standard nutrition, maxyield tap the power of …... december 2019 10 bark in the park: maxyield...
TRANSCRIPT
WWW.MAXYIELDCOOP.COM
DECEMBER 2019
10 Bark in the Park: MaxYield Donates Land for Belmond Dog Park
14 Getting to the Root of Nitrogen Management in Corn
22 Show Ring Secrets:How Three Young Swine Exhibitors Win Big!
GOT GRAIN NEAR WAVERLY? STANDARD NUTRITION, MAXYIELD TAP THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS
PAGE 8
/ 3
MAXYIELD EDITORIAL TEAMPatti Guenther, Chad Meyer, Diane Streit, Emily Campbell
My Solutions® magazine is sent to you courtesy of MaxYield Cooperative® to offer you an exclusive look into farming and rural life in Iowa and southern Minnesota. MaxYield is a local agricultural cooperative that not only works to maximize the harvest but also never loses sight of the bigger picture of why people farm. More information about MaxYield is available at www.maxyieldcoop.com.
My Solutions is published by MaxYield Cooperative, 313 3rd Avenue NE, West Bend, IA 50597.
To subscribe or provide address changes, please send to: MaxYield Cooperative PO Box 49, West Bend, IA 50597 Call 515-200-5115 or email [email protected]. Subscription cost is $10 per year.
Photography by Greg Latza.
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORSBoard Chairman Howard Haas, Algona (central region) 515-295-7993
Vice Chairman David Garrelts, Emmetsburg (central region) 712-852-2792
Secretary/Treasurer Eric Marchand, Britt (east region) 641-843-4167
Barry Anderson, Greenville (west region) 712-262-0480
James Black, Algona (east region) 515-341-7858
Don Hejlik, Britt (east region) 641-843-3438
Todd Meyer, Everly (west region) 712-834-2153
Ron Rouse, Curlew (west region) 712-855-2434
Jim Wirtz, West Bend (central region) 515-887-6554
LEARN MORETo learn more about MaxYield Cooperative, visit us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or log on to www.maxyieldcoop.com.
A PEEK INSIDE THE DECEMBER 2019 ISSUE:
COVER STORY, Page 8:
GOT GRAIN NEAR WAVERLY? STANDARD NUTRITION, MAXYIELD TAP THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS
Page 10:
BARK IN THE PARK: MAXYIELD DONATES LAND FOR BELMOND DOG PARK
Page 12:
SHARING THE KEYS TO SUCCESS: ADAM GISCH’S 5 TIPS FOR A WINNING OUTLOOK ON LIFE
Page 14:
GETTING TO THE ROOT OF NITROGEN MANAGEMENT IN CORN
Page 22:
SHOW RING SECRETS: HOW THREE YOUNG SWINE EXHIBITORS WIN BIG!
Page 26:
A BUCKEYE IN THE HAWKEYE STATE: MEET REGAN COYLE, GRAIN SOLUTIONS SPECIALIST
Page 30:
AVOIDING LOST IN TRANSLATION: HOW CONNECTIONS CENTRAL IS BUILDING STRONGER HUMAN CONNECTIONS
Keith Heim, CEO of MaxYield Cooperative
The Washington Nationals won the 2019 World Series, but
history will also remember how this World Series defied
everything we know about the home-field advantage.
This was the first World Series in which all seven games
were won by the road team. While there are a lot of ways
you can look at this, to me it shows how focusing on the
fundamentals is a key to success in challenging situations.
Excellent performance in baseball—and business—has to be
built on a solid foundation. This is especially true when you’re
trying to succeed in a tough environment that pushes you
out of your comfort zone. That’s where the fundamentals
come in. Some people think it’s boring to focus on the
fundamentals. I disagree. Emphasizing the fundamentals sets
you up to win, long before you take the field.
Numbers highlight successYour cooperative had to operate in a challenging ag
environment during the last fiscal year, yet we completed a
solid year financially. MaxYield’s success is powered by the
Powered byFundamentals
By Keith Heim, CEO
business fundamentals we put in place before the
downturn in the ag economy and which we continue
to embrace.
Our fiscal year completed on July 31 included
reduced corn and soybean bushels in the fall of 2018
and reduced grain drying revenue. These were more
than offset, however, by strong margins in nearly all
product areas and disciplined expense control
across MaxYield.
MaxYield’s local savings from operations for the
2018-2019 fiscal year totaled $1,790,071. Pre-tax total
savings for the cooperative totaled $7.4 million.
We’re continuing to build our already-solid balance
sheet. In the last fiscal year, we reduced term debt by
$4.8 million, grew member’s equity and added $2.5
million to working capital in 2019, which is up more
than $5.5 million during the past two fiscal years.
MaxYield also increased retained savings to nearly
$59 million. In 1997, retained savings at MaxYield
were ($122,242), so we continue to make significant
progress in strengthening the co-op’s financial
position. In addition, we retired more than $900,000
in equity, including the last of the equity owed
to members of the former Farmers Cooperative
Company of Britt.
Focusing on the fundamentals going forward As we build on these successes, we’ll continue to
focus on business fundamentals in fiscal year
2020 by:
Investing in property, plant and equipment. The
board has approved investments in rolling stock,
including three new custom application machines.
Grain bin improvements, including the addition of
new 725,000-bushel bins at Britt and Belmond, are
also underway.
Investing in our team members. MaxYield’s team
members stepped up and did everything they could
to help us through the previous fiscal year and are
doing the same now. We want our team members
to be good at what they do, and we want them
to be comfortable in their roles. That confidence
comes from a solid grounding in MaxYield’s
business fundamentals. We continue to invest in
education, including internal training, to help clarify
expectations, providing the tools our team members
need to get the job done and instilling the knowledge
that the MaxYield team has their back. This translates
into effective solutions for our clients.
Cultivating new leadership. Skilled, knowledgeable
board members are vital to any farmer-owned
cooperative. MaxYield has been blessed to have this
leadership for many years from Jim Wirtz from West
Bend and Todd Meyer from the Everly/Fostoria area.
Both men are retiring from the board in December
2019. Todd began serving on the board in 2003.
He’s reliable, isn’t afraid to speak up and is always a
strong promoter of the cooperative business model.
Jim joined the board in 2007 and offers a wealth of
insight, since he’s an accountant, former banker and
farmer. Jim doesn’t ask a lot of questions, but when
he does, you’d better be ready to answer. It has been
great working with Jim and Todd. I’d like to thank
them for their years of service and wish them all the
best. While it’s tough to say goodbye to great leaders,
the good news is that new candidates are stepping
forward to run for MaxYield’s board.
As we navigate all these changes that lie ahead, we’ll
continue to focus on the fundamentals to deliver
the solutions you need and help MaxYield succeed.
Thanks for your continued support. We look forward
to serving you in 2020. ■
/ 54 / MY SOLUTIONS / DECEMBER 2019
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Todd Meyer Shares the Lessons Learned at MaxYield
When you’ve always known you want to farm, you can’t get started too early. Just ask Todd Meyer.
