Since the last issue of the Communicator, the board of directors for NuWay Cooperative and K&H Energy Cooperative have met twice, and smaller groups of directors and staff members have also met to identify the benefits and concerns of a potential merger.

As Dan Berbenes, your board president, points out in his story on page 2, the two boards have identified several benefits to a merger of equals between K&H and NuWay, which are both strong cooperatives. For this reason, NuWay Cooperative’s board of directors is recommending that a proposed merger of equals be presented to our members for a vote. K&H Energy Cooperative will do the same with its members.

The details of a merger are still being discussed.

After harvest, a packet will be mailed to all NuWay Cooperative voting members. That packet will contain the details of

the proposed merger and the dates of informational meetings to be held throughout the cooperative’s market area. At these meetings, members get answers to their questions and request additional information.

The packet will also contain the date and location of the meeting at which members will vote on the proposed merger. Plenty of time will be allowed between the mailing of the packet and the vote, so that members of both companies can gain what they need to make an educated decision.

Meanwhile, if you have specific questions to ask or comments to make about a potential merger, feel free to call me at the Trimont Office or contact one of our directors listed on page 2. We will give you the most current information we have at that time.

D I V E R S I F I E D • I N N OVAT I V E • E XC E P T I O N A L VA L U E

F a l l 2 0 1 7

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By Kevin JonesCEOkjones@nuwaycoop.com

www.nuwaycoop.com

Potential Merger Moves Forward

Read more about the “From the Ground Up” event on page 10.

P a g e 2

NuWay’s Board Recommends Merger The board of directors for NuWay Cooperative

and K&H Energy Cooperative have unanimously agreed to bring a potential merger between the two organizations to a vote of their members.

The directors and staff of these two strong, cooperatively-owned companies have met several times in recent months, during which we’ve identified the following benefits to a merger:

• The size and scale of the combined company.• Increased opportunity for employee advancement, making it easier to recruit and retain good employees.• Potential for employees to specialize.• Increased market area and prospects for growth.

• Diversification.• The ability to leverage each company’s expertise.• The opportunity to build an energy platform for the future.

As a result of of these benefits and extensive discussion, both boards have decided to recommend unification and to submit a merger proposal to their respective memberships. See Kevin Jones’ front-page article for the steps being taken to seek the approval of NuWay Cooperatives’ members.

If you have questions or comments concerning the merger proposal, I encourage you to contact one of the directors listed to the left.

Tell Us What You Need Soon you will receive a letter from our

CEO Kevin Jones, along with a survey he is asking you to complete. This survey gives you a voice in the operation and growth of NuWay Cooperative.

We’re committed to regularly asking questions like:

• How are we doing?• Are we serving you well?• Are the products and level of service we’re providing what you want?• Do we need to change course and offer you something different?

The survey will be brief. We’re only sending you one sheet of paper. You may complete the printed survey in minutes and send it to us—or you may go on-line and complete the same survey electronically.

In exchange for your time, we’ll put your name in a drawing for a $100 gift card.

NuWay Cooperative’s board and management has used the results of our member surveys to guide our decisions for 12 years. We will use your response to our 2017 Member Survey in the same way.

Thanks for helping direct the future course of our company.

By Dan BebernesBoard Chairmanbebernes@frontiernet.net

Cory Andersen

507-728-8718

Dan Bebernes

507-236-0251

Dennis Carlson

507-317-5019

Mark Flohrs

507-630-7007

Jeff Mayo

507-920-9840

Matt Moeller

507-235-5470

Randy Nelson

507-764-3901

Jerrod Simmons

507-847-5464

Brian Steen

507-840-0997

Ben Truesdell

507-764-7153

By Anne BedfordHuman Resources, Safety and Complianceabedford@nuwaycoop.com

Geographic footprint of proposed merger. The green dots are NuWay Cooperative

locations, and the red are K&H Cooperative locations.

