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CapitalPress.com
March 17, 2017
People & Places
Cooperative branches out
Pratum Co-op
purchases Madras
Service Center in
Central Oregon
Pratum Cooperative
Headquarters: Salem, Ore.
Established: 1946
Members: 315
Employees: 115
Annual revenues: $115 million
Capital Press
Calendar
Business units: Agronomy, petroleum, seed processing, seed
marketing, seed research, grain handling
Sunday, March 19
Home Orchard Society 42nd
Fruit Propagation Fair. 10
a.m.-4 p.m. Clackamas Coun-
ty Fairgrounds Main Pavilion,
694 NE Fourth Ave., Canby,
Ore. Hundreds of varieties of
free scions and cuttings. If you
graft this is paradise, or you
can choose custom grafting by
experts for $5. Free with your
admission are hundreds of va-
rieties of apple, pear, cherry,
plum and persimmon scions;
cuttings of grapes, kiwis, and
figs to root; and experts to an-
swer fruit growing questions.
Cost: $7 per person (family
$12) www.homeorchardsoci-
ety.org/events
Tuesday-Thursday
March 21-23
LEAP Logger Education.
University of Idaho Extension
Kootenai County Office, 1808
North Third St., Coeur d’Alene,
Idaho. LEAP, or Logger Edu-
cation to Advance Profession-
alism, is a national extension
program started at the request
of loggers who wanted to im-
prove their skills and market
their services more effectively
to forest owners and manag-
ers. The course features two
days indoors and one day with
field exercises on forest biolo-
gy, forest ecology, silviculture
and forest water quality. It is
taught by University of Idaho
faculty and Idaho Department
of Lands personnel. Cost: $75,
or $79 online registration.
w w w. u i d a h o . e d u / e x t e n s i o n /
forestry/calendar
Thursday, March 23
Small Farms and Community
Food Systems Workshop Series.
6-8:30 p.m. University of Idaho
Extension, 2200 Michigan Ave.,
Orofino, Idaho. This is the last
of three Thursday evening work-
shops. Topic is marketing ag prod-
ucts in Northern Idaho featuring
Iris Mayes, UI Extension. Please
mail registrations with payment
to UI Extension Workshop Fund,
2200 Michigan Ave., Orofino,
ID 83544 prior to the workshop.
Sign-in will begin at 5:30 each
evening. Seating is limited to 25
people. Cost: $5 per workshop or
$10 for all three.
Capital Press Managers
John Perry ................................Publisher
Joe Beach ..................................... Editor
Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director
Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor
Barbara Nipp ......... Production Manager
Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager
Entire contents copyright © 2017
EO Media Group
dba Capital Press
Mateusz Perkowski/Capital Press
Troy Kuenzi, left, president of the Pratum Co-op, stands with Doug
Kuenzi, its agronomy division manager, at a company facility near
Salem, Ore. The cooperative is expanding eastward to Central
Oregon with the purchase of the Madras Service Center.
The Central Oregon region
also specializes in seed crops
that aren’t widely grown in
the U.S., so Pratum has exper-
tise in serving such growers,
said Doug Kuenzi, the coop-
erative’s agronomy division
manager and Troy’s cousin.
“We understand niche
crops, we understand how to
service them,” he said.
The acquisition
Pratum isn’t disclosing the
purchase price for the Madras
Service Center, but the coop-
erative expects it will increase
annual sales by $14 million,
for a total of about $115 mil-
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Established 1928
Board of directors
Mike Forrester
Steve Forrester
Kathryn Brown
Susan Rana
Mike Omeg
Western Innovator
By MATEUSZ PERKOWSKI
Grain handling was initial-
ly the primary purpose of the
Pratum Co-op, but the com-
pany’s focus shifted and ex-
panded in the seven decades
since its founding.
The cooperative diversi-
fied into selling fertilizers,
chemicals and fuel while de-
veloping an expertise in grass
seed as farmers devoted more
acreage to the crop in Ore-
gon’s Willamette Valley.
Eventually, Pratum de-
commissioned its iconic grain
elevator at the company’s
headquarters near Salem,
Ore., after its grain business
was phased out.