“I tried to quit school in eighth grade so I could farm, but my mom made me keep going,” joked Meyer, who harvested his 40th crop in 2019 at his family’s Century Farm near Everly. “I’ve always liked the independence of farming and the fact that I don’t punch a time clock.”
Meyer knows that success in farming involves a lot more than freedom, though. In fact, this freedom demands self-discipline and smart management—the kind of strategies outlined in Stephen Covey’s best-selling book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” These habits also guide the success of an organization like MaxYield Cooperative, where Meyer has served on the board since 2003.
As he prepares to retire from the MaxYield board this December, Meyer reflects on the seven habits of highly effective board members:
Begin with the end in mind. Successful cooperatives provide solutions that members and clients need. They also adapt these solutions as times change, said Meyer, who served on the board of directors at Fostoria Cooperative Elevator before becoming an associate director for West Bend Elevator Company and a director for MaxYield. “When the Fostoria co-op unified with MaxYield in 2003, the ethanol industry was new and growing, so the co-op had to figure out how to adjust to this new business environment,” Meyer said. Beginning with the end in mind also means investing in capital improvements that are needed
to keep the co-op strong for years to come and creating a good work environment that helps attract and retain team members, Meyer added. “We’ve provided a lot of solutions for people through years and want to maintain this.”
Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Meyer enjoys visiting with people and giving back to the community by serving on the co-op board. “I value human interaction and know it’s important to listen to others, especially when we’re working together through the co-op. A co-op is a pillar of the community. I want to make sure it stays around for years to come.”
Stay proactive. As competition gets tougher in the ag industry, MaxYield needs to ask some key questions, Meyer said. “What will the business landscape look like in the next 30 years? What can we do serve clients better? How do we make sure our co-op remains viable?” Growing existing team members’ skills and cultivating new talent will help MaxYield meet these challenges, he added. “Our internship program is essential. You have to have people ready to come off the bench to help MaxYield move forward.”
Put first things first. Job one at MaxYield is serving clients. For a director, that means looking at the big picture beyond your nearest MaxYield location. “Serving on the board is a valuable experience, because you gain a broader view of how the ag industry works and how the co-op system benefits farmers,” Meyer said. “Serving on the board has also taught me to look more holistically at my business and rely on the MaxYield team to help me operate my farm more profitably.”
Sharpen the saw. One of the ways to be more efficient and productive is to surround yourself with talented people. “MaxYield’s board members, team leaders and team members offer a lot of knowledge and common sense,” Meyer said. “I appreciate them because they’re smart, hard-working, good people who help others.”
Think win-win. Meyer believes the farmer-owned cooperative model is as effective as ever. “The co-op model works because you own the business and have a say in what goes on,” added Meyer, who understands one of a director’s key roles is to listen to the members he or she represents and share this input with MaxYield’s board. The cooperative model isn’t just business at MaxYield; it becomes like family, Meyer added. “When I started on the board, my oldest child was still in high school. Now she’s in her mid 30s with four kids. My MaxYield family has been with me through these milestones in life, from graduations to weddings.”
Harness the power of synergy. MaxYield is in a strong financial position, plus the cooperative system has a great support network from the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, CoBank and Cenex, Meyer said. All this will be important to the directors, team leaders, members and clients of MaxYield going forward. “I think the changes that will happen in agriculture in the next 50 years will be breathtaking compared to those of the previous 50 years,” Meyer said. “Technology is transforming everything, but there will still be a role for the local co-op.” ■
Editor’s note: Meyer is retiring form the MaxYield board of directors in December after serving on the board for 16 years. We are grateful for his leadership and commitment to MaxYield. We wish him all the best!
/ 76 / MY SOLUTIONS / DECEMBER 2019
Bob Smith, Grain Superintendent
No one can whistle a symphony; it takes members
of an orchestra working together to create this feat.
Working in harmony with other professionals is also
the key to success in agriculture today. That’s why
MaxYield Cooperative has formed a joint venture
with Standard Nutrition at the company’s feed mill in
Waverly, Iowa.
“We’re excited that MaxYield Cooperative and
Standard Nutrition have entered into this grain
purchasing and risk management joint
venture,” said Ben Buie, grain team leader for
MaxYield Cooperative.
Since August 1, MaxYield Cooperative has been
handling the grain purchasing, grain accounting and
risk management at Standard Nutrition’s feed mill,
the former Schneider Milling location east of Waverly.
After this family-owned business sold its assets to the
agronomy company Nutrien in 2018, Nutrien sold
the grain and feed facilities to Standard Nutrition in
January 2019.
“While Standard Nutrition is great at making feed,
they wanted help with grain origination at Waverly,”
Buie said. “MaxYield not only has a state grain license,
but the grain origination and accounting expertise
Standard Nutrition was seeking.”
Creating a win-winSince 1995, MaxYield has provided grain procurement
and risk management services to various feed mills
and grain end-users in the Midwest, including Kerber
Milling/Standard Nutrition in Emmetsburg and the
Hawkeye Pride poultry feed mill near Corwith.
“These things aren’t get-rich-quick schemes, but
they do add solid revenue to the cooperative,” said
Howard Haas, chairman of the board of directors at
MaxYield. “We keep looking for opportunities to help
MaxYield succeed.”
Expanding MaxYield’s reach east of Interstate 35 to
Waverly was natural extension for the cooperative.
“Before coming to MaxYield, I spent seven years of
my career over there, so I understand agriculture in
that region and know some of the farmers in the area,”
said Buie, who noted that pork production thrives in
this part of Iowa.
Standard Nutrition’s feed mill near Waverly is a
functional location that contains 2 million bushels of
grain storage. The facility includes a grain dryer, which
is a plus, since ethanol plants don’t take wet corn, Buie
noted. Cash grain bids for the Waverly feed mill are
posted at www.maxyieldgrain.com/cash-bids.
“We’re rebuilding trust and growing relationships with
farmers in this area,” Buie said. “We have a lot to offer,
including cash grain marketing options, firm offer
programs, off-farm trucking solutions, innovative grain
contracts and risk management strategies that farmers
probably aren’t getting from an ethanol plant. We want
to be a marketing partner that provides solutions to
benefit your farming operation.”
MaxYield’s former Britt location leader, Bob Smith, now
serves as the grain superintendent at the feed mill near
Waverly, which is his home area. “We’re hitting the
ground running at Waverly, thanks to team members
like Bob,” said Keith Heim, CEO of MaxYield. “When
you look at the success of MaxYield’s long-standing
relationships with other feed mills and grain end-users,
I’m confident Waverly will be a win-win, too.”
To learn more about marketing grain at the Standard Nutrition feed mill, contact MaxYield’s Waverly office at 515-200-5149. ■
LOCATION PROFILE
Got Grain Near Waverly? Standard Nutrition, MaxYield Tap the Power of Partnerships
8 / MY SOLUTIONS / DECEMBER 2019 / 9
Bark in the Park: MAXYIELD DONATES LAND FOR BELMOND DOG PARK
“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives
whole,” wrote photographer and writer Roger Caras.
