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The Agronomy division held Yield Banquets for the 2018 crop season in New Lisbon and Holmen. The annual events served to recognize yield achievements for growers that purchase seed through Allied Cooperative. Winners were presented awards recognizing their achievements. Those honored included:

Irrigated Corn – East: 1st place – Laskowski Farms LLC, 294.1 bu/acre2nd place – Weekly Farms, 286.6 bu/acre3rd place – WPF, Inc., 275 bu /acre

West:1st place – Klein Brothers, 303.9 bu/acre2nd place – Chad Backler, 279.6 bu/acre3rd place – Brenengen Family Farms, 270.37 bu /acre

Non-Irrigated Corn – East:1st place – Randall Grain Farms, 284.9 bu/acre2nd place – Travis Morse, 262 bu/acre3rd place – Walk Era Farms, 256 bu/acre

West:1st place – Foolish Pleasure Farms, 295.9 bu/acre2nd place – Leon Pfaff, 272.2 bu/acre3rd place – Klein Brothers, 260.7 bu/acre

EAST WINNERS L-R: Al Voss, Rich Grabarski, Dave Randall, Scott Graffin, Dennis Erickson, Travis Morse, Jeff Laskowski.

For the past year or so, Land O’Lakes has been touting their new brand campaign slogan “All Together BetterTM”. The brand’s anthem video tells how, in 1921, the company decided that it would be better if its farmers shared techniques and ideas to make the company grow. It goes on to say, “If 1,791 farmers with different backgrounds, opinions and beliefs can come together to make one perfect stick of butter, just imagine what 325 million of us can do if we work together.”

Working together for the common good is the reason cooperatives came into being. 100 years ago our co-op’s founders joined together to facilitate the shipping of cattle and the purchase of feed products in bulk for area farmers. 100 years later our business model has changed completely, and yet the foundation they laid remains solid. Why? Because throughout the years, we have been driven by this simple truth: by joining together we can accomplish more than we can accomplish by going it alone.

Today we face some real challenges in our industry. According to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection we lost 638 dairy farms in 2018. That’s a 7.25 percent decline in the number of registered dairy herds. We have seen far too many farms close in our own trade territory. Farms of all sizes have been caught in the conflict between low prices for milk and other commodities, and high farm operating costs. Expenses are up and farm income is declining. This decline has a major impact on your cooperative as well.

Agriculture isn’t the only industry experiencing change. Online shopping has impacted our retail division significantly. Even the giants like Walmart have had to make major changes in how they do business in order to compete in today’s e-commerce driven world.

As we see the pace of changes in agriculture and the business world in general, your cooperative is closely examining what we need to do to ensure success in the future. I have only been in the CEO chair for 7 months now, but I have worked closely with Allied’s Board of Directors for years, and I have been impressed by their resolve to ensure that every decision and every investment made is what’s best for the farmers who own this co-op. You are important to us and we strive to support you in times of struggle by being responsible, making the most of your investment and building programs that meet your changing needs.

Finally I want to encourage you to stay in touch with us. Whether you prefer to text, tweet, email, Facebook, call or stop-in…we welcome your feedback. Talk with us. Let’s work together. Together we ARE better. Just imagine what we can accomplish if we join together!

Sincerely,

Timothy Clemens CEO

02 | Allied Quarterly

ADAMS ADMINISTRATION OFFICE / LP GAS / FUEL 540 S Main St • PO Box 729 Adams, WI 53910 608.339.3394 / 800.247.5679 www.allied.coopAGRONOMY / GRAIN 251 Railroad St Adams, WI 53910 608.339.3698 / 800.331.3073 (Agronomy) 608.339.0357 (Grain)CENEX PUMP 24 451 S Main St Adams, WI 53910 608.339.3626NAPA AUTO PARTS 540 S Main St Adams, WI 53910 608.339.6412

ARCADIAOFFICE / LP / FUEL / OIL AUTO SERVICE CENTER N28281 State Rd 93 Arcadia, WI 54612 608.323.3311AGRONOMY / FEED 245 Van Buren St Arcadia, WI 54612 608.323.2144 (Agronomy) 608.323.3818 (Feed)

BLAIR EAST GRAIN PLANT 1015 E Broadway St Blair, WI 54661 608.989.2298WEST GRAIN PLANT 420 N Park Rd Blair, WI 54661 608.989.2335

