M I S S I O N - A T E A M FO C U S E D O N S E RV I N G O U R C U STO M E R S W I T H I N T EG R I T Y. . . E V E RY DAY.

NORTH IOWA COOPERATIVE October 2019

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Reaching for ExcellenceThe cooperative structure is unique

and stands apart from other business structures. North Iowa Cooperative, in the same vain, is also different, in a way that has not only become our standard, but also the recognized culture of our team.

As a cooperative, our first priority is helping our members succeed. This isn’t fulfilled solely by providing the right combination of seed and fertilizer, or delivering quality feed regularly. We know that growers and producers today rely on a cooperative business that places value on service and accessibility. At North Iowa Cooperative, this is what we refer to as “Reaching for Excellence.”

This culture and image-building phrase is part of actionable training and development at North Iowa Cooperative across all of our employee team. We’ve embraced this outlook for two reasons - to add value for members and to secure a

strong future for the cooperative.From my general manager role, I’m

reminded that the importance of “Reaching for Excellence” is especially worth noting during the month of October as we celebrate Co-op Month. While the value of cooperatives is seen and felt 365 days of the year, this month reminds us to actively promote how we, at North Iowa Cooperative, are striving for that additional excellence.

Communication to our members, with transparency in mind, allows us to be a trusted resource. As a member-owned business, it is a priority to keep members informed of decisions, strategic focuses and financials. We also place an emphasis on distributing knowledge that gives customers the edge in achieving their own business’ success.

Staying connected, whether to our members’ needs or that of the greater

agriculture industry, means we can remain prepared now and in the future. At our size of cooperative, we are able to remain engaged with customers to better understand what our services need to fulfill. And with our employees involved in communities and alongside our members, the connectedness grows stronger.

This also leads to what I find most unique about our cooperative; the genuine care that is shown by each employee for the greater good of North Iowa Cooperative and the members. We are proud to provide and fulfill services as competitively as a larger cooperative, but with the personalization of a small cooperative feel.

This Co-op Month, let us recognize the strength and benefits of cooperatives. Even more, let’s celebrate the strong success of your North Iowa Cooperative and that of its future through continually Reaching for Excellence.

Chuck Schafer, General Manager

These employees have reached milestone anniversaries in their careers at North Iowa Cooperative. We recognize and appreciate their dedication to the cooperative, our members and fellow employees.

Brett Dirksen

Dave Gruenberg

Mike TeKippe, Jr.

5 YEARSJeff Kuhlers

Vance Hakes

30 YEARSChuck Schafer

RECOGNIZING YEARS OF SERVICE

Has Your Farm Data Gone Phishing?

With a daily rise in cybercriminals using things like trojan horses, phishing, and hacking, everyone’s personal information is at risk. Your cooperative knows it’s time to not only arm ourselves with the tools to defend your information, but to equip our members with those same tools for security at home.

That being said, here are a couple tips involving links via emails to guard your personal devices:

Hyperlinks (links) can take you anywhere, including places you don’t want to be.

If someone sends you a link in your email, tread lightly. The words that are being linked do not have to match the linked website. For example, someone sends you information about us, and they end their email saying, “But don’t believe me? Check them out for yourself

at www.nicoop.com today.” Although this link looks like it is going to send you to our website, it could actually be linked to a whole ream of different websites designed to take your information.

Once you click on these kinds of links, the hacker has an all-access pass to your personal information which could include credit card numbers, social security numbers, addresses and bank statements.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELFIf you want to visit the website, type

the address manually into the browser. That way you can see if there’s something that needs taken care of without the risk of endangering your information.

More Cyber Security Tips in the Next Edition of NIC Exclusive.

Grain ContractsNorth Iowa Cooperative wants to remind you of available grain contracts this season. The Basis Contract

and Hedge-to-Arrive Contract are two unique opportunities we offer you to personalize your harvest experience.

Other grain contracts: Offers, Forward Contracts, Deferred Payment, and Price Later. Call your local NIC grain contact and choose your contract today.

BASIS CONTRACT: This contract is used most when future prices are low and farmer movement is light. We lock in the basis for a specific delivery period with futures to be set at a later time.

HEDGE-TO-ARRIVE: Producers choose this contract when future prices are high and farmer movement is more active. Futures market price is locked in while leaving the basis open to be set at a later time. Service fees do apply.

