11/29/2023

Transcript:

Central Prairie Co-op signs network agreement with Scoular to support Canola supply chain.

Central Prairie Co-op today announces it will receive and store Canola at one or more of its locations as part of a supply chain agreement with Scoular. Currently, Scoular is converting a facility in Goodland to a dual oilseed crush plant, which is slated to begin operations in the fall of 2024.

“Interest in canola has accelerated in recent times due to its high oil content, making it a desirable option for the production of renewable diesel and other fuels,” said Mike Corbus, Chief Executive Officer of Central Prairie Co-op. “Another positive aspect of canola is that it makes a great rotation crop. Wheat grown after canola often results in a significant yield increase. Central Prairie Co-op is well positioned to help producers engage in this growing market, which offers the potential for higher profitability. This agreement nicely compliments other initiatives we are working to bring forward in the future.”

Central Prairie Co-op’s Grain Marketing Advisors will work with Scoular’s origination team to provide information and support for those who wish to participate in Scoular’s Canola MVP program.

“Farmers benefit when longtime, trustworthy partners like Scoular and Central Prairie Co-op join to get their crops to market,” said Sandra Hulm, Scoular Vice President and General Manager. “We’re excited for all of the possibilities in the coming years to deliver Kansas and Oklahoma canola to the growing renewable fuels market.”

Central Prairie Co-op is a full-service agricultural cooperative with multiple locations throughout a four-county footprint and employing over 100 staff. Headquartered in Sterling, KS., Central Prairie Co-op offers grain handling via 16 elevators, grain marketing, feed production at 2 feed mills, a rural farm market, a full-service fuel station, and comprehensive agronomy and petroleum divisions.

Scoular is employee-owned, with over $10B of agribusiness leading the way since 1892. We buy, sell, store, handle and process grain and ingredients by leveraging our global networks and expertise in international trade and transportation. Scoular ranks 48th on the Forbes list of America’s largest private companies and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.

Last August, CPC expanded its footprint with our new grain elevator site on the north edge of Little River. The facility can store up to 1.9 million bushels and is staffed with a seasoned team of 3, having over 100 years combined experience to assist patrons in that area. In addition, CPC offers fuel sales at our pumps in town, and to the east a few miles, our Little River Agronomy hub. John Mitchell serves as the elevator location manager with 42 years experience at the Little River Location, and over that time, many changes have been made to the elevator to provide greater safety and faster processes to accommodate customers. Marva Spellman has over 34 years in the grain business and does a great job meeting customers’ needs in the office and at the scales. Jerry Weaver has 25 plus years experience at the elevator, and assists with handling trucks, shipping, grain conditioning, and the repair and maintenance of the facility. John, Marva, and Jerry are ready to serve area producers this summer and fall harvest seasons – stop in and say hello. The entire crew at Central Prairie Co-op appreciates the opportunity to be of service and we thank you for your business!

Located just South of our Little River Agronomy location, lays our 4-acre FFA Test Plot. Each year the plot is planted to showcase the various varieties and hybrids of our seed portfolio. During the growing season, we can use this plot to gather information on which varieties and hybrids perform best for the growing area. Once the crop is harvested, the grain is sold and the income from the harvest is donated to the Little River High school FFA program. This money goes towards helping the FFA with items such as uniforms and meals as well as funding field trips. Last fall, the FFA District Land Judging contest was held on the plot. During this contest, students can visually see and work hands on with the diverse soil types and landforms that our local growers must manage. The key objective to this contest is to bring awareness to Natural Resource Management and to further the student’s skills.

On Monday night, we had our Central Prairie Co-op Annual Meeting where over 200 people were in attendance. The meeting covered a range of important topics that will create a positive impact on the co-op’s operations and growth. As always, efficiency is very important and one of the key points discussed was a new Fleet Optimization Program. The program places a focus on having fewer, more reliable and up-to-date vehicles to ensure the smooth functioning of the co-op’s transportation needs. Another crucial item on the agenda was the Lyons fuel upgrade, which involves installing a new DEF pump and new fuel island and pumps. The meeting also addressed repairs at the Chase hoop shed, which included tarp and concrete renovations. These repairs are essential to maintaining the quality and safety of the co-op’s facilities. Speaking of safety, Central Prairie is also in the process of adding AED units (Defibrillators for cardiac emergencies) to all its facilities. These units are there for emergency use and available to employees, patrons, and the community at large.

Another important focus of the meeting was the creation of an employee Professional Development Program that will provide more in-depth information about the co-op’s departments. An employee’s participation can provide more potential career opportunities within the cooperative and increase the level of cooperation amongst all our departments; which should translate to an even better customer experience. In addition, we discussed how we updated our website to better engage with customers and improve communication. We are also increasing our social media presence. The establishment of a new Business Development Committee was also announced, which will work to uncover new and unique business opportunities that will benefit the co-op’s membership. The meeting concluded with the election of three new board members. Four individuals ran for the three available positions, and Dan Johnson, Brian Miller, and Brad Krone were elected to the board. The meeting was a success, with valuable discussions and decisions made that will help the co-op continue to thrive in the future.

The retirement of Cliff Taggart marks the end of an era at Central Prairie Co-op. For over three decades, Cliff has been an integral part of our team, contributing his skills and expertise in various roles. Starting out as an Elevator Operator and Spray Rig Operator at our Partridge location in 1989, he quickly established himself as a reliable and hardworking employee. His dedication and commitment to his work did not go unnoticed, and in 1997, he was promoted to Partridge Location Manager.

As Location Manager, Cliff was responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Partridge location. He led his team, ensuring that all tasks were completed efficiently and effectively. His knowledge and experience were invaluable, and his colleagues looked up to him as a mentor and role model. Despite the challenges that came with the job, Cliff remained steadfast and focused, always putting the needs of the co-op first.

Now, as Cliff prepares to embark on a new chapter in his life, we at Central Prairie Co-op want to express our sincere gratitude for his many years of service. We are grateful for his hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our company. We wish him all the best as he enters retirement and hope that he enjoys the well-deserved break. Cliff, thank you for everything you have done for us over the years. You will be greatly missed.