A look inside the AG retailer industry.

It's not often that we have the opportunity to gain insight from Midwest leaders in the ag chemical retail business. On February 26, 2004, Chicago NAMA pulled top retailers together for a frank discussion about their businesses, their customers, the changing agricultural climate, and the direction they see taking their companies in the future.

How did Chicago NAMA pull together a group that would be willing to discuss the details? Top retailers from non-competitive regions were selected. The states of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin were represented, giving all in attendance a flavor for the very regions they work with.

A Top Notch Panel. Den Gardner, Editor of Apply Magazine, led the discussion as moderator, with questions that had been submitted by attendees prior to the event as well as questions from the floor. Panel members included:

* David Delong, Delong Company. The Delong Company has annual sales exceeding $80 million with revenues generated in feed and pet food, fertilizer and ag chemicals, grain, transportation and seed.

* Chip Donahue, Brand Consolidated, Inc. Brandt Consolidated has three divisions. The Retail Division has 10 locations with sales exceeding $40 million. The Dealer Support Division sells commodity fertilizers to retailers and the Claw E1 Division produces and sells specialty products for agriculture, turf and ornamental markets in North America.

* Mark Stutsman, Eldon C. Stutsman, Inc., Hills, Iowa. Eldon C. Stutsman is eastern Iowa's largest supplier of agricultural products, retail and wholesale, generating $50 million in gross sales. Extensive experience is offered in agronomy, engineering, custom application, livestock equipment installation, bin erection and feed ingredient supply.

No doubt these top notch panel members left those in attendance with relevant insight helpful to all involved in agricultural marketing.