NUWAY COOPERATIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

P a g e 3

What Worked & What Didn’t Matt BezdicekAccount Managermbezdicek@nuwaycoop.com

Neil ChaffeeAccount Managernchaffee@nuwaycoop.com

Dan KnipsAccount Managerdknips@nuwaycoop.com

Nathan VriezeAccount Managernvrieze@nuwaycoop.com

John SandmeyerAccount Manager/Seed and Crop Protection Specialistjsandmeyer@nuwaycoop.com

Dan SchleyAccount Manager/Crop Nutrient Specialistdschley@nuwaycoop.com

Morgan WilliamsonSales Associatemwilliamson@nuwaycoop.com

Jeff CrissingerAccount Manager/Sales & Marketing Directorjcrissinger@nuwaycoop.com

August is a good time to walk your fields and review your planted crops, noting what worked and what didn’t. Starting with corn, evaluate stands, weed control and pollination. A late-season tissue sample will serve as your overall report card on managing nutrients.

In particular, look at stock quality. A lot of VT Double Pro® and conventional hybrids were planted last spring. Look at your rooting depth, too. Try to determine if any of your corn might tip over, and plan to harvest those fields first.

At the same time, assess corn aphid populations and presence of funguses like corn leaf blight, to determine if you need to treat yet this year.

Do the same thing with your soybeans. Evaluate your stands and try to determine whether your poorer stands were due to seed treatment that failed, lack of treatment or something else.

Most importantly, as you evaluate your crops, see if there is anything you can add or do differently next year.

Decide on next year’s seed

Now is also a good time to think about what you will put in the ground next spring. Will you plant conventional, VT Double Pro or SmartStax® corn hybrids? What chemistries will you use?

With soybeans, you have a choice between Roundup Ready 2 Yield®, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® or LibertyLink® soybeans.

Dow AgriScience’s Enlist™ corn with tolerance to 2,4D has been approved and Enlist soybeans are pending approval.

Finally, Monsanto’s NemaStrike™ seed treatment for corn and soybean cyst nematodes has just been labeled for both corn and soybeans. Research indicates NemaStrike improves corn yields by seven bushels per acre and soybeans by three bushels.

You must order corn seed treated with NemaStrike, while NemaStrike can be applied to your soybeans at our treatment sites. NOTE: Any new corn varieties released by Monsanto will automatically come treated with NemaStrike.

Making plans for fall application

Will you spread for one or two crops this fall? Tell us your plans so we can bring enough fertilizer into the shed to cover your needs. Don’t do your nutrient planning on the fly when harvest hits, especially with the economy like it is.

What you decide for fall also affects what you will do in 2018, particularly if you begin split-applying your nitrogen. We need to set up that program in advance, both the rate and the timing of the applications.

Steve Tindell treats bulk seed at the Welcome Operations Center.

P a g e 4

Employing summer interns is a two-way street. The cooperative wants to give students a chance to learn what agri-business is all about, and the intern wants to gain experience outside the classroom. All the while, the co-op and the intern are looking each other over and asking questions like, “Is this young man or woman a good fit for our company?” or “Is this company a good fit for me?”

Not only is internship good for co-ops and interns, it’s good for the customer. “Our agronomy interns get hands-on practice in tissue and nitrate sampling, taking stand counts, and looking for weeds and other pests,” says Nathan Vrieze, account manager and supervisor of NuWay Cooperative’s three agronomy interns. “All the customers who benefit from these interns, who learn before they arrive in the field why these services

are necessary and how to do them correctly.”

“Before they joined NuWay Cooperative, these guys did not know how to drive a truck,” points out Jake Oldenburg, who supervises three operations interns. “Now they have their temp CDLs and they are learning about the products we sell, the equipment we use to deliver and apply the products, and what happens at different times of the year.” These interns also get to meet the farmers who own and do business with NuWay Cooperative, and they get paid for their work.

“Any potential future employer will ask, ‘What experience do you have?’” adds Jake. These interns are getting experience with a good, local company and a great group of employees who are always willing to help and explain. That’s invaluable to them—and to us.”

Why We Employ Summer Interns

Brice B. – I’m learning about the NuWay’s energy, agronomy and operations divisions, and how they all run and work together. This internship has also allowed me to do a lot of networking within the agricultural community.

Josh E. – I’m learning how to deal with adversity. Few things happen exactly as you plan them when you work in agriculture.

Austin K. – I’ve worked on a farm, but this internship is giving me an opportunity to see how the business side of agriculture works.

