Posts By: Jennifer Johnson

Published

CHS Foundation supports university precision agriculture and diversity initiatives at Northeast Community College and University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The CHS Foundation recently awarded $1 million to support student learning and success at seven colleges and universities. The funding supported five precision agriculture and two diversity and inclusion projects, including two in Nebraska.   

The CHS Foundation awarded Northeast Community College, Norfolk, Neb., a $250,000 grant to outfit an existing mobile learning lab with more equipment and provide support for taking the simulator into even more high school and college ag classrooms.  The trailer includes activities like soil moisture probes, a two-row precision planter and a variable rate sprayer.  

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln received $80,000 to continue an inclusive student mentor program.  The program will build relationships between minority high school and undergraduate students and agricultural professionals with diverse backgrounds. The goal is to increase women and minority participation in STEM-related agricultural careers.  

“We believe precision agriculture and diversity and inclusion are two of the most pressing issues facing the future of agriculture,” says Nanci Lilja, president, CHS Foundation. “The ag industry needs to be innovative in the way we attract talent and how we evolve our agronomic practices for the future. These seven colleges and universities are delivering on those innovations and have unique approaches to reaching the next generation of ag leaders.”  

The CHS Foundation is funded by gifts from CHS Inc., and develops the next generation of ag leaders through support of cooperative education, ag leadership programs, and university initiatives. For more on the CHS Foundation and funding initiatives, visit chsfoundation.org.  

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Join our corn and soybean market outlook webinar

In light of current conditions with COVID-19 and the inability to have in-person meetings the way we’d like, CHS wants to bring market information to you, our producers, in a different way. At 10am CST on Tuesday, July 14th, Chris Stringer (CHS Corn Trader) and Justin Friesz (CHS Soybean Trader) will be sharing their perspective on the current corn and soybean markets, the July report, and more.

Please note that there is a login step for webinar participants.

LOGIN BEFORE JOINING THE WEBINAR!

Corn and Beans (10 a.m. Central) : Please click here to enter your name and location information shortly before the webinar starts.

The links will become active 15 minutes prior to the start. To allow time for the registration process, we ask that you plan to register at least five minutes before the webinars start. 

Corn and Beans link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=CwkDC_p_q0WkazhxMOwGM_204K0uvaFFljRsmDzR_fNUMDZNWkIzRUw3T01WQk1TQ0NBWks4SUg5WS4u

Questions for the CHS Global Grain Marketing team can be submitted ahead of the webinar, to do so or if you have any questions about this event, please contact our grain team.

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Les Klukas named Energy Manager for CHS based out of Brandon, SD

Les Klukas has been with CHS for the past 21 years and the cooperative system for 30 years. He started his career with Farmers Coop of Balaton, which is now part of CHS based out of Brandon, SD. Les grew up in Balaton where he graduated high school and went on to attend St. Cloud State University, obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.

Les began his career as a Certified Energy Specialist in 1998 in Western IA, where he later managed the energy department.  In 2002, Les started with CHS Propane as a Wholesale Account Manager and later transitioned to CHS Hedging as an Energy Market analyst in 2008.  He returned to CHS Propane in 2013 as a Sr. Account Manager before moving to the CHS Energy Equipment group in 2017. 

Les will learn and develop the knowledge for the CHS trade territory based out of Brandon, SD in the coming months and lead the group upon Chuck Springman’s retirement on September 1, 2020. Having Les on staff for the next few months will allow Chuck to mentor, train and transition the remarkable energy business that has been built over the years under Chuck’s direction.  With Les’ wealth of experience in the energy industry, we look forward to a smooth transition and continuing the high-quality products and service you’ve come to know and trust.

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Local CHS announces scholarship recipients

CHS, based out of Brandon, SD, has cultivated opportunity for our next generation of agricultural students by awarding twelve, $500 scholarships to local high school seniors pursuing post-secondary education. This scholarship program is in its second year and as we extended our trade territory, we also extended the program from ten to twelve scholarships. We are proud to announce this year’s recipients.

Cody Gifford
Arco, MN
Taylor Kumm
Wausa, NE
Mason Schaefer
Fordyce, NE
Brayden Tofteland
Beaver Creek, MN
Collin Johnson
Florence, MN
Rhaegyn Petersen
Tyler, MN
Jacob Schmidt
Garretson, SD
Luke Veldhuizen
Edgerton, MN
Zachary Klaassen
Sherman, SD
Nathan Rombough
Crooks, SD
Christopher Sutherland
Flandreau, SD
Ethan Wright
Brandon, SD

“It’s an honor and our commitment to ensure we’re helping make a long-lasting, measurable impact in the endeavors of our future agricultural leaders.”