This year, though, the
cooperative has returned to
grain storage and marketing
with the purchase of the CHS
cooperative’s service center in
Madras, Ore.
The move has less to do
with nostalgia for the grain in-
dustry than a desire to branch
out.
“We can spread our risk
over a larger cropping sys-
tem,” said Troy Kuenzi, the
cooperative’s president.
Apart from grain handling,
the Madras Service Center
also has agronomy, seed pro-
cessing and seed marketing
divisions that correspond with
several units of the Pratum
Co-op.
“We aligned really well
with Madras,” said Kuenzi.
The acquisition marks an
eastward leap across the Cas-
cade Mountains, opening the
cooperative to a new climate
and crop portfolio.
Capital Press
Friday-Sunday
March 24-26
18th Annual Northwest Horse
Fair and Expo. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday
and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Linn
County Fair and Expo Center,
3700 Knox Butte Road, Albany,
Ore. Three days of clinics, semi-
nars and performances for horse
enthusiasts. Cost: Adults $12 a
day, children ages 6-12 $6 a day.
Parking $4. www.equinepromo-
tions.net
Friday-Monday
March 24-27
Oregon FFA State Convention.
Deschutes Fair & Expo Center,
3800 S.E. Airport Way, Redmond,
Ore. www.oregonffa.com
Saturday, March 25
Clackamas Tree School. 8:15
a.m.-5:15 p.m. Clackamas Commu-
nity College, Clairmont Hall Room
117, 19600 S Molalla Ave., Oregon
City, Ore. Tree School attendees
can learn about basic forestry
from “A to Z” — tree identification,
woodland management, pest man-
agement, wildlife enhancement,
chainsaw operations, safety and
maintenance, truffle hunting and
cultivation, among many other top-
ics. Advanced sessions focus on
business management, managing
for timber, forest roads, wildlife and
biodiversity. Cost is $50 per person
in Clackamas County, $65 per per-
son outside Clackamas County and
$25 for youths 13-18 with an adult.
http://bit.ly/1Txt8Lk
Monday-Thursday
March 27-30
Outlook 2017 Agribusiness
Conference. DoubleTree Hotel,
2233 Ventura St., Fresno, Calif. This
is California’s premiere agribusiness
conference where key agricultural
issues are addressed, commodity
updates are provided and the highly
regarded Trends in Agricultural Land
and Lease Values publication is re-
leased. Appraisers, farm managers,
consultants, lenders, accountants,
real estate brokers, government
employees, farmers and educators
will benefit from the education, net-
working and the Trends publication.
agprolink.asmfra.org
Wednesday, March 29
Exploring the Small Farm
Dream. 5-8 p.m. OSU SOREC
Research Building Library, 569 Ha-
ley Road, Central Point, Ore. This
three-session course provides an
excellent framework to help new
farmers assess their skills and in-
terests, learn the realities of farm
business ownership, and become
connected to local resources. The
lion. The number of employ-
ees will also increase by 23, to
115 in total.
The acquisition, which
closed in February, includes
a 13-acre property, four lines
of seed processing equip-
ment, several delivery trucks,
a warehouse and a fertilizer
plant.
Pratum expects to break
ground on replacing the fer-
tilizer plant this autumn with
an operation that has faster
blending capacity and more
storage space, said Troy
Kuenzi.
“We feel it would be better
to start over with a new, mod-
ern, state-of-the art facility,”
he said.
Pratum has long shown a
willingness to seize new op-
portunities in its 70-year his-
tory.
In reaction to the surge in
grass seed production in the
1980s, the cooperative con-
structed its first seed cleaner
for farmers in the region.
As the grass seed indus-
try matured, Pratum assumed
new roles in seed contracting
and marketing with its Moun-
tain View Seeds Division,
which was launched in 1998.
Today, the cooperative
contracts with farmers to
grow grass seed on 28,000
acres.
The company has a pri-
vate label business, packag-
ing seed under other brand
names for its clients, as well
as its own “Top Choice” retail
trademark.
Research added
As larger grass seed com-
panies began buying research
firms, Pratum took another
step in its vertical integration
by partnering with breeder
Steve Johnson to start Peak
Plant Genetics.
