AGRONOMY
Mid-County ’ s customer appreciation event
Last Sept . 15 , Mid-County hosted a customer appreciation event in our new fertilizer plant located in Cologne . It was attended by approximately seventy-five of Mid-County ’ s customers .
The get-together gave our customers a chance to see the new plant up close , and to get a feel for our increased capacity to serve farmers . It also gave our agronomy staff a chance to demonstrate their grilling expertise as they cooked hamburgers for one and all .
one option to control weeds or insects , for example , in case your preferred choice of product is not available at a reasonable price .”
The event showcased how WinField United and Mid-County ’ s agronomy team are pooling resources and working together so that our member-farmers have workable crop protection products , seed , and crop nutrients even if their first choice is not available at the time .
Keefauver believes that our co-op system gives farmers the best odds of being successful next year .
“ Both Land O ’ Lakes and Winfield United is a member-owned cooperative . In turn , Mid-County is a member-owner of them both , and local farmers are member-owners of Mid-County . That is a lot of shared interest . So , the idea of a locally owned , independent cooperative that is managed by an elected board of directors , who are themselves member-farmers , is a real benefit to growers who participate .”
It ’ s hard to disagree that there is strength in numbers , especially when those involved have a common goal .
The event was co-sponsored by WinField United , which is the distribution division of Land O ’ Lakes Inc ., a farmer-owned co-op headquartered in Arden Hills . Land O ’ Lakes also has a dairy products division and the Purina large animal feed division . Mid-County is a member-owner of Land O ’ Lakes .
Mid-County General Manager , Bill Reimers said , “ Winfield provides a majority of our fertilizer and AG chemicals . They ’ re a co-op , and we like supporting other co-ops . They ’ ve been a big help in navigating through some of the product shortages that everyone has experienced .”
Phil Keefauver has served as WinField United ’ s account manager since 2008 , and he was a featured speaker at the customer appreciation event .
His presentation was all about how farmers can plan ahead for success in 2023 . Many of those same supply chain challenges we faced this year will still persist during the next growing season , and Keefauver sees adaptability as one of the key ingredients to a successful game plan .
“ Farmers should leave themselves room for viable choices . A good plan for managing crops next year must include alternatives from the norm . So , it ’ s important to start investigating more than
The impressive size of the new fertilizer plant was on full display for guests at the Customer Appreciation Event last Sept . 15 .
Mid-County Agronomy ’ s Biggest commitment to growth pays off early
Mid-County ’ s new fertilizer plant is part of the commitment to growth that we have talked about . This is the biggest example of our commitment to growth since remodeling the Waverly Holiday Stationstore in the summer and fall of 2019 .
The fertilizer plant has already allowed us to better control costs of products through market volatility , and manage our inventory and processes more efficient .
This commitment to growth is paying off in numerous ways already and early indications say it will benefit the coop and its members far into the future .
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