Board of Directors - Lakeland Cooperative

Lakeland Co-op
P.O. Box 155 • Ridgeland, WI 54763 • 715-949-1165
715-234-8191 • www.lakelandcoop.com
Summer 2014
“Weather challenges”:
That’s been our last year
in a nutshell. But I’m sure
most conversations with
family and neighbors
have covered these
frustrations in detail.
no longer work with the speed of today’s
planting equipment. We can empty our
current facilities faster than we can replenish
the supply. Look for an open house this fall as
completion nears. We are doing a few repair
and minor remodel projects on some of our
other facilities also this summer.
We can steer the ship
but still rely on Mother
Nature for a little wind
in the sails. Year to date sales are down slightly
due to a delayed and reduced harvest last fall
and unplanted acres this spring. However,
livestock and dairy prices remain strong
despite the challenges of putting up feed. Last
winter’s brutal cold also increased fuel & LP
sales significantly. The short lived propane
“shortage” and subsequent price spike didn’t
do any of us any favors, but it did underscore
the importance of dealing with reputable
suppliers as some in the industry simply
disappeared. Everyone should have received
this year’s LP safety mailing and options
available. Although no one anticipates a
repeat performance of last year – a summer
fill is a prudent move with additional prepay
options offered.
In other non-weather related news: we
have upgraded the pumps and point of sale
equipment at most of our stations and c-stores.
We have also added the “cash patronage card”
option for those of you who prefer to pay with
cash for purchases – eliminating the need to
save receipts. Local charge cards will work
as before with no change – also receiving
patronage. We hope this makes doing business
at your company more convenient while
receiving the benefits of ownership. Stop at
any of our stores or offices for information.
Board of
Directors
David Score
President
Charles Nelson
Vice President
Chuck Solum
Secretary/Treasurer
Directors
Bruce Winget
Dave Bandli
Marvin Prestrud
Karl Varnes
General Manager
Our Cameron agronomy operations will
be operational this fall. The need is evident
after patching the Rice Lake and Chetek
plants through one more spring. The
additional storage and rail access also will be
a tremendous asset. “Just in time” inventories
Speaking of patronage, a reminder of the
impact your business has on our communities.
Almost $10 million dollars annually remain in
your community helping it thrive: Patronage,
property taxes, wages, our other local
businesses & vendors, donations to youth,
education, fairs & charities to name a few.
Thank you for your business. We look forward
to the opportunity to continue working for
you. Call with any questions on products,
markets and direction – or we could talk
about the weather.
Karl Varnes
Inside This Issue
Office2Agronomy7
Feed Mill3-5Hardware/Service/Stations8-10
Energy 5-6Machinery11
Office Controller:
Hello Everyone, Hopefully Mother Nature starts cooperating
with us so that we can get field work completed and lawns mowed
without having to use pontoons on our
equipment!
State Fuel Tax
Lakeland Coop just recently finished
going through a State fuel tax audit.
State fuel tax will be added to all invoices
unless you have a completed exemption
form on file in the office at the time of
delivery. These forms were mailed out in
January of 2014. If you aren’t sure that
Enid Jackson
you
filled one out, please call the office
Controller
and check to see if we have one on file or
you can request another one.
The following fuel sales are exempt from this tax [sec. 78.01, Wis.
Stats.]:
•
Gasoline and undyed diesel fuel sold to the United
States government or its agencies. (Sales to Wisconsin
municipalities and school districts are not exempt.)
•
Gasoline sold for off-road use in mobile machinery and
equipment, provided the fuel is delivered into the customer’s
bulk storage tank in an amount not less than 100 gallons.
Caution: Gasoline cannot be sold tax-exempt if it will be
placed into the fuel supply tank of a licensed motor vehicle,
snowmobile, recreational motorboat, or an all-terrain
vehicle.
•
Dyed diesel fuel (may only be used for off-highway
purposes).
•
Exempt motor vehicle fuel sales must be documented - In
order to make exempt sales to customers, fuel suppliers and
vendors must obtain from customers documentation which
shows that the customers are eligible to purchase motor
Credit Department:
Well, here we are the middle of the year already and most of the
crops are in I hope…..the rain has been quite plentiful and I hope
that it doesn’t shut off for the rest of the
season.
Sue
Credit Department
Accounts are looking not too bad. I hope
that those of you who are still owing
from last year get your account current
before too long. I do appreciate getting
calls from you about your account so
that I know what is happening with your
account and when I can expect it to
be paid. I’m always willing to work out
payment plans with you so, please don’t
hesitate to call me.
Sonja has decided to take some time off
and so as far as credit questions or questions about your credit,
please call me. I have taken over some of her duties. She is moving
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vehicle fuel exclusive of the Wisconsin motor vehicle fuel tax
[sec. 78.01(2r)(a), Wis. Stats., and Wis. Administrative Code
sec. Tax 4.65].
Patronage News!
Good News! There is no longer a need to save your receipts
to track sales for patronage. Lakeland Cooperative is excited
to announce their CASH PATRONAGE CARD is now available
for use at our various convenience store locations in Rice Lake,
Ridgeland, Chetek and Sand Creek along with several other
Lakeland Coop locations. No more need to save slips!
CASH PATRONAGE CARD (in store use only) can be used for
cash transactions, including cash, checks or credit cards; simply
present the card to the store clerk at the time of purchase. This
does not apply to payments made at the pump you must pay for
them inside our store.