– Kent Mulder, general manager

There was an outstanding group of applications, the future is bright for all of these students. For more information on our scholarship program, please visit our scholarship page. Applicants must be a high school senior from the local CHS trade area, have a desire to work in the agricultural field and show enrollment in post-secondary education. Primary consideration will be given to applicants whose high school academic performance is high while demonstrating the qualities of leadership, passion for the industry, integrity and community involvement. Please check back in early 2021 for the next scholarship program details.

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Good Friday Hours

We wish you and your family a very blessed Easter weekend.

All locations will be running normal hours except for those with adjusted hours below.

Adjusted hours:

  • Marshall Office – Closing at Noon
  • Kanaranzi location – Closed
  • Canton Grain – Closing at Noon
  • Ruthton Office – Closing at Noon (Grain and agronomy open normal hours.)
Published

COVID-19 Updates – Locations

Current COVID-19 Changes at CHS based out of Brandon, SD (Updated Regularly)
Last updated 4/25/2020

Overall Company Updates:

  • We are limiting access at all locations and have eliminated walk-in traffic. Our staff members are available via phone (calls and texts) and email to fully serve your needs during this time.
  • We have restricted face-to-face meetings. Our sales staff will conduct business via phone, text or email. As a company that prides itself on the relationships we have built, this will be a difficult change. However, face-to-face meetings pose a greater risk for all parties. If you need to conduct critical business that requires an in-person meeting, please call for an appointment to confirm access to the facility and availability of staff. All visitors to our office will be required to complete a questionnaire before entering our facilities.

Baltic, SD

  • Seasonally closed to assist other locations with spring work.

Brandon, SD Grain:

  • Hours of Operation: 7:30AM – 5PM
  • Grain Shipments: Please stay in your truck as much as possible.
  • Please refrain from entering our office or other buildings unless it is absolutely essential. If it is essential, you will be asked to fill out the CHS Screening form before entering facility.
  • To limit face-to-face contact, please email me at alan.rausch@chsinc.com or call me (O) 605-582-2415 or Cell 605-941-5244
  • If you are on site for necessary business, please follow social distancing guidelines of 6 feet of space between people.

Canton, SD:

  • Grain Hours of Operation: 8AM – 4PM
  • Grain Contact Number: 605-987-2714
  • Energy Hours of Operation: 8AM – 5PM
  • Energy Contact Number: 605-332-5881
  • Grain Loading and Receiving: Please stay in your truck and do not enter the office. We will communicate through the kiosks.
  • Grain checks will be mailed out or passed through the scale window – call our office to talk with a member of our staff.

Colton, SD:

  • Hours of Operation: 7AM – 5PM Monday – Thursday, extended hours during spring season.
  • Office phone: 605-446-3400

Crofton, NE:

  • Hours of Operation: 8AM – 5PM, Monday through Friday
  • Sales staff will be available by phone only.
  • Office is limited to essential visits only.
  • We are asking that appointments be made to visit staff in the main office as some staff can be working remotely, please call 402-388-4588.
  • Payments can be placed in the drop box outside the office door.

Elkton, SD:

  • Hours of Operation: 8AM – 4PM
  • Loading Grain: Please stay in your truck. DO NOT ENTER the scale room until further notice.
  • Delivering Grain: Please stay within 4 feet of your truck/tractor and wagon. DO NOT ENTER the scale room until further notice.
  • All grain checks will be mailed out.
  • Feed orders and deliveries, please call the elevator and we will assist you with your orders.
  • Hardware store and energy, the office is limited to essential business customers only.
  • Agronomy office is limited to essential business customer only and we ask that you make an appointment to visit with staff.
  •  We have a drop box outside the office door for payments.
  • To talk with office or agronomy staff, please call 605-542-2371
  • To talk with elevator staff, please call 605-542-2211
  • For any emergencies, please call 507-920-1075

Ellis, SD:

  • Hours of Operation: 8AM – 4PM Monday through Friday
  • Facility is closed to visitors except by appointment
  • Call for information, 605-332-5881

Garretson, SD:

  • Hours of Operation: 8AM – 4PM, Monday through Friday
  • Please adhere to the CDC guidelines at all times at this facility
  • We ask that appointments be made to visit office staff, please call 605-594-3415.

