Since its establishment, CashChem Ltd. has been unwavering in its commitment to supporting farmers in central Alberta. Nestled between Ponoka and Bashaw, it serves as a trusted partner and provider of quality crop input products, innovative solutions, and valued services. Founded in 2000 by Tim Johnson in partnership with Simco Seeds, CashChem has flourished, embodying an independent spirit and a deep-rooted commitment to its community.
Reflecting on their journey, Eric Bloomquist, General Manager with CashChem shares, “The initial business model at startup was based on a commitment to simplicity and efficiency. The idea was to have a lean and mean operation where they could keep expenses down and therefore keep prices down.”
As market dynamics shifted, they adapted, diversifying their crop input offerings, enhancing services, and offering financing options to meet the evolving needs of farmers. Today, their portfolio extends beyond sales to encompass field scouting, resistance testing, and crop planning assistance, all while maintaining that same focus on simplicity and efficiency.
Growing Forward Together
While they’ve maintained an emphasis on staying lean, they've also navigated the complexities of business growth. As demand for their services has increased, they've expanded their team and now operate with six full-time staff and one part-time.
“We definitely punch above our weight class,” shares Bloomquist, “we’re very efficient.” Despite their lean operation, they've managed to exceed expectations, earning recognition from industry peers and partners.
At the core of their mission as an independent agricultural retailer is a commitment to doing right by their customers. With a small client base in a tight-knit community, maintaining trust and integrity is paramount.
“Operating in a small community means there's nowhere to hide,” shares Bloomquist. “The importance of maintaining trust and delivering value to our farmers is always top-of-mind. We are driven by a desire to see our farmers succeed, recognizing that our success is intertwined with that of our customers.”
"We're very service-oriented," says Bloomquist, highlighting CashChem's dedication to going above and beyond for its customers. Whether it's late on the weekend or during the peak of the growing season, CashChem is there to support its customers' needs, reflecting their true independent spirit and commitment to customer success.
Strong Community Bonds
Despite their growth, they've remained steadfast in their dedication to personalized service and community relationships. Operating in a rural setting, they understand the value of local connections and have cultivated strong ties with their customer base. Beyond mere transactions, they view themselves as integral members of the community, supporting local initiatives and institutions.
“Our community has been there for us for 24 years, and it's a two-way street of support—we want to see them thrive just as much as they want us to. We're more than just neighbours; we're families who share the same ice rink and root for each other's kids on local sports teams,” says Bloomquist. CashChem is responsive to community donation requests and is a long-time supporter of the local Calumet Curling Rink and local Kindergarten to Grade 9 School.
These ongoing commitments and advocacy for deserving causes underscore their dedication to the well-being of the community they serve.
Innovating for Success and Sustainability
Embracing innovation has been a key focus and is essential to CashChem’s mission. They have been proactive in exploring and adopting new technologies to stay ahead of the curve. They are committed to staying on top of the latest agricultural research and technology, relying on industry partnerships and collaborations to access cutting-edge innovations.
“We are early adopters; whether it’s new products or innovative technologies, whatever it may be, we’re here for it,” says Bloomquist.
With a nimble and agile approach, they can swiftly adopt new products and technologies, leveraging their close relationships with customers to field-scale test new solutions. By sharing results and insights, they aim to drive informed decision-making and empower farmers to adopt practices that enhance productivity and sustainability.
“I remember not that long ago, growing up on the farm when some folks were rolling their eyes at GPS technology, whereas now, I don’t know a farmer that runs without GPS,” says Bloomquist. “Some of the industry trends we’re seeing now have been working through similar hurdles and will likely become a key part of operations in the future.”
One of the innovative practices they have seen gaining traction in the industry includes biologicals.
“There’s a whole range of products available now from on-seed, pre-seed, to weed and fungus control; there’s a product for every stage of the growing season,” notes Bloomquist. “It’s going to be interesting to test to see what hits and what misses. There are going to be misses; anytime there’s innovation, it’s not all going to land perfectly.”
"Another practice we’re interested in is targeted applications. Not only from a sustainability standpoint but also from a cost standpoint," Bloomquist explains. He envisions a shift away from the traditional method of uniformly spraying every square foot of a field. "I think the days of a person going out and covering every square foot of their field with the sprayer are going to come to an end sooner than we think."
CashChem is actively involved in testing and implementing these advanced practices.
"We're teaming up with one of our suppliers to trial variable rate applications, and seeing more farmers interested in participating, even those who weren't keen on it before," says Bloomquist.
Taking variable rate from the seeder into the sprayer is driven by sustainability but also by economics. Bloomquist questions, "Why spray acres that don’t need to be sprayed?" By adopting targeted applications, farmers can optimize their resource use, reduce input costs, and minimize environmental impact.
“The sort of systems that are in every piece of equipment now, no matter what colour paint the person is running, provide the ability to integrate these new solutions and give farmers access to powerful cost-effective and environmentally friendly tools.”
“I think a lot of the AI technologies offer interesting potential too. I don’t think they’re going to be making decisions for us, but where I do see a fit is as decision enablers,” notes Bloomquist. “Where they can help track trends, productivity, and key variables on a field-by-field basis to deliver greater returns. Such that they could make recommendations to spend dollars most effectively. I think people are going to be surprised at how quickly that evolves.”
Bloomquist is proud of the local history of sustainable farming and innovation, “We’ve been low-till or no-till for decades in this area. Where other places, like the states, are just starting to adopt those practices. Our mindset has always been about maintaining the land for the future and finding different methods to make the most of every acre and every dollar.”
“We know where food production needs to go over the next few decades to meet population growth requirements. We’ve got to keep increasing production and we have to find sustainable ways to do it. We want to see our local farms be successful, we take it personally, as a small business punching above our weight class, if our customers aren’t successful, we’re out of business pretty quickly.”
Partners in Local Challenges
CashChem’s local market faces problematic weed resistance issues.
“We have significant resistance in this area specifically in wild oats, and I think we have the opportunity to make a difference in fighting it if we work together,” says Bloomquist.
Managing resistance is crucial for long-term productivity and economic sustainability, making it a priority for CashChem as a partner in their customer’s success. In recent years they have been encouraging farmers to do resistance testing and understand what they’re dealing with for resistance.
“It’s been a big economic focus of ours, to know what you’re dealing with so we can help you be the most effective and use the right tools,” explains Bloomquist.
Instead of leaving farmers to navigate resistance alone, CashChem is committed to being partners in the fight. They've made it a priority to provide localized guidance and support.
“Education is a cornerstone of our approach, and we've had campaigns over the past two seasons to raise awareness and ensure farmers are equipped with the knowledge they need to combat resistance effectively."
Navigating the Future
As they navigate the road ahead, CashChem remains committed to its core values of efficiency, innovation, and customer success. By staying grounded in their community, embracing innovation, and prioritizing sustainable and economic practices, they aim to build a brighter future for agriculture.
"We live in a tight-knit community where everyone cares about each other's success. It's enjoyable and fulfilling to be a part of that,” shares Bloomquist. “We’re proud to play a part in finding solutions to the issues farmers face and see the collective success of our industry. We’re honoured to be a part of the industry that puts food on the table.”
With a blend of tradition and innovation, they are poised to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the dynamic world of agriculture.
