Page 6 - VT Vibe Newsletter Dec 2019 FINAL

Five Questions with Ray Baloun

What is your and cash flow is what it’s all about. If they there? And, you’re likely going to share
role with Viterra can do that with my help, they will be that experience with your friends and
and how long back again! We are in it for a long-term relatives.
have you been relationship, not just a one-time deal.
part of the We have the good deals all the time
team? What work accomplishment are and if we don’t, we rectify it as quick as
My official you most proud of? possible! Two things I love about Viterra
role at Viterra I just love the fact that even though are that we do what we say we will do
at Brandon we deal in such a large area, I have and we respect our producers.
is Customer relationships with farm families that make
Account me a part of their family and certainly a What do you like to do in your spare
Representative. part of their team and community. That time?
I see that role as being one of the main includes taking part in the fun events in It doesn’t ever seem like I get spare time
contacts between the producers and the the area including weddings and the sad but the time I have goes to family with
company but I really see the role as being things like funerals. Being “Uncle Ray” one wonderful wife, 2 great daughters
a partner with the producers in helping to many always brings a smile to my face and 2 fantastic granddaughters. They
feed the world! No farmers… no food. I and theirs. would tell you I also love curling,
have been at this location since 2006. watching CFL football and any kind of
hockey. I also really enjoy helping the
What do you like best about working
What are some of your responsibilities? at Viterra? Canadian Foodgrains Bank and local
One of the main responsibilities I have I love the teamwork aspect we have community initiatives through our church
is to be inside the producers mind as at Viterra. People going above and and other organizations.
to what their needs are and what their beyond expectations is such a rare
wishes are…those aren’t always the thing in companies today. We compare Finally, I really enjoy speaking to youth
same! the customer experience to going to about agriculture. It’s so satisfying to
a restaurant. If you go to a restaurant speak to them about all the great things
Pricing and moving the grain at the right and have a bad experience and or bad happening in our industry, and counter
time for the right bin space and margin meal how quick will you be to return some of the negative things we hear that
aren’t true.
Peter Elder Service Award

Peter Elder, Facility Operations Manager in Gull Lake, received his
45 Years of Service award from Market Center Manager, Vic Wall, on
November 1. Peter, thank you for your dedication over the years. Your
hard work is greatly appreciated!
Peter Elder (right)
receives his service
award from Vic Wall.
DID YOU KNOW?

Technology and innovation already play a central role in Canadian agriculture. Recent trends — bigger farms, more educated
agricultural workers — suggest automation will gain ground in the 2020s, and the impact on farm operators could be
significant. Today:

• 90% of crop producers across the Prairies use GPS to guide and track equipment.
• 52% of the biggest oilseed and grain farms are using advanced GIS (Geographic Information System) technology.
• 95% of farms with over $1 million in sales are using advanced technologies in farm management.
• 81% of producers under the age 40 are using advanced technology in their businesses, versus 57% over the age of 60.

Source: Royal Bank of Canada Report, ‘Farmer 4.0’

6 | VITERRA VIBE WIN TER 2019