GALESVILLE AGRONOMY W19801 Winnebago Rd Galesville, WI 54630 608.582.4711

MAUSTON AGRONOMY / FEED / GRAIN / TRANSPORTATION N3709 LL Townline Rd Mauston, WI 53948 608.847.6006 (Agronomy) 608.847.6896 (Feed) 608.847.5212 (Grain) 608.847.1642 (Transportation)MAUSTON TIRE SHOP / NAPA AUTO PARTS / SAFETY & COMPLIANCE 310 Prairie St Mauston, WI 53948 608.847.1640 (Tire Shop) 608.847.7501 (NAPA) 608.339.3394 Ext 320 (Safety)

MINDORO MINDORO COUNTRY STORE N8319 Cty Rd C Mindoro, WI 54644 608.857.3414

PLAINFIELD PEST PROS 10086 1st St Plainfield, WI 54966 715.335.4046

PLOVER AGRONOMY 4809 Monroe Ave Plover, WI 54467 715.345.1955 / 715.498.2767 (Cell)

TOMAH DOWNTOWN OFFICE / LP TOMAH COUNTRY STORE & FEED 711 Fair St Tomah, WI 54660 608.372.2458 / 800.338.6624AGRONOMY / GRAIN 10533 Estate Rd Tomah, WI 54660 608.372.2090

WEST SALEM OFFICE LP GAS / FUEL / ACE HARDWARE 570 Commerce St West Salem, WI 54669 608.786.1100 / 800.657.5189 (Office/LP/Fuel) 608.786.4141 (Ace Hardware)AGRONOMY / FEED / GRAIN 165 S Mill St West Salem, WI 54669 608.786.1103 (Agronomy) 608.786.1102 (Feed) 608.786.4154 (Grain)

WISCONSIN RAPIDS GRAIN PLANT 3990 Commerce Dr Wis Rapids, WI 54494 715.423.3000

If you would like to be removed from our mailing list, or you have received duplicate copies of this newsletter, please call the Administration Office listed above, or email info@allied.coop.

ALLIED COOPERATIVE LOCATIONS

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Continued from page 1 ...WINNERS

Spring 2019 | 03info@allied.coop

Irrigated Soybeans – East:1st place – WPF, Inc., 84 bu/acre2nd place – Detlor Farms, 82.7 bu/acre3rd place – Cedar Row Farm, 81.25 bu/acre

West:1st place – Brenengen Family Farms, 72.43 bu/acre

Non-Irrigated SoybeansEast:1st place – Dave Powell, 76.75 bu/acre2nd place – Al Voss, 72.7 bu/acre3rd place – Dennis Erickson, 67.7 bu/acre

West:1st place – Wendell Everson, 79.4 bu/acre2nd place – Foolish Pleasure Farms, 79.03 bu/acre3rd place – John Towner, 78.09 bu/acre

Corn Silage:1st place – Wagner Farms of Adams County, 36.88 tons2nd place – Gary Bula Farms Inc., 32.15 tons3rd place – Wallendal Farms, 30.90 tons

2018 yields were challenged in our area. “We saw an average range of about 15 to 20 bushels down on corn and 5 to 8 bushels down on beans. Some of this had to do with heat at the time of pollination and major rain events flushing out fertilizer and nitrogen. We saw a lot of stalk issues in corn, also contributing to yield

loss. In soybeans we saw emergence issues lowering populations and a lot of heat at critical times. We also saw tremendous weed issues with waterhemp and major water issues and down beans,” said Izaak Rathke, Director of Sales.

We did have one grower exceed 300 bu/acre which is a grand accomplishment in any year. Prizes were also awarded to 200 Bushel Club winners (78), 60 Bushel Bean Club Winners (55), and 30 Ton Corn Silage Club (3) winners.

Be sure to talk with your agronomy advisor about entering our 2019 Yield Contest. It’s a great opportunity for some recognition for your work, plus it comes with some nice prizes and a great opportunity to network with your fellow growers.

East Yield Banquet at AmericInn in New Lisbon.

West winners L to R: Doug Brenengen, Chad Backler, Wendell Everson, John Towner, Bruce Brenengen, Brittany Klein, Wendell Klein, Matt Miller.

PEST PROSA Division of Allied Cooperative 608.715.4046

KELSI MUELLERPest Pros Lab Manager/ Crop Consultantkmueller@allied.coop

ANDREA TOPPERPest Pros Agronomist atopper@allied.coop

KELLY VERHAALANPest Pros Crop Management Specialist kverhaalan@allied.coop

Free Soybean Cyst and Soil Nematode Testing

by Kelsi MuellerPest Pros Lab is tackling the “Billion Dollar Pest”. By partnering with the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) and the UW-Madison Extension program, we offer four Free SCN (soybean cyst nematode) tests every year to every soybean grower in Wisconsin. Wisconsin growers’ soybean checkoff dollars and grant money from the WSMB fund this beneficial program.

