Input Finance Program Creates Win-Win Situation for Producers

By Nichole Gouldie, Communications Specialist

To help producers obtain the financing their operation needs, MKC in conjunction with the Cooperative Finance Association, Inc. (CFA), provide reliable financial products and services to its members for all of their fertilizer, chemical, seed and petroleum needs.

"CFA is a valuable tool for any cooperative member," said Keith Kincaid, co-owner of S&K Partners near Haven. "CFA is convenient, user-friendly and competitive to any financing program in the industry."

"The CFA program is a very attractive alternative to other financing programs," said Dave Spears, chief marketing officer for MKC. Through MKC the program offers competitive variable interest rates starting at 2.45%.

The sign-up period for 2014 crop inputs has started and MKC is currently taking applications. The application process includes a credit application and collateral worksheet. "With a maximum loan maturity of 15 months that covers all crops, the CFA program is financing through people who are knowledgeable in production agriculture," Spears added.

Kincaid said it is important to plan out your inputs and work closely with Brent Heizelman, MKC credit manager. "Brent has taken the time to visit our operation and understand our needs," he said. "CFA has become a reliable tool for our operation."

With all the options available for producers to acquire inputs, MKC believes the CFA program helps producers receive all the benefits, including discounts, associated with purchasing products from MKC, whether it is paying for prepaid inputs or their monthly statement. "With the utilization of CFA, location mangers to field marketers are able to bundle services for our producers for the benefit of both parties to create a win-win situation for all involved," Spears explained.

"Many of our customers tell us our input financing program is one of the most beneficial risk management tools available through MKC," Spears said. "All of their needs for financing agronomy, seed and energy can be handled in a single visit."

CFA is an agricultural finance cooperative based in Kansas City, MO. They have provided reliable financial products and services to the agriculture sector for over 60 years. For the past four years, CFA has recognized MKC as their number one input finance customer.