My Summer with Bunge Katie Schlake
About Bunge… Bunge is the “B” in the top ABC’s of Agribusiness Found all over the world working in grains, fertilizers, food processing, biofuels, and milling. Largest soybean buyer in the U.S. Also big buyers of corn, wheat, and canola. -Smaller division of rice, sorghum, and other small grains.
Being a Crop Scout for Bunge… Training Equipment Time Management Self Starting Problem Solving Travel Planning Communication Planning Ahead Be ready for adventures…
Summer Crop Tour Schedule Wheat and Southern Tally Tour (May – Early June) Corn and Soybean Tally Tour (Mid June - Late June) Corn Population Tour (Late June - July) Soybean Population Tour (August) Corn Yield Tour (August) Corn Harvest Tour (August - September) Soybean Yield Tour (August - September) Soybean Harvest Tour (September - October)
Wheat Tour Covered OK, KS, TX, NM, CO, and NE. Stop at a Wheat Field Every 15 Miles. In Field: Measure 3 Feet in a Row past the end rows and count heads Cut 21 inches in that row and bag for Sample Measure Row Width Thresh a few heads to check maturity and quality of grain Take Pictures with GPS Camera Do this twice per field in two different spots Enter Data into computer in Crop Tour Program and keep sample for lab at headquarters.
Tally Tours Tally Tours consisted of one person on a computer labeling fields with what crops are planted while the other drove. Stopped every 60 miles or so to take pictures of progressing crops in the area. This was done in all territories of the crop tours.
Corn Population Tour Territories I covered included NE, SD, MN, IL, and WI. In Field: -Measure 25ft and Count both rows on either side -Measure Row Width -Take Sample ears to take pictures -Two spots in each field -Observe any damage, soil moisture, and overall condition
Corn Yield Tour The Corn Yield Tour that I covered included AR, MS, TN, and KY. Others are continuing tours elsewhere later in the season. Yield Tour Procedures: -Count like in Population Tour and grab 3 ears from each spot -Measure length of ear, tip back, kernels lengthwise, kernels around, and millimeter measurement of kernels on each ear. If ears were dry enough they were harvested as Harvest Tour corn and above was preformed in lab at headquarters.
Soybean Yield Tour Covered AR, MS, TN, and KY Soybean Yield Data Procedure: - Measure 5 feet in a row and count plants on both sides - Pull 5 plants from two different spots in field Count and separate 2 and 3 bean pods Observe quality, soil moisture, damage, and overall condition
Commercial Rotations One week we were at headquarters learning about different areas and departments within Bunge. Transportation Grains Trading Oils and Food Processing Chicago Board of Trade
Adventures of a Crop Scout Nearly non-existent roads Storms Floods Dust Storms Flood Irrigation Systems Crop Dusters
Three Things I Learned This Summer 1. I learned about new crops and crops in different areas of the country where they have different production methods. 2. I learned how to work on my own or with a partner and plan and organize according to the work we had to do without the help of supervisors. 3. I learn what I don’t want to do with my professional life. I learned I do not like the cut throat agribusiness industry.