Connie Mattison knows it’s true, even though she
herself doesn’t have a dog. That’s why she’s part of
a committee leading the effort to build a dog park
in Belmond—a goal she says wouldn’t be possible
without MaxYield Cooperative.
“While Belmond has the Franklin Grove Heritage Trail
where you can bike, jog or walk, you can’t let your
dog run, since the city has a leash law,” Mattison said.
“I saw how people were going out of town to take
their dogs to the nearest dog parks in Clear Lake
and Waverly.”
Why couldn’t Belmond build its own dog park?
Mattison and other community boosters began
exploring the idea in the summer of 2018 and
proposed the idea to the Belmond City Council, who
gave them permission to proceed.
That was the easy part, however. Building a dog park
can cost thousands of dollars and requires one key
component—land. “We were willing to work hard,
volunteer our time, write grants and do whatever it
took, since we knew a dog park can be a big asset to
Belmond,” said Mattison, who serves on a six-person
committee spearheading the project. “Finding land
was a big hurdle, though.”
A possible solution was right down the road at
MaxYield, which owned 1.5 acres south of Main
Street on 5th Street SE, across from the water tower
near the Franklin Grove Heritage Trail. Mattison
wondered—could this small alfalfa field become
Belmond’s dog park? She started making some calls
and got connected with the right MaxYield
team members.
“We took the idea to the MaxYield board,” said
Jeff Marsh, operations team leader at MaxYield
Cooperative. “They thought it was a great idea and
were more than willing to donate the property for a
worthwhile community project like this.”
MaxYield team members also removed some old
railroad ties that had been piled on the property,
Mattison said. “I had no idea MaxYield was so
philanthropic. Our committee is so thankful for the
co-op’s generosity. It’s like this project was meant
to be.”
Designed for dogs, pleasing peopleNational surveys show that dog parks are among the
most popular amenities a community can offer today.
Dog parks give dogs a safe space to exercise and
roam freely, plus they give people a chance to get
outdoors and exercise with their pet.
According to a 2018 poll conducted by the National
Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), 91 percent
of Americans believe dog parks provide benefits to
the communities they serve. The availability of dog
parks is especially popular among Millennials (94
percent) and Gen Xers (92 percent), followed by
Baby Boomers (89 percent), who agree dog parks
benefit local communities, according to NRPA.
Belmond’s dog park will be divided into one section
for large dogs and another section for small dogs.
Project leaders continue to raise money through
fundraising efforts, grants and donations to install
a 6-foot-tall, galvanized chain-link fence around
the dog park. Plans are also underway to add a
limestone parking lot, a walkway from the trail to the
park, water fountains for people and dogs, garbage
cans, waste bag dispensers, grass seed, fertilizer and
signage listing the sponsors who made the project
possible. “MaxYield will be listed first,” Mattison said.
Community support is essential to make the dog
park a reality. The chain-link fence alone accounts
for nearly $30,000 of this $50,000 project. “We
are committed to the success of the dog park,”
emphasized Mattison, whose fellow committee
members have secured a variety of donations,
including park benches from Bayer, trees from Trees
Forever, shrubbery from the Iowa Green Trust and a
fire hydrant from the City of Belmond.
Cash contributions have come in, as well. In July
2019, the local Fareway grocery store’s “round up”
fundraiser, where shoppers could round up their
bill to the next dollar, raised more than $2,000. The
Sugarpie Bakery & Café in Belmond hosted a “Bark
Brunch” one Sunday morning and raised $2,300 for
the dog park.
Dog park supporters have also sold merchandise
including t-shirts and travel mugs, along with hosting
two “doggie dips,” where dog owners can donate
money and let their dogs take a swim in the local
pool at the end of the swim season.
The committee’s goal is to finish the dog park by late
summer of 2020. When completed, the dog park
will be maintained by Belmond’s city employees. The
committee would eventually like to add agility toys to
the dog park to make it even more fun for people’s
canine companions.
None of this would be possible without MaxYield’s
contribution, Mattison noted.
“They gave us the perfect piece of land in an ideal
location. It’s a dream come true.” ■MaxYield’s Chad Meyer presents Connie Mattison with the MaxYield land donation deed.
10 / MY SOLUTIONS / DECEMBER 2019 / 11
Grow where you’re planted. When Gisch joined
MaxYield in 2007, he
started at the bottom
and worked his way up.
During his career with the
cooperative, he has driven a
tender truck, worked in grain
operations, handled millwright
duties, operated the service station at West Bend,
hauled liquid propane and moved into energy sales.
“While sales success is measured in numbers, my
MaxYield team mentors also instilled in me the
importance of building relationships,” Gisch said. “I’m
grateful I’ve had such great support and guidance
during every aspect of my career at MaxYield.”
Find mentors. Gisch credits team members, past
and present, with helping him learn not only
the technical aspects of his job, but the art of
human relationships. He values the lessons imparted
by the more experienced team members like Doug
Shink, retired MaxYield energy solutions specialist,
who mentored him in sales. “Team members who
have worked here for 10, 20, 30 years or more have
seen it all and have a lot of knowledge,” Gisch said.
“MaxYield’s mentors care enough about you to walk
you through the real-life experiences you’ll encounter
on the job. They want to help you succeed.”
Coach others. Gisch has discovered that many
of the sales skills he’s learned at MaxYield help
him become a better coach at Okoboji High
School, where he’s served as an assistant coach for
the girls’ basketball team for the past three years. “I
want to help people,” said Gisch, who acknowledges
some of his own coaches when he was growing
up left a lot to be desired. When
a buddy approached him a few
years ago about coaching an
8th grade girls’ basketball
traveling team with the
Okoboji Youth Basketball
Association, Gisch was
hooked. As he’s gotten
more involved in coaching,
Gisch imparts lessons focused on
accountability, responsibility and communication,
all tailored to each player’s unique personality. “We
also lead by example,” added Gisch, who’s in the
gym for the team’s 6 a.m. practices. “I coach kids
for the game of life, not just wins and losses on the
basketball court.”
Give back to your community. Gisch looks for
ways to help local students however he can.
He serves as a business advisor for the Okoboji
High School’s FFA chapter. He has donated oil on
behalf of MaxYield to support the FFA members’
tractor project, where the students restore a vintage
tractor each year. MaxYield also sponsors TRAWL
(Tractor Ride Around West Lake). FFA members plan
the route around the lake for this annual ride which
usually attracts 300 people, Gisch said. “I like to help
MaxYield get more involved in the communities we
serve,” he added.