The tests offer a complete soil nematode analysis to help growers make important decisions such as varietal selection and rotation schedules. Results offer population counts of the SCN eggs and other plant parasitic nematodes as well as a risk assessment of potential yield damage based on those populations. We offer quick results, usually coming within a week so growers can act fast on potential problems. Professional services are also available to consult on any questions.

These samples can be pulled along with spring or fall fertility samples to make decisions such as variety choice or field locations. Samples can also be pulled during the growing season to troubleshoot problem areas within a field. Talk to Pest Pros about our sampling services! To get your testing kits, including the postage paid packaging to ship the samples, email freescntest@mailplus.wisc.edu. For more information about the testing program you can contact Kelsi Mueller at Pest Pros Lab at kmueller@allied.coop or 608.403.7199.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT

SCN eggs and nematodes next to a cyst.

Andrea Topper, Kelly Verhaalen and Scott Christenson at the Wisconsin Agri-Business Association (WABA) show.

04 | Allied Quarterly

Soil Sampling by Andrea Topper

It may not feel like it just yet, but spring is here. With the late fall harvest last year, soil sampling became a challenge for many growers. If you traditionally sample in the fall but were unable to last year, spring soil sampling is an acceptable option!

Budgets are tight but spending a few dollars soil sampling may save you a few bucks on fertilizer or at least help you put it where it is needed. With our early frost last year and cold temperatures throughout the winter, biological processes have been greatly reduced. Therefore differences in Potassium (K) levels won’t be nearly as drastic as some other springs.

Grid soil sampling is a great way to pick up variability throughout your field. With geo-referenced sample maps, it becomes easy to address different areas of need throughout your field, allowing for the option of variable rate applications to maximize yield! Reach out to your agronomy advisor to schedule soil sampling for this spring. It isn’t too late to get soil sampling done to receive results and make application decisions.

Nitrogen Stabilizers by Kelly Verhaalen

Throughout the season there are many factors that can affect a plant’s accessibility to nitrogen, and with nitrogen being an important growth limiting nutrient; we want to maximize the availability of the nitrogen fertilizer we apply. How can we do that? Nitrogen Stabilizers. There are three categories of nitrogen stabilizers: nitrification inhibitors, urease inhibitors, and polymer coated nitrogen.

Nitrification inhibitors stop the biological conversion of ammonia to nitrate, which is susceptible to leaching out of the plant’s root zone. If you’re planning on applying anhydrous ammonia to a corn or wheat field, consider using N-Serve® (Corteva AgriscienceTM), which is a nitrification inhibitor. CenturoTM (Koch) is also a nitrification inhibitor product that is targeted for anhydrous ammonia, but is friendlier to handle than N-Serve® and is a product Allied hopes to carry in the future.

A nitrification inhibitor to consider for UAN or manure applied to corn or wheat would be Instinct® II (Corteva Agriscience).

Urease inhibitors target the urease enzymes within the soil, which reduces the potential loss of nitrogen through volatilization, which can lead up to a 50% loss of nitrogen. Normally, urease converts urea into ammonium bicarbonate, which can easily be trapped by soil cation exchange sites, but any excess can convert into gaseous ammonia and escape into the atmosphere. If UAN or urea is your fertilizer of choice, consider adding products such as Agrotain® Ultra/Advanced (Koch), or PinnitMaxTM (Corteva). All of which are urease inhibitors and labeled for all crops.

Finally, there is ESN®, polymer coated urea, which keeps the urea unavailable to the plant, but also protected from volatilization and leaching. The release of the nitrogen is based off soil temperature, so the nitrogen is available when the plant needs it.

Overall, there are many ways to protect the nitrogen you apply that allow you to maximize your investment in the fertilizer. If you have any questions regarding nitrogen stabilizers, please contact your agronomy advisor.

