| For area farmers, a lot of soul searching, negotiating with
bankers, and worn out pencils have gone into deciding whether or not to
join the Rocky Mountain Sugar Growers Cooperative.
The co-op was formed last year to explore purchasing Western Sugar
Company. A $78 million price was agreed on, at a cost of $185 per acre to
each co-op member for delivery rights. Producers have until the end of
January to submit their $35 down payments. An additional $150 per acre is
due by the end of February. The deal should be finalized by the end of
March.
Pros and cons of cooperative or corporate ownership of the Western
Sugar Company have been weighed and for the following operators, as well
as dozens of others, the co-op is their choice.
Phillip Henkel, a Bayard area grower, believes the co-op is the only
way to make any headway in the sugar industry.
"This is the only way well have a say so," said the third
generation sugarbeet farmer. "My family has always raised beets, and
my sons, who work with me now, are the fourth generation.
"We dont want the factory to close and lose all those jobs or
others connected with it, like the truckers and local businesses."
Currently, he said, farmers are doing all the work and the company is
making the money.
"Deciding to join the co-op took a lot of thinking, and its
going to take a lot of money, but its time for a change," he said.
Another third generation sugarbeet farmer, Wynne Buehler of Gering,
also decided to join the co-op.
"I wish I had a definite answer in my mind why were joining the
co-op, but I guess its because weve always raised sugarbeets,"
Buehler said during a discussion with his brother regarding their
decision.
"I dont know if its right, but its what weve decided
to do, and well hope its the right decision."
Don Lebruska, a Mitchell area grower, said Saturday one of the reasons
hes joining the co-op is to maintain diversity in area crops.
"It was a hard decision. Four of us work together, and weve
talked about it a lot. Its hard to know what to do, but were set up
for raising beets, and we always have. Theyve come through for us when
the corn and beans didnt make it."
On the east end of the North Platte Valley sugarbeet area, George
Chikos decided to go with the co-op because he believes the sugar industry
is important to the valley, and the beets fit into crop rotations.
"The valley wouldnt go away, but it would be tougher without
the sugarbeets," said Chikos, who farms near Bridgeport.
According to Chickos, whether the co-op is a good investment or not
remains to be seen. "But were willing to take a shot at it."
Chickos said his decision to join the co-op took a lot of thought.
"Its been on our minds almost constantly for the last couple of
months," he said. "Weve studied the pros and cons, and Randon
Wilsons meeting shed a lot of light on our concerns.
"You have to make a decision based on your thoughts, and thats
where we are," Chickos said. "You have to be optimistic, and
most farmers are. We just have to believe it will be profitable and will
work."
If everyone involved in the industry, from farmers to factory workers,
does their best, Chickos said they will know theyve done all they can
to make it successful.
"Were all tied in this together," he said. "We cant
control what the rest of the world does, but we can feel great about
ourselves if we do all we can, no matter what the outcome is."
Chickos said the thought of higher fertilizer and fuel costs is scary,
but he is prepared to make the investment of $185 per acre for delivery
rights and go forward. |