Here to Help: Seedsman’s Job Is Year-Round
About once a year you stop in to go through the newest hybrids and varieties with your seedsman, then once you’ve made your purchase you go on your way. What else can a seed salesman do for your operation?
Label Changes for Dicamba Products
In case you haven’t heard, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the re-registration of many in-season dicamba products. This announcement includes crucial label updates that will affect the management of some Roundup Ready 2 Xtend and XtendFlex soybean systems for 2021. Here’s what you need to know as you make your management decisions for the upcoming spring season.
Feed for Thought
WEATHER you believe it or not, the numbers matter.
As Iowans, we have a habit of saying, “It wouldn’t feel so cold if it weren’t for the wind.” This couldn’t have been truer during last month’s cold snap for all of us, and our livestock too. Once it is cold outside it’s hard for us humans to tell the difference between 32° and 15°, but your cows can!
Where it Stops, Nobody Knows
We have a perfect storm occurring in the commodities market after many years where it seemed like all the odds were stacked against us in terms of higher prices.
Cenex®: Protecting Your Equipment Right
Diesel-powered equipment gets more sophisticated each year. That’s why we recommend Cenex® Premium Diesel Fuels to our cooperative members.
Not only do Cenex Premium Diesel Fuels regularly outperform conventional #2 diesel in lab, field, and road tests, but they’ve also been enhanced to optimize performance in today’s diesel engines.
Two Decades of Two Rivers
It struck me the other day that April 1, 2021, marks 20 years since the merger was complete that formed Two Rivers Cooperative. Where has the time gone?
I was told years ago by a dear friend that the older you get, the faster time goes. I’ve always tried to wrap my mind around that comment. The hours in a day don’t change, nor do the days in a week or weeks in a year.
Farmers Eat Free at TRC
Farmers don’t have to be hangry this harvest season thanks to TRC and Iowa Corn! Join us for a free meal in October!
Coronavirus Member Letter – Harvest 2020
UPDATE AS OF NOVEMBER 17, 2020: With the current rate of COVID-19 cases rising in Iowa, ALL customers and employees are required to wear masks upon entry to ANY Two Rivers Cooperative facility until further notice. Dear Two Rivers
TRC’s 2020 Fair Winners!
Each year we continue the tradition of supporting our youngest customers livestock projects. It is an honor to watch these kids learn and grow into knowledgeable and accomplished stockmen and women. Congratulations to all on another successful year!
How to Manage Your Pastures Before Grazing
As with anything in life, there are things we can control and things we cannot. However, when it comes to best management practices and doing what is most suitable for our land and livestock – we are in control. As
TRC’s Response to COVID-19
March 18, 2020 Dear Two Rivers Cooperative Customer, This past week has made all of us stop in our tracks at times and think hard about where we are going, what we are doing and if it is important. With
Cattle Producers Hear From Industry Experts
What a great night! Producers packed the upstairs meeting room at co-op in Pella to listen to and interact with well-respected industry professionals like Dr. Drew Shain from Purina who talked about weaning and starting protocols including the newly launched
Free Screening of SILO
Pella FFA presents the independent film, SILO. Inspired by true events, SILO follows a harrowing day in an American farm town when teenager Cody Rose is entrapped in a 50-foot-tall grain bin. When the corn turns to quicksand, family, neighbors
2019 Harvest Hours
Current Closing Hours: Pella: 7:00pm Otley: 7:00pm Monroe: 7:00pm Tracy: 7:30pm Locations will determine closing time based on harvest activity on a daily basis.
2019 Fair Winners!
Congratulations to Kaisand Cattle of Bussey on a great day at the Clay County Fair in Spencer, bringing home several division winners along with Premier Breeder and Exhibitor in the Simmental Show! Congratulations to Ryder Thill and family
A Strong Defense is the Best Offense
The time is coming upon us when weaning calves becomes a priority, additionally, cattle buyers are gearing up to reload pens. When it comes to starting calves off, we only get one chance to do it right—that is why we
When the Diet is not the Only Thing That’s Hot!