LOCAL LAKELAND COOP CHARGE CARDS used at the
pump are recorded for patronage purposes.
It’s an easy, accurate, and convenient way to do business with
your cooperative. Each time you use your CASH PATRONAGE
CARD or, LOCAL LAKELAND COOP CHARGE CARD the
transaction is recorded for patronage purposes which can mean
“money in your pocket” later. Please call one of our offices to
order your CASH PATRONAGE CARD, there is no cost to you.
We will take slips for purchases made for our current fiscal year
ending September 30, 2014 for recording your purchases for
patronage. Starting with our fiscal year of 10-01-2014 you must have
a CASH PATRONAGE CARD in order to have your cash purchase
recorded for patronage, so order your CASH PATRONAGE CARD
today, forms on www.lakelandcoop.com web site or at our C-stores
or stop in at one of our offices to get a form.
Thanks for your patronage,
Enid Jackson
on to other adventures. I wish her the best and I have enjoyed
working with her. She may have had arrangements made with
you, so if there are problems, please call.
The budget heating program will be ending on June 30th. At that
time, the budget balance from this past year needs to be paid in
full. With the high LP prices this last year, the budget payments
I’m sure did not cover what was delivered. I will be going over the
budgets the first of July, so if you have any questions, let me know.
If your payment is changed from last year, you will be receiving a
letter from me.
Otherwise, I appreciate your patronage and willingness to work
with me. I hope that in the future, I get to know faces and have a
chance to visit with you. I don’t bite.
Thanks again.
Sue Swanson
Credit Manager
Chetek Feed Mill: Summer Bounce
I’m sure this newsletter isn’t the first or last one to mention
our extremely wet/record setting Spring we had, so I won’t. Let
focus on what we DO have control over
like feeding programs and management
practices. Each Summer at some point
or another our animals will deal with
heat. Be prepared for this by providing
a source of shade and plenty of fresh
water. When they are comfortable feed
is processed and utilized more efficiently
thus reducing costs and waste.
Also another weather element to keep
in mind is moisture. I know I wasn’t
Rhon
going to mention it so I will use the term
Chetek
moisture instead of ‘wet’. No I’m not
running for any political office position either…….
Don’t Forget the Heifers
Summer brings a new level of busy to most dairy farms. Between
planting crops and harvesting forages animals need to be fed and
milked. For many of us, there just isn’t
enough time in the day. When it comes
to feeding dairy heifers, they are often far
down on the list of priorities. There are
ways to make feeding heifers a balanced
diet easier and QLF can be part of that
solution.
Heifers on pasture can benefit from
QLF free-choice pasture products
like QLF 40% liquid supplemented
in a lick tank. For heifers on pasture
Kirsten
the sugars and degradable protein in
Chetek
QLF stimulate rumen fiber digesting
bacteria. Improving forage digestion promotes more even pasture
consumption and helps to maintain daily rate of gain on heifers.
As pasture quality starts to decrease, QLF helps to supplement
the protein and energy decline of pasture. This helps to maintain
good growth rates on heifers so they are calving by 24 months of
age and are ready to milk.
Rice Lake Feed Mill:
It is June the seventeenth and I think most of you are finished or
finishing up with a rather challenging spring planting season. I
know that it has been a struggle putting
up hay thus far this year. We do have
a number of different preservative
products that can help. So please contact
either Luke or Braeton for information
on that. We still are selling a lot of gluten
feed pellets and I have noticed the price
starting to soften. We will have to watch
the market but it may even end up being
a better buy. When we run into hot
weather Hydrolac can really help milk
Bob
cows, beef cattle, and we are looking
Rice Lake Feed Mill
into using it in calf feeds. If you have
Keeping pens and barnyards dry is very important in battling
feet problems as well as fly control issues. No-one likes to deal
with either of these problems. If we take a close look at our daily
practices we can definitely lower the severity of all of these with
a few simple changes. The result will be healthier animals, higher
milk production, increase rate of gain and possibly even increase
value per head.
If you have any questions or would like to talk to someone about
your own farm practices please contact us for a free evaluation.
One of our nutritionists would be glad to stop by and assist any
way possible, they are here for you.
Don’t forget about our ever-growing bag route! It usually ‘bounces’
around on Fridays…….
Thanks for your business!
Kirsten, Breaton, Sarah, Heath, Rhon and Greg
Another option for TMR fed heifers are QLF Heifer TMR
products. These can be a standard QLF Heifer product or a custom
formulated product with options of adding minerals, ionophores,
yeast, and fly control. These products can be delivered to the tank
on the farm for minimal shrink and waste. These products work
well to balance heifer forages like oatlage, rye silage, straw, corn
stalks, and corn silage in heifer diets. They improve palatability
and forage digestion, while reducing sorting of the TMR. This
helps to promote more uniform nutrient consumption, rumen
function, and reduces waste. Also, maintaining a constant mineral
intake with needed trace minerals and ionophores will enhance
growth and reproduction across a group of heifers. These heifers
will be more uniform in size, with less risk of overconditioning.
Our Feed Team at Lakeland Coop can help formulate your heifer
diet with the right QLF product to help you meet your heifer
growth target. Remember replacement heifers are an investment
in the future of your herd. We want to help you get the best
possible return on your investment.