THORNTON OFFICE641-998-2711 or 1-800-531-9241

PORTLAND OFFICE 641-423-5311 or 1-800-341-5311

CLEAR LAKE OFFICE 641-357-5274 or 1-888-350-5274

PLYMOUTH OFFICE 641-696-3382

North Iowa Cooperative ExclusivePage 2

Go on the offensive with these Cyber Security Tips from NIC’s Controller, Amy Fisher Your friend emails you two URLs. Which one

should you copy and paste into your browser?

OR

Answer: Number 1. The YouTube in Number 2 is spelled wrong.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE!

1. http://www.youtube.com/adhasLKUkjFJos

2. http://www.yuutube.com/adhasLKUkjFJos

New NIC ControllerAMY FISHER

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Keep Your N Where the Corn Plant Can Use It

The value of nitrogen stabilization is easy to equate when cost for N is high, but when prices are relatively low, it’s a different value proposition.

It may seem like a great money-saver to skip the stabilizer and just dump all the N you need, but that would be counterproductive today and really costly when looking at yields next year.

Data collected over 40 years suggests that nitrogen stabilization using products like N-Serve® and Instinct II® can increase yield by 7%, which would add 14 bushels to a 200-bushel yield.

In fact, studies have shown that stabilizing at the right rate will produce a greater yield than higher rates of applied nitrogen.

If a corn plant misses an opportunity to uptake nitrogen, it does not compensate later and yield is lost. Stabilizing applied nitrogen removes the risk of not being able to apply nitrogen exactly when the corn plant needs it.

In addition, some soils do not retain more nitrogen, so any increased N will be washed away with the first rain.

On average, applying the correct rate of nitrogen and stabilizing it using a proven product:

• Increases test weight 1.0 point

• Increases protein content 0.5%

• Decreases moisture content 1.0%

• Improves standability and harvest efficiency

• Reduces nitrates making their way into the environment.

While there are other nitrogen stabilizers on the market, N-Serve (Nitrapyrin) is the only nitrification inhibitor listed on the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

Contact your North Iowa Cooperative Agronomy representative today about keeping your applied nitrogen in place for the next growing season.

Stabilization is Key

YEAR-END MENTIONS

North Iowa Cooperative Members met recently to discuss information they should consider as they make seed and input decisions for the 2020 growing season.

Topics included new soybean traits including Dicamba, Xtendimax® by Bayer Crop, and a new 2, 4-D trait coming from Corteva, as well as what’s new in the seed pipeline that growers can expect to see down the road.

The NIC Agronomy Team also talked about expectations for a wet, drawn-out harvest.

A harvest wrap-up meeting is tentatively scheduled for the week before Thanksgiving. Watch for news on an exact time and date.

If you were unable to attend this Seed Informational Meeting, please contact your local NIC Agronomist for a review of the details.

The fiscal year for North Iowa Cooperative closed on July 31. Since that time, annual audits and financials have been completed to determine the year-end financials. The 2019 fiscal year saw $76.5 million in total sales and $43,550 in local earnings. When combined with regional earnings of $1,131,242, savings before taxes for your cooperative was $1,174,792.

North Iowa Cooperative will distribute a total of $750,000 in dividends, with $350,000 as cash to members and the remainder allocated as non-qualified patronage- a distribution which the cooperative takes care of the tax

obligation for the members. Through taking advantage of the Section 199A pass-through to members, an additional $783,043 will be distributed. Members should have received a letter informing them of this Section 199A pass-through in September.

These financial reports from the cooperative’s auditor and member dividends will all be shared with Class A members at this year’s North Iowa Cooperative Annual Meeting. The 18th annual meeting, to be held on December 4 in Clear Lake, will also include guest speaker Dave Holm, the

Executive Director of Iowa Institute for Cooperatives.

Prior to the Annual Meeting, Class A voting members will be able to make their selection for board representatives. John Jordan, a director from Clear Lake District 2, will be retiring. Currently Jeremy Johnson is slated as a candidate in District 2. Jay Fritz, an incumbent in an at-large seat, is running for re-election.

If members have any questions regarding the cooperative’s year-end financials, please contact General Manager Chuck Schafer.

NIC Delivers Seed Update

N-Serve (Nitrapyrin) is the only nitrification

inhibitor listed on the Iowa Nutrient

Reduction Strategy.

® All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

North Iowa Cooperative ExclusivePage 4

Volunteer Emergency Services Play Vital Role in Small Towns

Rob Schmidt is no stranger to small town Iowa and the importance of being involved in your community. Watching his father as a Volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) growing up, Rob was exposed to the life of an emergency volunteer at a young age. In 2011, he took it a step further and joined the Thornton Volunteer Fire Department.