Hurley, SD:

  • Hours of Operation: 8AM – 4PM Monday – Friday
  • Grain Receiving & Loading: Please stay in your truck and do not enter the office unless otherwise advised by staff.
  • All grain checks will be mailed out of the Canton office.
  • Site Contacts: Office – 605-238-5281 or David, Location Manager, at (c) 605-214-0517

Jasper, MN

  • Hours of Operation: 8AM – 4PM, Monday – Friday
  • Grain Shipments: Please stay in your truck as much as possible.
  • Please refrain from entering our office or other building unless it is absolutely essential.
  • If you are on-site, we ask that you adhere to the 6-foot distancing guidelines set out by the CDC.
  • To limit face-to-face contact, please email Brandon at brandon.mack@chsinc.com or call the office at 507-348-3911.

Kanaranzi, MN:

  • Hours of Operation: 8AM – 4PM, Monday through Friday
  • Grain Receiving and Shipments: Please remain in your truck and wait for instructions from staff. DO NOT ENTER the office area.
  • Please adhere to the 6-foot distancing guidelines set out by the CDC.
  • For any questions, please call 507-283-8989

Luverne, MN:

  • Hours of Operation: 7:30AM – 5:00PM
  • We are asking that appointments be made to visit staff in the main office, please call 507-283-4418.
  • Grain Deliveries: Please stay in your vehicle until the attendant comes out to give you instructions.
  • For Feed: Please call the mill at 507-449-2002 and someone will come to assist you.
  • For Energy Parts: Please call 507-283-4418 and someone will come to assist you.
  • Payments can be placed in the drop box located to the left of the main door.

Magnolia, MN:

  • Grain Hours of Operation: 8AM – 4PM – Monday through Friday
  • Grain Receiving and Shipping: We ask truckers and patrons adhere to the 6-foot distancing guidelines set out by the CDC. We will bring all paperwork to you.
  • For grain questions, please contact Brad Skattum at 507-920-9553
  • Ag Center Hours of Operation: 8AM – 5PM, Monday through Friday
  • Visitors are by appointment only.
  • Please contact our office at 507-283-2431

Marshall, MN:

  • Hours of Operation: 8AM – 5PM
  • Agronomy sales staff will be available by phone or video calls only.
  • Office is limited to essential visits only. If necessary, please adhere to the 6-foot distancing guidelines set out by the CDC.
  • Seed Department: receiving and pickup, please leave paperwork on the back of your trailer and stay in your truck.
  • Grain Loading: Please stay in your truck.
  • Unloading Grain: Please stay within 6 foot of your truck/tractor while unloading.

Pipestone, MN:

  • Hours of Operation: 7:30AM – 4:30PM
  • We are adhering to the CDC guidelines, using 6′ spacing, wiping down contacted surfaces multiple times a day.
  • We ask that you limit contact with route drivers and adhere to the 6′ spacing.
  • For energy parts, please call 507-825-4256 and someone will come to assist you
  • Payments can be placed in the drop box located to the right of the main door
  • While assisting customers with portable LP tanks to be filled we are asking that you keep maximum distance and no follow employees to the fill station.

Ruthton, MN:

  • Hours of Operation: 8AM – 4PM
  • Agronomy sales staff is available by phone or video calls.
  • Office is limited to essential visits only. If necessary, please adhere to the 6-foot distancing guidelines set out by the CDC.
  • Grain Probe Shack: Please do not enter until further notice.
  • Loading Trucks: Please stay in your truck.
  • Unloading Grain: Please stay within 6 foot of your truck/tractor while unloading.

Tracy, MN:

  • Hours of Operation: 8AM – 4PM
  • Loading Grain: Please stay in your truck. DO NOT ENTER the scale room until further notice.
  • Delivering Grain: Please stay within 4 feet of your truck/tractor and wagon. DO NOT ENTER the scale room until further notice.
  • All grain checks will be mailed out.
  • Please call, 507-629-3780 to talk with staff.
  • Feed Mill Hours of Operation: 6AM – 5PM
  • Please call or email in feed orders
  • Bulk and back delivery drivers, please stay in your trucks and call 507-629-3781 for assistance.
  • Bag feed orders, please call and we will bring bags outside to the loading dock.
  • Please contact Jacob Portz at Jacob.Portz@chsinc.com or Rod Benson at Rod.Benson@chsinc.com for any questions or orders.

Wausa, NE:

  • Hours of Operation: 8AM – 5PM – hours will adjust to 6:30AM – Dark when agronomy season starts.
  • If you with to meet with office staff, please call ahead to make an appointment as some staff is working remotely.
  • Our office is open, but ask that if you are ill, please stay home or call and we will meet you at the door. We would like to limit the number of people in the office.
  • Please respect the CDC guidelines of social distancing at 6ft if you are on the premises.
  • Sales staff is available by cell phone only.
  • We ask that you please stay in your vehicle when we are loading chemical or fertilizer.
  • If you are a trucker, please stay on the scale and someone will come to you.
  • Protocols are subject to change with recommended guidelines and management discretion.

