For three hours Friday, patrons of the new Central Valley Ag were treated to a fine lunch.
The event, held at the CVA Lumber Yard in Elgin served as a formal “kickoff” following the merger of two cooperatives earlier this year — CVA and United Farmers Cooperative.
Patrons dined on BBQ pork and beef and visited with local CVA personnel, talking about how the new CVA will continue to provide quality service.
Location Manager Kenny Jochum said, “They (patrons) can continue to expect the same quality service from CVA personnel here in Elgin. Nothing’s changed,” he said.
One area Jochum said the new cooperative will continue to focus on is staying up to date on advancing technology to better meet their needs.
“With any new technology, we’re going to be in the driver’s seat,” he said.
Back in July, the board of directors for CVA and UFC ratified votes cast by their respective member-owners approving the merger which became effective Sept. 1.
The new CVA Cooperative will consist of 66 locations across much of eastern Nebraska and parts of Northern Kansas employing over 800 persons. The cooperative offers a wide range of products, services, information and innovation through agronomy, energy, feed and grain divisions.
CVA continues to expand to meet the needs of its patrons. Having expanded grain storage in Elgin several years ago, CVA in Petersburg is nearing completion on expansion of grain storage, adding a 750,000 bushel storage facility and leg to be completed in time for the fall harvest this year.
Last fall, the grain and agronomy complex at Royal was completed and put into operation.
Soon, the 81-20 site near Randolph will be completed. The rail pass is almost complete and scales have been installed. for an October 2014 starting date.
As a result of the merger, the new CVA has 50 grain locations located throughout northeast Nebraska, central Nebraska and north central Kansas providing the means to merchandise into many different markets.
