When your farm does well, we all do better
As your full-service agronomy partner, Federated Co-ops’ professionals strive to build your trust every growing season. When you choose us, you can rest assured that you’ll have access to knowledgeable people, top-flight equipment and technology, and a best-in class patronage program that returns significant dollars to you.
Talk to one of our professionals to learn why Federated Co-ops should be your first choice for all things agronomy.
Application services: Only the best will do
Each year, technology evolves at an ever-faster pace. Federated Co-ops makes every effort to stay at the leading edge of tech developments that can make a difference in the success of your farming operation.
We utilize the best and newest equipment, replacing major units on an accelerated schedule. This approach gives us continual access to the newest technology, including hardware and software. A couple examples include spinner-spreaders with broad capabilities, including spreading out to the field edge; and single nozzle shutoffs for the most precise applications.
You’ll also notice our applicators always have an iPad at hand. Their days are run off this tablet, including routing and directions for each field. From their screen they’ll know they are in the right field, providing terrific efficiency and accuracy.
We’re well versed in herbicides, insecticides and fungicides to keep your crops healthy and productive. Look to us for:
- A broad line of crop protection products from all the basic manufacturers and many others.
- Assistance with manufacturer loyalty programs.
- Quality-tested adjuvants for maximum performance.
Spray tasseled corn? Yep, we can do that.
We utilize lifts on our spray equipment to provide additional clearance over the top of tasseled corn. This allows us to spray fungicide when it’s needed to target tar spot, southern rust and other diseases in corn.
More choice for better seed options
When you work with Federated Co-ops for your seed needs, you’ll have your choice between multiple seed brands. Why do we carry so many brands? For a number of reasons:
All seed companies have good hybrids and varieties, but a lot have one or two really good ones for specific maturities. With multiple brands, we can cover an entire maturity range with top-performing products.
Different farmers, even in the same area, may want different seed numbers because of their specific farming practices, soil variability, etc. With Federated, each can choose seed products that will perform for them.
Our sales territory has significant variation in soils and growing conditions. With several seed companies available, we can cherry pick the best products for each farm, no matter where it is located.
We treat seed at our high-tech facility in Ogilvie, so all our soybean seed gets treated in one place and delivered from there.
Finally, when it’s time to fire up the planter, ask about bulk seed delivery to get you started quickly!
Seed Brands
Data to back knowledge
We gather yield data each year through our Discovery Plots. We also have access to other data sources as well, such as Answer Plots. Talk to us about all the information we have at hand to help you decide which products are best for you.
2025 Discovery Plot Results
Check back again soon to see the 2025 results!
Getting on the same successful page
Many of the farmers we work with for agronomy will sit down with one of our professionals and work on an entire plan for the next year.
Depending on how in-depth you want to go, we will tailor the discussion and plan for what you need. Our farm plans include detail down to each field.
- What will be planted?
- What happened the previous year?
- What amount of fertilizer will be needed for yield goals?
- What seed will we select based on soil type and field history?
Our objective for your operation is simple: We want to be a trusted problem solver, not just your fertilizer or seed salesperson. We have your best agronomic interest at heart, and as your co-op we’re all in it together.
Crop input financing
Federated Co-ops works with several financing companies, but our primary lender is CFA. We currently offer crop input financing for the 2026 growing season.
- Credit lines up to $1 million with a simple application process.
- Quick approval and a one-stop financing solution.
- Lock in input costs, reduce risk, and ensure product supply.
- Non-revolving credit tailored to your needs.
- Early payment allowed without penalties.
POWER OF ONE PROGRAM
For an even more attractive rate, utilize our new Power of One program. When you buy all your inputs from Federated Co-ops, you may qualify for a rate as low as 5%.
Agronomy Newsletter
Sign Up
Stay informed.
Get our newsletter in your email inbox
or via texts on your mobile phone.
Agronomy Team
People buy from people and results bring trust. Federated cultivates business relationships with our member-owners and our staff takes pride in your success.
The Federated agronomy staff includes Certified Crop Advisers, Certified Professional Agronomists, and Technical Service Providers. You have access to all these experts at your local Federated Co-ops agronomy location. Talk to us today!
Scott Nelson
Director of Agronomy
Craig Lysne
Custom Applicator Manager
Craig Lysne
Custom Applicator Manager
Annamarie Blazek
Location Manager Rush City Country Store & Ag Center
Rod Gustafson
Location Manager Albertville Agronomy Center
Rod Gustafson is the Agronomy Center Manager in Albertville. He started with the Federated Co-ops, Inc. partners in 1993 as Assistant Manager in Albertville and became manager in 2001. Rod previously was a feed consultant for Arcadia Farmers’ Exchange, was a route salesman for Steiner Sales & Service in Baldwin, and performed inspections for Hitchcock Industries. He has a B.S. in Agriculture Education from University of Wisconsin in River Falls.
Jim Johnson
Agronomy Lead for Moose Lake Country Store
Jim Johnson
Agronomy Lead for Moose Lake Country Store
Cody Lezer
Location Manager Ogilvie Ag Center
Ron Paulson
Location Manager Isanti Country Store & Ag Center
Ronald Paulson managed the Isanti Agronomy Location from 2000 through the present. He started with Winnebago Farmers Elevator in the Agronomy and Grain Division in 1984, then worked with Easton Grain as Location Manager and finally managed the Agronomy and Grain Division for the Dill Company in Mapleton before coming to Federated Co-ops, Inc. Ron holds an Ag Business Management Degree from Mankato State University.
Ryan Peterson
Location Manager Osceola Country Store & Ag Center