Thank you for your business!
Have a safe and wonderful summer.
Kirsten Huth
Chetek Mill
any questions on that product please contact Luke. He has been
certified in Hydrolac training. Fair time is fast approaching and
we are making show beef, show pig and show lamb feeds like crazy. Braeton has been paying close attention to many fair projects and
hopefully like last year they will perform very well. As always the
coop will be a huge supporter of the fair. Everyone who has a fair
project be sure to introduce yourself to Mark Kucko so he can
put names and faces together with the animals and know what
animals he should be bidding on. I hope everyone has a safe,
productive and fun summer. We appreciate all the support you
have given your local coop especially here at the Rice Lake Feed
Mill.
See you at the fair.
Roger, Luke, Austin, Paulie, Braeton, Gene, Ray and Bob
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To Creep or not to Creep
A cow-calf operation’s income is partially dependent on calves’ weaning
weights. There are three strategies that can increase calf weaning
weight, besides changing their weaning date.
Those strategies are to increase the mother’s
milk production, increase the calf’s forage
consumption, or provide supplemental feed
to increase nutrient intake.
Braeton Hill
Nutrition Consultant
There are management practices to
increase standing forage quality, but forage
management for only the calf is difficult.
Likewise, increasing the mother’s milk
production increases the mother’s nutrient
requirements and reduces the number
of cows that can graze on a fixed number
of acres, possibly resulting in a need for
supplemental feed.
ith these strategies in mind, creep feeding is the easiest way to
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increase calves’ weaning weights. One of the risks of creep feeding is
calves getting too fat, resulting in price discounts or lowered lifetime
milk production of heifer calves intended to become replacements for
the cow herd. Feeding at the appropriate time as well as the right creep
feed can help to avoid these problems.
e mother supplies part of the nutrients needed for calf growth
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through her milk. For spring-born calves, milk and vegetative forage
should allow for adequate weight gain. As the calf gets older, the
amount of milk produced by the mother decreases and it becomes
more difficult to meet the calf’s nutrient needs. In addition, grass
quality decreases in late summer and fall; again, there is usually
insufficient protein or energy in forage for optimum gain.
S imple mixtures of grain and protein supplement make satisfactory
creep rations. Pelleted creep rations are easily handled and will have
less feed waste. Bulky feeds such as oats should be included to protect
against overeating. Salt can be used in the creep ration to keep daily
consumption of the ration to less than 3 pounds per head per day. When
starting calves on creep feeding, use 0-2.5 percent of the ration as salt
to limit daily intake. After calves are eating the creep ration, it may be
necessary to increase salt up to 10 percent of the ration. When using
salt to limit intake, use a grain-based mix. It is easier to incorporate salt
into this type of ration than into a creep feed that is already pelleted
ere are two types of creep feeds, either high energy creep feeds or
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high protein creep feeds. The most common is high energy creep.
eed conversion varies a lot for calves fed high energy creep feeds.
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It can range from as much as 15:1 and as low as 6.8:1. However, the
average is 8:1. This means 8 pounds of creep feed on a dry matter basis
is required per pound of gain by the calf. Average daily gain for calves
fed a high energy creep feed is between 0.20 and 0.30 pound greater
when compared to non-creep fed calves.
alves fed the high protein creep will eat less creep feed, have better
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feed conversions, and gain less total weight over the creep feeding
period, when compared to calves fed high energy creeps. Data suggests
that feed conversion for high protein creep feeds when fed to calves on
average is about 4:1.
e wide variation in feed efficiency use from creep feeding may be
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due to the following management factors: feed waste due to wind;
improper feeder design or adjustment; feeder location, which affects
eating frequency and total feed intake; the creep feeder is not secure
and cows are able to consume some of the feed; and over-consumption
of high energy creep feeds.
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lthough limited feeding (0.5–1.0 kg/day) a high protein creep ration
A
will not usually increase calf gains as much as unlimited creep feed,
it may be more economical. The better feed conversion obtained
with limited feeding may produce a higher return, after feed costs are
deducted, than unlimited creep feeding. Limit feeding should help to
minimize potential problems such as digestive upsets and fattening
medium frame calves. Don’t feed urea to calves under 300 lbs., as the
rumen is not developed enough to take advantage of it. A wide variety
of grain mixes can yield satisfactory results, but high protein creep
feeds have resulted in the most gain and best feed efficiency.
inished calves that have been creep fed can have increased marbling
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at harvest time. Research suggests that marbling genes are influenced
early in the calf’s life, particularly in calves creep fed for at least 80 days.
In order to retain the response of creep feeding on marbling, calves
need to be placed in the feedlot after weaning and fed a grain-based
diet.
alves started on creep rations before weaning begin eating sooner
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after they are weaned or shipped. They usually recover weaning or
shipping weight losses in a shorter period of time and have lower
mortality rates compared to calves that do not begin eating after being
weaned. Some producers will creep feed calves while they are still with
their mother for two to four weeks before weaning. This practice is used
to bunk-break the calves before weaning so at maternal separation,
they are eating. Creep feeding calves for the last 3–4 weeks prior to
weaning will help to minimize the stress that affects calves at weaning
by getting the calves used to eating dry/stored feeds. Minimizing stress
will reduce disease problems occurring at weaning, reduce treatment
costs and enhance cattle performance post-weaning.
or those who don’t want to creep feed and still want added gains using
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a green creep can be helpful. Green creep is using pasture as a calf
creep feed source. This means that either there is a part of the pasture
set aside for just calves, or in a rotational grazing system, calves may
be allowed early access to the next paddock in the rotation. Calves are
very selective grazers and will consume only the most palatable and
nutritious forage available when not competing with cows.
uring the stockering phase, creep-fed calves will gain slower than
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non creep-fed calves and much of the weight advantage will be lost.