Walking pens in the late spring and summer months, as temperatures rise, we can bet on seeing a few things; cattle are in the shade or looking for some, the water trough always has a line and feed intakes typically
40 Years of Service
On April 9, 2019, Dave Van Soelen celebrated 40 years with Two Rivers Cooperative. How blessed are we to have gained a man with such a profound skill set and has been dedicated to our cooperative? Over Dave’s many years
Common/Preferred Stock in Two Rivers Cooperative
The following individuals have common and/or preferred stock in Two Rivers Cooperative. From the date of this notice, these individuals have 6 months to notify Two Rivers Cooperative of their new addresses or the amount of stock in the cooperative
First Things First
Warmer weather prompts a variety of home improvement projects both big and small. Anything from installing a new mailbox, planting a tree, to even building a deck. No matter the size or how simple the project may seem, the importance
Greener Pastures
I, like many of you, am cautiously celebrating the end of winter—baby calves turning didoes in the field and watching the green grass grow and flourish. As nice as it is now, we are preparing for summer to ensure that
Body Condition Scoring
For spring-calving beef producers, the excitement of calving season is either wrapped up or well underway by this month. It’s a great feeling to have a new crop of robust calves kicking up their heels in the springtime sun. It
Where has Spring Gone?
Now that everything has thawed, most of us are left wondering where springtime has gone to. It seems as though we went from below 30 and snow to 75 overnight! With that being said, we are gearing up for grass
Fixed Price/Budget Billing Contracts
Propane Cylinder Safety With the outdoor grilling season here, there are a number of safety tips you should review before you really get cooking. ALWAYS: Store or place a propane cylinder outdoors and in an open area, and not in
Time Will Tell
The April USDA WASDE Report came out the second week of April following the Quarterly Stocks and Acreage Report at the end of March. Both reports were bearish but opposite on their corn predictions. WASDE is predicting more corn acres
7 Reasons You Need to Know Your Soil’s Health
The nutrients in your soil are the key ingredients to growing a productive crop. The color of the soil doesn’t tell you what the nutrients are. The texture doesn’t tell you how many nutrients you have. There’s only one way
Preparing for Spring
It’s all about the numbers, from birth weights to conception rates they all weigh heavily on profitability. As spring approaches, and we dig out of our snow drifts we need to think about all the stressors that are impacting a
Welcome to the World, Baby Lorraine!
We would like to send a warm congratulations to our Tracy location manager, Nick Hageman, and his wife Sam on the birth of their new daughter, Lorraine. She made her debut on December 27, 2018 just in time to celebrate
Successful Close to the Year
We were thankful that the weather cooperated in giving us a nice evening to host the Two Rivers Cooperative Annual Meeting on Thursday, December 13, 2018. There was a wonderful turn out to support the festivities and celebrate another successful
2018 Annual Meeting
Two Rivers Cooperative 2018 Annual Meeting THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2018 Graham Hall, Central College Campus We will begin with a meal at 6:00 followed by a report on the fiscal year end 2018 financial results and results of the director elections.
Cooperatives See the Future
Celebrated by cooperatives nationwide during the month of October, Co-op Month is an opportunity to celebrate the many ways cooperatives are using innovation to create shared prosperity for their members and communities. The theme of this year’s National Co-op Month,
October Producer Meeting
What Came First: The Chicken or The Egg?
The chicken and the egg seem like such an age-old conundrum and one which many find themselves trying to solve. How does this silly chicken apply to cattle production? To be honest, I relate this same analogy to calving and
Markets React to a Wet Harvest
The WASDE report was released on October 11. Corn estimates dropped six-tenths of a bushel per acre bringing the average down to 180.7 bushels per acre. Soybeans took an opposing direction and increased a mere three-tenths of a bushel per
A Farm Worth Chirping About
Everywhere you look in Iowa you will most likely see a farm. In 1965, father and son duo, Henry and Jack Bensink fit the bill of a typical farm family. They raised common farm livestock of pigs, cows and chickens
End of Season Nutrient Stress in Corn
As we prepare ourselves for harvest, there are still field symptoms to keep an eye out for. It is important to consider the end of season nutrient stress in your corn fields for current management decisions and for next season
Fall 2018 Mineral/Tub Promotion!