Don’t forget to add some ice cream and adventure. If he’s anywhere near the Nutty Bar
stand at Arnold’s Park, there’s a good chance
Gisch is indulging in two scoops of Salted Caramel
Craze ice cream. “My wife, Lyndsay, says I can eat
my weight in ice cream,” Gisch joked. It’s all good,
however, since he stays active. He and his older
brother, Dennis, spent five days hiking 80 miles in
the most remote regions of Yellowstone National
Park in July 2018. “Of the 4 million people who visit
Yellowstone each year, only 1 percent go where we
went,” said Gisch, who noted there were grizzly bears
and amazing scenery in the back country, but no
cell phone service. “You have to be prepared, push
through the challenges and don’t give up. It’s a lot
like the circle of life.” ■
If you ask Adam Gisch about his background, don’t be surprised if he gives direct, honest, unflinching answers.
When he was growing up south of Algona, some people told him he’d never succeed. When he started working for MaxYield Cooperative 12 years ago in his early 20s, he could sometimes come off as arrogant.
“Throughout my life, I’ve wanted to prove to people I can accomplish things,” said Gisch, who is an energy solutions specialist for MaxYield Cooperative. “Most of all, I want to prove it to myself.”
This drive has served Gisch well, not only in his career at MaxYield, but in his personal life. He knows success is learnable. He’s living proof that achievement isn’t the result of one big decision—it’s the outcome of making consistent, good choices every day, every month, every year.
Sharing the Keys to Success:ADAM GISCH’S 5 TIPS FOR A WINNING OUTLOOK ON LIFE
Here are his five tips for success, all learned through real-world experience:
1 2
4
5
3
12 / MY SOLUTIONS / DECEMBER 2019 / 13
Do different corn hybrids use nitrogen (N) differently? Iowa State University (ISU) researchers
asked this question 50 years ago and tried to find the answer with the hybrids that were available
back then. Now MaxYield Cooperative is putting today’s hybrids to the test.
“Nitrogen is such a difficult variable to measure,” said Dan Bjorklund, seed team leader at MaxYield
Cooperative. “The old ISU data indicated that some hybrids do need more N later in the growing
season. We wanted to see for ourselves if there’s different N utilization by different hybrids.”
During the 2019 growing season, MaxYield team members planted 44 different hybrids in a plot
split into two sections by an alleyway. The plot had received 130 pounds of stabilized anhydrous
ammonia in the fall of 2018. “These are rotated acres, so there were some nitrogen contributions
from the soybeans that were grown on this area in 2018,” Bjorklund added.
During the 2019 growing season, an additional 46 pounds of N were applied via airplane around
the V5 stage to the front 130 feet of the plot. The same hybrids in the back half of the plot
received no extra N at this stage.
The biggest surprise? “We’ve been seeing similar results to what the ISU researchers found
years ago,” Bjorklund said. “Some of those older genetics are still coming through in the modern
hybrids. This indicates the need to understand the inbred makeup of the hybrids growers are
planting today, since some of these hybrids are heavy users of N late in the growing season.”
Root structures make a big difference
All this can help growers fine-tune their N
management and sometimes dial back on
N applications where it makes sense. If
you plant Croplan 3899, for example,
MaxYield’s 2019 studies showed very
little N deficiency where extra N wasn’t
applied. This hybrid has thicker, nodal
roots than can penetrate deeper in
the soil to chase N.
“If you have poorer drained
fields without enough tile,
consider planting 3899,”
said Bjorklund, who noted
that 3899 comes from
the northern genetic classification of corn hybrids. “It
seems not to be affected by N loss as much, meaning it
tolerates wet areas better than other hybrids.”
Contrast northern hybrids like this with other hybrids
that are “nitrogen hogs.” Hybrids from the southern male genetic classification show tremendous
N deficiencies when additional N isn’t applied later in the growing season. ISU researchers
observed this years ago, Bjorklund noted. “You’ll see yellowing from the tips of the lower leaves to
the middle of the leaves,” he said. “These symptoms of N deficiency start showing by late July or
early August.”
MaxYield team members observed even more signs of N deficiency by the time these corn
hybrids reached the early dough stage. “It was very dramatic,” Bjorklund said.
The reason this occurs is related to the root structure of hybrids in the southern male genetic
classification. “Compared to a northern hybrid like 3899, southern genetics have shallower,
fibrous roots that can’t chase N as easily,” Bjorklund said.
Maximizing economic yield Even though studies from ISU to MaxYield
are bearing out these facts, farmers don’t
always believe it. “Farmers are so hard
wired to think, ‘I can’t afford to come
up short on N,’ that it’s almost hard to
believe science backs up MaxYield’s
and SciMax Solutions’ variable-rate N
recommendations,” Bjorklund said.
Bjorklund admits he was skeptical before
he came to MaxYield. “Then I saw the
data. We’re showing you can get the
same yields with 60 pounds less N
per acre, in some cases.”
Understanding the heritage of
specific genetics to maximize productivity isn’t new to agriculture. “Everyone is
all geared up when it comes to understanding the genetics of hogs and cattle,”
Bjorklund said. “We want to create a culture of knowing not just the genetic
heritage of our livestock, but also our corn.”
The key is understanding how different corn hybrids with different ancestries
respond differently to various N environments. MaxYield’s seed solutions
specialists and agronomy specialist team members understand the genetic
background of the hybrids they recommend.
“Going forward, we want to create enhanced learning blocks where we
work with clients in our area to study different hybrids by N usage
rates,” Bjorklund said. “We want to take one hybrid that comes from
southern genetics and one that’s comes from northern genetics, for
example, and see what the data tells us. That’s how we’ll get even
better at maximizing nutrient management to maximize
yield potential.”
For more information, contact your local MaxYield seed
solutions specialist or agronomy specialist. ■
Getting to the Rootof Nitrogen Management in Corn
14 / MY SOLUTIONS / DECEMBER 2019 / 15
ENJOY MORE FUEL CHOICES IN EMMETSBURG
Every day brings new choices. You now have more
choices at the fuel pump, thanks to a new blender
pump MaxYield Cooperative installed at our Cenex
cardtrol just east of Emmetsburg along Highway 18.
“We’re excited to bring E15 and other ethanol blends
to Emmetsburg, which doesn’t currently have some
of these options,” said Chad Besch, energy team
leader for MaxYield Cooperative.
E15 is a high quality, higher octane fuel that’s a blend
of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline. E15
burns cleaner than regular gasoline, and it’s approved
for use in all 2001 and newer cars, sport-utility
vehicles and light-duty trucks.
At the other end of the biofuel spectrum is E85,
which contains a large proportion of ethanol. To use
E85, you just need a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) that
has been designed to run on E85 or regular gasoline.
The new blender pump installed at MaxYield’s fuel
station near Emmetsburg offers five options, from
E10 to E85. “We have consistent demand for fuel of
all types at this location,” Besch said. “We offer diesel
fuel there, too, since a lot of semi-truck drivers use
this station.”
