Connection Fall 2016 | Page 7

rienced because of potential quality issues and then reimbursed in the form of a rebate when the actual loss is known. A decision we had to make was whether to open both gins. In doing so last year with not more than 52,000 bales, your gin ended up with a loss of $617,386. On the 51,232 bales we ginned this would have been a write down of each producer’s stock of $12.05/bale ginned. Last year, your board decided to reduce our retained earnings by the $617,386 rather than allocate the loss. We knew that with the damaged cotton it would be very inefficient to open both gins and our banks would not allow us to reduce retained earnings further, so losses would have to be allocated to members who ginned cotton in the 2016 year. We felt that by running one gin we could make a small profit or at least not have a great loss at year end. With the hit our cotton producers have suffered this year, we didn’t feel they could stand more misery. As of October 10, we’ve ginned 24,259 bales and have 30,900 bales to go, translating to about 36 days to finish. Average turn out has been 40.33 percent and average seed weight has been 569 pounds per bale ginned. On a positive note, our deer corn bagging plant is running pretty much full steam with United Ag High Caliber Deer Corn being wildly known as one of the cleanest on the market. Our sales continue to grow daily and our quality product is getting a lot of attention. This plant was put in to add value to our producers’ corn crops and any profits will go back to our elevator division. Your management and board continue to look for opportunities to add value to the crops we produce. We have ongoing talks about expanding into producing our own feeds in the future. Our farm supply stores continue to service many members and patrons and our continuously expanding new product lines to better serve our members and patrons. Those of you who haven’t shopped in our new Blue Creek Market should stop by and take a look. It is completely full of vendors with many unique items for sale. As always, we appreciate your patronage of your United Ag Cooperative and continue to strive to serve our customers better. Sincerely, Jimmy Roppolo HARVEST retrospective breakfast NOVEMBER 15 BREAKFAST 6:30 AM • PROGRAM 6:45 AM - 8:00 AM CARRIE BOWEN, WHARTON COUNTY AG EXTENSION AGENT, WILL EMCEE AND INTERVIEW PANELS CONCERNING THE UPCOMING FARM YEAR. PANELS INCLUDE: WHARTON AND SURROUNDING COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT UPDATES • AG FINANCE • MARKET OUTLOOK • MARK WELCH, GRAIN MARKETING TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION ECONOMIST • WATER SUPPLY UPDATE RSVP BY NOVEMBER 11 TO 979.543.2713 • WILL PODCAST ON KULP 1390AM WEBSITE 7