“The number of volunteers in small town fire departments are really low right

now, and it was something I wanted to step up into.”

A farmer of the Iowa variety - hogs, corn and soybeans - he’s had his fair share of close calls for combine fires, and Rob says one of the best things you can do is keep an updated fire extinguisher easily accessible during harvest.

“Ideally, everything is dry when you’re in the fields, and it doesn’t take much for something to spark because of all the

moving parts. Fire extinguishers are a must-have during harvest. You hope to never use it, but in case of an emergency, preparation is the best prevention.”

Rob also pointed out that if there is any question of whether or not the fire extinguisher is charged, buying new is best to ensure the safety of you and your crop.

Since 2011, Rob has moved out of the Thornton Fire District, but you can still find him heading out with Thornton Fire and Rescue when duty calls.

“Volunteer emergency services play such vital roles in small towns. Having enough people on the crew could potentially mean the difference between life and death, and I want to do what I can to affect that positively.”

Fire extinguishers are a must-have during harvest. You hope to never use it,

but in case of an emergency, preparation is the best prevention.

“ “

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COMBINE FIRES: The Risk You Don’t Have to TakeStart with Prevention. Survive with Safety.

A combine fire is a dangerous, potentially deadly situation, but there are some things you can do to prevent a fire and – should one break out – ways to protect yourself from danger.

If you see or smell smoke, or if a fire has started in your combine, STOP! Get out of and away from the equipment, then immediately call 911. The sooner they know you’re in trouble, the faster they can get to you.

Stay on the line with the operator, even if you have to set the phone down. Maintaining the connection to 911 can help responders locate you.

Provide operator with three points of reference, for instance, “The intersection of 100th Avenue and A Street, west half of the section, bottom of the hill.” Let them know about any road conditions or obstructions that could hinder their ability to reach you.

If the fire is out of control, retreat as far back from the equipment as possible to protect yourself in the event of an explosion. Tires, fuel tanks and fuel lines can all explode with immense force and without notice in the heat of a fire.

If you are safely able to use a fire extinguisher, attack the fire from the area that has already been burned and work your way toward the fire, staying back from the flames and using a sweeping motion toward the base of the fire. Advance only if the fire is receding.

Attempt to keep the fire from spreading to the crop being harvested but, if the crop does become involved, stay far back from the flames and await help.

If you have lost connection with the 911 operator, call back and provide updates on the scope of the fire, if it has spread and other information that might be essential to fire and rescue crews.

Prevention Tips

• Clean your machine and keep it clean, especially around the engine.

• Check coolant and oil levels regularly.

• Check the pressurized oil supply line to the turbocharger for areas that rub and may start to leak.

• Get those leaves, chaff and other dry plant materials away from your engine.

• Watch exhaust or hot bearing surfaces and repair any leaking liquids.

• Keep areas around fuel lines and tank clean.

• Allow the engine to cool for at least 15 minutes before fueling.

• Watch the dry conditions and wind levels. Together, these two turn an already risky situation into a very dangerous one.

• Double check your fire extinguishers. Shake them once or twice a season and make sure they’re up-to-date.

IF A FIRE BREAKS OUT

PREVENTION TIPS

iProvide operator with three points of reference, for instance, ‘The intersection of 100th Avenue and A Street, west half of the section, bottom of the hill.’

Turning Up the Heat on Propane Know-How

Prepare yourself for the upcoming winter by testing your knowledge with FACT or FICTION - Propane Edition!

FACT OR FICTION: Stoves and gas grills are great sources of space heat during the winter - especially during a power outage.

FICTION Only use appliances that are designed and approved for indoor use. Never store, place or use a propane cylinder indoors or in enclosed areas. Never use outdoor propane-powered appliances indoors or in enclosed areas. Without proper ventilation, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) fumes can build up.

FACT OR FICTION: Never ignore the smell of gas.

FACT Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cellphones. Get everyone away from the home or area where you suspect gas is leaking. If safe to do so, close or shut off the main gas supply valve by turning it to the right (clockwise). Call United L.P. at (641) 423-4011 immediately from a safe place to report the leak. If you cannot reach us, call 911. Do not return to the area until a propane provider, emergency responder, or qualified service technician gives the OK.

FACT OR FICTION: Always maintain a decent supply of propane in your tank.

FACT A severe winter storm can hinder additional propane deliveries. If you run out, contact your propane provider immediately. We must check your system for leaks before turning your gas back on.