Weaning Calves
As August continues and fall is quickly approaching, it is that time of year when kids are heading back to school, and our little 4 legged kids are getting weaned. As much as I’d like to separate these two, they
Heat Stress
Driving down the road is usually a great time to reflect for me, and being out and about the past few weeks I can say it has been pretty warm and my AC has been earning its keep. This scenario
Welcome, Ashley!
Two Rivers is excited to announce its most recent addition to the Feed Division. Our new Ruminant Production Specialist, Ashley Warren joined us on July 9. Ashley brings with her an extensive background in the cattle industry. Originally from Rose
Scouting Season
There was a lot of effort from everyone put into this spring planting season. And while the Two Rivers staff is proud of this, we don’t want you to lose momentum. Remember to keep scouting your fields as the season
2018 Sign-up for Soil and Water Conservation Cost-Share
Over the years, farmers across Two Rivers Cooperative territory have been proactive in integrating conservation practices into their farm operations. This includes the longtime use of no-till and minimum till farming practices. The past several years have seen the use
Storing Grain in the Summer
We have been noticing higher moisture in the grain that is being brought to us from out of the bin. With increasing temperatures and humidity, remember to keep the following in mind as summer weather joins us: Moisture content
Last Call for 2018-2019 Propane Contracts
Over the last few years, our budget billing program has proven itself to be a valuable tool for Two Rivers customers in controlling their energy costs. With the extremely volatile nature of the energy market, we recommend that all Two
Beef Month
May happens to be Beef Month in Iowa, and what a great month to celebrate! We thought in honor of a great “holiday” we would share some facts you may not have known about the industry: The state of Iowa
Stabilize Your Nitrogen
In a favorable year, weather and nitrogen combine to contribute more than 50% of the total yield. The weather, in fact, influences every aspect of nitrogen loss, availability and utilization by the plant. Whether it is a drought year or
EPA Glyphosate Review
Dear Member, We want to make sure that all of our members are aware of current issues and events occurring in the industry, specifically those that have an effect on area farmers. Per routine registrations, the Environmental Protection
Tariffs Causing Commotion
Tariffs have been making bigger headlines than the USDA report as of the last few weeks. While these tariffs are only proposals currently, they are causing much stir in the industry for obvious reasons. Currently, the United States has proposed
Is Creep Feed Worth It?
With spring upon us, some are beginning to wrap up calving season, and it is now time to look at if it is profitable to creep feed those calves. I am confident in saying that this year will be another great year to creep feed. With today’s genetics, cattle need that extra supplementation to express their potential, and we cannot get the gain on mother’s milk and grass alone.