This does not occur when calves are placed directly into the feedlot at
weaning. Feedlot average daily gain was actually 0.32 lb/day greater for
the creep-fed calves. If creep-fed calves are retained after weaning, it
is important to get the calves adapted to a high grain diet shortly after
weaning and finished out.
Thoughts for getting calves started on creep diets
1.
When starting calves on a creep ration, keep feed fresh to encourage
appetite and clean up any leftover feed each day.
2.
Molasses mixed with feed encourages consumption.
3.
Roll or coarsely grind grain to prevent fines and dust.
4.
Locate feeder near a sheltered or shady spot where the herd tends to
congregate.
5.
Allow 4–5 inches of bunk space per calf in creep feeder when selffeeding and 8–12 inches of bunk space when hand feeding.
e feed team at Lakeland Coop can help you decide on what creep ration
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would be the best fit for you farm, while maximizing the potential of your
cattle and desired feeding goals.
Thank you for your business and enjoy the summer.
Braeton R. Hill
Rice Lake Mill
Ridgeland Feed Mill:
Hello everyone, my name is Brian Fesenmaier and I am the
Lakeland Coop Feed Division Intern for this summer. I am a
student at UW- River Falls majoring in
Dairy Science and just finished up my
sophomore year. I will be mostly based
out of the Ridgeland feed mill but I will
be out visiting farms for much of my time
with Lakeland Coop.
I1 grew up on a dairy farm in Elmwood,
WI where my dad milked around 70
cows in a stall barn. He farmed with his
brothers who also milked in stall barns
of around 70 cows as well. In 2006, my
Brian Fesenmaier
family moved to Spring Valley when my
Intern
dad left the family farm and bought an
IBA Dairy Supply route. His area covers just west of Boyceville to
just south of Elmwood. I really enjoy traveling to farms around the
area with him. However, most of my spare time was spent working
back on the family farm with my 3 uncles and grandfather. After
my dad left, they built a freestall barn and parlor and combined
their herds and now milk around 350 cows. They also run around
3000 acres of land.
hen I am not helping on the farm, I really enjoy hunting, fishing,
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waterskiing, and sports. I coach both middle school football and
wrestling at Spring Valley while going to school at UWRF. I also
had a lot of fun showing my family’s cattle at the Pierce County
Fair.
y main project for the internship is heat abatement. Specifically,
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the project is geared towards management practices and certain
feed additives. Some of the feed additives include Rally, Heat
Shield Plus, and I.C.E. These all have different modes of action to
help the cow deal with heat stress. However, these additives are
not a cure-all for heat stress. That is why the rest of my project
includes checking sprinkler output, air flow, and overall cow
behavior during the heat.
I look forward to meeting all of you and look forward to a great
summer here at Lakeland!
Brian Fesenmaier
Energy
New Diesel Engines Present New Challenges
Did you know diesel engine manufacturers have modified their
engine designs in order to meet new EPA specifications for
reduced emissions? This is a good thing
because it means better efficiency and
cleaner air for our environment, but it
also means we need to change the way
we think about our fuel. If you own a new
diesel vehicle - or are in the market for
one - here are a few things you should
know:
1. Diesel fuel engines burn hotter and
operate under extreme pressure
Newer engines operate under higher
temperatures and pressures than ever
before. Imagine the entire weight of an
18-wheeler ... put within one square inch (about the size of a
postage stamp). That gives you an idea of the amount of pressure
going through a single fuel injector.
Todd Mandel
Certified Energy Specialist
Under extreme pressure, the temperature of fuel increases. The
result of the extreme pressure and heat can literally “cook” typical
#2 diesel fuel, resulting in fouled fuel that recirculates in the fuel
system. This leads to a number of problems, including injector
failure, clogged filters, reduced efficiency, power loss, poor
starting, costly repairs and even engine failures.
Fortunately, there’s a solution. Cenex® Premium Diesel Fuels are
specially formulated with an additive package designed for new
fuel systems. Users who have made the switch from a standard
#2 diesel to a Cenex Premium Diesel report that it’s effective
at eliminating the problems mentioned above. (For more
information, visits cenex.com/roadmasterxl.)
2. There may be an “extra” cap next to your fuel tank.
That extra cap near the fuel tank is for Diesel Engine Fluid (DEF),
an operating fluid required by Selective Catalytic Reduction
(SCR) systems. DEF is injected into hot exhaust as a fine mist and
passes over a catalyst, to convert NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions
into nitrogen gas and water vapor - effectively reducing NOx
emissions to the levels required by EPA.
A clear, odorless solution of urea and water, DEF is not explosive,
flammable, toxic or subject to any hazardous product regulations.
DEF is increasingly becoming available at public fueling stations,
truck stops, automatic filling stations, chemical distribution
depots and truck dealerships; its shelf life is about 12 months.