Worthing, SD:

  • Hours of Operation: 7AM – 5PM , Monday through Thursday
  • Office Phone: 605-372-3700
Published

General Manager Update On COVID-19

March 19, 2020

As you are aware, the impact of the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 continues to rapidly evolve. Safety is a core value for CHS and includes a focus on the health and wellbeing of our employees, families, customers and owners, and the communities in which we live and work.

We understand that spring is here, and I want to emphasize; we are open for business. We are simply adjusting some protocols. CHS based out of Brandon, S.D. has implemented the following changes effective Thursday, March 19th, until further notice: 

  • We are limiting access at all locations. We respectfully ask you to contact us through phone or email whenever possible. Some of our locations have enacted split shift schedules; staff that can work remotely, have been asked to do so and will be available via phone or e-mail.
  • If you need a grain check, please contact us and we will mail it promptly, deliver it to local bank for deposit or setup a pickup location outside of the office. 
  • All visitors to our office will be required to complete a questionnaire before entering our facilities. We are also asking all staff and visitors to adhere to the 6-foot distance recommended by the CDC to reduce virus spread.
  • For in-home propane leak checks, inspections or service; customers will be asked to complete a simple screening questionnaire prior to any CHS employee providing in-home service work.    
  • We have restricted face-to-face meetings. Our sales staff will conduct business via phone, text or email. As a company that prides itself on the relationships we have built, this will be a difficult change. However, face-to-face meetings pose a greater risk for everyone involved. If you need to conduct critical business that requires an in-person meeting, please call for an appointment to confirm access to the facility and availability of staff.
  • We ask you to call ahead for product pickup whenever possible, our team will ensure that everything is ready to load upon your arrival.
  •  For those customers or vendors delivering grain or picking up products, we ask that you limit your time in the office to essential business. At some locations, we are asking drivers to remain in their cab. Please check our location policies or watch for information and direction upon arrival.

We will adjust our practices as necessary in the coming days, weeks or months. Rest assured, it is our commitment that we will continue to provide excellent service and support throughout this unprecedented time, even if we must do it differently. We value your business, your trust in CHS and appreciate your understanding during this time. We look forward to resuming normal interactions as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

Kent Mulder
General Manager
CHS based out of Brandon, S.D.

CHS_Brandon_KentLetter_COVID19_FINAL_3.19.20Download a printable copy.
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Grant from CHS supports local 4-H improvements

BRANDON, SOUTH DAKOTA, June 26, 2019 –  The CHS retail business based out of Brandon, South Dakota, has announced a $5,000 grant to Lincoln County 4-H. This money will be used for repairs and new equipment to support poultry and rabbit projects.

“We are extremely grateful to receive this grant,” said Alina Krone-Hedman, the 4-H youth program advisor for Lincoln County. “It will significantly impact our rabbit and poultry members, as it will be used for purchasing more cages and items for showing, as well as improving the current equipment we have. With both these programs growing every year, this will help us guarantee animal safety.”

This grant will be used for a new rabbit show table, new rabbit and poultry cages, additional shelving for rabbits and poultry that will be movable to allow for better layouts in the barn as the exhibits expand, and repairs to current rabbit and poultry cages and equipment.

“CHS is honored to give back to such a strong local organization that does so much for our youth,” said Michael Van Otterloo, manager of the CHS location in Canton. “Many of our employees have grown up being a part of 4-H. The future of our rural ag communities begins with our children, and organizations like 4-H will help build a strong future for agriculture in South Dakota.”

This donation was made possible through the CHS Seeds for Stewardship program, a competitive grant program through CHS that matches funds for projects in rural communities based on three core focus areas: safety, ag leadership development, and broad community engagement.

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Dicamba Cutoff Date Approaching

Dicamba cutoff dates are nearing for both South Dakota and Minnesota, find each news release below for further information on the application restrictions.

Minnesota: Application cutoff date June 20th
South Dakota Application cutoff date June 30th

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 17, 2019
Media Contact: Maggie Stensaas, 605.773.4073

Dicamba Cutoff Date Approaching

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) reminds applicators that June 30 is the cutoff date for dicamba products.

The SDDA obtained Special Local Needs registration labels, also known as 24(c) labels, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the following products: Engenia, Fexapan and Xtendimax with VaporGrip Technology. These labels establish a June 30 cutoff for applications of these products in South Dakota for the 2019 growing season. Applicators can use these products until soybeans reach the R1 growth stage, 45 days after planting or June 30, whichever comes first.