MaxYield received a grant to help offset the cost
of the new blender pump, which is now fully
operational. MaxYield also offers blender pumps in
Spencer, Milford and Superior. “Since ethanol is a
home-grown fuel, I encourage you to support ethanol
usage wherever you can,” Besch said. “We appreciate
your business.” ■
Managing a farmer-owned cooperative properly
requires a three-tiered approach to financial
management including the timely retirement of
debt, retiring members’ equity and investing in
facilities and equipment. That’s why MaxYield
Cooperative is investing in a number of capital
projects in the months ahead, including:
Grain bin improvements, including the addition of
new 725,000-bushel bins at Britt and Belmond.
The dirt work and foundation work for the bin
in Britt began this fall and will continue into the
spring. The Belmond bin will begin taking shape in
2020, as well.
MaxYield purchased three new custom
application machines. One machine is based in
the Superior/Gruver area, one is in the Mallard/
Emmetsburg area and one is in the East Area.
Fuel pump upgrades. Not only has MaxYield
added a new blender pump at its fueling station
near Highway 18 east of Emmetsburg, but we
also upgraded our diesel fuel pumps at our
Britt cardtrol facility this fall. We replaced both
diesel pumps with new diesel dispensers. The
east dispenser (which includes pumps 7 and 8)
is a single product, dual-hose, ultra-high flow
dispenser. The old pump was a single-hose pump
that pumped about half as fast as the new one.
The west pump (including pumps 5 and 6) is a
regular-speed, dual-hose, dual-product dispenser
with a total of four hoses, versus the two on
the old pump. This unit is not ultra-high flow,
because manufacturers do not make ultra-high
flow dispensers for dual products, but this new
equipment should still be slightly faster than the
previous pump.
All the hoses at the Britt cardtrol dispensed
Cenex® Roadmaster premium diesel this fall, but
we’ll switch to a blended diesel product in one of
the tanks for winter. At that time, pumps 5 and
6 will have one hose for blended product and
one for regular Roadmaster. This is the same as
it has been in the past. Adding more hoses and
providing faster pumping speeds means better
service for you.
Thanks for your continued support of MaxYield.
We appreciate the opportunity to serve you. ■
MaxYield Invests in Bins, Blender Pumps and More
16 / MY SOLUTIONS / DECEMBER 2019 / 17
Adam had worked closely with SciMax Solutions to learn about the
latest technologies. “Adam was eager to farm, but willingness and
ability are two different things,” Wirtz said. “We so appreciate how the
MaxYield and SciMax teams mentored Adam. This relationship was a
huge benefit following Adam’s passing.”
This support defines a solutions provider, Wirtz added. “It’s about more
than business savvy. It’s about having a heart. With the board, I knew
there were eight people who had my back, no matter what. MaxYield
walks the talk.”
Guiding MaxYield into the future
There’s another big reason why Wirtz continues to do business with
MaxYield. “One of Clint Eastwood’s sayings is that, ‘A man’s got to know
his limitations.’ It’s tempting to be a jack of all trades, but that’s not the
best farm management strategy. Once you decide a job is beyond your
skill level, you can either hire someone and put them on your payroll, or
you can access the talent at MaxYield, which is just a phone call away.”
The MaxYield team understands the big picture. “As a farmer, you see
MaxYield from the outside in, mainly the location in your area where
you dump your grain,” said Wirtz, who is also an accountant and former
banker. “As a director, you see it from the inside out, which is a much
broader view.”
Wirtz can remember when the co-op was just West Bend, Mallard and
Rodman. Today, MaxYield’s territory runs from Interstate 35 to west
of Highway 71. Wirtz appreciated the knowledge of his fellow board
members to help him better understand how MaxYield works.
“When you’re new to the board, it takes a good two to three years just
to learn the business. The other board members who’ve been around
longer have institutional knowledge, like the year a bin was built or why
certain decisions were made. All this helps explain why things evolved
the way they have.”
This knowledge makes it easier to guide MaxYield into the future. “As
a board member, you have to separate needs and wants as you work
through the budget,” Wirtz said. “Then you have to prioritize and try to
do the greatest good for the greatest number, while being
fiscally responsible.”
There are no cookie-cutter formulas for success in this ever-changing
business landscape, but there are two truths. “You never rest on your
laurels,” Wirtz said. “Also, you rely on knowledge guided by experience.”
All this revolves around a shared belief in the value of the cooperative
model, which Wirtz will continue to support long after his board service
concludes. “We don’t just sell stuff at MaxYield. I’m proud we offer
solutions provided by people who truly care.”
Editor’s note: Wirtz is retiring form the MaxYield board of directors in December after serving on the board for 12 years. We are grateful for his leadership and commitment to MaxYield. We wish him all the best! ■
MaxYield Has Your Back:
Jim Wirtz Reflects on 12 Years
as a DirectorSay the word “board member,” and some people think of
someone that nods yes to everything. Jim Wirtz says it’s not
like that at MaxYield Cooperative.
“Farmers are independent businessmen,” said Wirtz, a West
Bend-area farmer who has been a co-op patron since 1977
and a MaxYield director since 2007. “The diversity on this
board in terms of farming operations, age of the directors,
geographic location and work experience helps make
MaxYield a solutions provider.”
Wirtz only knew two of MaxYield’s directors personally
when he was elected to the board 12 years ago. As he
became acquainted with the other board members, their
knowledge and commitment to the cooperative system
impressed him. Wirtz’s first five years on the MaxYield
board were a fun time to serve, since the agricultural
economy was on an upswing. “I thought, ‘This is
easy,’” Wirtz said.
Then came the downturn in the farming economy.
In the midst of those challenging times, Wirtz
received a phone call on Thursday evening, August
22, 2013, that would change his life forever.
Wirtz was attending a MaxYield board meeting
in West Bend when he was notified that his
28-year-old son, Adam, had been involved in
a serious farm accident north of West Bend.
Tragically, Adam passed away from injuries
sustained in the accident.
The full measure of this profound loss sunk
in during the days and weeks ahead. Adam
had been a key leader in the family’s
farming operation, which includes Wirtz
and his brothers, Chuck and Doug.
18 / MY SOLUTIONS / DECEMBER 2019 / 19
Show Ring Secrets:How Three Young Swine Exhibitors Win Big!
Cole Kelly, Britt, Iowa Kelly, 17, a junior at West Hancock High School, enjoys
showing hogs and began buying feed from MaxYield
a few years ago. “I feed a mixture of different
products,” said Kelly, an active member of the local
FFA chapter and Britt Broncos 4-H Club. “MaxYield
supplies the base feed, and I also mix in supplements,
as needed, to enhance the pigs’ muscle definition.”
Kelly won the breeding gilt show at the Hancock
County Fair 2019 in late July. Just a week later, he
won the North Central Iowa Showdown at Britt.
“This show involves all the surrounding county
fair livestock winners,” said Kelly, who noted the
competition includes a market hog category
and breeding hog category. “I won champion
breeding gilt.”
The winning didn’t stop there. One day after the
North Central Iowa Showdown came the All Iowa
Showdown, which included competitors who won at
Champion athletes know you win in the locker room
first, long before you set foot on the field, court or
track. Champion livestock exhibitors know it, too. You
win in the barn first through careful preparation, long
before you enter the show ring.