06 | Allied Quarterly

The wet, snowy winter is having an effect on fertilizer markets. As of the first of March, the market is moving down to find liquidity, this is evident in phosphates as well as urea and UAN. It is my feeling that this movement will be short-lived and that a stronger market will present itself when we get into the application season. Some of the reasons for the current market conditions, include:

• A slow fall season for applications• A build-up of inventory in the gulf• A slow start to the spring application season

Current urea and phosphate prices could be at the low for 2019. Logistics and timing will be the determining factors. The biggest concern today is a heavy snowpack and the impact that it will have with barge traffic on the Mississippi River and the grower’s ability to get in the fields. A compressed season will likely drive prices higher.

Taking a wider look at world markets and trends, the US phosphate market is undervalued today with signals pointing to higher values ahead. The potash market is stable, world demand is firm, but manageable. Nitrogen’s are the wild card, spring demand looks strong for urea and UAN, corn acres at 93 million will drive demand higher than past years.

The Kansas wheat crop looks good and signals higher demand for urea than in past years. The bearish market is driven by the lack of early movement in the Delta farming region. Wet conditions are keeping growers out of the field.

One of the biggest questions is on phosphate demand. If we balance to our prior years spring demand, will it be high? The other side of that coin questions the intention of the farmer—will they cut back for 2019?

Today all products look to be supplied well; too well in the gulf where its hard to find empty barges to off-load vessels. The question gets back to logistics, can we get the tons in the proper place when the demand hits?

As we approach and think about spring, please make your very best attempt to get plans put into place with your Allied Cooperative agronomy advisor. With the winter we’ve had, it’s hard to think about, but that is all the more reason to be ready. We know as of today that our system and that of the upper Midwest will be challenged to deliver fertilizer in a shorter window. Please help us with laying out a farm plan so that we are ready to go when the weather finally gets nice again. Please also remember to call ahead with as much advance notice as possible for deliveries and/or custom application.

by Joe Spinler,Director of Agronomy

www.allied.coop

Fungicide Use on Corn and Soybeans

by Izaak Rathke, Director of Sales

We have seen a down turn in the use of fungicides in our area the past couple years with the lower commodity prices. The thought process on this subject couldn’t be more wrong especially with the crazy weather patterns we have been in, especially this year.

I don’t know how many times I heard “My corn is down!” Or “My beans won’t stand!” “I’m not planting that hybrid or soybean ever again!!” Most of the time it is not the corn or soybeans fault; they were infected with some type of disease causing them to die off early. The good news is, we can help prevent this cycle in corn and soybeans. People always ask, “How many bushels will this gain me?” But what you need to ask is “How many bushels will this SAVE me?” It could be 0-100 we’ve seen it all over that range, do the math on that.

Spraying corn or soybean fields without adding a proper fungicide may be like pouring your top-end yield profits down the drain. In the right situations, foliar fungicides can be used to help protect your investment against the many diseases and increase profits. Here are some factors to consider when wondering if you should use a fungicide in corn or soybeans:

• Is my field continuous corn or soybeans?

• Do I have a history of disease in certain fields?

• Hybrid or soybean seed selection -- Do they have a high response to fungicide?

• Leading up to this spray application, what has the weather been like?

• Is there a history of white mold or are conditions favorable for this disease?

In the end, it is about getting the most yield possible from your crops. You can do this by protecting your plants from the many diseases they are exposed to and maximizing your yield potential. Allied cooperative has a full line of fungicides from all the major suppliers. Your Agronomy advisors can help you pick the one that is right for you and your cropping needs.

Spring 2019 | 07

by Rich Dahlke, Grain Merchandiser

Allied Cooperative’s Grain Division is now offering a new contracting program to our patrons. The “New Crop Average Pricing Program” helps patrons get new crop bushels sold during the historically best times of the year to sell grain. It’s flexible and it’s free! From the graphs at right, it’s not hard to see what times of the year are the best for selling new crop grain. We at Allied Cooperative see this and designed this program to make history work for you. Unfortunately, May 1 through July 3rd is a very busy time and sometimes time and pricing opportunities slip away. For those who continually wish they would have sold more new crop during May and June this option may be for you.Here are the details: (They are simple, flexible and the program is free)

• The producer enrolls a set amount of bushels for new crop corn and/or beans for new crop delivery October/November 2019. ANY amount. No minimum number of bushels.

• There will be 10 pricing periods starting May 1, 2019 and ending on July 3, 2019.

• 1/10th of the enrolled bushels will be priced automatically at the close every Wednesday.

• Free to enroll

• No Minimum bushel quantity

• Gives you control to price-out the remainder of the enrolled bushels at any time during the pricing period with a Price-Out Option. However, if you decide to price the remaining bushels early, the cost to price the remaining bushels will be 3 cents/bu.

