May 2026 Choice

May 01, 2026

General Manager Update – Djamel Khali 

The fertilizer market is a very much a copy and paste from the last month. The longer the straight of Hurmuz is closed, the longer tail on getting back too “normal”. Nitrogen and Sulfur have had the bigger rise in costs and some dealers will have spot outages. China and Russia have not been exporting Phosphorus causing increases in price as well. We are well positioned on fertilizer and will be able to take care of any needs that you have! Last month we sent out letters to patrons who still had old Farmland stock on the books. As you recall, Farmland went out of business in the early 2000’s. With migration to our new accounting software we felt it was time to not have this on the books as when they went out of business the stock was deemed worthless. There may be a tax benefit to those who had this stock. Rest assured that your stock in FCA/Vision Ag is still there and fully valued. Have a safe planting season! 

Broadway Service Center Update – Dave Hyman 

“How can I get my tires to last longer?” If we had a dollar for every time we were asked that question, we would be rich. There are 4 things that we can recommend to extend the life of your tires, make for a smoother ride, and help keep the tread even: 

  1. Check air pressure (monthly) 

  1. Rotate (about every 8,000 miles or every other oil change) 

  1. Balance (about every 16,000 miles or every other oil change) 

  1. Align (annually) 

Feel free to stop in and we would be more than happy to look at your tires or call Broadway Service Center at 641-636-3438 to set up an appointment for all your tire needs. Thank you for your continued support and stay safe on the roads. 

Richland Vision Ag Update – Kyle Rossman 

Planting season is off to a wet start this year, but with drier weather in the forecast, we’re looking forward to getting back into the fields soon. Over the past several months, the Richland team has been hard at work servicing our application equipment, and we’re fully prepared to begin pre-emergent herbicide applications as conditions allow. As you finalize your planting plans, don’t overlook the added value of using a planter box seed treatments. Be sure to connect with Justin or Rick to learn more about yield benefits of products like Revile Hopper Throttle from Meristem and Seed+Graphite from Verdesian. If you have any agronomy questions or need assistance this season, our sales agronomists are here to help. As always, thank you for your continued support of your local Coop. 

FCA Feed Division Update – Andy Weber 

May is Beef Month! We would like to take this time and thank all of our beef producers for the hard work they do each and every day. Whether you have a cow-calf operation, background cales, or feed cattle in a feedlot, it’s hard work to produce the best beef in the world. We here at FCA salute you for everything you do. We have an excellent lineup of top feeds, including Hubbard, Purina, and QLF, allowing for versatile nutritional programs to fit all your cattle’s needs. These brands together can provide solutions for ration balancing, mineral needs, and energy requirements. As always, thank you for your support and continued business.  

FCA Refined Fuels Update – Jeff Bermel 

Why should you use Cenex Premium Diesel Fuel? Cenex Premium Diesel Fuel has a higher cetane number, a better lubricity, and includes detergents that provide injector cleaning capabilities versus the standard #2 diesel fuel.  

Are all premium diesel fuels alike? No, both base fuels and additives used to achieve “premium” status can vary widely by suppliers. In fact, the only requirement to call a product “premium” diesel is the addition of a single additive. This can cause confusion in the market as to how premium diesel fuel may impact the equipment's performance. 

Cenex Ruby Fieldmaster Cenex Roadmaster is different as it not only offers a quality base fuel, but also includes an enhanced, multi-functional additive package formulated for the rugged demands of agriculture. This formulation includes: 

  1. An advanced aggressive detergency package which breaks down, removes, and prevents deposit buildup in your engine 

  1. A two-part total water management system that safeguards fuel integrity and combustion system 

  1. Improved biostability and maximum filterability that extends the life of filters, protects fuel injectors and pumps and keeps the exhaust aftertreatments clear 

The benefits of this formulation include clean, balanced, and complete combustion, a reduction in exhaust cylinder temperature deviations, improved fuel efficiency, and increased equipment power. If you have any questions, please contact Jason in Stockport at 641-455-4781, Bob in Douds at 641-919-4900, or Jeff in Keota at 319-461-6170.  

Batavia Vision Ag Update – Adam Giltner 

In Iowa, planting corn and soybeans during wet weather conditions can certainly present significant challenges, especially when fields are saturated and prone to compaction. Wet soil delays planting, making it difficult to get equipment into the fields resulting in potential delays that can impact crop yields. Farmers must monitor their soil moisture levels carefully, as excessive wetness can lead to poor seed-to-soil contact which will affect germination growth rates. When planting in such conditions, it’s crucial to adjust planting depth to ensure that seeds are placed in soil that will provide sufficient support once it dries out. Fertilzation also requires careful management when under wet conditions. While early-season fertilizers are critical for both corn and beans to combat this, many farmers will apply nutrients in split applications to ensure that the plants can access the nutrients they need throughout the growing season, even when soil conditions are less than ideal. Talk to your Vision Ag team about side dressing your corn this year. Thank you for your business.  

FCA Grain Department Update – Sarah Hora 

Last month’s wet weather didn’t leave much room to get the crops in the ground, and it shows on the latest USDA Crop Progress Report. As of April 20th, Iowa soybean planting is 1% complete, compared to 10% at this time last year. Corn planting is at 2%, running well behind last year’s 16%. Corn markets have picked up support due to drier weather in parts of the Western corn belt. Soybeans are also holding strength, backed by crush margins and ongoing biofuel demand. As the soil dried and fieldwork gets rolling, keep an eye on basis –this is the time of year we often see it firm up. Give myself in Ainsworth a call for offers, bids, and marketing opportunities at 319-657-2911. Stay safe out there and have a great planting season. 

Thank you for your continued business and support! Have a safe planting season!