Macy P. – Going through the training and actually going out and doing it has expanded my knowledge of crop scouting

Ally R. – I’m exploring what I want to do, getting my feet wet, and making sure I have chosen the right major.

Natalie R. – I like being able to apply my classroom knowledge to real world experience. Meeting the growers and all the people at the co-op has been eye-opening.

William R. – It’s nice getting my name out there, working with farmers and seeing what this co-op does. I also like knowing what these chemicals do, what farmers are using and why.

What Our Students Say About Internships

1) Josh Eversman drives truck and tends application equipment in the field. 2) Brice Bonin scouts a corn field. 3) Operations employee Russel Deling works with intern William Runge to store a pallet of WinField’s Sterling Blue herbicide. 4) Austin Krumwiede moves seed at the Welcome warehouse.

1

2

4

3

Ally Ringeisen, FarmRx intern.

P a g e 4 P a g e 5

Meet NuWay’s 2017 InternsBrice Bonin, AgronomyBrice grew up in Fairmont and has helped on her family’s dairy farm since she was little. She attends the University of Wisconsin–River Falls with a major in ag marketing communication and a minor in ag business. Brice hopes to go into human and public relations for an agricultural company, specializing in promotions and media relations. “I want to help bridge the gap between producers and consumers so that they see a side of agriculture they can relate to,” she says.

Josh Eversman, OperationsJosh grew up in Fairmont. His uncles farmed and he took a liking to agriculture as he grew older. Right now, he is studying agricultural and food business management at the University of Minnesota. In the future, Josh would like to manage in a company like NuWay Cooperative or become a grain trader.

Austin Krumwiede, Operations Austin grew up in St. James and spent a lot of time on his best friend’s family farm. He is studying ag business at South Dakota State University and would like to pursue a career in agronomy. “I love working outside and with the land,” he states.

Macy Petrowiak, Agronomy Macy grew up on an acreage south of Fairmont. Her dad sells seed and she is studying at South Dakota State University with a major in consumer affairs (management, sales and marketing) and a minor in ag business. Her goal is to someday take over her dad’s seed sales business and have her own cattle herd.

Natalie Resch, AgronomyNatalie grew up in Windom and her family farms south of Jackson. She attends the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities, studying ag education and applied (ag) economics. Natalie hopes for a career in teaching or agricultural finance.

Ally Ringeisen, FarmRXAlly grew up in Sherburn and graduated from high school last spring in Jackson. She will attend South Dakota State University in the fall, majoring in agronomy, and minoring in precision farming and ag business. Ally would like to work with the technology side of farming, perhaps in GIS data management

William Runge, OperationsWilliam grew up on a small farm near St. James. He currently attends South Dakota State University, studying ag business, and is interested in grain merchandising as a possible career.

In the back row, left to right, are operations interns William Runge, Josh Eversman and Austin Krumwiede. In the front row, left to right, are agronomy interns Macy Petrowiak, Brice Bonin and Natalie Resch.

P a g e 6

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is proposing a new rule which will define Best Management Practices (BMP) for applying nitrogen fertilizers in the state. The rule is being proposed to minimize potential sources of nitrate pollution in drinking water.

The MDA has been working since 2015 on this rule. As an agronomist representing NuWay Cooperative, I recently attended a meeting to give public input to the proposed rule. I am currently submitting changes I would like to see in the wording of the Nitrogen Rule.

The MDA intends to adopt final wording by fall of 2018.

Part 1 – Vulnerable SoilsThe rule, as it has been proposed by MDA,

would minimize the amount of fall nitrogen that may be applied on vulnerable soils. Vulnerable soils are generally sandy soils through which the nitrate can easily move to the groundwater.

There are not a lot of vulnerable soils in NuWay Cooperative’s market area, but there are some. As Part 1 of the rule is now worded, the cooperative and its customers would be limited to applying a maximum of 20 lbs. of nitrogen to these vulnerable soils in the fall.

My input to the MDA will be: “We do a lot of variable rate applications where the nitrogen rate will exceed those limits. My hope is that the final rule will give more credit for growers who use variable rate technology, based on grid-sampling, to apply nitrogen.”