DEF is available in packaged quantities at all of our C-store
locations, as well as, hardware locations. If you are a larger user
and care to handle this product in larger bulk quantities, feel free
to give me a call for that information, Todd @ 715-651-8749.
Cenex Premium Diesel fuel is the answer to many of the challenges
that NEW and OLD diesel engines present, so look for Cenex
Roadmaster XL (on-road) and Cenex Ruby Fieldmaster (off-road)
for all your diesel fuel needs.
Todd Mandel
(Certified Energy Specialist - CDS, Inc. / Lakeland Cooperative)
5
Petroleum & L.P. Department:
After a long hard winter, summer fill and prepay season is here,
so call now and get on the list. Summer fill is five cents off the
current board price. You will need to
order a fill or 200 gallons or more. Fill up
now before the Fall rush.
Summer fill starts June first and ends
August 31st. Prepay starts July 1st and
ends August 31st. Prices can change on a
daily basis on summer fill. Prepay prices
are good for the month of July and can
change after August 1st on a daily basis.
Prices are subject to change.
DeWayne Roe
Propane Manager
Prepay and Propane Safety mailing goes
out after July 1st, so watch for it in the
mail.
Please be sure to read the enclosed articles for gas leaks and
interruption of service. This is very important information.
Detecting propane gas leaks can prevent serious accidents
- Changes in Wisconsin law now impose notification
requirements 1 upon you relating to your propane gas system.
These changes put a greater emphasis on detecting propane gas
leaks to prevent serious accidents that could affect the safety of
you and others. The purpose of this information is to outline
your notification obligations as the owner, lessee, or user of a
propane gas system. For your safety and the safety of others, it is
essential that you satisfy your notification requirements.
Failure to comply with your legal obligations could subject you
to penalties and other liability. As the owner, lessee, or user of
a propane gas system which consists of one or more containers
or tanks having a total water capacity of at least 100 gallons and
includes all associated piping and components up to a point of
connection for devices (stove, furnace, water heater etc.) that
use propane-you must notify your retail supplier at the address
or telephone number noted at right of any interruption of
service to your propane gas system.
1. Wisconsin State Statute 101.16 (4) (b) states: 101.16 (4) (b) 1. A
person who owns, leases, or uses a propane gas system and who
is a customer of a retail supplier shall notify the retail supplier
of propane gas for the propane gas system of any interruption in
the operation of the propane gas system due to the replacement,
modification, repair, or servicing of the propane gas system by
any person other than the retail supplier. The customer shall
provide the notice at least 7 days in advance of the interruption
in the operation of the propane gas system, except as provided in
subd. 2. The retail supplier or the person replacing, modifying,
repairing, or servicing the propane gas system, shall perform
a check for leaks or other defects in the propane gas system
before placing the propane gas system back into operation in
the manner required by rule.
2. If the interruption of a propane gas system subject tosubd.
1. is due to emergency repair or servicing, the customer shall
provide the notice to the retail supplier as soon as possible and
no later than 24 hours after the repair or servicing is completed.
What is an interruption of service?
An interruption of service occurs when you replace, modify,
repair, or service your propane gas system and includes, but is
not limited to, any scheduled or routine maintenance, upgrades
to your system, or expansion or reduction in the size of your
system. An interruption of service can also occur when your
system is unexpectedly damaged or requires unforeseen repair
or modification necessitating immediate repair or replacement.
By state law, propane gas systems must be checked for leaks by
a qualified person if there is an interruption of service. In the
event of a planned interruption of service, you must provide
your retail supplier with notice of your plans at least seven
(7) days in advance. If the interruption of service is due to an
emergency replacement, repair, or servicing, then you must
notify your retail supplier as soon as possible, but in no event
later than twenty-four (24) hours after the repair or service is
completed.
Examples of an interruption of service include: Planned repair,
replacement, addition to, removal of, or service to propane gas
piping or pipe fittings; pressure regulators; or replacing devices
that use propane, such as a stove, furnace or hot water heater.
Emergency repair, replacement, or servicing of propane gas
piping or fittings; pressure regulators; or replacement of devices
that use propane, such as a stove, furnace, or water heater.
Running out of propane gas for any reason.
IF YOU SMELL GAS
1. NO FLAMES OR SPARKS! Immediately put out all smoking
materials and other open flames. Do not operate lights,
appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from
these sources can trigger an explosion or a fire.
2. LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY! Get everyone out of the
building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
3. SHUT OFF THE GAS. Turn off the main gas supply valve on
your propane tank if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it
to the right (clockwise).
4. REPORT THE LEAK. From a neighbor’s home or other nearby
building away from the gas leak, call your propane retailer right
away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your
local fire department.
5. DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA until
your propane retailer determines that it is safe to do so.
6. GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED. Before you attempt to
use any of your propane appliances, your propane retailer or a
qualified service technician must check your entire system to
ensure that it is leak-free.
Thanks Again, The Propane and Petroleum Department,
Rick, Brandon, Steve, Rodney, Paul, Josh, Terry (Jumbo),
Ryan and DeWayne.
Ag Services:
Weather is certainly the topic of conversation these days no matter
what walk of life you may come from. There is no doubt it has been
a challenge for everyone and has made
getting any type of work done very difficult.
