AGRIS Co-operative reports steady growth and profitability, pays out $1 million of its profits to owners 

CHATHAM, Ontario, Jan. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AGRIS Co-operative board President John Nooyen announced at the co-operative's annual meeting yesterday, that through patronage and interest, $1.5 million was returned to its farmer-owners and investors.

The combined sales in 2017 for AGRIS Co-operative totaled more than $200 million and $2.3 million has been put into retained earnings to support the co-operative operations. The AGRIS Co-operative board of directors has declared that the patronage of $1 million will be issued as one-third cash and two-thirds stock. This will bring AGRIS Co-operative's total retained earnings to more than $22 million.

In his year-end report, AGRIS Co-operative general manager Jim Campbell told owners that the public interest in how input dealers support the sustainability of commercial farming practices continues unabated. That industry, working closely with farmers, have established 4R Nutrient Stewardship as a recognized and respected suite of best management practices that aim to reduce nutrient runoff into the water and air while ensuring adequate nutrients are available to optimize yields. "AGRIS is proud of the leadership it continues to provide to this critical initiative," says Campbell. 

Jim Campbell on behalf of AGRIS Co-operative, accepted the Environmental Respect Award presented by Roger Bourassa from DuPont. This prestigious award honours retailers and distributors worldwide for their demonstrated leadership, customer service, safety, environmental stewardship and commitment to sustainability. The election of five directors for the co-operative was held. Acclaimed by owners to a three-year term are Peter Dieleman from Wallacetown, Kim Fysh from Thamesville, Stan Gillier from Chatham, John Nooyen from Kent Bridge and Stan Towers from Glencoe. Immediately following the annual meeting, the directors met and re-elected John Nooyen as board president, Scott McGeachy as board vice-president and Patrick Vanheule as secretary for 2018.

Guest speaker Chuck Spencer, executive director of government relations for GROWMARK, Inc., gave owners and guests his unique perspective on his 25 years working with state, federal legislative and regulatory affairs. Co-operative Young Leader participants Evan Robert, John Nooyen Jr., Tristan Snip, Jill Yates, Caleb Vink, Duncan and Carrie McDonald who were sponsored by AGRIS Co-operative this past year, made presentations about their experiences while attending the youth leadership program.

Kym Fysh, regional board director for GROWMARK, congratulated AGRIS Co-operative on a successful year and gave an informative presentation on the history of the GROWMARK System and its continued successful growth throughout Ontario and the United States. AGRIS general manager Jim Campbell, senior agronomist Dale Cowan and Great Lakes Grain general manager Don Kabbes chaired an open discussion with owners on the strategic direction of producers and AGRIS, and shared insights on how they can work more closely together.

AGRIS Co-operative Ltd. is a 100 per-cent farmer-owned grain marketing and farm-input supply company that serves more than 1,000 farmer owners in 14 locations in Essex, Kent, Elgin, Middlesex and Lambton Counties. It is a leader in precision farming technology, seed, agronomy and petroleum services. The co-operative is a partner of Great Lakes Grain, a grain merchandising company. AGRIS Co-operative is a member-owner of GROWMARK, Inc. and markets products and services under the FS banner. 

Visit http://www.agris.coop and www.fssystem.com for more information

Contact:    
Jim Campbell
General Manager
AGRIS Co-operative Ltd.
519-380-2371
Email: [email protected] 

Terry Stevenson
Communications Manager
AGRIS Co-operative Ltd.
519-438-1882
Email: [email protected]