As Senator Joni Ernst recently made her way across Iowa’s 99 counties, she made stops to visit many of Iowa’s businesses. This included a stop in Jasper County at the Two Rivers Cooperative location in Monroe. Welcoming Senator Ernst to Two Rivers were board members, cooperative staff, local media and some of the Senator’s agriculture staff as well.

Many topics relating to farming and agriculture, including business and regulatory issues, were discussed among the afternoon’s guests and attendees. On the subject of the 2018 Farm Bill, crop insurance was a heavily discussed issue. Senator Ernst asked those in attendance their thoughts on a cap for insurance dollars or number of acres covered by insurance. Many agreed that an adjustment like that would not be an effective choice for farmers. One guest explained it as, “An acre is an acre, and the same costs of inputs affect a farmer regardless of their acre size.” General Manager, Tracy Gathman, also noted the effect that change might have on the cooperative. “As a co-op, we have farmers utilizing financing through us, and if they don’t receive insurance in those years it is needed, we likely won’t be able to see a payment for that financing either.”

Senator Ernst noted that her work on the Senate Ag Committee has shown crop insurance to not impact other states as

greatly, but because it largely affects Iowa, she is making it a point to not overlook the topic in farm bill discussions.

Tracy Gathman mentioned two issues facing grain and farm supply cooperatives: Section 199 tax deductions and interstate truck weights. Tracy explained that the Section 199 tax deduction has helped farmer cooperatives across the state and that Two Rivers Cooperative wants to see that deduction continue. In regard to the proposed increases to interstate truck weights, many of the trucks that Two Rivers and other agricultural businesses have bought in the last few years currently exceed gross vehicle weight limits when traveling on interstate highways. Although the State of Iowa can and has changed laws specific to intrastate travel and highways, it has meant travel is made on less than ideal state highways and through residential areas. A call for increased weight limits on a national scale was encouraged by Tracy and guests of Senator Ernst.

The EPA Waters of the United States (WOTUS) ruling was also a strong topic among the afternoon’s discussions with Senator Ernst. Specifically, with the number of ditches, tributaries and small water outlets in the Two River’s region, this type of regulatory control is of great importance to farmers and area residents....

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We are excited to announce The David Malmberg Show will be joining us at our 2017 Annual Meeting. He brings a veritable cornucopia of entertainment, along with a few sidekicks, that will leave you with many laughs far after the night is over. We hope to see you at this year’s annual meeting to hear about the status of your cooperative and take advantage of great conversation and laughter!

It’s that time of year again where we are faced with cooler mornings and frosted windows, which means it is time to winterize your stored diesel fuel. If No. 2 diesel cools during colder, overnight temperatures, it may reach “cloud point.” This is when wax crystals develop in the fuel. The fuel will look cloudy and the crystals can plug the fuel filter, resulting in poor starts, engine hesitation, stalling and even engine damage. Use the below guidelines to correctly winterize fuel left over from harvest:

Know When to BlendThe cloud point for No.2 diesel is at

approximately 14 degrees Fahrenheit (F). A good rule of thumb is to switch to a winter blend at 15 degrees above cloud point. When overnight temperatures begin to dip down near 30 degrees F, it’s time to blend in No.1 diesel with additives for winter. For every 10 percent of No. 1 diesel added, the fuel cloud

point will drop by 3 degrees F.Don’t let cloud point surprise you –

crystals can quickly accumulate in the fuel during a cold snap but may still run fine. Even if the fuel is blended after reaching cloud point, those crystals will remain and can clog your equipment. An engine that runs well on a chilly Friday could leave you stranded on a warm Monday. For this reason, an early-season move to winter-grade fuel is always recommended.

Ask QuestionsWhen done correctly, fuel blending will

improve diesel engine performance. But since it’s a scientific process that can vary based on expected regional temperatures and your specific operation, you may have a few questions along the way. Lonnie can be reached at 641-780-0156 to answer your questions and help you achieve the right winter blend for your equipment.

This busy time is here again for those producers managing both a row crop and livestock operation. A major job to get done during the fall for cattle producers, besides harvesting the crops, is weaning your calves in a timely manner. Because weaning is a stressful time on your calves, it is important to have a feed source that they will take to right away to reduce the stress and any possibility of illness.

I recommend feeding those weaned calves Accuration Starter for your complete starter feed needs...

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MONROE LOCATION WELCOMES U.S. SENATOR JONI ERNST

YOU’RE INVITED!TO THE 2017 TWO RIVERS CO-OP ANNUAL MEETING

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14TH, 2017

at 6:00 p.m.Graham Hall – Central College Campus

AVOID COLD WEATHER DIESEL PROBLEMS Lonnie De Zwarte - Certified Energy Specialist

REDUCE WEANING STRESS Ryan Healy - Beef Nutrition Specialist

Joni Ernst Visits Two Rivers

2017 Annual Meeting Details

Winterize Your Fuel

Weaning Recommendations

CONTACT US

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TRIBUTARYTRIBUTARY

109 South StreetPella, Iowa 50219

800-223-5512www.tworivers.coop

LOCATIONS INPella - 641-628-4167Otley - 641-627-5311

Monroe - 641-259-2232Tracy - 641-949-6411

©2017 Two Rivers Cooperative

OCTOBER2017

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