Tax Reform Update
April 10, 2018 Dear Member, On December 21st and January 5th, I communicated with you regarding the new Section 199A tax deduction which was included in the Tax Reform Bill of 2017. As I am sure you
Boot Farms: Built on Family and Tradition
Craig Boot is no stranger to the hard work required of farming. Having been involved with the farm since he was young, he knows the work is never done, and it is in his blood to always keep busy. After
The Seven Wonders of Corn Yield on Your Farm
Not every farm is capable of producing 260-bushel corn in a growing season. Management efforts need to reflect field level performance in order to maximize profitability. Some fields are able to be more profitable in a high technology, high management
Dicamba Updates to be Aware Of
The spring weather we have been anticipating is just around the corner and will be here before we know it. As we look ahead to the spraying season, we want to keep you up to date. If you plan to
Condolences to Redding Family
With heavy hearts, we offer our most sincere condolences to the family of Robin Redding. Robin passed away on March 14th and was a valuable employee at Two Rivers Cooperative. Robin began her employment with Farmers Cooperative Exchange of
New Tracy Location Manager, Nick Hageman
Two Rivers is excited to announce the most recent transition in the company. On February 1, our very own Nick Hageman transferred to the Tracy location as the new Location Manager following Craig Hetland’s retirement. Learn a little bit more
Managing Cattle in the Winter Part 2
Timing has everything to do with mineral consumption during these cold winter months. Make sure your cattle are getting what they need when they need it. Don’t forget you can take advantage of our mineral special: Buy 10 get 1 FREE
Managing Cattle in the Winter
Two Rivers is here to help you manage your cattle come any season of the year. We know winter can be an exceptionally challenging season, and we want to help you as much as possible. Follow the link to learn
Crop Insurance and Grain and Energy Marketing Meeting in Pella
Two Rivers Crop Insurance & Grain Marketing Meeting Wednesday, January 24, 2018 11:00 A.M. meeting, with lunch included Two Rivers Cooperative – Pella Location RSVP to your Two Rivers Location by Tuesday, January 23rd With the beginning of a New
Second Letter Sent to Members on Tax Reform Updates to Section 199
January 5, 2018 Dear Member, On December 21st we mailed each of you a letter discussing the changes in the Tax Reform Bill of 2017. As I wrote in that letter it has always been and will continue to
Letter to Two Rivers Members Concerning Replacement of Section 199 Tax Deduction
The following is a letter sent to Two Rivers Cooperative Members from General Manager Tracy Gathman concerning the recent Tax Reform Bill of 2017 and its inclusion of a replacement for the Section 199 Tax Deduction. December 21, 2017
Governor Reynolds Holds Press Conference at Two Rivers Cooperative, Pella
Set by a scene of local member-farmers delivering harvested grain to their cooperative, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds held a press conference Wednesday, October 18 to emphasize the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard to Iowa’s farmers and economy. Hosted at
Reduce Weaning Stress
Ryan Healy – Beef Nutrition Specialist 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
Monroe Location Welcomes U.S. Senator Joni Ernst
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
Customer Appreciation Day Set for September 13, 2017
Please join us for our annual Customer Appreciation Day that is set for September 13, 2017 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the Pella location. Bring your family and enjoy food, beverages and an evening of fellowship. We value our customers and
Two Rivers Co-op Contributes to Emergency Planning in Marion County
Two Rivers Cooperative has been recognized for their partnership with the Marion County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). Marion County Emergency Management Coordinator, Jeff Anderson tells KNIA/KRLS News that Two Rivers received an award for their contributions to the local
Tracy Expansion Project
Construction is moving right along on our Tracy location project. With the addition of two grain bins, the growing location will now have 500,000 bushel additional storage capacity and is on track to be completed before harvest 2017. Follow the
Choosing the Right Creep Feed for Your Herd
As we move into late spring, cattle producers need to start thinking about whether or not creep feeding is a profitable practice for your operation, and if so, choosing the correct feed that not only brings value to the animal, but the producer as well.
Waiting on that Market Catalyst
With the wet spring we have seen, corn planting progress got off to a slow start, but has since recovered and is currently running at about the 5-year average pace. Long range weather forecasts for the remainder of the year are all over the board, so trying to predict weather this growing season is near impossible.
Fixed Price, Budget Billing Propane Contracts Now Available
Over the last few years, our budget billing program has proven itself to be a valuable tool for Two Rivers’ customers in controlling their energy costs. With the extremely volatile nature of the energy market, we recommend that ALL Two Rivers heating customers consider participating in the budget billing program.
What’s Next for the DMWW Lawsuit
In our recent issue of the Soil Report, I spoke of the Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) lawsuit, the current status and how it effects Iowa producers. Since then, as many of you know, the lawsuit has been dismissed on
Board Approves Tracy Expansion Project
Your board of directors recently approved a significant expansion project at the Tracy location. Construction will begin in the coming weeks on two grain bins, each having a 250,000 bushel capacity. This 500,000 bushel addition will add to the current
Two Rivers Receives Iowa Ag Leader Award
Two Rivers Cooperative was recently acknowledged for its outstanding leadership and efforts to improve water quality. Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey, presented the Iowa Ag Leader Award to Two Rivers at the Agribusiness Association of Iowa’s Showcase and Conferences
Spring News for Cattle Producers
As we work our way into the spring season, I want to take this opportunity to let our cattlemen and women what I am seeing out in the countryside and how we, at Two Rivers, can help you manage your herd.