Just ask Cole Kelly of Britt, Brielle Smeby of Garner
and Evan Strenge of New Richland, Minnesota. All
three have won top honors at some of the biggest
fairs and livestock shows around the Midwest, and all
three credit MaxYield Cooperative’s feed department
with helping them succeed.
“I like working with the kids and their families,” said
Eric Malek, feed team leader for MaxYield. “It’s fun to
see their excitement, from grade-school kids to the
college students.”
Malek understands the valuable life lessons that
livestock production teaches young people. “When I
showed hogs as a kid in 4-H, I learned responsibility,
organization, timeliness and the importance of good
communication with your feed supplier.”
He’s proud the region’s leading livestock exhibitors
choose to do business with MaxYield, including:
the county level and district levels. Kelly’s hog earned
reserve overall breeding gilt honors. He sold the
prize-winning hog to Kurt Morgan, a swine breeder
near Eagle Grove.
Kelly knows high-quality feed contributes to high-
quality livestock. “Genetics and feed are some of
the biggest things when it comes to champion hogs.
What you feed the animal will make or break them.”
That’s why Kelly relies on MaxYield. “They have a
wide selection of great feed products and can ship
them to Britt,” said Kelly, a student-athlete who
competes in football and wrestling. “MaxYield treats
us right, and they’re always willing to help me. Doing
business with them also keeps money in our county.”
Kelly looks forward to helping his two younger
brothers learn about livestock production. “Raising
livestock teaches you dedication and responsibility.
It’s important that these animals get excellent care.”
After he graduates from high school, Kelly is thinking
about attending a trade school for electricians or
enrolling in North Iowa Area Community College and
transferring to Iowa State University (ISU) to study
agriculture. “I’d like to come back to this area after
college,” he added.
Ethan Strenge, New Richland, Minnesota Even though he lives in town, high school senior
Ethan Strenge, 18, has been raising hogs since he
was five and showing hogs at the fair since he was in
fourth grade. His brother-in-law, Lane Worden from
Klemme, Iowa, inspired his interest in raising hogs.
Worden has done business with the local co-op for
more than 20 years and relies on MaxYield feed. “My
brother-in-law helps me with my feeding program,”
said Strenge, who is a member of his local FFA
chapter and the Vista Busy Bees
4-H Club.
When he exhibited his hogs at the
Waseca County Fair in Minnesota,
his market gilt earned top honors
in her class. “I also won champion
drive, where all the champions
from the different categories
compete,” Strenge said.
This punched his ticket to
compete at the Minnesota State
Fair, where his hog won first place
in the market gilt class, followed
by grand champion overall
market gilt. “I won a 16-foot
Featherlite trailer,” said Strenge,
who looks forward to showing
livestock for a few more years.
Strenge feeds a ration with up
to 16 ingredients, including base
feed, probiotics for gut health
and more. “I like doing business
with MaxYield, because they have
good products and are always
willing to help me out,” said Strenge, who competes
in swine jackpot shows.
When he’s not showing livestock, Strenge works for
local farmers in the spring and fall, helps load pigs for
local swine producers and runs his own lawn-mowing
business. Strenge, a cancer survivor, is a champion
inside and outside the show ring who never backs
down from a challenge. “I had cancer when I was 4
and will have reconstructive jaw surgery soon,”
he noted.20 / MY SOLUTIONS / DECEMBER 2019 / 21
Brielle Smeby, Garner, Iowa When Brielle Smeby, 19, started showing pigs in fifth
grade, she loved the convenience of doing business
with MaxYield. “I could pick up feed at the co-op right
after school,” said Smeby, who grew up on a farm
west of Garner and is now an ISU freshman majoring
in animal science. “The MaxYield team knows you by
name, knows what feed you need and everyone is so
nice there.”
The 2019 Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School
graduate specializes in show pigs, including barrows
and gilts. She shows hogs from April to August at
jackpot shows, open shows, the county fair and the
Iowa State Fair. Smeby’s crossbred hog “Spunky”
earned champion FFA lightweight gilt honors at the
2019 Iowa State Fair. Smeby also won the Expert
Showmanship award at the county fair and Overall
Hancock County District Fair swine award in the
past year.
“I’ve met so many great people through livestock
shows, which has helped build my network,” said
Smeby, who was an active member of her high school’s
FFA chapter and the Elcon Indians 4-H Club. “A lot of
these people have become my friends.”
What are some of the biggest lessons Smeby has
learned from her livestock projects? “MaxYield is so
supportive of local livestock producers. Also, if you
invest the time and work hard, it pays off at the end.”
Smeby is interested in pursuing a career in the animal
health/pharmaceuticals industry. “So much more
than food comes from the animals we raise, from
pharmaceutics to insulin to ingredients for makeup.
Caring for our livestock properly is so important for
producing high-quality products that benefit people.” ■
Count on MaxYield Feed MaxYield is pleased to provide big-name feed products with
small town, friendly service. “We keep grind-mix show feed
on hand,” said Eric Malek, feed team leader for MaxYield. “You
can buy as little as a 1-pound bag that can be delivered to your
nearest MaxYield location through our route truck, or we can
make a quarter ton of show feed and bag it for you.”
Contact your local MaxYield location for details. We look
forward to meeting your feed needs.
PUT MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET
WITH FIRM OFFERS
What if you could get an extra 20, 40 to 60 cents
per bushel on corn? It happened this summer
for a number of our clients who used MaxYield
Cooperative’s firm offer program.
“We had a lot of $3.80 to $4 firm offers, which
almost seemed crazy at a time when corn was
$3.40 a bushel,” said Ben Buie, grain team leader for
MaxYield Cooperative. “These offers paid
off, though.”
When a $1 rally in corn futures occurred in the
summer of 2019, MaxYield bought nearly a quarter of
the grain the cooperative will handle all year. “Some
of the firm offers were 80 cents out of the market
when the farmer made the firm offer, but their offer
hit during the rally,” Buie said.
The time from the peak of the market to the low was
about 34 days during this period. “You basically had
a four- to six-week window where you could
get some good prices on corn,” Buie said. “If you
know your breakevens, you can make money with
firm offers.”
Firm offers are free
It sounds almost too good to be true, but firm offers
are as simple as “set it and forget it.” Firm offers are
free, they boost your profit potential and they are
easy to modify or cancel at any time.
A firm offer is a great choice for any grain marketing
plan, Buie said. If the price hits, you’ve got a
guaranteed sale and incremental profits. If it doesn’t,
you’re under no obligation.
Firm offers also fill automatically, even during
overnight trading. It’s not unusual for market highs
to occur overnight. After a firm offer is triggered,
MaxYield will call to notify you. “Often our team will
ask if you have another offer you’d like to put in,”
said Buie, who noted that many clients do put in
another offer.
More MaxYield clients are discovering that a firm
offer is a great way to add some discipline to their
marketing and free them up from market-watching.