The company operates
on 80 acres north of Albany,
Ore., and has released and li-
censed 125 varieties of cool
season grasses since it was
established in 2008.
The venture’s timing was
precarious: Peak Plant Ge-
netics was created during the
severe housing downturn that
cratered demand for grass
seed across the U.S.
Without its own research
capabilities, however, Pratum
realized that it would struggle
for sources of high-end genet-
ics, said Troy Kuenzi.
Over the past nine years,
the cooperative has invested
about $3.5 million in research
and breeding, with Peak Plant
Genetics turning its first profit
last year.
“We knew it was a long-
term investment,” Troy Kuen-
zi said.
Much of Oregon’s early
grass seed production was
dedicated to perennial rye-
grass, but tall fescue has
recently been gaining a foot-
hold in the turf market, he
said.
Valued for its fine texture,
dark green color and drought
tolerance, tall fescue is mak-
ing strong in-roads in north-
ern climates.
Aside from providing seed
for lawns and golf courses,
Pratum works with sod pro-
ducers across the country to
supply turf for sports venues,
Troy Kuenzi said.
“It’s evident athletes
want to play on real turf. It’s
cooler and it’s easier on the
body,” he said. “Artificial
turf is hot and it’s like a rug
burn.”
GASES / WELDING / SAFETY / FIRE
www.oxarc.com
aim is to help those thinking about
small-scale commercial farming
learn what it will take to start and
manage a farm business, and de-
cide whether that is something
they really want to pursue. $50 per
person, $75 for two from the same
farm. Website: http://bit.ly/Jackson-
SmallFarmDream
Wednesday-Thursday
March 29-30
International Mass Timber
Conference. Oregon Conven-
tion Center, 777 NE Martin Lu-
ther King Jr Blvd., Portland,
Ore. Explores the entire supply
chain for cross-laminated tim-
ber, nail-laminated timber, glu-
lam panels, laminated veneer
lumber and other mass timber;
and the opportunities and ob-
stacles for mass timber building
in global construction. Benefit
from 80 speakers, four focused
educational tracks, 60 exhibits
in the exhibit hall, multiple net-
working receptions, and one of
the largest gatherings of CLT and
mass timber experts in the world.
www.masstimberconference.com
Friday-Saturday
March 31-April 1
High Desert Stampede. 6-10
p.m. Bank of the Cascades Center,
3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond,
Ore. High Desert Stampede, in
concert with the Professional Ro-
deo Cowboys Association, will be
presenting a full rodeo performance
lineup complete with bull, bareback
and saddle bronc riding, steer wres-
tling, team roping, calf roping and
barrel racing. www.highdesertstam-
pede.com
Saturday-Sunday
April 1-2
Spring Farming Days. 9 a.m.-4
p.m. Eastern Washington Agricul-
tural Museum, 99 Fairground Road,
Pomeroy, Wash. Old-time horse
and mule farming on 13 acres, plus
static and active equipment and
vehicle displays and artisan dis-
plays. RV and camping available
and hot lunch available both days.
Cost: Free. www.co.garfield.wa.us/
museum
Wednesday, April 5
Exploring the Small Farm
Dream. 5-8 p.m. OSU SOREC
Research Building Library, 569 Ha-
ley Road, Central Point, Ore. This
three-session course provides an
excellent framework to help new
farmers assess their skills and in-
terests, learn the realities of farm
business ownership, and become
connected to local resources. The
aim is to help those thinking about
small-scale commercial farming
20 Northwest Locations
1-800-765-9055
learn what it will take to start and
manage a farm business, and de-
cide whether that is something
they really want to pursue. $50 per
person, $75 for two from the same
farm. Website: http://bit.ly/Jackson-
SmallFarmDream
Saturday-Tuesday
April 22-25
Wednesday-Saturday
April 5-8
Saturday-Sunday
April 29-30
86th Idaho FFA State Leader-
ship Conference. College of South-
ern Idaho, Twin Falls. www.idahof-
fa.org/conferences-conventions/
Saturday, April 8
Goat Seminar. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
7211 40th Ct. NE, Olympia, Wash.
