standard nutrition, maxyield tap the power of …... december 2019 10 bark in the park: maxyield...

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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

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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

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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

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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.


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:

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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


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


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.


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. ■


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


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


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


32 / MY SOLUTIONS / JUNE 2019

PO Box 49West Bend, IA 50597www.MaxYieldCoop.com

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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

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