Changes in the feed business over the past 37 years.

Jul 05, 2022


Rich Strutt

Thank you, Rich!

I have given it a lot of thought and have decided that after working in the ag nutrition field for 37 years, it is time to retire. Not from agriculture altogether, but to work on my family farm alongside my children and grandchildren.

First, I want to thank my present and past customers for their business and the support that they have given me throughout the years. 

I have seen many changes in the feed business over the past 37 years. When I started working in the Cooperative system in 1985, I worked in both the feed and agronomy side. After working in the feed mill, I would then deliver the feed with a bulk truck, sometimes pulling a fertilizer spreader along behind to make the trip more efficient!

In those days, you worked with all species of animals. I also worked with the agronomy department making recommendations for seed, fertilizer and crop protection.

When I began doing feed rations, they weren’t done on a computer. They were done by hand using the Pearson Square method. A few years later, we began doing rations on a computer, which had a whole room devoted to it because of its size. It didn’t have a hard drive; only a floppy drive, so you had to print all of your work because it couldn’t be saved on the computer. Around 1987, I used a portable computer and was able to take it on site to the farms to demonstrate to the producers how I could use it to generate a ration. This new-age computer had a built-in printer that used paper on a roll. When you printed, the paper would come rolling out of the computer. After a couple of months, the printed rations would basically self-destruct because the ink would fade out.

By the early 1990’s, most consultants started working with either the feed or agronomy side, but not both. By the early 2000’s, we were becoming specialized in working with specific animal species.

I have enjoyed getting to know my customers, their families and their operations. You know you have been in the business a long time when you are now working with the second and third generations on some of the farms that you work with. I will remember these friendships for the rest of my life. In closing, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of God, my family and all of my great co-workers who make this a great place to work.

Rich Strutt

Animal Nutritionist
 

 

Read More News

Aug 29, 2023
Every day is a great day to be in the beef business and this year has proved to be another excellent year in the cow/calf   and feedlot sectors of beef production. 
Aug 29, 2023
I hope you all had a fantastic August. Although we had a few days of hot weather toward the end of the month, cooler days are coming. It’s less than 120 days until winter. Soon we’ll be digging out the warm clothing and finding our boots to prepare for the colder weather that is surely on its way. If you haven’t locked in your propane supply but would still like to, please call your local Premier Energy office to see if the lock in price has changed.
Aug 29, 2023

I hope everyone had the chance to enjoy the Independence Day holiday with family and friends. Thanks to all of you who called in your orders early so our staff could adjust to the mid-week holiday and help minimize the added pressure that the short work week brings. I’d also like to thank all of you who returned your propane contracts by the end of June. With a short window of when contracts are mailed to when they are due back, we really appreciate your patience and support. If reading this reminded you that your contract is still sitting on the kitchen table, just pick up the phone and call the energy office nearest to you. I’m sure we’ll be able to take care of you. The last of the propane contracts (Cap renewals) and safety mailings will be sent out later this month. On behalf of our energy team and everyone at your cooperative, thank you for choosing us to serve your propane needs again this year.