Published November 16, 2018 By Digital Content

CHS Foundation Announces $1.5 Million Gift to Support SDSU Precision Agriculture Program

Photo from left to right: CAFES Dean John Killefer, CHS Board of Director Tracy Jones, CHS Board of Director Randy Knecht, CHS Foundation President Nanci Lilja, SDSU President Barry Dunn, Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering Dean Bruce Berdanier, CHS Board of Director Dave Kayser, and CHS Region Vice President Ed Mallett.

The CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc., announced a $1.5 million grant to support the South Dakota State University (SDSU) precision agriculture program and construction of the new Raven Precision Agriculture Center on campus.

“The gift from the CHS Foundation is pivotal in allowing us to make our globally preeminent precision agriculture program a reality,” says John Killefer, the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council Endowed Dean of the SDSU College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.

The gift aligns with CHS priorities around ensuring that educating the next generation of ag leadership includes technology and tradition.

“The CHS Foundation is committed to supporting projects that cultivate opportunity for students interested in the agriculture industry,” says Nanci Lilja, president, CHS Foundation. “By supporting the precision ag program at SDSU, there will be more qualified graduates entering the agriculture industry.”

SDSU is the nation’s first land-grant university to offer a bachelor’s degree and minor in precision agriculture. The degree is a collaborative effort encompassing the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department and the Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, as well as the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering.

SDSU’s precision agriculture degree will provide students with access to cutting-edge developments in the rapidly evolving intersection of agronomics, high-speed sensor technology, data management and advanced machinery development. Students will be prepared for lifelong careers that support economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture.

This facility will allow the state to lead the nation in precision agriculture research, teaching and innovation.

“The gift in support of the Raven Precision Agriculture Center will positively impact our students and industry for decades to come,” says Killefer. “This commitment from the CHS Foundation illustrates the leadership role and vision they have within the agricultural industry.”

The building has 129,000 square feet of floor space that will be able to house modern precision farm equipment and will provide collaborative learning spaces for student design projects. Flexible space will give scientists from a variety of departments and industry space to collaborate on research and education.

“Precision agriculture technology is ever-changing,” says Lilja. “It’s exciting to envision the impact students will have by developing new technologies through collaboration with their peers and industry leaders in this new environment.”

Final construction plans are in-progress. Some ground work is expected to begin this fall, with construction starting in the spring of 2019.

About the CHS Foundation

The CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc., is focused on developing a new generation of agriculture leaders for life-long success. Together, with our partners, we are igniting innovation and driving excellence in agriculture education, cultivating high-impact programs for rural youth and accelerating potential for careers in agriculture. Learn more at https://chsfoundation.org.

About South Dakota State University
Founded in 1881, South Dakota State University is the state’s Morrill Act land-grant institution as well as its largest, most comprehensive school of higher education. SDSU confers degrees from seven different colleges representing more than 200 majors, minors and specializations. The institution also offers 36 master’s degree programs, 15 Ph.D. and two professional programs.

The work of the university is carried out on a residential campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across the state.

Published November 8, 2018 By Digital Content

A simple 4-question test for choosing a diesel engine oil

By Erin Wroge, CHS market supervisor, Cenex brand lubricants

Choosing the right engine oil for your equipment can get complicated fast. Today’s diesel engine oils are more advanced than ever, and with all the options on the market today, it’s no wonder if your head is spinning. Viscosity control? Shear stability? TBN retention? It can almost feel like you need an advanced degree in mechanical engineering just to pick the right product for your equipment.

Not everyone is a lubricants expert, and they shouldn’t have to be. Still, choosing the right engine oil is a critical decision. The oil inside your heavy-duty equipment is a protective barrier against thousands of pounds of pressure and constant stress. Without the right premium lubricant, your equipment can wear itself down to the bone — incurring costly damage and downtime.

The good news is that picking an engine oil doesn’t have to be rocket science. Cenex^® offers a full line of high-quality lubricants designed to meet a variety of heavy-duty applications. To determine which product is right for your operation, just ask yourself these four simple questions. (more…)

Published October 15, 2018 By Digital Content

CHS celebrates National Co-op Month through cooperative education

The CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc., announced it has awarded more than $440,000 in cooperative education grants to projects that will help students learn about the cooperative business model and what makes cooperatives unique.

