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Comments from the CEO

Chris Henney shares updates on your association

2nd Quarter 2015 – 7/10/15

What began as a pretty good spring quickly went south in June, when record rainfalls were recorded around the state. As you well know, this created all kinds of issues for the state’s farmers and your businesses. Some problems are immediately apparent and others will show up over the coming weeks and months. In addition to water-logged crops, replant and fertility issues, we are beginning to hear of the inevitable wheat quality problems that come with so much rain this close to harvest. I’m also sorry to report that all the rain in June, as well as the intensity of many of the storms, will create a much larger algal bloom in Lake Erie than what was originally forecast in May.

Despite all the doom and gloom related to the weather, there are many positive things happening with your association. I’m very excited to share (again) that OABA Director of Communication and Member Education Margo Long and her family welcomed a new son, Mason, into the world on Friday, April 10. Everyone is doing well and Margo is already back and working hard on summer golf outings and planning winter meetings. Speaking of golf outings, the OABA Educational Trust held their first outing of the year this past month and will have the next one on Aug. 19 at Shelby Oaks Golf Club in Sidney. This is the primary fundraiser for our college scholarship program, and we appreciate the industry’s support!

We are always looking for ways to best support our member companies and their employees. To help promote grain bin knowledge and safety, OABA and GEAPS Seaway Chapter of Ohio recently entered into a new partnership to host the 2015 Bin Entry Tech Training Program. This four-day program is designed to give first responders hands-on training with grain bin rescue for emergency situations at commercial operations and farms. To learn more about this opportunity, visit this link.

As our industry is well aware, water quality continues to be a major issue. OABA, along with a number of partners, helped develop and launch the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program last year. There has been strong interest in the program, and we have over 60 facilities committed to date. Here are the most current statistics on certified facilities.

CERTIFIED BRANCH LOCATIONS: 16

ACRES SERVICED AND/OR APPLIED IN WLEB: 636,000

ACRES OUTSIDE WLEB SERVICED AND/OR APPLIED: 477,000

TOTAL: 1,113,000

 

NUMBER OF CLIENTS SERVICED IN WLEB: 1,580

OTHER CLIENTS SERVICED OUTSIDE WLEB 1,460

TOTAL: 3,040

This program and its success is getting national attention. In May, Andrew Allman, OABA’s director of business operations and executive director of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program, travelled to Washington D.C. to attend the 4R Summit and share our efforts with folks on Capitol Hill.

OABA has also been involved the past few months with the CSX rail rate issues. Previous News & Notes articles outline our activities. We have voiced concern with the Surface Transportation Board and also Ohio’s congressional delegation. We have also partnered with the National Grain and Feed Association on their efforts regionally. This week, I will be travelling to Washington D.C. with a few OABA board members and will be sharing our message then as well.

I appreciate our members’ support and participation with OABA. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have ideas, concerns or issues. You can reach me at 614-326-7520 or chenney@oaba.net. We are here for you!

-Chris

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