Now, with that said I promise I will not
mention the weather again instead I would
like to inform you on the new and exciting
work that is taking place at our facility in
Cameron and the progress to date.
1 e began work last fall on a steel structure
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that is 100’x490’ that will be used as a seed
warehouse and a bulk chemical/loading
facility for our custom application business.
Half of this building is designated for seed,
Matt Schofield
Ag Services Division
while the rest will be used for chemical
Manager
storage and a maintenance facility for
our ever growing line of equipment. This
building will house a couple of small offices for the seed and chemical
warehouse and one for the shop area. Work on this building is almost
complete as we do some finishing touches to the interior.
onstruction began in mid-April on a new, state of the art 13,000 ton
C
fertilizer plant. This will triple the co-op’s current storage capacity
Ridgeland Agronomy:
As we head into July and the dog days of summer, I am sure most of
us will look back on this as a spring (and winter) we will not forget.
Hopefully through all of the struggles
this spring provided, everyone has had a
chance to catch their breath and prepare
for a wonderful summer and a bountiful
harvest. With that said I would like to
thank all of our patrons for their continued
support of the co-op and our agronomy
department.
1 uring the course of the summer we
D
would like to remind you to continue to
monitor and watch your crops. As always
there are plenty of potential pitfalls during
Bill Gausman
this
time. Mid-late season weed control in all
Ridgeland Agronomy
crops is critical, although not as devastating
as early weed pressure, late season weeds can and do rob yield and
Rice Lake Agronomy:
Hello from Rice Lake Agronomy. This year has been very challenging
for all of us, to say the least. By working together we can make it
through this season. With planting season
done, we are busy top dressing alfalfa and
side dressing corn and snap beans. As
for top dressing alfalfa fields, one should
consider the amount of nutrients pulled
from the soil from first crop due to the
abundance of rain in higher than normal
tonnage coming off the fields. Making
sure we are maintaining the soil nutrient
levels will ensure quality and quantity for
future crops. With side dressing nitrogen
on row crops, it is important for everyone
Mark Kucko
to remember that using nitrogen stabilizer
Asst. G.M.
6
which has been greatly needed as we continue to move towards
bigger equipment, thus increasing the pressure on receiving fertilizer
from the river in a timely manner during the spring season. It will
house a 200 ton blend tower with a twelve ton scale hopper and
two twelve ton mixers which will provide us with great volume and
efficiency to move product from the plant to the field. We are hoping
to have this building completed by the end of October so that we can
begin filling it in preparation for next spring’s planting season.
e also began construction in late June on a new office building that
W
will house our agronomy and grain department staffs. The office will
be located along the truck scale as you enter the property and will
be home to agronomy sales and management staff along with grain
operations. With the addition of this office we will be installing a
grain probe at the scale to aid in the sampling of the grain we handle.
e are very excited about the addition of this facility to cooperatives
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operational capabilities. Our current facilities have served us very
well in the past, but with the ever increasing speed and efficiency
to which we can plant and harvest our crops today, we feel that this
facility will position us to better serve our patrons tomorrow and in
the future.
Matt Schofield
also create extra problems for future years. Other pests to be mindful
of are insects including soybean aphids, spider mites, armyworm and
potato leafhoppers to name a few.
ith all of the rain this spring hay yields have been extremely high
W
and thus removing enormous amounts of nutrients from the soil. It
can be hard to put extra fertilizer on when one feels they may have
enough feed. This is actually the time when more fertilizer is needed
to maintain soil levels. For the corn and soybean guys applying some
potash and phosphorus in the fall is a great time to get those nutrient
needs taken care of for next year’s crop and often times at a lower
price than what fertilizer may cost the following spring.
If you feel you have a need or just a question about some of these
items this summer, please feel free to give us a call and we will gladly
help out. Again, we hope you have a safe and successful year.
Thanks, Bill Gausman
such as agrotain helps hold nitrogen together until it is able to be
incorporated into the soil by rain or cultivation.
Your Lakeland Cooperative was proud sponsors of the 2014 Aquafest
Kiddie Tractor Pull at Cenex West in Rice Lake. This year we had
90 participants which kept Sean and his staff very busy. We are also
sponsors of the Aqua Dairy Show for 4-H and FFA members in our
area. We are also very busy attending many local fairs and purchasing
fair animals to support 4-H and FFA kids.
Our condolences go out to the family of Michael Frambs. Mike
joined our team this past May. He was a great asset to our company
and a hard working employee. He was a generous man with a kind
heart. He will be greatly missed by all of us at Lakeland Cooperative.
Mark Kucko, Asst. G.M.
7
Chetek Station:
If your summer vacation plans include a road trip, the last
thing you want is to have unexpected car trouble to leave you
stranded at the side of the road, ruining
all the fun. A pre-trip vehicle check is
the best way to be car care aware and
ensure that your car is ready to get you
to your destination.
Al Steinmetz
Check filters and fluids, including
engine oil, power steering and brake
and transmission, as well as windshield
washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
Dirty air filters can waste gas and cause
the engine to lose power.
Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Under
inflated tires reduce a vehicle’s fuel economy and uneven wear
indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be
checked for bulges and bald spots.
Taking steps to have auto repairs performed before long
distance driving this summer will not only give you peace of
mind, but will also help avoid the inconvenience and potential
of breaking down when you’re miles from home.