“This is the simplest, easiest marketing tool that
works for you 24/7. It fits all of our clients, and there’s
no catch,” Buie said. “Have firm offers in place, and
let the market come to you.”
For more information on firm offers, contact your
nearest MaxYield location. ■
22 / MY SOLUTIONS / DECEMBER 2019 / 23
Moving from Ohio to Iowa might not
sound like a big deal, but the diversity in
Midwestern agriculture can be distinct,
even if you’re just a few states apart.
“It seems like there’s a grain elevator on every
corner in Iowa,” said Regan Coyle, who became
a grain solutions specialist for MaxYield
Cooperative in early September. “When I was
growing up in central Ohio and worked for
local farmers, the nearest elevator was 35 miles
away. Some guys in the area had to drive an
hour and a half to reach a grain elevator.”
Thanks to his Ohio roots, Coyle brings a unique
perspective to his role as a grain solutions
specialist. He was raised in an area where urban
meets ag, just 40 minutes from Columbus. This
part of Ohio includes many 30- and 40-acre
fields where farmers grow corn, soybeans and
winter wheat. “There’s a lot more on-farm grain
storage in Ohio than there is here in Iowa,” noted
Coyle, who earned his degree in ag business and
applied economics from The Ohio State University
in 2016.
After graduation, Coyle headed west and managed
a 200-head cow herd south of Algona for a few
years. In February 2019, he started working as a grain
originator for a cooperative in central Iowa. When
an opportunity with MaxYield became available, he
jumped at the chance to return to northern Iowa.
“I like this area and like the farmers and team
members I work with,” said Coyle, who is based in
West Bend and Algona. “People around here are
genuine and friendly.”
Coyle also likes the challenges of the grain business.
“There’s always something new with grain markets.
One day it’s trade rumors with China, the next day it’s
currency issues in South America and the next day
it’s something else entirely.”
Spending time in the country to meet with MaxYield
clients is important to Coyle, who looks forward to
helping more farmers learn about grain marketing
solutions available through MaxYield. “While farmers
around here lean on their local grain elevator a lot
more than farmers in Ohio, it’s not just because
MaxYield is convenient. We want to be the best
option for clients.”
Coyle is excited to grow his career with MaxYield as
he serves more clients. “There’s a lot of opportunity
to be successful here.”
Editor’s note: Coyle is a big fan of The Ohio State University Buckeyes. He also enjoys showing cattle and working with his Aussie cattle dog, Bo.
Meet Regan Coyle, Grain Solutions Specialist
A
BUCKEYE
IN THE
HAWKEYESTATE:
Ben Buie,
MaxYield grain team leader:
“Regan is an impressive young man with good
experience in the Iowa cooperative industry.
He’ll be working with clients in MaxYield’s
Central Area and part of the West Area. I’m
happy to have him on board and am excited to
see what he can do.”
Mick Hoover,
MaxYield risk management team leader:
“Regan is a good fit for MaxYield. He’s easy
to talk to and is someone you can relate to, as
well, thanks to his background in production
agriculture. The fact that he has a lot of
experience working with livestock means he’s
not afraid to work hard. We’re glad to have him
on our team.” ■
We want to be the
best option
for clients
What Others Are Saying About Regan
24 / MY SOLUTIONS / DECEMBER 2019 / 25
MAXYIELD NEWS BRIEFS
MaxYield Cooperative is proud to contribute nearly $13,000 annually to support 4-H programs in seven north Iowa counties.
“We’re thrilled to continue our support of local 4-H,” said Chad Meyer, MaxYield’s client relations/communications leader. “4-H is one of the cornerstones in developing youth, and it provides an excellent foundation to build strong families. 4-H also provides a great way for young people to learn more about agriculture.”
MaxYield recently contributed $1,470 towards the membership dues for all Palo Alto County 4-H members. The check, presented on September 6 to Julie Naig, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension county youth coordinator, will pay $10 of the $35 state dues for 4-H members in the county. MaxYield also presented a check for $1,330 on September 6 to Hannah Brockshus, ISU Extension county youth coordinator in Dickinson County, to pay $10 of state dues for 4-H members in Dickinson County.
A membership in 4-H not only allows students to showcase their projects at local county fairs and the Iowa State Fair, but it also provides them with opportunities to participate in 4-H conferences, workshops and community service.
“We want to make 4-H an affordable program for local families, especially families who have multiple children enrolled,” Meyer said. “Also, by paying a portion of each 4-H member’s enrollment fee, we’re able to continue our mission of supporting 4-H so that each member benefits.” ■
MaxYield Cooperative recently presented a $500 check to the Palo Alto County Farm Bureau to support North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom educational opportunities in that area. Mary Newton accepted the contribution on behalf of Palo Alto County Farm Bureau.
MaxYield is also making a $500 contribution to North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom for the same support in the counties they cover. We understand the importance of investing in the next generation of ag leaders and are happy to support local 4-H, FFA and other ag-based learning opportunities in a number of northern Iowa counties. ■
MaxYield is proud to support our area fire departments and first responders with annual financial contributions. Fostoria Fire Chief Kim Kroger stopped by our Langdon location this fall to pick up a contribution check from Lyn Cox, operations assistant at MaxYield.
Many of our locations hold pre-harvest walk-throughs of our facilities with local fire departments. Our Langdon location was the most recent site for a walk-through. We appreciate all the first responders throughout our region who take the time to become familiar with our
facilities and the MaxYield team. ■
MAXYIELD COOPERATIVE HELPS PAY 4-H MEMBERSHIP DUES
MAXYIELD SUPPORTS AG IN THE CLASSROOM
FOSTORIA FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES CONTRIBUTION
/ 27
It seemed like such a straightforward project, the
kind that involves learning about the product,
checking items off a to-do list, and providing answers
to help others. Ah! Perfectly straightforward. What
could go wrong?
That’s how Kayla Meyer, a client business leader from
MaxYield Cooperative’s corporate accounting team,
looked at revamping the Connection Central online
portal where MaxYield clients are able to access
their MaxYield account online. Her initial goal? Make
it even simpler for clients to manage their MaxYield
business in one place. “I’m part of a leadership
development group working on special projects
where we are challenged to tackle a current business
issue and create solutions. I enjoy digging into a task
and figuring things out, so I was very excited about
my Connection Central project,” Meyer said.
Meyer engaged her project-warrior mindset, set
a solid task list for herself, and quickly became an
operational expert on the Connection
Central software.
When it was time to present her initial findings
to fellow team members, she invited MaxYield’s
energy team to learn about Connection Central.
She prepared and delivered a presentation that
thoroughly covered every technical detail of the
system’s resources and tools.
THEN REALITY HIT
“I went into that first presentation with my
accounting, task-oriented hat on and thought they’d
appreciate all the logic in the online system,” Meyer
said. “Standing before fellow team members, I
couldn’t understand why they were resisting this
awesome new tool.”