“October is National Co-op Month to raise awareness about cooperatives. What better time to celebrate how the CHS Foundation has supported cooperative education projects for more than 20 years?” says Nanci Lilja, president, CHS Foundation. (more…)

Published October 4, 2018 By Digital Content

How to maximize crop nutrients throughout the growing season

preventing Iron Deficiency Chlorosis in soybeans with Crop Nutrients

Image Courtesy of Kyle Schafer

Crops demand nutrition throughout the entire growing period, but most of them can’t utilize those nutrients effectively during early development. A shortage of nutrients can lead to significant yield loss and stunted plant development.

How effectively those nutrients are managed in the spring can affect how the crops look in the fall. Weather and other pest and weed influences can also impact crop growth and development, but good nutrient management is essential as crops reach the final stages of growth. As crops move through the grain fill period in the fall, growers need to keep an eye out for nutrient deficiency symptoms. (more…)

Published September 18, 2018 By Digital Content

CHS Board announces patronage and equity distribution

Patronage and equity are key benefits for owners of CHS and the cooperative system. CHS is committed to distributing patronage and redeeming equity for its owners while maintaining a strong balance sheet so it can continue to provide owners with the goods, services and supply chain capabilities required for long-term success.

Following the close of fiscal 2018, the CHS Board of Directors has announced the following patronage and equity distribution decisions:
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Published September 6, 2018 By Digital Content

Discussing potential trade policy impacts

Trade is a critically important part of business for CHS and for our farmer-owners, yet U.S. trade policy remains uncertain and dynamic. Tariffs being applied to imports from China and other important international markets – and resulting retaliatory measures from our trading partners – could have an impact across the entire CHS enterprise. This could offer significant challenges as our owners move toward harvest this fall. (more…)

Published August 9, 2018 By Digital Content

CHS Intern Shows How To Protect Soybeans from IDC

CHS Intern, Mackenzie Derry, checks out a soybean field showing signs of Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC). She also demonstrates how to protect your soybean fields from the effects of IDC.

Published July 12, 2018 By Digital Content

CHS reports net income of $229.3 million for the 3rd quarter of fiscal 2018

CHS Inc., the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative and a global energy, grains and foods company, reported net income on July 11, 2018, of $229.3 million for the third quarter of its 2018 fiscal year (three-month period ended May 31, 2018), compared to a net loss of $45.2 million for the same time period a year ago.

Consolidated revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 were $9.0 billion, up from $8.6 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Pretax income was $289.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2018, compared to a loss of $209.2 million for the same period the prior fiscal year.

“Thanks to the hard work of many throughout CHS, we’ve made great strides this year in strengthening relationships, optimizing operations and improving results from our core businesses,” said CHS President and CEO Jay Debertin. “The steps we’ve taken will better position us to navigate the inevitable cycles in agriculture and energy. I am proud of our team and their dedication and commitment to operating with excellence.” (more…)

Published June 28, 2018 By Digital Content

The difference between drift and volatilization

Getting the most out of an herbicide application not only includes maximizing efficacy, but also minimizing damage caused by herbicides. Being aware of what can go wrong and how to avoid it can lead to effective, on-target herbicide applications and help growers have a successful growing season – without the distress and loss caused by applications gone awry.

Two threats to herbicide applications are drift and volatilization. While they may seem similar, they are quite unique and require different attention to ensure that neither occur. (more…)

Published June 7, 2018 By Digital Content

Encourage your cooperative to apply for Seeds for Stewardship matching grants

Spring and warmer weather are upon us. It’s a great time to plant the seed of community support and grow pride in your community by encouraging your local cooperative to apply for a Seeds for Stewardship matching grant. Since Seeds for Stewardship began in early 2017, CHS has partnered with more than 70 local cooperatives on more than 100 projects in rural communities. Your cooperative could be next!

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