“While the weather has had an impact on planting this year, which I know is frustrating for many producers, the fact remains that warmer conditions in July increase the risk of volatility and drift when using dicamba products. The cutoff date is based on data which supports increased risk of drift after July 1,” says Secretary of Agriculture Kim Vanneman. “I encourage producers to explore the other products available to them once the cutoff date for use of dicamba has passed.”

Anyone applying Engenia, Fexapan or Xtendimax with VaporGrip Technology must also abide by the restrictions included in the EPA labels for those products, including recordkeeping requirements. Additionally, applicators applying or purchasing these products will have to complete annual dicamba specific training. Trainings can be found on the SDDA website at https://sdda.sd.gov/ag-services/dicamba/.

Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote, protect and preserve South Dakota agriculture for today and tomorrow. Visit them online at sdda.sd.gov or find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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http://news.sd.gov/newsitem.aspx?id=25604

June 11, 2019

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding pesticide applicators of the state-specific restriction for the use of the herbicide dicamba for the 2019 growing season. The product cannot be applied in Minnesota after June 20.

The 2019 Minnesota restriction is in addition to those established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The affected formulations are XtendiMax by Monsanto, Engenia by BASF, FeXapan by DuPont, and Tavium by Syngenta.

“We understand that late planting this season has caused concern for growers who want to use this crop management tool,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “However, delaying applications in an attempt to control later emerging weeds can result in poor control and presents other risks. If you are one of the growers that has invested in dicamba technology, now is the time to use it because late planting combined with pre-plant tillage can offer advantages for weed control, according to University of Minnesota Extension.”

The June 20, 2019, cut-off date is based on the MDA’s ongoing investigations and informal surveys into reports of crop damage from alleged dicamba off-target movement over the past two growing seasons. In 2017, the MDA received 253 reports of alleged dicamba drift; 55 of those were formal complaints requesting investigations. Those reports impacted an estimated 265,000 acres. After state restrictions were put in place for the 2018 growing season, the number of complaints dropped dramatically to 53 reports, of which 29 were formal complaints. Just over 1,800 acres were impacted in 2018.

This year’s cut-off date was first announced on December 10, 2018. Over the winter, approximately 5,800 pesticide applicators attended trainings across the state as required by the product labels.

Dicamba is most effective early in the growing season. Product labels recommend application on small broadleaf weeds that are up to 4 inches tall.

To manage weeds after June 20, herbicides from Group 9 (Glyphosate), Group 2 (Pursuit, Classic, FirstRate), and Group 14 (Flexstar, Cobra, Cadet, Ultra Blazer) can be used. If you have herbicide resistant weeds such as waterhemp, follow University of Minnesota Extension recommendations on layering of residual herbicides such as Dual, Outlook, Warrant, and Valor.

In Minnesota, the XtendiMax, Engenia, FeXapan, and Tavium formulations of dicamba are “Restricted Use Pesticides” for retail sale to, and for use only by, certified applicators.

https://www.mda.state.mn.us/june-20-cut-date-remains-dicamba-use-minnesota

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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us

Published

Local high school seniors awarded CHS scholarships

May 14, 2019 –Ten high school seniors from the local CHS trade area have been named recipients of $500 CHS scholarships.

“CHS is committed to making a long-lasting, measurable impact on rural America and the agricultural industry,” said Kent Mulder, general manager. “It’s an honor and our commitment to ensure we’re helping make an impact in the endeavors of our future ag leaders. We congratulate the recipients as they finish out their high school year and set their sights to make a great impact on the agricultural industry.”

The recipients of CHS scholarships include:

Jared Hauswedell, Tyler, MN – attending Lake Area Tech
Trevor Benson, Lyons, SD – attending South Dakota State University
Lincoln Burggraff, Colton, SD – attending South Dakota State University
Brooklyn Ludeman, Tracy, MN – attending South Dakota State University
Cayden Buysse, Tracy, MN – attending South Dakota State University
Brooklyn Knudson, Canton, SD – attending Lake Area Tech
William Stegenga, Luverne, MN – attending Lake Area Tech
Cooper Hansen, Tyler, MN – attending Bethany Lutheran College
Aaron Goodale, Chester, SD – attending South Dakota State University
Allyson Beninga, Inwood, IA – attending Iowa State University

CHS was impressed with the outstanding scholarship applications received in the first year of this program. In order to be eligible for a CHS scholarship, applicants must be pursuing a career in agriculture and live within the CHS trade territory.

© 2021 CHS Inc.