It turned out that Meyer’s analytical approach
wasn’t completely resonating with some of her
team members, especially those in sales. “From
my perspective at the time, all I could see was that
Connection Central was just a way to pay online, and
from my sales-angle that wasn’t a big enough benefit
for me to take up my clients’ time. Time is valuable
and I respect that about my client relationships,” said
Adam Gisch, a MaxYield energy solutions specialist.
“During Kayla’s presentation I made the comment, ‘I
feel like we’re getting away from relationships with
people and, instead, pushing relationships
with computers.’”
And, that’s when the age-old struggle between task-
oriented accounting and relationship-oriented sales
hi-jacked Meyer’s perfectly straightforward project.
TIME FOR A CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONExamples of crisscrossed communication happen
countless times a day in businesses, in volunteer
organizations, within families and anywhere groups
of people come together. “Building relationships is
never a once-and-done activity,” said Patti Guenther,
MaxYield’s learning and development leader, who
mentors Meyer and other MaxYield team members.
“That’s where crucial conversations come in,”
said Guenther, who facilitates MaxYield’s Crucial
Conversations™ training, where team members
learn how to achieve better results through better
communication skills.
“It’s essential to have open discussions, where both
sides are genuinely curious, willing to listen and want
to better understand one another,” Guenther said.
“That’s how we discover ways to reach our common
goal of building solid business relationships and
creating solutions with our clients and fellow
team members.”
Meyer reached out to Gisch via email and asked if
he’d be open to more discussion about Connection
Central. “I told him, ‘I’m just going to listen,’” said
Meyer, who previously had talked to Gisch only every
month or two at the most. “I knew we had a mutual
goal, so I wanted to find ways we could
work together.”
Gisch agreed, and the pair met in Spencer, where
they ended up having a two-hour conversation. Gisch
explained that from his point-of-view the clients he
works with on a daily basis didn’t want to pay online.
They want to talk to a real person. He also identified
other resources that he believed would be more
appealing to his clients and asked if they could be
incorporated into Connection Central.
“We got the computer out, and Adam and I went
through a test account,” said Meyer, who began her
co-op career in Everly in 2013. “It was really helpful
for us to talk through this. Together, we uncovered
the variety of ways Connection Central can benefit
our clients in order to increase their efficiency and
profitability, from online account payment and
creating account management reports to reviewing
individual invoices and viewing grain scale ticket
details from the combine.”
Through this open discussion both Meyer and Gisch
gained valuable insight from the other’s business
perspective. Meyer seeing how important building
solid relationships is to sales-focused team members,
and Gisch seeing how clients could utilize the
computerized tools found in Connection Central to
better manage their MaxYield account online.
IT’S GROW TIME Meyer’s task-oriented mindset served her well as she
worked with her team members to incorporate these
solutions into Connection Central during the summer
of 2019. Still, the process wasn’t always easy.
“I hit the wall several times,” Meyer said. “When I got
frustrated, Patti and Susan Post [MaxYield’s chief
financial officer] were there to guide me and help me
make good decisions.”
Meyer learned a lot in the process, not only about
improving Connection Central, but improving herself.
“Kayla is a fighter who doesn’t give up, plus she’s a
problem solver,” Guenther said. “Kayla pushed herself
to not only learn how Connection Central works, but
also learn which clients would benefit the most from
utilizing what Connection Central has to offer. That
brings together both sides of the equation, creating
much stronger business solutions.”
By the end of the summer, Meyer circled back with
MaxYield’s energy team to fine-tune the solutions
she was proposing through Connection Central. “We
talked about how Connection Central isn’t just a way
to pay online,” she said. “It’s a tool our team can use
to build stronger relationships with their clients.”
Next, it was time to present these findings to the
MaxYield board of directors. This was a daunting
prospect for Meyer, who only knew one board
member personally and had previously shied away
from public speaking. Guenther coached her and
helped her practice her presentation. “Patti forces
you to get outside your comfort zone,” so you can
grow and improve. Meyer said. “She and the rest of
the MaxYield team truly do care, and want you
to succeed.”
Meyer’s 15-minute presentation sparked a 45-minute
conversation with the board members, who were
receptive to her input. “It means a lot to hear the
board and Keith Heim [MaxYield’s CEO] encourage
me,” Meyer said. “That reassurance told me that I’m
an important part of the team.”
MAXYIELD PUTS PEOPLE FIRST Gisch feels the same way. “We talk about crucial
conversations at work. They can be tough to have,
but all my team members have mentored me in some
way. If you care about MaxYield and our clients, it’s
important for each of us to speak up and help others
be their best.”
Meyer, who used to be uncomfortable talking with
people she doesn’t know well, is now becoming a go-
to resource for team members throughout MaxYield.
“I’ve grown beyond just being a task-oriented
person,” she said. “I’m someone who is here to listen
and help find solutions.”
This shows MaxYield’s people-first practices in
action. “It’s such an honor to help MaxYield’s team
members learn and grow,” Guenther said. “Working
with Kayla and Adam this summer wasn’t just about
Connection Central. It was about strengthening
human connection.” ■
AVOIDING
LOST IN TRANSLATIONHOW CONNECTIONS CENTRAL IS BUILDING
STRONGER HUMAN CONNECTIONSKayla Meyer, Client Business Leader
LOST IN TRANSLATION
28 / MY SOLUTIONS / DECEMBER 2019 / 29
Life is filled with twists and turns. As a farmer, you know well that anything from Mother Nature to the markets can throw you a curve. When you look at the big picture, however, you gain a different perspective. Drone technology has revealed how patterns that can be tricky to see at the ground level can come into focus when you broaden your view.
As we head into 2020, no one has 20/20 vision about what the new year will bring. There are some timeless principles, however, that will remain true for success in farming:
• Critical thinking and problem solving. Before you can solve a challenge, you must be able to analyze what’s causing the challenge. Asking good questions is the foundation of critical thinking. Then listen carefully. These are the keys to innovating and envisioning an alternative.
• Lifelong learning. We live in a volatile, uncertain, complex world. It’s essential to important to adapt, keep learning and re-assess your strategy as conditions change.
• Collaboration. You don’t have to go it alone. Teamwork is a key to success. MaxYield is here to help you
every step of the way. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you in the year ahead. ■
Broaden Your View
LIVING HERE
30 / MY SOLUTIONS / DECEMBER 2019 / 31
32 / MY SOLUTIONS / JUNE 2019
PO Box 49West Bend, IA 50597www.MaxYieldCoop.com
ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED
Take the fear out of your marketing decisions and take control of your revenue with Market Wise.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MARKET WISE TODAY.Contact your nearest MaxYield location or:
Jon Day: 888-409-4300 • [email protected] Chastain: 800-928-5401 • [email protected]
www.MarketWiseAgServices.com
taking the emotion out of grain marketing
• Full-service coaching while you retain full control
• Personalized marketing plan
• Forward selling and re-ownership expertise
• Over 45 years of combined marketing experience