Posts By: Jennifer Johnson

CHS to build a new grain shuttle facility in southeast South Dakota

For further information, contact:
Jen Johnson
605.222.2243
jennifer.johnson2@chsinc.com

CHS to build a new grain shuttle facility in southeast South Dakota

Sioux Falls, S.D., (Jan. 17, 2023) — CHS Inc. will begin construction this spring on a new grain shuttle facility in southeast South Dakota, a strategic location in its Pacific Northwest corridor.

“We continue to reinvest in projects that bring even more value to our owners while expanding customer-focused retail solutions for area farmers,” says Rick Dusek, executive vice president of CHS ag retail operations. “Our continued focus is on making investments on behalf of our farmer-owners that will strengthen rural America and help meet the growing demand for agricultural products and services.”

The new facility will include industry-leading technology and the latest safety features in the new 1.1-million-bushel grain facility. It will be built near the intersection of Interstate 29 and State Highway 44 in southeast South Dakota and tie into an existing rail loop currently used for CHS agronomy operations. The facility will feature fast and efficient receiving and loadout capabilities to bring area farmers even more market access in the Pacific Northwest grain corridor and other important markets.

“This investment in infrastructure and supply chain capabilities is part of a coordinated and focused effort to drive operational and efficiency gains throughout our expansive CHS network,” says Kent Mulder, CHS vice president of operations in South Dakota and the Southern Plains. “Our operational footprint and assets are the strength of our supply chain and this important project delivers on our strategy to have safe, efficient assets in the right places to best serve our farmer-owners’ increasing need for speed and space and connect them to global markets.”

The new facility will create a safer environment for employees, farmers and community members through cleaner operating conditions and updated equipment with enhanced safety features.

“The strength of rural America relies on agriculture, and CHS is well-positioned to grow and expand opportunities for our farmer-owners through these strategic investments,” Mulder says.

CHS Inc. (www.chsinc.com) is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. Diversified in energy, agronomy, grains and foods, CHS is committed to creating connections to empower agriculture, helping its farmer-owners, customers and other stakeholders grow their businesses through its domestic and global operations. CHS supplies energy, crop nutrients, seed, crop protection products, grain marketing services, production and agricultural services, animal nutrition products, foods and food ingredients, and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries and pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products.This document and other CHS Inc. publicly available documents contain, and CHS officers and representatives may from time to time make, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on CHS current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of its businesses, financial condition and results of operations, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of CHS control. CHS actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause CHS actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are discussed or identified in CHS filings made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the “Risk Factors” discussion in Item 1A of CHS Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022. These factors may include: changes in commodity prices; the impact of government policies, mandates, regulations and trade agreements; global and regional political, economic, legal and other risks of doing business globally; the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine; the impact of inflation; the impact of epidemics, pandemics, outbreaks of disease and other adverse public health developments, including COVID-19; the impact of market acceptance of alternatives to refined petroleum products; consolidation among our suppliers and customers; nonperformance by contractual counterparties; changes in federal income tax laws or our tax status; the impact of compliance or noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations; the impact of any governmental investigations; the impact of environmental liabilities and litigation; actual or perceived quality, safety or health risks associated with our products; the impact of seasonality; the effectiveness of our risk management strategies; business interruptions, casualty losses and supply chain issues; the impact of workforce factors; our funding needs and financing sources; financial institutions’ and other capital sources’ policies concerning energy-related businesses; uncertainty regarding the transition away from LIBOR and the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate; technological improvements that decrease the demand for our agronomy and energy products; our ability to complete, integrate and benefit from acquisitions, strategic alliances, joint ventures, divestitures and other nonordinary course-of-business events; security breaches or other disruptions to our information technology systems or assets; the impact of our environmental, social and governance practices, including failures or delays in achieving our strategies or expectations related to climate change or other environmental matters; the impairment of long-lived assets; and other factors affecting our businesses generally. Any forward-looking statements made by CHS in this document are based only on information currently available to CHS and speak only as of the date on which the statement is made. CHS undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise except as required by applicable law.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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

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.

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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