Spring 2010 • Vol. 17
www.midcountycoop.com
MID-COUNTY
75 t h
1935 - 2010
ANNIVERSARY
Serving You With Honesty, Integrity & Value since 1935
M essenger
On Solid Ground
Celebrating 75 Years
Back in December 2008,
we purchased the bulk
fuel route of Mayer Dis-
tributing in Long Lake.
In October 2009, we ac-
quired the Lubricants
portion of their business,
Bill Reimers
as well. We now have a
General Manager
greatly expanded prod-
(952) 466-3721
[email protected]
uct line and we also have
a bulk oil truck that is
running on a regularly scheduled route. With our ad-
ditional volume, we have the ability to be more com-
petitively priced since we have access to more suppli-
ers and we are able to purchase in larger quantities.
We currently have contract pricing for propane for
next fall and winter. Remember, with Mid-County, you
can contract propane year-round. Contract prices are
higher than last year, but have come down from the
high prices we experienced in the peak of the past
heating season.
Diesel fuel contracts for future delivery, on the
other hand, have not been attractive to purchase.
Fundamentally, the US has very low demand and very
high inventories of diesel fuel. The price of diesel fuel
should be lower than it is, but the investment com-
munity is still investing heavily into commodities,
propping prices up. Historically, energy prices are at
their lowest from December to February and then
climb until mid-July, when they start to decline.
Being diversifi ed defi nitely has its advantages, and
that is part of our success. We are usually insulated
from the eff ects of the economy, but there are a few
areas that have impacted us. One area is in our auto
and truck repair business. We are no longer going to
perform on-farm tire service for large tires. We will re-
pair any tire in our shop, but on-farm tire repairs will be
performed by Sam’s Tire in Glencoe. We have worked
out an agreement with them whereby you can either
call us or you can call them. If you don’t have an ac-
count with them, you can bill it through Mid-County.
Our Tire Service truck needs to be replaced, and with
the quality of tires today, there are not enough repairs
to justify a replacement unit.
Our Convenience Store, on the other hand, has de-
fi ed the economy and has been growing. With the in-
creased traffi c on Highway 212 and our conversion to
Holiday, we are showing an increase in gasoline and
diesel fuel gallons when most stations are showing a
decrease. The conversion to Holiday has been a good
one and not without its challenges, but the sales re-
sults have been positive.
We still own, staff , and manage the store. We have
only changed who we purchase our products from for
the store. The franchise agreement requires we buy all
of the gasoline, diesel fuel and any other products
for the store through Holiday. They will not allow us
to buy any gasoline or diesel for any other parts of the
company, it is strictly for the store. Our bulk products
remain mostly Cenex fuels.
Welcome aboard Sean Eastman as our new direc-
tor. Sean has been operating Marsh Lake Hunting Pre-
serve by Victoria for several years. And a thank you to
Merlyn Wanous for his years of service as a director.
As always, I appreciate your comments and sug-
gestions to make your coop
better.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Crop Scouting ................................................2
Mid-County welcomes Jim Aritt ....................3
Expanding Lubricants ....................................4
All About Fuels ..............................................5
Specializing in Heavy Truck Repair ................6
Merlyn Wanous retires ..................................7
Shawn Eastman elected to board ..................7
(952) 466-3700 • 888-466-3700 • 700 West Lake Street, P.O. Box 177, Cologne
H O N E S T Y
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