KATIE SCHLAKE

My Summer with Bunge

About Bunge…

• Bunge is the “B” in the top ABC’s of Agribusiness•Found all over the world working in grains, fertilizers, food processing, biofuels, and milling.•Largest soybean buyer in the U.S.•Also big buyers of corn, wheat, and canola.

-Smaller division of rice, sorghum, and other

small grains.

Being a Crop Scout for Bunge…

TrainingEquipmentTime ManagementSelf StartingProblem SolvingTravel PlanningCommunicationPlanning AheadBe ready for adventures…

Summer Crop Tour Schedule

Wheat and Southern Tally Tour (May – Early June)

Corn and Soybean Tally Tour (Mid June - Late June)

Corn Population Tour (Late June - July)Soybean Population Tour (August)Corn Yield Tour (August)Corn Harvest Tour (August - September)Soybean Yield Tour (August - September)Soybean Harvest Tour (September - October)

Wheat Tour

Covered OK, KS, TX, NM, CO, and NE.Stop at a Wheat Field Every 15 Miles.In Field:

Measure 3 Feet in a Row past the end rows and count heads

Cut 21 inches in that row and bag for Sample Measure Row Width Thresh a few heads to check maturity and quality of grain Take Pictures with GPS Camera Do this twice per field in two different spotsEnter Data into computer in Crop Tour Program and keep

sample for lab at headquarters.

Tally Tours

Tally Tours consisted of one person on a computer labeling fields with what crops are planted while the other drove.

Stopped every 60 miles or so to take pictures of progressing crops in the area.

This was done in all territories of the crop tours.

Corn Population Tour

Territories I covered included NE, SD, MN, IL, and WI.

In Field:-Measure 25ft and Count both rows on either side-Measure Row Width-Take Sample ears to take pictures-Two spots in each field-Observe any damage, soil moisture, and overall condition

Corn Yield Tour

The Corn Yield Tour that I covered included AR, MS, TN, and KY. Others are continuing tours elsewhere later in the season.

Yield Tour Procedures: -Count like in Population Tour and grab 3 ears from

each spot-Measure length of ear, tip back, kernels lengthwise,

kernels around, and millimeter measurement of kernels on each ear.

If ears were dry enough they were harvested as Harvest Tour corn and above was preformed in lab at headquarters.

Soybean Yield Tour

Covered AR, MS, TN, and KYSoybean Yield Data Procedure:

- Measure 5 feet in a row and count plants on both sides- Pull 5 plants from two different spots in field- Count and separate 2 and 3 bean pods- Observe quality, soil moisture, damage, and overall

condition

Commercial Rotations

One week we were at headquarters learning about different areas and departments within Bunge.

TransportationGrainsTradingOils and Food ProcessingChicago Board of Trade

Adventures of a Crop Scout

Nearly non-existent roadsStormsFloodsDust StormsFlood Irrigation SystemsCrop Dusters

Three Things I Learned This Summer

1. I learned about new crops and crops in different areas of the country where they have different production methods.

2. I learned how to work on my own or with a partner and plan and organize according to the work we had to do without the help of supervisors.

3. I learn what I don’t want to do with my professional life. I learned I do not like the cut throat agribusiness industry.