• The final price will be a weighted average of the sales made throughout the pricing period.

• You can choose to have a priced contract or a hedge-to- arrive upon completion of the pricing period.

The sign-up period is open now through April 30, 2019.Contact an Allied Cooperative Grain team member to sign-up some bushels or for more information.

ADAMS LOCATION – Rich Dahlke ................................................................................. 608.339.0357

BLAIR LOCATIONS – Randy Olson ................................................................................ 608.989.2335

MAUSTON LOCATION – Ray Demaskie ........................................................................ 608.847.5212

TOMAH AND WEST SALEM LOCATIONS – David Rappa .............................................. 608.547.6149

WISCONSIN RAPIDS LOCATION – Greg Witte .............................................................. 715.423.3000

info@allied.coop

Soybean Seasonal Chart

Corn Seasonal Chart

www.allied.coop08 | Allied Quarterly

by Dianne Dallmann, Director of LP

2019 Winter a Challenging One for LP DepartmentThe Old Farmer’s Almanac predicted this past winter would be milder and drier than usual. It is safe to say, they got that one wrong. Ask anyone in our LP department and they’ll tell you, it was the hardest winter we’ve seen in years...maybe ever. From a cold snap that reached dangerously low temperatures to snowfall that totaled nearly three feet in just 30 days; it was a challenging and stressful season to say the least.

Through it all Allied Cooperative’s LP department worked hard to juggle the increased demands to ensure that everyone’s needs were met. I simply can’t let a winter like the one we just endured pass without thanking each member of our team for their exceptional efforts. From the transportation division who kept our bulk tanks full; to the shop who kept our trucks running; to the customer service team that took the calls and entered the orders; to the drivers who drove on ice-covered roads and maneuvered through unplowed driveways, only to walk through waist high snow and literally dig through the snow searching for buried LP tanks to ensure our customers had heat. It was a tough year and their hard work is to be commended.

As we look towards next year, I wanted to give you a few reminders of ways you can help us deliver your LP needs in a timely and safe manner.

First, if you are a scheduled delivery customer, please let us know if you have any usage changes. Our LP computer system calculates k-factors (which is the amount of degree days it takes a customer to burn one gallon of propane) to determine the customers’ LP requirements. I am pleased to report that our system performed remarkably this year—accurately predicting the level of fuel in our customers’ tanks WHEN customers stayed within their typical usage patterns.

The problem occurs when a customer changes their usage patterns. For instance: It’s cold outside and you decide to forgo wood or pellets in the furnace and rely solely on LP or your house feels chilly so you decide to increase the temperature for a day or two. Any change in your usage can make a big difference in the scheduled delivery program. That’s why it is so important to let us know if you make any kind of change to your usage. If you install any additional propane appliances this would also affect usage. Unless you have a tank monitor, the only way we will know if your usage has changed is if you call us and let us know.

Next, please remember that a propane delivery truck needs at least a 10-foot wide path to be able to deliver fuel to your home. Our bobtail delivery trucks are much taller than cars and pickups, and mirrors and equipment can be damaged by low hanging tree branches. Also, keep the tank area and a path to the tank free of snow. When plowing, snow-blowing, or shoveling, do not push or pile snow around your tank, meter, regulator, or piping. Your assistance is greatly appreciated and will help us deliver fuel in a safe and timely manner.

Finally, in June we will mail out our Propane Prepay & Budget Programs brochure to all Allied LP customers. We would like to encourage you to carefully study the programs in the brochure. Our customer service reps are available to go over your specific situation to help you decide on a plan that best fits your needs. If you do not receive one by June 30th please contact your local office.

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info@allied.coop Spring 2019 | 09

The Importance of Water QualityBy Katie Murphy, Dairy Production Specialist

Not all water sources are created equal. With water being the most essential nutrient for any animal’s diet, it’s important to know your water quality. The mineral concentrations, hardness, bacteria loads, and pH can vary by location and change over time. Looking specifically at calves to lactation animals, water is important for dry feed intakes, growth, normal rumen fermentation, proper flow of feed through the digestive tract, and milk production. Milk is composed of 87% water and the cows body is 56-81% water. Knowing these figures helps put into perspective the importance of quality water in a cow’s diet.