We all love clean water, and NuWay Cooperative supports initiatives that safeguard our water supply. That may, in the future, include the use of nitrogen stabilizers on all nitrogen. At this point, about 70% of the nitrogen we apply is stabilized. We need to get that to 100%, if

at all possible. Split-applying nitrogen with a base rate in the fall followed by either spring or sidedress or y-drop application is another BMP.

I agree with the MDA that something needs to be done, but I believe the proposed 20-lb. maximum is too restrictive. That is why I am providing input, which has been requested from local farmers and agronomists. In my opinion, it is important that we be proactive, rather than allowing the government to regulate our nitrogen applications and objecting to it later.

Part 2 – Nitrogen in the Groundwater

The rule also outlines a multi-level approach designed to involve local farmers and agronomists in helping reduce nitrate losses in areas with high nitrate in groundwater.

At Level 1, nothing needs to change. At Level 2, the MDA will test wells. If wells show signs of high nitrate levels, they’ll come back in three years and retest the wells. At Levels 3 and 4, if nitrate levels remain high and BMPs are not being used, the state can enforce compliance and level fines. We don’t want to get to that point, so NuWay Cooperative is dedicated to using BMPs when applying nitrogen fertilizers.

Your cooperative is actively engaged in identifying the vulnerable soils in our trade territory. We’ll make recommendations for BMPs on the basis of that list. Contact your account manager, if you believe you have vulnerable soils.

NOTE: Livestock manure does not fall under the proposed Nitrogen Rule. Manure is regulated differently; but if you are applying manure to your fields, it only makes sense to follow the BMPs for that nutrient source, as well.

NuWay Gives Input to Nitrogen Rule

By Dan SchleyAccount Manager/Crop Nutrient Specialistdschley@nuwaycoop.com

“My hope is that the final rule will give

more credit for growers who

use variable-rate technology.”

We all love clean water, and NuWay Cooperative supports initiatives that safeguard our water supply.

P a g e 6 P a g e 7

Now more than ever, it is important to make sure you communicate what your needs will be for the 2018 season. The earlier, the better.

As the account managers pointed out on page 3, you can choose from Roundup Ready 2 Yield® Soybeans, Roundup Ready to Xtend® Soybeans and LibertyLink® Soybeans. These have major differences, and no one technology fits all applications.

With these technologies come additional choices for crop protection products you will use. For instance, if you plant Roundup Ready 2 Yield Soybeans, you may choose between spraying Flexstar® or Roundup®. We need to know your plans so we can secure product to fill your order. As Jake points out in his article on page 12, no supplier makes or inventories extra product these days. Everyone, including your cooperative, is on a just-in-time delivery schedule, and it’s getting earlier and earlier.

I started making summer fill orders for crop protection products in the middle of June—orders for which NuWay Cooperative must take delivery September or October, in order to get our customers the best price. For this reason,

we need to know as soon as possible what you want to spray in 2018.

If you have an idea what you want to plant and what kind of chemistry you will use on it, let us know. That kind of close communication between you and your account manager is more important than ever, with all the tank mixes and premixes out there. We can’t take a position on everything.

Seed is the same wayIt’s very important to make sure you’re

communicating what seed sizes you need, especially on corn. Some sizes are very hard to come by. If you absolutely must have a large round (AR2) rather than a small round (AR), make sure you tell your account manager. The sooner you let us know, the more likely it is we’ll be able to capture exactly what you want.

We need to work together and at the earliest possible date to get you the best possible price and exactly what you need to succeed in 2018.

Your account manager is waiting for your call.

By John SandmeyerAccount Manager/Seed and Crop Protection Specialistjsandmeyer@nuwaycoop.com

Not Too Early to Decide

Congratulations, Scholarship Winners!

Jayni Anderson Leyton Becker

Sierra Williamson

Lauren Carlson Latisha Forsberg

Brianna Ringen

Joshua Eversman

Karter Janssen Taylor NussMolly Hawkins

Not pictured: Quinn Erkkila

What do you need to keep your fields clean in 2018?

P a g e 8

Introducing our newest certified energy specialist (CES)—Riley Schwieger. Riley grew up in Fairmont, had family and friends involved in agriculture, and joined the local FFA chapter during his senior year in high school. So, his decision to pursue a degree in agriculture at the University of Minnesota came as no surprise.

