1-800-328-6539, ext. 6124.

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