MID-COUNTY AGRONOMY
Page 4 www . midcountyCoop . com
Meet our new
Fertilizer start to finish agronomy manager
Scott Nelson
( 952 ) 466-3730
“ I like the atmosphere here at the co-op ,” commented Scott Nelson , who became Mid-County Co-op ’ s agronomy manager last September . Since he started , Scott has been busy preparing the plant for the changing seasons , ensuring that everything is running smoothly . “ I really like interacting with the customers ,” he said . “ They ’ re just solid , down-to-earth folks . They ’ ve been pretty open to having a new guy around , too .” Although he ’ s been at Mid-County less than a year , Scott isn ’ t new to agriculture . He grew up across from a farm , and began working there at age 8 . He continued the job part time until his 20s , and was considering farming as a career . “ I loved it ,” he said . “ It was a goodsized dairy , with beef , hogs , and chickens , too .” However , after a back injury in 1990 that required surgery , doctors advised a less physical vocation . Scott then went to work for his parents ’ bulk fuel delivery and convenience store company . In 2000 , he moved into the underground line locating industry . His latest position was regional manager , which required substantial travel to nearby states . When Scott heard about Mid-County ’ s agronomy manager opening , he was excited about the opportunity . As manager , one of Scott ’ s goals is to increase efficiency of the agronomy department . “ We also want to continue to deliver a high level of customer service and accuracy in everything we do , whether it ’ s billing or spraying ,” he said . When he ’ s not at work , Scott enjoys spending time at home in Delano with his wife , Carol , and three children , ages 12 , 15 , and 18 . Scott can also be found playing guitar in a rock / country band called Wobblebox . The popular group performs at bars , weddings , and other private parties , donating part of its proceeds to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis . At Mid-County Agronomy , Scott can be reached at ( 952 ) 466-3730 .
All the fertilizer a field needs
The photo above shows bins of unblended fertilizer . Mid-County Agronomy Manager Scott Nelson stands by several tons of ESN fertilizer , which is polymer-coated to control nitrogen release . The new fertilizer is designed to release nutrient based on soil temperature , to make nitrogen available later in the season .
Mid-County Agronomy offers a wide selection of liquid and dry fertilizers , to accurately meet soil nutrient needs with precise application .
Available liquid fertilizers include 28 percent , ammonium thio ( 12-0-0-26s ), 10-34-0 , and 9-18-9 . Dry fertilizers include urea , potash , DAP , ammonium sulfate , MAP , and potassium sulfate .
Custom blending is available to meet each area ’ s unique soil needs .
Efficient fertilizer blending
At Mid-County Co-op , upgrading our fertilizer blending system is one way we ’ ve recently increased our company ’ s efficiency .
Since the system was installed , we ’ ve enjoyed lower maintenance costs , less downtime , and a faster , more streamlined blending process .
The blue and white elevator on the far left of the photo was added this winter . As an incoming unloading system , it is the first stop for Mid-County Co-op ’ s fertilizer . After semi trucks dump it into the elevator , the fertilizer goes into storage bins .
From there , Mid-County employees move the fertilizer into a hopper which loads the tower .
A mix of old and new
Before it is blended , fertilizer is lifted to the system ’ s tallest blue and white tower .
The photo above shows a close-up view of the co-ops elevator that carries the fertilizer to the top of the tower .
Once it is lifted , the fertilizer drops into one of several bins in the top of the 8-ton blending system . It is then mixed with other types of fertilizer , per customer specifications . After about 30 seconds of blending , the fertilizer is ready to be put into trucks .
The tan-colored hopper in front of the new blending system is part of Mid- County ’ s former system . It is now used as an additional truck load out .