Crop protection products and fertilizer will always be the heart and soul of revenue for retailers. But one sales category that shouldn’t go overlooked for the nation’s largest ag dealerships and cooperatives is custom application. Despite flat sales this past year, the custom application category did perform slightly better in 2018 than during 2017. In fact, these gains were mostly reflected by 10 retailers from CropLife 100 list, a group that generated $1 billion this past year, which comprised of 75% of total CropLife 100 custom applicaiton revenue in 2018. To find out which companies made that list (in reverse order of sales), view the slideshow above.
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No. 10: Aurora Cooperative Elevator
Organization Type: Cooperative 2018 Revenue: $201 million-$1 billion Revenue by input: Crop Protection: 44% | Fertilizer: 39% | Seed: 10% | Custom Application: 7% For more than a century, Aurora Cooperative has been a partner in the success of agriculture, providing high quality, competitive products and services growers rely on every day. In 2018, custom application sales represented 7% of the cooperative's total revenue ($201 million-$1 billion).
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No. 9: MFA Inc.
Organization Type: Cooperative 2018 Revenue: $201 million-$1 billion Revenue by input: Crop Protection: 24% | Fertilizer: 51% | Seed 19% | Custom Application: 6% MFA Inc. is a Midwest-based regional farm supply and marketing cooperative serving more than 45,000 farmer/owners in Missouri and adjacent states. In 2018, custom application sales represented 6% of the cooperative's total revenue ($201 million-$1 billion).
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No. 8: Simplot Grower Solutions
Organization Type: National/Regional Chain of Dealerships 2018 Revenue: More than $1 Billion Revenue by input: Crop Protection: 44% | Fertilizer: 48% | Seed: 5% | Custom Application: 3% Simplot's commitment to Bringing Earth’s Resources to Life begins at the acre level by providing assistance and support via Simplot Grower Solutions. The company has more than 250 crop advisors and more than 90 retail locations to help growers with their specific needs. In 2018, custom application sales represented 3% of the company's total revenue ($1 Billion+).
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No. 7: Pinnacle Agriculture Distribution
Organization Type: National/Regional Chain of Dealerships 2018 Revenue: More than $1 Billion Revenue by input: Crop Protection: 49% | Fertilizer: 29% | Seed: 19% | Custom Application: 3% Headquartered in Loveland, CO, and serving 27 states, Pinnacle is a leader in the farm supply distribution business. In 2018, custom application sales represented 3% of the company's total revenue ($1 Billion+).
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No. 6: Wilbur-Ellis
Organization Type: National/Regional Chain of Dealerships 2018 Revenue: More than $1 Billion Revenue by input: Crop Protection: 47% | Fertilizer: 39% | Seed: 9% |Custom Application: 5% Established in 1921, Wilbur-Ellis is a leading international marketer and distributor of agricultural products, animal feed and specialty chemicals and ingredients. In 2018, custom application sales represented 5% of the company's total revenue ($1 Billion+).
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No. 5: CHS Inc.
Organization Type: Cooperative 2018 Revenue: More than $1 Billion Revenue by input: Crop Protection: 27% | Fertilizer: 49% | Seed: 18% |Custom Application: 6% CHS Inc. is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the U.S. In 2018, custom application sales represented 6% of the cooperative's total revenue ($1 Billion+).
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No. 4: Helena Agri-Enterprises
Organization Type: National/Regional Chain of Dealerships 2018 Revenue: More than $1 Billion Revenue by input: Crop Protection: 45% | Fertilizer: 33% | Seed: 18% |Custom Application: 8% Helena Agri-Enterprises, headquartered in Collierville, TN, is one of the foremost agronomic solutions providers in the U.S. In 2018, custom application sales represented 8% of the company's total revenue ($1 Billion+).
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No. 3: Agtegra
Organization Type: Cooperative 2018 Revenue: $201 million-$1 billion Revenue by input: Crop Protection: 22% | Fertilizer: 33% | Seed: 19% |Custom Application: 26% Agtegra Cooperative is an innovative, farmer-owned grain and agronomy cooperative with more than 6,700 active member-owners in eastern North and South Dakota. In 2018, custom application sales represented 26% of the cooperative's total revenue ($201 million-$1 billion).
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No. 2: GROWMARK
Organization Type: Cooperative 2018 Revenue: More than $1 Billion Revenue by input: Crop Protection: 26% | Fertilizer: 42% | Seed: 20% | Custom Application: 12% GROWMARK is a cooperative organization based in Bloomington, IL. In 2018, custom application sales represented 12% of the cooperative's total revenue ($1 Billion+).
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No. 1: Nutrien Ag Solutions
Organization Type: National/Regional Chain of Dealerships 2018 Revenue: More than $1 Billion Revenue by input: Crop Protection: 46% | Fertilizer: 34% | Seed: 16% |Custom Application: 4% Operated by Nutrien Retail, Nutrien Ag Solutions (formerly Crop Production Services) is a unit of Nutrien Ltd., the world’s largest agriculture inputs company. In 2018, custom application sales represented 4% of the company's total revenue ($1 Billion+).
Editor’s note: Companies included in the CropLife 100 listings were limited to independent dealerships and cooperatives that offer fertilizer, crop protection, seed, and custom application services. Figures do not include a host of services, such as data management, consulting/scouting, or grain elevator revenue. Dealerships and cooperatives are ranked in order by total sales in their respective sales group.
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July 29, 2019 