Let us here at the Chetek station help you with any automotive
needs you have, from oil change, brake job, suspension work,
tires, or whatever your needs may be. Have a great summer
and be safe!
Al, John, Jane, & Tim
Rice Lake Hardware:
Rice Lake Convenience:
Like you the weather has played havoc with
our plans. We had another long drawn
out winter season
that
impacted
spring sales. And
now as we go into
summer it will
not stop raining
long enough to get much done outside
beyond catching up on the mowing.
Who has time to go to the cabin when
the grass at home is 12” high? Then
there are those mosquitoes...ugh!
Jeff Kamrath
Cenex South
With that being said I think we are
715-234-7850
rounding the corner and traffic is
finally starting to pick up. Farmers are in the fields, convoys
of fishermen are filing in that are headed to Canada, and the
summer festival season is in full swing. But before you know
it the leaves will be changing colors and kids will be back in
school.
The summer season is short. That means that despite all the
projects like yard work, field work, and other honey do’s all of
us need to take some time to kick back and enjoy the summer
season while it lasts. When you do we hope you allow us to help
you in your preparations.
Hello form the Rice Lake hardware store. Summer is HERE! Stop
in for L.P. fills for you grill, R.V., motor fuel tanks. We have new
tanks on hand….5# to 40# tanks, along
with regulators, hoses, fittings and more.
our competitors we offer a variety of fuels. We have the right
gasoline for all your toys big or small and old or new. Maybe
you just want to kick back and enjoy the
evening with a bonfire. We can help you
there too. We have local firewood and
plenty of s’more supplies.
We wish everyone a great summer
season but simply ask you don’t work it
away. Get out and enjoy a local festival
or just take a Sunday drive. When you
do let us help you stock up, fuel up, and
make your plans more enjoyable.
All of us at Cenex West and Cenex South
thank you for your patronage and hope
you have a great summer season....and
don’t forget the sunscreen!1
Sean Rooney Cenex West
Rice Lake Jeff Kamrath
Cenex South
Rice Lake
Save 50¢
Frozen Slush Beverage
--- Clip n Save --Not good with any other offer.
We have all you need to help you enjoy your summer activities.
We have the snacks, the ice, the soda, the bait, the propane,
and the fuel. So take that classic car out for a drive. Fire up
the boat and go fishing. And when you do remember unlike
We also have wasp spray for those pesky
insects, potatoes, garden dust, Asian
beetle and boxelder bug sprays and
much more. Stop in.
Sean Rooney
Cenex West
715-736-0800
Expires 8/30/14
See you soon.
Steve and Jim
Steve Beranek
Hardware
Rice Lake North Station:
The key to prolonging the useful life of your car is preventionplug the leaks and replace parts that need to be replaced even
before they break down. Identifying and
quickly fixing a problem while it is small
keeps it from being overwhelming and
saves you a lot of money in the long run.
Regularly check your transmission fluid, brake, power steering,
and your coolant level. These fluids make up the lifeblood of your
car, and checking them frequently can help nip small problems
in the bud, saving you from breakdowns and expensive repairs.
Different cars require different kinds and amounts of fluid. Read
your manufacturers handbook to find out more.
Changing your oil every three months
(or 3,000 miles). This is the general
rule unless your car manufacturer says
otherwise. Do not neglect this seemingly
trivial maintenance task. Keep in mind
that failure to change your oil will
increase the wear and tear on your
engine, leading to other problems.
With gas prices as they are, mileage has never been so important.
Bring in your car for a diagnostic check, we can recommend what
can be changed to improve gas mileage.
Brian Hall, Mr. Tire
Station Manager
8
United Hardware - Ridgeland:
So far this year’s crop looks quite good and hopefully it will
continue so we have a good harvest again this year.
We will once again have bunker covers
available in all sizes. Keep in mind
however, that each time we re-order,
prices could increase like everything
else seems to be doing.
From everyone at Mr. Tire
Mike Lundequam
Hardware
If you have a large fencing project that
needs to be done, be sure to stop in
and see if we have everything you may
need. If not, we can get it ordered for
you by the time you need the job done.
We still have a large assortment of gates
and cattle panels. Stop in and check
these out if you are in need of any. We have a large variety.
Just stop in and browse around. If we don’t have the specific
item you need, we can always order it for you and delivery is
still only a day or two.
We have a large supply of dog, cat and bird seed available. Also,
bird feeders, suet cakes and more. We can’t forget our pets and
feathered friends.
We still have a large supply of household items and small
appliances available along with cleaning supplies etc.
Paint and painting supplies are available with quite a variety of
colors available. Fall cleaning and painting is coming soon. We
can mix the color you need right here.
We have many items available for all your needs.
Thank you for your continued patronage.
Mike, Myda, Todd and Lloyd
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Ridgeland Car Care Center/Convenience Store:
We all thought summer would never get here after a long and
cold winter. Farmers are trying to get crops in the fields. With
summer here….is your vehicle ready
for the hot conditions? We can check
your air conditioning and load test your
battery to make sure everything is OK.
Preventive maintenance goes a long
way. Servicing your vehicles with oil
changes, trany flushes and tune ups will
give your car better fuel mileage and make it last longer.
Also, it is important that your tires
have good tread and air pressure for
traveling on your future vacations.
Have a great summer.