“I got hooked on ag,” says Riley. “I wanted to go back home and help the farmers I’ve been around all my life.”

Riley joined NuWay Cooperative as a CES after graduating this spring from the U of M and after working in a similar position last summer in northern Wisconsin.

Our newest CES will work with new and prospective energy customers of NuWay Cooperative throughout our geography.

Fill diesel before fallPlanting went well and the fact that our

customers filled their tanks going into the spring helped us stay ahead of the demand. We

hope you will do the same going into harvest. Check out our automated fuel delivery (AFD) program, which allows us to keep your tanks full while giving you several options for payment including: monthly, as product is used and buying out the entire tank when the price is right. The monitors we use to keep track of your fuel level can be placed on any size of tank.

Call us for contracting options that can save you money and assure you a continuous supply.

Early decisions on LP advisedRight now, it would be to your advantage to

contract propane for the coming grain drying and heating seasons. Currently, prices are low, but that could change since inventories are building more slowly than in recent years.

We’re wrapping up our Minnesota and Iowa propane summer fill programs in August, so call if you have a last-minute order or want to discuss contracting.

Experienced CES Joins Cooperative

By Haley Ammann Certified Energy Specialisthammann@nuwaycoop.com

By Reid Rettke Certified Energy Specialistrrettke@nuwaycoop.com

By Riley SchwiegerCertified Energy Specialistrschwieger@nuwaycoop.com

Riley takes an oil sample from a

customer’s tractor.

P a g e 8 P a g e 9

In response to the struggling ag economy, some cooperatives in northern Minnesota have decided not to extend credit and are accepting cash only. We are not going that far; but we must strictly enforce the credit policy ratified by your elected board of directors.

Our job is to protect your equities in the co-op. As such, we’ll be looking at the credit-worthiness of each member-customer under a microscope. You can help by being open with us and understanding if we ask for additional information. We have more risk in today’s ag economy, and we must adjust to that risk.

Below is our current credit policy, approved by the NuWay Cooperative board in 2015. Credit is not a right. It is extended at the board’s

discretion and may be changed at any time, again, to protect your equities.

We’re asking our member-customers to be proactive. Stay in contact with your account manager and plan ahead. In today’s climate of shrinking margins, you can’t just call and say, “I need this tomorrow.” Plan ahead for what you need.

We have alternative financing options, but we need your cooperation and advanced notice to put them in place.

I’ll be happy to discuss these options with you. You can reach me at the Trimont office by calling 507-639-7114. Or, as I say, you may contact your account manager who is fully informed of the options, as well.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Credit Tightens as Economy Weakens

By Emily BoelkeCredit Manager/Financeeboelke@nuwaycoop.com

As a service to our patrons, NuWay Cooperative will extend credit to qualified applicants. Customers interested in obtaining an open account must complete a credit application. An open account is only available to customers with approved credit.

Open account customers must keep their account current to take advantage of the programs offered by NuWay Cooperative, including cash discounts and prepayment discounts.

Customers who do not qualify for an open account based upon their credit application may, at NuWay Cooperative’s sole discretion, purchase products and services on a cash or prepaid basis. If you do not qualify for an open account, products and services will not be delivered until payment is received and verified.

NuWay Cooperative’s billing cycle ends on the last day of each month. Statements are mailed to patrons on or about the fourth business day after month-end. Any amount shown on your statement is due and payable upon receipt. If payment is not received by the 15th of the month, a finance charge will be assessed on the past due balance at a rate of 1.5% per month.

Accounts that show a balance in the 31-60 day column are past due and can be placed on hold or cancelled. Accounts placed on hold must be paid in full before credit privileges are reinstated. Products and services will not be delivered to accounts on hold. If an account is more than 90 days past due, it may be turned over for collection and all credit privileges will be revoked.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact the accounting department at the main office, 507-639-2311 or 800-445-4118.

Effective 01/01/2015

NuWay Cooperative Credit Policy

P a g e 1 0

NuWay Cooperative was once again the main sponsor for the Project 1590 event called “From the Ground Up.”