Now Accepting No Service Charge Price Later Contracts
We are now accepting no service charge, price later contracts. Contracts are available for corn and soybeans and will expire September 30, 2017. Normal drying and moisture shrink will apply. Limited space is available at each location. Call today to
Grow Pella: Farmland Giving Program
RSVP by March 7th Grow Pella Dear land owners, Farmland has always been important to Pella. It’s part of the reason for our founding and its part of our legacy as a community. The Pella Community Foundation has created a
Grain Insurance & Grain Marketing Meeting
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 Lunch served at 11:30 A.M., with meeting to follow Two Rivers Cooperative – Pella Location RSVP to your Two Rivers Location by Tuesday, January 17th We invite you to attend our crop insurance and grain marketing
ISU Extension Services Private Pesticide Training
January 31, 2017 at the Pella Office. Session 1: 1:30 pm Session 2: 6:30 pm
Market Outlook
As we wrap up harvest, and I pleasantly surprised to report that the grain markets have shown significant strength during fall with what we expect to be a record crop, for both corn and soybeans. However, it could be following
A New Face in Agronomy Department
There is a new face in the Two Rivers Agronomy Department. Taylor Janicek joined the co-op team this month and will be working out of the Otley location handling Agronomy Sales and Precision Ag. Her responsibilities will include creating variable
Extended Price Contracts Now Available
We are now offering extended price contracts for this fall. These contracts will be ideal for producers who need additional cash flow. Please contact Shay or Justin for further details or if you wish to participate in this program. Overview
June 30 USDA Report
The USDA released its much anticipated June 30 stocks and planted acreage report and the results led to drastically different reactions. Corn closed 14 cents lower while soybeans closed 40 cents higher. Corn planted acreage came in at 94.148 million
Every Fill-Up is like a Tune-Up. Cenex® Top Tier™ Detergent Gasoline is Here!
Automatic Maintenance for more Worry-Free Millage FAST FACTS * STANDARD IN EVERY GRADE of Cenex gasoline without an increase in price. * FORMULATED FOR EVERY ENGINE including today’s sophisticated engines as well as legacy engines. * TOP TIER IS CERTIFIED
Breaking Ground in Monroe
Two Rivers Cooperative has recently broke ground on its largest investment in Monroe to date. The project includes adding additional receiving and storage capacity to its grain facility, while increasing the capabilities for customers in the Monroe area.
Merchant’s Plus Program
Sign up BEFORE February 19, 2016 to take part in our Merchant’s Plus Program. The Two Rivers Cooperative Grain Department is implementing a new program by FCStone. Merchant’s Plus is a program that helps both the elevator originate bushels and
Two Rivers Annual Meeting Highlights Successful Year
Thank you to all of our members who attended the Two Rivers Cooperative 2015 Annual Meeting.
Fall Check List
Harvest is in full swing now and I want to take this opportunity to pass along a few reminders to you. Hours of operation change daily at each of our four locations. Please give us a call to confirm closing
Thank You For Attending Customer Appreciation Day 2015
The Two Rivers Cooperative Customer Appreciation Day was held on September 8, 2015! Thank you to all of our customers and families who attended. Your continued support for Two Rivers Cooperative is greatly appreciated!
Enhance Your Profitability Through Our Financial Services Project
If you’d like to be in a much stronger position to manage the financial risks you face in today’s volatile crop input sector and grain market…
Dedicated to Quality Feed: 28 Years and Counting!
Providing the best in animal nutrition is a priority for Two Rivers Cooperative, which is a part of Land O’Lakes/Purina Feed’s Dedication to Quality program…