Jeff, Tay, Jake, Tommy and Gary.
From the Machinery and Sales Departments:
It is that time of year when most of us need to get active
outdoors; namely lawn mowing, weed trimming and working
in the garden. With every spring brings
the many repairs on our outdoor
equipment. It is a good time for a
refresher on small engine maintenance,
care and safety.
Maintenance & Care
1. Know your model number and
serial number of your equipment.
Tay Moen
C Store Manager
Jeff Schultz
Station Manager
Sand Creek Convenience/Hardware Store:
Summer is finally here! When you are heading out for your
summer fun in the sun be sure to stop by our store to pick
up snacks and refreshments. We have
Pepsi and Coke products, ice cream
treats, and an assortment of juices to
cool you off in the summer heat. We
also have lots of snacks like chips,
cookies, and trail mix. Come float the
Machinery
Red Cedar and stock up on all your goodies. If you are hitting
the area waters to catch some fish, we also carry live bait. Our
new gas pumps have been installed so please be patient with us
during the transition period. We are excited to have updated
equipment! Don’t forget to stop and see us on Mondays for a
free cup of coffee. We’d love to see you! All of us at Sand Creek
Cenex hope you have a safe and super summer!
Connie
Brian Nichols
Machinery
2. Know your engine model number
and spec number.
3. With these numbers your parts
supplier will have no difficulty
finding the parts you will need.
4. Keep your operator manual handy
for quick reference. You may
even want to read your operator
manual annually.
Safety
5. Ethanol free fuel should be used
and quality SAE30 motor oil.
1. People who operate and service lawn and garden
equipment should be trained in its proper use.
2. Avoid contact with moving parts.
3. Use extreme caution when mowing hills and slopes.
ROPS in place and use of seat belts.
Connie Cruse
C-Store Manager
Rhubarb Crisp
Crumb mixture:
1 cup flour (whole wheat)
1 cup brown sugar
4. Do not mow in reverse until you have observed the
entire area.
5. Know how to stop quickly. Know the location and
operation of every control.
1/2 cup melted butter
3/4 cup oatmeal
1 tsp cinnamon
Rhubarb filling:
4 cups diced rhubarb
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
6. Remove key to prevent children and inexperienced
operators from starting the engine.
7. Wear sturdy work shoes. Best not to wear flip flops.
8. Scan your mowing area for all objects. Clean up debris
before starting.
9. Refuel when engine is cool. Never refuel a power
product indoors.
10. Disengage blades when crossing walkways.
11. Never carry passengers. Lawn mowers are not
recreational vehicles.
12. Do not smoke around outdoor power products.
13. Keep gasoline in a well ventilated area away from your
living quarters.
14. Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight for safe working
conditions.
15. Stop immediately and check for damage if you hit a
foreign object.
16. Keep safety devices and guards in place.
17. When crossing highways look both ways carefully.
18. Keep all safety labels in legible condition.
19. Wear personal protective equipment.
20. Beware of mower discharge direction.
21. Clean all grass and debris from machine to prevent
fires.
22. Do not weld or straighten blades. Replace damaged
blades with only new blades.
Let’s have a safe summer!
Brian Nichols – Sales
Jeff Wachsmuth – Parts
Gene Koehler –Service
Al Koehler – Service
Brian Loida – Service
Tammy Koehler – Office
Mix all ingredients together, split crumb mixture in half and place half on bottom of 9X13 in pan, set aside other half to top crisp
with.
Cool ingredients (except rhubarb) in a pan until thick then pour over diced rhubarb in 9X13 in pan, cover with remaining crumb
mixture and bake for 30 minutes at 350 F. Top with cool whip before serving.
Rice Crispie Bars with Homemade Marshmallows
2/3 cup confectioners sugar
1 envelop unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup light corn syrup
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup water
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Lightly grease an 8X8 in pan & generously dust with confectioners sugar. In a saucepan (no heat), whisk gelatin into water and let
sit for 10 minutes. Turn on heat to low and add in sugar, stirring until dissolved. Transfer mixture to mixer and slowly beat in corn
syrup and salt. Increase speed to high and beat until peaks form (about 10 minutes). Add vanilla and spread into pan, then add
rice crispies and mix.
10
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Proudly serving
Northwest Wisconsin
Chetek – 715-924-4833
302 Knapp Street
Ridgeland – 715-949-1165
Highway 25 - 229 Railroad Street
Rice Lake – 715-234-8191
924 Hammond Avenue
Sand Creek – 715-658-1661
N13353 County Highway M
Cameron – 715-458-2676
2031 13-12 1/2 Avenue
Scholarship
Program
Again this year, we contributed eleven scholarships to eleven high schools.
The schools are: Cameron, Birchwood, Rice Lake, Boyceville, Prairie Farm,
New Auburn, Colfax, Chetek, Clear Lake and Clayton.
The funds that were distributed this spring were in the amount of $500.00 each. We hope that you
all have the opportunity to attend the College or Tech School of your choice. The funds that we use
for these scholarships are from our “unclaimed checks” that we send out to patrons from stock and
dividend checks that have been returned and unclaimed each year.
WE WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THESE STUDENTS WHO ARE CONTINUING
THEIR EDUCATION AND WISH THEM ALL THE BEST IN THEIR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
-Lakeland Cooperative Employees and Board of Directors-

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