February Energy News

Feb 01, 2023


Winter Propane

February 2023.

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! Don’t neglect to tell that special someone how much you appreciate them. Or don’t and be prepared to face the consequences. You have been warned, so put it in your calendar. This has been a public service announcement. 

Well, February got off to a chilly start. Propane sales are brisk and supplies are a little tight but we’re able to leverage propane from other suppliers to get the propane that we need. It usually takes about a week for the supply chain to recover from a cold snap so I would expect that the entire system will be in great shape by middle of the second week of February in anticipation of the next cold snap. The good news is we can finally snowmobile in southern Wisconsin. If you enjoy that sport like I do, be safe on the trails.  

I went to a CHS event and one of the speakers had an interesting outlook on the world. She brought an  imaginative perspective to the world events that we’re seeing today play out on the world stage. Her discussion ranged from the war in Ukraine and China’s intimidation of Taiwan to the future of fusion and using space, mirrors and the power of the sun to provide energy on earth. It made me think about humanity as a whole and how if we work together instead of continuing with the ongoing conflicts and the hoarding of resources how much we are capable of.

Since we’re in the middle of our heaviest propane consumption, I thought that now would be a good time for some safety reminders. If you smell gas inside or outside of your home or business, follow these instructions:
No flames or sparks! Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate or turn on or off lights, appliances, telephones or cell phones.
Leave the area immediately. Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
Shut off the gas. Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank, if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).
Report the leak. From a neighbor’s home or other building away from the gas leak, call your propane retailer right away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your local fire department.
Do not return to the building or area until your propane retailer, emergency responder, or qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.
Get your system checked. Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, your propane retailer or a qualified service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of February. It will be interesting to see what the groundhog says about the end of winter. He’s probably about as accurate as the folks who predict our weather. Thank you for your business. 

Tim Lease

Division Manager

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Mar 15,2023
March is a great time to assess your alfalfa stand as the plant starts to break dormancy and green up. Here's 

 
Mar 03,2023
With spring just around the corner, your cooperative is gearing up for another one of our seasonal rushes…spring planting season. Not only will we see our total employee count peak for the year, but nearly every asset in the company will be in use. While many businesses have equipment and buildings that are in use all year long, our grain and agronomy divisions have millions of dollars invested in some assets that only get used for a few months out of the year. It is critical that these assets are fully operational and ready to go when the season starts. Our agronomy operations team has spent the winter months going through all the equipment to make sure it's in good working order, unwrapping and greasing up the new sprayers, trucks and other equipment we’ve purchased this year, updating technology and precision tools on existing equipment, and conducting hours of training on its use and safety. 

In addition, the crop advisors and admin staff have been putting the finishing touches on crop plans and seed orders, wrapping up input financing and nutrient management plans, hiring and training new staff including college interns to help scout fields, and maybe taking a little time away to get rested for what is sure to be long days and short nights ahead. If you’re still looking to finalize plans for this planting season, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our highly trained crop advisors.

Gearing up for spring is not only about the equipment, but also the additional staff needed to provide the products and services our members rely on to help feed the world. Each year we try to fill about 100 full and part time positions at our eleven agronomy locations. These positions can last from six weeks up to eight months. Most seasonal positions involve delivering product to our members or directly to fields to keep our custom application machines running smoothly. If you or someone you know is interested in seasonal or year-round employment, please contact Shayla at our Mt Horeb office or stop by one of the agronomy locations. The hours can be flexible and available up to seven days a week. If agronomy work isn’t for you, ask about openings at any of our other locations including retail associates, plant operations, truck drivers, administrative professionals and more. Premier is always looking to add quality people to our team.

Thank you for your continued support of Premier Cooperative and its staff. Have a great month and stay safe!
Mar 03,2023
Cattle nutrient requirements can vary by season and stage of production. Now is a great time to evaluate your cattle mineral programs and map out a plan to maximize impact.

While minerals are a relatively small portion of the diet, they control many vital functions in cattle and impact everything from cattle reproduction to feed efficiency and overall herd health. That's why it’s so important to make sure the mineral needs of your cattle are being met year-round.