When looking at water consumption, some things to consider are waterer space per cow, waterer accessibility, and cleanliness of waterer. There should be at least two troughs per pen with a linear space of three inches per animal. A cow will typically spend an hour of her day drinking water, and in warmer months (70°F +) she will drink 1.2-2 times more water than in cooler months. Also, a cow will drink 50-60% of their daily consumption right after milking. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have at least one water trough close to the animals post milking. Water accessibility is also key with achieving consumption. The waterer should have 12 feet of space in front, so cows can drink while others walk around behind. The head space should also be free and clear of obstacles. A waterer near feed bunks will also encourage dry feed consumption. Considering waterer cleanliness is an extremely import factor that will influence consumption. Troughs should be emptied and cleaned regularly with a weak chloride solution. Chlorine dioxide works best at 50ppm. The chlorine solution should be emptied before drinking water is back in the trough. A good rule of thumb to follow is if you would not drink from the trough, your animals should not either. Also, if your waterer is not free from algae or debris; there is no reason to test your water for adequate minerals, pH, or hardness. The results will not be accurate.

A water sample test is a good step to take if a producer is experiencing issues with animal health, performance or inadequate water intakes. A water sample is simple to obtain. The sterile bottles can come from either Dairyland or Rock River Labs. Multiple samples can be taken on a single farm, but one sample is taken per drinking site. They usually are taken from directly where the cows, heifers or calves drink from. It’s recommended to have water samples taken twice a year, as water levels change throughout the year; winter and later summer are good times to test water. A water sample will look at pH, hardness, mineral composition and bacteria presence. Signs of poor water quality can be a depressed immune system, milk acidosis or alkalosis, calf scours, poor calf growth, reduced milk production, decreased milk fat test, reduced fertility, increased lameness, and difficulties post freshening. This demonstrates the importance of quality water and the large role it plays in animal health and performance. Your team at Allied Cooperative is a great resource with trouble shooting any water quality issues or questions you may have. We also have access to sample material.

It’s Time to Focus on Transition Cows

By Katie Swenson, Dairy Production Specialist

In the past year, dairy farmers have had to crunch numbers in every sector of their operations. Unfortunately, some herds have cut out transition programs or facil ity

updates. The research has been done, and we know that 75% of fetal growth happens in the third trimester-so why are we forgetting about dry cows? Depending on facilities, changes might not be able to be made today, but spring will be here soon, so here are a few things we can do to prepare for an excellent dry cow program.

It isn’t always about nutrition, cow comfort plays a huge role in how a cow transitions. Many studies have been done that show cows with proper cooling during the dry period not only have increased milk production, but also give birth to heavier calves. Cows without cooling tend to give less colostrum, which is an expensive problem to have. When we look at the calves born from heat stressed cows, their weight never catches up to calves born from cooled cows. Are we limiting our potential by making this mistake?

When it comes to moving cattle during the dry period, it’s best to keep moves simple and infrequent. Avoid moving cows within 10 days of calving, and try to keep them in a close up pen for at least 14 days. As we look at the summer ahead, any cows dry during the heat should be moved 28-34 days prior to calving. Most importantly, stay calm while moving cows.

Lastly, what you feed your dry cows can make a huge difference in how they perform during their upcoming lactation. It’s important to have enough energy and metabolizable protein to prep the rumen for the impending change. If you are struggling with transition cow rations or fresh cow performance, call your Allied feed representative today!

New Dicamba Training for 2019Did you know…EPA regulations have changed a bit?

If you are planning on handling dicamba whatsoever in 2019, you will need to be trained. The 2019 required training is different from the certified applicator training and does not replace the requirements to become a certified applicator or to maintain a certified applicators license.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations require all applicators of dicamba herbicide product to complete dicamba-specific training, even if you were trained in 2018.

• Dicamba or auxin-specific training must be received before application of dicamba products

• Non-certified personnel may not perform any activities with dicamba products, including mixing or loading.

Dicamba is not a new herbicide, it has been around for over 50 years. For many years we knew it under the trade name of Banvel or Clarity. We are all aware of how an extremely low rate is very effective. Dicamba has a long history of causing injury to non-dicamba soybeans. Just a sniff of dicamba whether from volatility vapors, physical drift or a little bit of contamination, would cause soybeans to curl or cup.

In 2018 the EPA worked together with the companies that marketed the new dicamba product and came up with label changes for the 2018 growing season. These changes included reclassification as a restricted use pesticide, along with new application and record keeping requirements.

New for our 2019 season:To keep 2019 a good year for soybean farmers, new rules have been enforced by the EPA for those who wish to apply dicamba to their fields this year.

