By the time this update reaches you, we will have wrapped up the first month of our new fiscal year and will be under way with our external financial audit for the year completed on September 30. While we expect total revenues will be off compared to the historic levels of the last two years due to lower commodity prices, we anticipate our primary measure of growth and local earnings to remain strong for fiscal year 2024. I look forward to sharing the results and more with you next month.
Speaking of growth, I am pleased to announce that we recently completed the acquisition of Dickeyville Feed. Located in southern Grant County, this strategic move will enhance our service offerings and strengthen our presence in the region. Dickeyville’s staff bring with them a wealth of experience and expertise in livestock production. With strong local roots, they have built robust customer relationships over the years, contributing significantly to the growth and success of Dickeyville Feed. This purchase aligns with our commitment to production agriculture and providing exceptional service to our members and customers. We look forward to the positive impact this will have for our cooperative.
With ideal weather conditions since mid-September, this year’s grain harvest started early and came in at a record pace. Before the last week of October, we were scrambling to find space to take in our members’ grain. While field reports have been good, I wouldn’t say that this was a record year for yield, but a record pace at which the grain was harvested and brought into the elevators. The challenge of moving grain out in-season to help make room for new crop coming in was a major issue across SW Wisconsin and beyond. I want to thank our producer members for your patience and willingness to work together as our team continues to find solutions to get this year’s crop to market.
We have again reserved Wisconsin Riverside Resort in Spring Green to hold our next annual meeting on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Please check out additional updates in this and future newsletters for more information including scholarship opportunities, director elections, and more.
In a few weeks we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Holidays always add stress to our business as employees take extra days of well-deserved vacation time to spend with family and our work week loses a day to serve you. Please help the co-op staff you work with by calling in your feed, propane, lumber, and other deliveries as much in advance of the holidays as possible. With one less day in the week to work with, it’s greatly appreciated by all the staff as it allows them to get home at a decent time to spend the holidays with their family and friends.
Veteran’s Day is November 11. Thank you, veterans, for your service and sacrifice. Please be safe and have a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving.
