Input finance program earns recognition

MKC's input finance program has been recognized by the Cooperative Finance Association (CFA) for holding the number one position in the Top Ten Volume Award 2012.

“CFA is such a great tool for our field marketers and managers. It helps them in selling the product, helps in timing of grain marketing - it is more than just funding the producer’s inputs,” said Brent Heizelman, Credit Manager for MKC.

Steve Fenton, Portfolio Manager for CFA, presented the award to MKC and said that, “MKC is a fantastic group to work with. Our goal is to help MKC and their producers be successful, and in turn make CFA successful.”

CFA serves over 140 cooperatives in 13 different states. Over the 2012 crop year MKC generated 171 loans totaling over $20 million.

Heizelman stated that the loans offered through CFA present the farmer member with convenience more than anything else. “It is so convenient for the producer to not have to worry about how he is going to pay for his fertilizer or seed one month after he purchases it,” said Heizelman.

Dave Christiansen, President and CEO for MKC commented that the number of loans and total loan volume continues to grow.

“While the recognition for our efforts is certainly nice for our entire team, the loan volume demonstrates our efforts are working to insure customers can have the available capital at their fingertips to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves,” stated Christiansen. “CFA gives us one more tool to help them manage their risk.”

Maximizing wheat yields

“If we learned one thing from last year it should be make sure you do not skimp on the wheat crop,” said Kent Nichols, MKC Agronomy Field Sales Manager.

Some producers in the MKC trade area believed the revenue generated from crop insurance would be guaranteed due to the high cost of the premium. This way of thinking justified, to them, cutting back on seed treatments, crop nutrients and crop protection products.  

One producer said, “We cut back at planting and could never recover”. 

As producers question their decision to apply seed treatment, crop nutrients and crop protection products, Nichols would encourage them to speak to their Field Marketer about the choice first – seed treatment.  

Ag Advocate Challenge Investment Pays Off

MKC is pleased to celebrate the success of its $2,000 investment in educational programs provided by Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (KFAC). 

Executive Director, Cathy Musick, presents to a group of
grade school students.

The contribution to the Ag Advocate Challenge, pooled together with other donations, allowed KFAC to reach over 23,000 Kansas elementary students and their teachers. Donor dollars helped pay for printing of lesson plans, educator guides and Kansas Kids Connection Magazines. 

Additional dollars were leveraged as teachers attended summer graduate courses and in-service trainings. Funding was used to perform research and development activities to develop new delivery methods for agriculture literacy lesson plans.

Second scale planned for Moundridge

The City of Moundridge has unanimously approved a petition submitted by MKC to vacate Edwards Street between Herschler Street and Cole Street allowing for the planned addition of a second scale at the Moundridge location.

“Our current bottleneck at Moundridge is the weighing of trucks," stated Erik Lange, Direcgtor of Southern Area Operations for MKC. "We are confident that the addition of a second scale will reduce wait times and improve traffic flow through the facility for the customer."



View of Edwards Street that will be vacated to allow for addition of second scale.



While investigating the addition of the second scale, it was discovered that there is a six inch water main that runs under one of the large steele bins.  Lange explained that the water main could cause a structural foundation issue in the future if it would ever rupture or have a significant leak.

With the vacating of the street, the city will need to move the water line and MKC will work with the city to get the water line moved or to find an alternative water distribution plan.

Construction for the second scale is expected to begin after fall harvest.

MKC contributes to area food banks

During the month of June, MKC Community Involvement Committee members sponsored a food drive to benefit local food pantries and emergency shelters.

“It is part of MKC’s core commitment to take part in the growth and success of the communities we live and operate in. This would include supporting our employee’s efforts to donate food to local food banks,” said Erik Lange, Director of Southern Operations for MKC. 

Shane Eck, Location Manager at Lindsborg, stands
among items collected at his location.

Collection boxes were placed at each location. Producers traveling to and from locations during harvest were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate. Employees were also encouraged to bring in items to donate and some locations took the initiative to collaborate with local grocery stores to receive donations.

Larry Brake, the location manager at Abilene, got the Abilene community involved by approaching the local grocery store to help with the food drive. The manager at Country Mart agreed to match what the Abilene location raised in donations. A donation spot was also established at the entrance to the store so shoppers could participate. The idea soon caught on with other locations.

Just how good is your equipment warranty?

Does it pay to invest in protection for your valuable agricultural equipment?  Absolutely, because in this line of business there’s no such thing as an “inexpensive” repair – and there’s no time for downtime.


Dennis Friesen (top photo) and Dale Friesen receive

warranty payments from Cenex Representative, Curt Courtright.

Also pictures is Donnie Holtzinger, Certified Energy

Specialist for MKC.

Just ask McPherson Co. producers Dale and Dennis Friesen.  Both men had issues with the injector pump on their equipment.  And since they were enrolled in the Cenex® Total Protection Plan^TM warranty program, they had the peace of mind knowing that their repair costs would be covered.



Whether you cover new or used equipment, the warranty offers four primary benefits:

·         Unsurpassed coverage that goes beyond – but won’t interfere with your original manufacturer’s warranty.

·         A no-hassle claims process with no deductive and no “burden of proof,” meaning you don’t have to prove that your engine problems were caused by an oil or fuel defect.

·         Extended equipment life, thanks to quality Cenex lubricants and Cenex Ruby Fieldmaster® Premium Diesel Fuel (products that are specially formulated for the tough challenges of farming).

·         The early-warning advantages that come from conducting regular oil sampling, a simple yet important set that can help prevent major problems and alert you before expensive damage occurs.

The Cenex® Total Protection Plan^TM provides coverage up to 10 years or 10,000 hours on new equipment and 8 years or 8,000 hours on existing equipment.  You get great protection, plus all the advantages that come from using proven Cenex Premium Diesel Fuels and lubricants – like longer engine life, extended drains, more power for pulling heavy loads, quicker starts and improved fuel efficiency.

For more information about the warranty program, contact one of our Certified Energy Specialists:

Chris Chandler, CES 620-664-4172

Donnie Holtzinger, CES 620-345-8909
Brian Huxman, CES  620-386-0763

New traits, technology and products introduced at Answer Plot® session

Each year MKC hosts several Answer Plots® that are presented by Winfield Solutions. The sessions are designed to answer the many questions producers have related to their farming practice.

Jared Miller, Field Marketer for MKC, says that the Answer Plot® provides, “a chance for producers to get an in depth look at new traits, technology and products being introduced into the field of agriculture.”

2012 marks the fourth year that MKC has been utilizing the Answer Plot® program.  Merle Nelson, who farms outside of Lindsborg, Kansas, has been coming to the Answer Plot® since MKC first began offering them. “I come to get ideas on seed variety selections and answers to fertility questions,” Nelson said.