Members of Progressive Ag Cooperative, a full-service co-op based in Wellington, Kan., have voted in favor of a merger with MKC, according to a March 11 announcement from both companies. The merger will become effective on May 16, 2022.
“Together we identified benefits we can gain by combining the two organizations, and we look forward to working together for the future of our cooperatives, the members, and our employees,” said Allan Wegner, MKC Board Chairman.
The merger was approved with an 85 percent majority at a special vote meeting on March 10 after a merger agreement was approved by the boards of both co-ops on Feb. 11. Progressive Ag said it conducted due diligence with several other potential partners, but MKC was chosen because of its focus on customer service, facility improvement, branding, innovation, and employee and customer education.
“The approved vote shows our members see the same vision the board did in partnering with MKC,” said Derek Totten, Progressive Ag Board Chairman. “We look forward to improved efficiencies in operations, and the opportunity to expand our technologies and other services to producers’ operations in our footprint.”
Progressive Ag offers grain, fertilizer, seed, fuels and lubricants, and agronomy services from six full-time Kansas locations at Wellington, Danville, Argonia, Bluff City, Mayfield, and New Haven. In addition, the company operates six seasonal grain locations and one seasonal fertilizer and grain facility in Newport, Kan.
Progressive Ag’s agronomy fertilizer line includes anhydrous ammonia, UAN-28, urea, ammonium thiosulfate, DAP, MAP, MESZ, 10-34-0, potash, and 08-20-05-05S-0.5Z Triple Nickel. The company also offers custom application for both dry and liquid fertilizers, grid and tissue sampling, and micronutrient sales and application.
Headquartered in Moundridge, Kan., MKC has nearly 10,000 members and offers grain, agronomy, energy, feed, risk management, and precision ag products and services. With the addition of Progressive Ag, MKC will now consist of 71 Kansas locations with nearly 600 employees. The company was founded in 1965.