• Label changes and requirements for 2019• Only certified applicators may purchase and apply dicamba products• Mandatory dicamba applicator training required annually• Application hours• Post emergent• Enhanced cleanout for entire spray system• Recordkeeping, including planting dates, must be recorded• Additional protection measures along with guidance for endangered species.

TrainingWisconsin will accept training provided by the three companies:• Monsanto training• BASF training• Corteva Agriscience training

As well as training done by the University of Wisconsin-Madison pesticide applicator training program, and training provided by other states.

Please contact your local agronomy advisor if you have any questions.

10 | Allied Quarterly

SAFETYCORNER By Dawn McCluskey

Director of Safety & Compliance

60

ALLIED WORKER CELEBRATES 60 YEARS WITH CO-OP

When Harold Johnson came to work for our local Mauston cooperative the world looked a whole lot different. The president was Dwight D. Eisenhower, Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson were tearing up the charts, and Ford Edsels were seen driving through the countryside. The average cost of a new house was $12,750 and the cost of a gallon of gas was just 25 cents.Sixty years later there have been 11 presidents since Eisenhower, new music genres including rap and hip hop jam the airwaves, driverless cars are being tested nationwide and Harold Johnson is STILL working for the same co-op, now known as Allied Cooperative.Harold Johnson recently received a standing ovation from his cooperative peers during a recognition ceremony where he was honored for 60 years of dedicated service. In his 60 years with the co-op Harold has worked in just about every position the co-op has. He drove an LP truck and a fuel truck. He sold and delivered seed and fertilizer and worked in the service/heating department. He helped build a feed mill and a grain bin. He managed the fertilizer plant for over 30 years. “I’ve pretty much done everything except sign the checks,” he says, and it’s true. He says he hasn’t really had a favorite position; he just really enjoyed working outside.Harold has seen a lot of change both at the co-op and on the farm. “Back when I started every farm down the road had cattle on it,” he recalled. “There’s probably more cows now than there was then, but there are just a lot fewer farms.” Then there is the equipment. “All of the equipment today has touch-screen in the cab. You don’t even have to steer a tractor anymore.”And of course the co-op itself has underwent a lot of change as well, including many building and expansion projects, management changes and several mergers resulting in the now Allied Cooperative.All of this change hasn’t rattled him, though. “The world changes and you’ve got to change with it,” he says. It’s a good mantra for someone that has earned a reputation for his exceptional work ethic and dependability. At age 84, Harold has earned the right to retire full-time, but he’s not ready to hang up his work hat quite yet. “Retirement gets old after a while,” he said. “Coming to work gives me a reason to get up in the morning.” Currently Harold works two days a week as a parts delivery driver for the Mauston NAPA store.

Contact: (608) 224-4500DATCPPesticideinfo@wi.gov

AdditionalResources

Spring 2019 | 11info@allied.coop

Did you know that you can make your tires last longer with regular tire rotation. Extending the life of your tires, saves you time and money in the long run—and who couldn’t use a little more time and money?

In normal driving, your front tires wear more on the outside edges, because they handle much of the cornering forces in turns. Front-wheel drive vehicles have even more force on the front tires. Rotating the tires ensures that all of the tires do some duty on the front end as well as getting a little break on the back end. That way, all four tires wear more evenly over their life and last longer. It will also make your ride smoother and handling safer.

Your tire manufacturer will have a recommendation for how often you should rotate your tires. It’s usually somewhere around 5,000 to 8,000 miles. Be sure to stop by the Arcadia Auto Service Center or Mauston Tire Shop for the best in tire service and repair.

Effective, Affordable Pest ControlAfter the winter we’ve had even the bugs that come with spring and summer seem like a welcome friend...well, almost. As pleasant as the warmer temperatures are, the change of season inevitably brings with it two of Wisconsin’s least favorite pests —the Japanese Beetle and the mosquito.

Milky Spore – Organic Products targets and kills Japanese beetle grubs, a familiar destructive pest, before they can grow into adult beetles. At the immature stage, Japanese beetle grubs feed on the roots of lawns, turf, and other grassy areas. The adult beetle feeds on flowers, ornamental plants, trees, shrubs, and the foliage of some field crops.

Originally developed by the USDA, Milky Spore is a naturally occurring bacteria Bacillus popillae host-specific to Japanese beetles. In areas treated by Milky Spore, Japanese beetle grub eat the spores during their normal feeding patterns. Then the spores reproduce inside the grub, eventually killing grub within 7-21 days. As the grub decomposes, it releases millions of new spores and these multiply and kill other grubs.