FACT OR FICTION: Use energy liberally.

FICTION Winter storms and the resulting inaccessible roads may make propane deliveries impossible for several days. Use energy conservatively by setting your programmable thermostat to as low as is comfortable - possibly a few degrees cooler at night and when nobody is home. Close off any rooms that don’t need to be heated.

FACT OR FICTION: Appliances don’t need to vent. There’s no need to check them once they’re installed.

FICTION Allow your appliances to vent properly. If it is safe to do so, clear snow and ice away from outdoor vents, chimneys, and flutes to prevent blocking any ventilation.

PROPANE.COM SAFETY TIPS

North Iowa Cooperative ExclusivePage 6

Take the first step in staying warm this winter

UNITED L.P, For fill orders or questions,

call 641-423-4011

WINTER TIPS FOR LIVESTOCK

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Time to Prepare Small Farms for Winter, Too

We may think of livestock today as only the large operations with hogs in climate-controlled confinement barns where they are kept in healthy conditions year-round.

While it’s true that most commercial production has been built around the best species-specific science, there are more

and more small-holdings farms where livestock – such as poultry, goats and pigs – are kept because they provide eggs or meat for the table, or because their owners are involved in a show circuit.

No matter your reason, small-holdings livestock can be at a disadvantage when

it comes to transitional weather periods. especially as we move from the warmth of summer into the cool, damp fall and the possibility of early severe winter weather.

Unlike people and house pets, most livestock common in the Midwest has been bred to adapt to changing seasons.

Most livestock are well-adapted to cold. In fact, some, like cattle – actually thrive in the cold and prefer it to the hot temperatures of mid-summer.

That being said, wind and wet are the conditions that cause the greatest concern.

Make sure your animals have dry shelter from the wind and can come inside. The heat from their bodies will dry them quickly, but extended periods in wet, cold weather is a drain on their immune systems and can cause loss of body condition.

CHICKENSChickens are quite

hardy, especially if you’ve selected a breed that does well in cold weather. What chickens don’t do well with are large swings in temperature, so if you provide heat in the chicken coop, use a heat lamp rated for outdoor use and make sure the temperature remains just above freezing.

If you wish for your hens to continue laying through the winter, you’ll need to provide them with low light for around 16 hours per day. A small light bulb is best

as bright light can cause stress and lead to unhealthy behaviors in the coop. Also, remember to collect eggs a couple of times a day so they don’t freeze in the laying box.

Make sure chickens have access to clean water at all times. If you can provide a heated water source outside, you’ll save a big mess in the hen house, but if inside is the only place for a waterer to stay thawed, be sure to clean the coop out regularly to let it dry out. Chickens are expert mess makers!

GOATSMature

goats should have few issues due to winter weather, but young or newborn kids require warm, dry conditions to remain healthy. Make sure you have plenty of good-quality forage for breeding animals through the winter. As browsers, non-breeding animals can be allowed out into brushy areas, spent gardens, even corn stalks for winter nutrition.

PIGSHealthy adult pigs thrive in colder

weather, but young pigs and those that have been through stressful situations such as traveling to shows, need to have warm dry quarters with good quality feed and fresh water available at all times. Clean pens out regularly and keep dry shavings, wheat or oat straw down for bedding.

As with any animal in your care, always consult your veterinarian for details

on health programs for your specific animals. There is a lot of information online, but not all is scientifically-based. Instead, contact your local extension service for the real scoop.

Your Feed Department staff at North Iowa Cooperative is ready to answer your nutrition questions

and to provide the best feed and nutrition products from Purina Brands and Big Gain Feeds. Contact Kevin Weiss at the Clear Lake location, 641-357-5274, or Randy Westhoff at Thornton, 641-998-2711, for more information.

105 South First St., Box 90Thornton, Iowa 50479

Thornton (641) 998-2711Portland (641) 423-5311Plymouth (641) 696-3382Clear Lake (641) 357-5274United L.P. Co. (641) 423-4011 (Mason City)

www.nicoop.com

HAPPY & SAFE HARVEST!- N I C W I S H E S Y O U A -

“Serving the Communities of North

Central Iowa”

North Iowa Cooperative ExclusivePage 8

COMING SOON!

NEW WEBSITEAt the North Iowa Cooperative, we are always considering what’s

best for our members, and how to make our relationship the most beneficial for you. We are excited to share the development and design of a new North Iowa Cooperative website that is currently in progress and will be launched yet this fall.