Project 1590 is a community action group created in 2014 with a mission to enhance viability, livability and health in Fairmont, as well as other Martin County communities. The group promotes and supports multiple needs within the area, as identified by local businesses and citizens. Identified projects are those that have the potential to positively affect the long-term growth and prosperity of our local communities.

One of those key projects, “From the Ground Up,” was initiated in 2016 and is now an annual event that directly connects farmers and ag business organizations with other influential non-ag oriented industries and people within our communities. This is done in an effort to foster ag and non-ag relationships, educate non-ag participants about local agricultural practices, and share thoughts on how our organizations and people interrelate within our communities. Sponsorship proceeds from the event go to Project 1590, as well as local FFA chapters.

This year’s event, hosted by Hugoson Pork, was held on July 27. Approximately 175 people enjoyed a country-style barbeque. A variety of local influencers including politicians, media representatives, health care workers, education administrators and other local business representatives shared tables with area farmers, producers and ag business owners. Attendees

spoke about how the ag industry impacts all of us in the local community.

Gene Hugoson, Brice Bonin, and I all had an opportunity to address the people in attendance, speaking on topics including the family farm, the importance of getting involved in agriculture and ag policy, how ag technology is enhancing efficiency at the farm gate and why it is important for the ag industry to support community events like “From the Ground Up.” To complete the evening, a pie auction was held, and an effort for Martin County to be recognized as the “Bacon Capitol USA” was unveiled to the group.

Events like “From the Ground Up” are a perfect opportunity for NuWay Cooperative to support the agricultural industry within the communities that we serve. Enhancement of the ag industry through education and innovation is a core company value. “From the Ground Up” links ag and non-ag people together to tell the story of what ag producers and businesses in our industry strive to accomplish every day. It will not only positively impact our livelihood, but the livelihoods of everyone in our communities as well, accomplishing a key mission of the Project 1590 organization.

NuWay Cooperative is a proud supporter of “From the Ground Up,” and many other community events that bring exceptional value to all members in our local area.

Project 1590 – “From the Ground Up”

By Jeff CrissingerAccount Manager/Sales & Marketing Directorjcrissinger@nuwaycoop.com

“Events like this are a perfect opportunity

for NuWay Cooperative

to support the agricultural

industry within our

communities.”

P a g e 1 0 P a g e 1 1

Times of Change – Once Again As NuWay Cooperative closes the books for

2017, we can look back on a fairly successful fiscal year, considering the changes we’ve witnessed:

• Corn prices retracted to sub-$3.50 levels, making it difficult for many of you to cash flow your operations for this crop cycle. Many 2018 cash flows appear similar. • Our industry, from regionals to local co-ops and farming operations, has entered another consolidation cycle.

Some consolidations simply help a struggling enterprise survive. Others benefit an enterprise positioned for growth at a time when others simply cannot. I am pleased to be part of NuWay Cooperative, where our balance sheet remains solid and gives us the latter option, to continue growing with caution.

Budgeting for 2018As we tally our 2017 numbers, we’ve also

finalized our FY ‘18 budget. We began budgeting in June and received board approval at its July meeting.

The board and management of NuWay Cooperative spent a significant amount of time building this year’s budget. We use the budget as our main benchmark for the current fiscal year. It varies from one year to the next, depending on the economic conditions and the opportunities.

Our process is different from most. We start with a simple formula designed to calculate how much income we must earn to accomplish what we need to as a cooperative business. Those needs include:

• Retiring equities• Building working capital• Maintaining fixed assets at our customers’ desired levels.

In recent years, we’ve put ourselves in great position with our fixed assets and we’ve built up our working capital to keep our banking relationships strong. As a result, we have a balance sheet that allows us to continue to pursue opportunities.

This year’s budget once again reflects the ever-changing ag industry. I believe many of our fellow cooperatives will report unfavorable

results for 2017, and their 2018 budgets will struggle to show a positive net income.

On the other hand, NuWay Cooperative will finish this year strong and show a positive return to its members. At the same time, our budget for 2018 will be less than one-half of our net return from the previous year. We do not expect the ag economy to turn around within the next fiscal year, and we expect our members will be conservative through this process, too.