The product requires three applications per year—spring, summer and fall—for two years in a row. Besides the Japanese Beetles, our customers tell us they have seen less mole activity after the first application. Once the grubs are gone and there is a reduction of Japanese Beetles, there is nothing for the moles to feed on so they move on.

Milky Spore is safe for people, pets, wildlife, beneficial insects, and soil microorganisms. It does not affect streams, ponds, or groundwater.

The Tomah Country Store sells the product in 20# bags, which is enough to cover 7,000 square feet. Ace Hardware in West Salem can also special order the product.

Of course, no pest is quite as pesky as the mosquito. Unfortunately, a very wet winter will likely result in a busy and intense mosquito season! Allied Cooperative is pleased to offer Spartan Mosquito Eradicators. This revolutionary product is the easiest of all mosquito control solutions. After the first bite of the season, deploy the eradicators at approximately six feet off the ground within 180 feet of each other, along your property line. The eradicators do not require any chemicals, spraying or electricity. Just add hot water and shake.

Be sure to place them away from where people gather since mosquitoes will gather near the eradicators. Once deployed, the eradicators create a barrier, giving the mosquitoes a target that has the same attractant triggers as people and animals. Once mosquitoes feed on the water solution they perish before they can breed again. The mosquito population in the area will then decrease in 15 days or less and up to 95% of your mosquito population will cease to exist for up to 90 days after installation. The system takes 10 minutes to set-up and lasts up to 90 days.

A single kit will cover up to one acre and costs just $24.99. The Spartan Mosquito Eradicators are available at Adams and Mauston NAPA, Ace Hardware in West Salem, Mindoro Country Store and Tomah Country Store.

COUPONOIL CHANGE WITH UP

TO FIVE QUARTS OF OIL & TIRE ROTATION

$4000

GOOD AT ALLIED COOPERATIVE’S

ARCADIA SERVICE CENTER N28281 STATE RD. 93

ARCADIA, WI 608-323-3311

WHY IS TIRE ROTATION SO IMPORTANT?

INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE BOARD?

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO OUR AGRONOMY CUSTOMERS:

Allied Cooperative will hold its annual Board of Director’s election in conjunction with its annual meeting to be held in June 2019. Three positions are up for election: District 2 (north of I-90, west of Hwys. 27 & 54 and I-94), District 3 (south of I-90, west of Hwys. 71 & 80) and an at-large position.

If you are a class A stockholder and are interested in serving on Allied Cooperative’s Board of Directors please contact Karmen Bernacchi at (608) 339-3394, ext 2225 or email info@allied.coop by April 15th. When you call please give your name, contact information and why you would like to serve on the Allied Cooperative Board of Directors. Once eligibility is confirmed, a nominating committee member will contact you.

Herbicide and pesticide application pre-notification information is available online at www.allied.coop. Click on the AGRONOMY tab. If web access is not available and you would like a hard copy, call (608) 339-3698, ext 2229 or toll free 800-331-3073, ext 2229.

BOARD REPORT

allied.coop

P.O. Box 729 • Adams, WI 53910

Check out our blog at: alliedcooperative.wordpress.com

As a large cooperative with six divisions and multiple locations, Allied Cooperative employs a diverse staff in a number of different career fields. If you are interested in joining the Allied Cooperative team, please visit our website at www.allied.coop. There you will find a list of current job openings and an application. We look forward to hearing from you!

Greetings Allied patrons and friends,

With a difficult 2018 behind us, 2019 is in full swing. In the next few days, the weather will creep above 50 degrees and most of us are hoping the negative temperatures are long gone! The rising temperatures mean that Allied Cooperative is gearing up for the upcoming planting season. With new people in key roles, we are excited to

see what is in store this spring!

While taking part in the 2019 CHS Leadership Conference, I had the opportunity to attend a session given by Carey Lohrenz, the first female U.S. Navy Tomcat fighter pilot. In her keynote address, she highlighted that to be committed to excellence, a business must Prepare, Perform, and Prevail. As

markets change and customer needs evolve, we recognize that these qualities are vital in maintaining Allied’s mission of providing a high level of service to our customers and continuing to grow our business.

With a farm economy that is being pressured from low prices and unknown political standpoints, we all need to remain positive and continue to work together to be successful. Whether it be during times of great success or times of great challenge, I look forward to continuing to serve Allied Cooperative.

Sincerely, Jim Bays II

Jim Bays II, Board Member