Learn about goat healthcare and
nutrition, along with a short session
about packgoats. Cost: $25 public;
$7.50 4H/FFA. Website: http://edel-
weissacresobers.com/
Tuesday, April 11
Do Your Kids Want the Busi-
ness? Planning for Yes or No.
7:30 to 9 a.m. Hayden’s Lakefront
Grill, 8187 SW Tualatin-Sherwood
Road, Tualatin, Ore. Presented by
Steve Bennett, Farleigh Wada Witt
and the Austin Family Business
Program, Oregon State University.
800-859-7609, http://bit.ly/2h3k8Ck
Wednesday, April 12
Exploring the Small Farm
Dream. 5-8 p.m. OSU SOREC
Research Building Library, 569 Ha-
ley Road, Central Point, Ore. This
three-session course provides an
excellent framework to help new
farmers assess their skills and in-
terests, learn the realities of farm
business ownership, and become
connected to local resources. The
aim is to help those thinking about
small-scale commercial farming
learn what it will take to start and
manage a farm business, and de-
cide whether that is something
they really want to pursue. $50 per
person, $75 for two from the same
farm. Website: http://bit.ly/Jackson-
SmallFarmDream
Saturday, April 15
Oregon Women for Agriculture
30th annual auction and dinner. 5-9
p.m. Linn County Fair & Expo Cen-
ter, 3700 Knox Butte Road E, Alba-
ny, Ore. Website: owaonline.org
Friday-Saturday
April 21-22
Second Annual Horsedrawn
Vehicle and Equipment Auction, 10
a.m.-5 p.m. Yamhill County Fair-
grounds, 2070 NE Lafayette Ave.,
McMinnville, Ore. Preview starts at
8 a.m. both days. Auction benefits
the Youth Educational Scholarship
Foundation. www.pacificoverland-
expo.com
California FFA State Convention.
Fresno Convention & Entertainment
Center, 700 M St., Fresno, Calif.
Website: www.calaged.org
Oregon Ag Fest. 8:30 a.m.-5
p.m. Oregon State Fairgrounds,
2330 17th St. NE, Salem, Ore. Ag
Country activities, a petting zoo,
pony rides, toy tractor races, a
craft and garden show and family
entertainment make for a fun and
informative day. A ranch breakfast
is served on Saturday from 8:30 to
10:30 a.m. Cost is $6. Sunday Ag
Fest hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ag
Fest cost: Free for 12 and under.
$9 for 13 and older. Free parking.
http://oragfest.com/
Wednesday, May 10
Managing for Resilience: North-
west Grazing Conference 2017. 8
a.m.-7 p.m. Pendleton Convention
Center, 1601 Westgate, Pendle-
ton, Ore. Featured speakers are
Kit Pharo and Fred Provenza.
Pharo, cattle breeder and owner
of Pharo Cattle Co., says, “The
most profitable cow-calf produc-
ers that I know of have a low-in-
put, grass-based program with
very efficient, low-maintenance
cows. These are also the happiest
producers I know of.” Provenza,
professor emeritus at Utah State
University, is part of the BEHAVE
team. BEHAVE principles, based
on 30 years of research: If we
understand how animals learn,
we can train the animals to fit the
landscapes instead of changing
the landscape to fit the animals.
Cost: $227 by April 14, $267 after.
Website: http://bit.ly/2kpT9yb
Thursday-Saturday
May 11-13
87th Washington FFA State
Convention. Washington State Uni-
versity, Pullman. www.washingtonf-
fa.org/calendar/
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Index
Dairy .................................... 15
Idaho ...................................... 9
Markets ............................... 13
Opinion .................................. 6
Oregon .................................11
Washington ......................... 10
Thursday, May 18
Family Business Charters.
7:30 to 9 a.m. BridgePort Brew-
Pub, 1313 NW Marshall St.,
Portland. A family business char-
ter sets forth the essential rules,
obligations, and responsibilities
relating to ownership and man-
agement of the business, as well
as the family values that will help
sustain the business for future
generations. Presented by A. Jef-
fery Bird, Lane Powell PC and the
Austin Family Business Program,
Oregon State University. $40 per
person. 800-859-7609, http://bit.
ly/2gPuLYY
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