Ready to serveNuWay Cooperative has been positioning

itself over the past two years for this cycle. We have tightened our credit policies to the point where we will show $0 of over 90 days on our aging at year end. See Emily Boelke’s article on page 9.

We have also been diligent in controlling our expenses and product buying has been efficient, with very little inventory carried over at year end. These practices allow us to be mobile and adapt to your needs, since we don’t have extensive capital tied up elsewhere.

As I stated earlier, we are very pleased with our current financial situation, even as we acknowledge that our profits will continue to decline in 2018. We have the policies and procedures in place to handle the current economic downturn.

I am optimistic about the future for NuWay Cooperative and the members we proudly serve. If you have any questions or concerns about our process or strategies, please stop in and I will be happy to discuss them.

Thank you for your continued support and patronage.

By Tyler Olson CFOtolson@nuwaycoop.com

“We are very pleased with our current financial position, even as we acknowledge that our profits will continue to decline in 2018.”

Austin Krumwiede moves seed at the

Welcome warehouse.

CUSTOMER ANHYDROUS AMMONIA TRAINING

Following the spring season, we disassembled the liquid fertilizer dike at our Welcome Operations Center, and sampled the soils underneath. We forwarded the results to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and agreed to remove 505 yards of soil to a depth of about five feet. NOTE: This is not nearly as large as the excavation of soil beneath the old dry fertilizer plant.

The soil is being removed, stockpiled and covered. It will eventually be applied to nearby farmland, once this year’s crop is harvested.

We need to tip-toe around the spray season, which will extend into August. But as soon as we can get by without our bulk chemical tanks, we’ll empty and remove them—storing their contents in our warehouse over winter.

Once the concrete is poured (later in August) and the building is erected (in September), then the electricians can get in (in

October or November), and we’ll set new tanks (in December).

At that point, we’ll take into the new building the summer fill of chemical, and begin piping the inside and outside tanks in preparation for next spring.

Two years ago, we finished the office and warehouse building at Welcome. Last year, we added a new rail unloading plant for propane. This year, we’re adding onto our liquid fertilizer and chemical plant.

In recent years, we’ve made significant improvements to our facilities at the Welcome Operations Center, allowing us to receive and store more inventory. These days, suppliers do not make or store any extra product, so to guarantee we have what you need when you need it, we’re upgrading our facilities.

Construction Starts on Liquid Plant

By Jake Oldenburg Operations Managerjoldenburg@nuwaycoop.com

CUSTOMER NOTICE!

Many of you have dropped your landlines and some have changed email addresses. NuWay Cooperative needs current contact information to communicate with you. Please call our Trimont office at 507-639-2311 or 800-445-4118 with your correct address and cell phone numbers.

Bulk Propane & Refined Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-445-4118CEO, Kevin Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-639-7124Account Manager/Sales and Marketing Director, Jeff Crissinger . . . . . . . . . 507-639-7120Accounting Supervisor, Jane Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507-639-7108Sales/Business Support, Callie Austin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-639-7107 CFO, Tyler Olson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-639-7104Credit Manager/Finance, Emily Boelke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-639-7114 Human Resources, Safety and Compliance, Anne Bedford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507-639-7134Operations Manager, Jake Oldenburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-639-7146Account Manager/Crop Nutrient Specialist, Dan Schley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-639-7132Account Manager/Seed and Crop Protection Specialist, John Sandmeyer . . . 507-639-7130

GIS Data Management Specialist, Kevin Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507-639-7164Account Manager, Matt Bezdicek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507-639-7138 Account Manager, Neil Chaffee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507-639-7122Account Manager, Dan Knips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-639-7170Account Manager, Nathan Vrieze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507-358-2167 Certified Energy Specialist, Haley Ammann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507-639-7102Certified Energy Specialist, Reid Rettke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507-639-7172Certified Energy Specialist, Riley Schwieger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-848-0260 Insurance, Jim Paulson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-317-1930Sales Associate, Morgan Williamson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507-236-7605

NUWAY COOPERATIVE • PO Box Q • Trimont, MN 56176-0370 • Main Office: 507-639-2311 • 800-445-4118 • Fax: 507-639-4006

Aug. 30 at 10 a.m. | NuWay Operations Facility - Welcome, MN