2008 Ag-Chem Operator Of The Year: Finalists Preview

Professional applicators know that they provide an important piece of the puzzle in the crop cycle. Whether spreading fertilizer to replace ground nutrients or spraying to protect crops from pests and fungus, growers rely on applicators to help get the most from their fields — and make them money — from season to season.

To recognize the importance of these unsung contributors in a successful application business, the Ag-Chem Operator of the Year program was introduced in 2006. This program acknowledges that one of the most difficult challenges for an ag retail business is finding good operators. Judging criteria includes experience, quality of work, customer service, community involvement, customer appreciation, and overall dedication to the job.

"We started this program to recognize the good work of our ag retail customers and their operators. They are the guys who are out in the machine, doing their best work all day, and who are always willing to work when called on," says Mark Sharitz, director of marketing for Ag-Chem. "Virtually every candidate nominated has a boss who will tell you that he or she can't get along without them."

In fact, more than 200 applications were submitted this year. "I think that is a testament to the quality of operators working in the fields," Sharitz adds. "All of the nominees are invaluable to their companies and the growers they serve."

The four finalists for the 2008 Ag-Chem Operator of the Year program have been chosen: Donald Suflow, Cargill Inc., Maynard, MN; Kyle Jones, Heartland Coop, Slater, IA; Randy Archer, Bollmeyer Inc., Hinton, IA; and Michael Grube, Valley Agronomics LLC, Ashton, ID. They will all be attending the 2008 Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) Conference and Expo, Dec. 2-4 in Austin, TX, where one of them will be announced as the Operator of the Year and winner of a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Randy Archer

Randy Archer: 2008 Ag-Chem
Operator Of The Year Finalist

His pursuit of perfection, exceptional customer service, and willingness to help are the qualities that put Randy Archer into the elite group of finalists for Ag-Chem Operator of the Year.

Archer began at Bollmeyer Inc., a small business of four employees, in Hinton, IA, 15 years ago. Crystal Jauer, office manager, says: "It's Randy's experience and customer service that set us apart from the competition. He's energetic and people love to be around him."

Archer sprays 25,000 acres per year of custom application as if each acre were his own. "It's important to do the job right," says Archer. "I try not to destroy any more crop than necessary to get the job done."

Archer works from dawn until dusk during spraying season, running a 1603 TerraGator and 854 RoGator. "If you're an experienced operator and you have the right machine, it's as comfortable as driving your own car down the highway," Archer adds. "I like the way the RoGator is built, it's a tough machine that can withstand the rough terrain of western Iowa."

Jauer, who nominated Archer, comments: "Randy is a vital part of our organization. I can't even count on one hand how many times he's had to re-spray a field. His quality is exceptional."

Archer doesn't have much extra time on his hands. But the time he has is spent serving his community. He served in the National Guard for 20 years and now his two boys are following in his footsteps. He and his wife started a military reunion event in their community and are involved in a "Support U.S. Soldiers" program where they collect items from local businesses and ship them overseas to soldiers from their area.

"I am really excited about being nominated for this award and I think it's a real privilege," says Archer. "It's not very often where a chance like this comes along for an individual like myself."

Michael Grube

Understanding the unique needs of each producer allows top custom applicators to stand out from the crowd. And sometimes the best way to get this type of understanding is to walk a mile in their shoes. That's how Michael Grube, a former farmer and life-long resident of Ashton, ID, helps the team at Valley Agronomics LLC stay ahead of the competition.

Michael Grube: 2008 Ag-Chem
Operator Of The Year Finalist

"Michael is more than just an operator. Being a farmer once himself, he is very conscientious of the concerns growers have and does all he can to meet those needs," says Bryan Miller, who nominated Grube. "He is always accurate and focused on doing a great job for each farmer."

Grube primarily operates TerraGators and a 1064 RoGator to apply 10,000 acres per year. Miller adds: "He's very aware and cautious. He doesn't want to see any holes in a field or ends not covered."

Grube's mechanical mind, or farmer mentality as some would say, has been quite useful at Valley Agronomics. When issues arise Grube can usually fix it himself and keep on moving with the job at hand.

In addition to being an operator, Grube stays busy with the catering business he and his wife run together. And even with two jobs, Grube makes sure to find time for community involvement. "He always demonstrates willingness to serve when the opportunity arises," says Miller.

Donald Suflow

Donald Suflow: 2008 Ag-Chem
Operator Of The Year Finalist

A 25-year veteran of custom application, Donald Suflow is the go-to guy at Cargill's Gluek and Maynard, MN, locations. He believes a good custom applicator is one who treats every field as he would his own. And that attitude is one reason he was chosen as an Ag-Chem Operator of the Year finalist.
Suflow applies fertilizer and custom sprays approximately 30,000 to 35,000 acres per year, mainly driving an 8103 TerraGator for dry fertilizer applications. He also runs an 8203 TerraGator with spinners to spread turkey ash, and sprays row crops with an 854 RoGator.

"I feel like I'm a good custom applicator because I'm honest. Farmers like the job I do for them, and they'll request me," says Suflow. "I treat every field like it's my own, You know the old saying 'do onto others as you would do to yourself,' and I try to follow that when spraying."

Suflow was nominated by Doug Hanen, production supervisor, and Jeff Morris, FSC operations lead at the Maynard and Gluek Cargill locations. "Don really is the operator that any employer dreams about hiring. Whenever he goes to the field, you are guaranteed a professional job with accurate application," Hanen says.

Morris adds that Suflow deserved the recognition because of his work ethic, job performance in the field, and the fact that he keeps the environment in mind at all times. "Our customers say that Don is the best applicator they've had, and they know that the job will be done to their satisfaction every time," he says.

Suflow says that he was excited to be nominated, and is looking forward to attending the ARA Conference with his wife. "And if I win that Harley, I'm taking her for a ride," he adds.

Kyle Jones

Each field is unique, and a good custom applicator will know each waterway, terrace, and wet spot in all the fields he applies. Kyle Jones, who has been spraying for Heartland Coop in Slater, IA, for almost 22 years, handles each field as a unique piece of land. "Whether it's a square 100 acres, or a rough, terraced farm, he makes them his top priority," says nominator Brad Essick, location manager at Heartland Coop.

Kyle Jones: 2008 Ag-Chem
Operator Of The Year Finalist

Jones says he got into custom application because he enjoys the work, being in the field, and interfacing with the customers. Jones primarily runs an 8204 TerraGator. He says he averages about 44,000 acres each year between fertilizing and spraying fields.

"It's a fine honor to be chosen as a finalist for Operator of the Year," says Jones. "I have a lot of help, though, the people who mix for me and tender drive for me; and Brad writes the variable-rate prescriptions. All that has to fit in to get me to get done what I need to do."

Essick says he nominated Jones for the Operator of the Year because of his reliability. "I'm at work by 6 a.m., and Kyle is already here, waiting for the orders for the day," he says. "He gets his work done in a timely manner, and when I say timely, I also mean that he gets the field work done efficiently and the way it should be done. This past year he sprayed 44,000 acres and I didn't have one customer complain about the job he did. To me that epitomizes a quality applicator."

Along with working at the coop, Jones farms and raises cattle. He's an avid outdoorsman and enjoys spending time with his family, including his two sons.