Bob Jenema; Regional Sales Agronomist Michigan
Founded in 1917, Farmers Cooperative Elevator (FCE) has been a cornerstone for the farming community in Western Michigan. Serving farmers in Ottawa, Allegan, and Kent counties, FCE offers a diverse range of services, supporting dairy, beef, hog, and poultry operations, as well as grain marketing. The cooperative also works with various crops, including corn, soybeans, edible beans, wheat, alfalfa, vegetables, and blueberries, and serves the Turf and Ornamental market, making it a well-rounded partner for producers in the region.
FCE’s agronomy division is critical to the cooperative’s continued growth, managing 70,000 acres annually through custom application services. They provide a full spectrum of agronomy products, including dry bulk and liquid offerings, ensuring that producers receive tailored solutions for their specific crop needs.
In 2017, FCE expanded on their current QLF partnership with introducing QLF Agronomy’s Liquid Carbon-Based Fertilizers (L-CBF) to their members. Their initial trial of L-CBF BOOST on soybeans resulted in a 5.2-bushel yield increase, which spurred further trials in 2018 on corn. These trials showed yield increases of 10 bushels with 2×2 applications and 6 bushels in side-dress nitrogen programs.
The positive results led FCE to adopt the entire QLF Agronomy product line, including L-CBF BOOST, L-CBF 7-21-3 MKP, L-CBF Triple5, and L-CBF Amino15, as well as QLF’s signature micronutrient products CornSpike and PowerAid. Recently, FCE added more Kelpak, a natural bio-stimulant derived from the seaweed Ecklonia maxima, to their offerings. To accommodate the increased demand, FCE invested in 300 tons of additional liquid fertilizer storage for these products, allowing them to better serve their customers and enhance their agronomy services.
FCE’s agronomy team is deeply focused on improving soil health, which enhances the utilization of both soil-applied and foliar nutrients. Through numerous field trials, they’ve found that healthier soils contribute to better stress management in crops, resulting in more resilient alfalfa stands, improved feed quality, and higher test weights, ultimately translating into higher yields.
Joe Timmer, FCE’s Sales Manager, notes, “The L-CBF line of products has provided the most consistent return on investment of any products we’ve trialed.” FCE has conducted more trials with QLF’s L-CBF products than with any other manufacturer, consistently seeing benefits such as improved nitrogen use efficiency, reduced insect pressure, increased nodulation in soybeans, and enhanced drought tolerance.
Sales Consultant Jesse Grysen highlights the success they’ve seen with Kelpak, particularly in the region’s vegetable and specialty crop sectors. “Kelpak has helped reduce the time from seedling to transplant for lettuce crops and improved early-season vigor and root growth,” Grysen explains. In microgreen production, FCE has observed healthier, more vibrant root systems using Kelpak in a greenhouse drip program. Additionally, the combination of BOOST and 7-21-3 MKP has shown improved pollination in squash crops.
As a member-owned cooperative, FCE is committed to providing input solutions that support both its members and the cooperative’s long-term success. By consistently trialing and adopting products like L-CBF that offer reliable returns, FCE ensures that their members can improve crop health, increase yields, and optimize their farming operations.
The partnership between FCE and QLF Agronomy has become a cornerstone of their agronomy success. “QLF’s L-CBF products have delivered consistent and proven results for our growers,” Timmer notes. The cooperative’s collaboration with QLF has not only enhanced soil health and plant nutrition but also positioned FCE to continue delivering innovative solutions for its members.
As FCE looks toward the future, their strong partnership with QLF Agronomy ensures they can continue offering cutting-edge products that deliver tangible benefits to farmers throughout Western Michigan. Together, we are building a future focused on sustainability, profitability, and the success of Farmer’s Cooperative Elevator’s member-owners.