Brad Wedel is the location manager at Mid-Kansas Co-op in Moundridge. He has been working with the co-op for 20 years, but has been in his current position for about a year. When harvest rolls around, his duties gain momentum as he is in charge of overseeing the transfer of grain into the bins, managing other workers at the elevator and ensuring that producers are satisfied with their service.
7:00
Brad holds staff meetings with employees to determine how objectives will be met for the day. Details might include where trucks should be directed to dump.
7:15
Bins are hand-measured with 150 foot tape. This allows him to conclude how many bushels are inside and how much space is left for dumping. He also inspects equipment and ensures that it is in working order for the day.
7:30
The elevator is open for business. There is typically a morning rush of wheat that was cut after closing time the previous night.
Daily
Brad oversees the operations of truck weighing, grain testing and grain dumping. Computers calculate numbers such as how much grain is unloaded, its weight and moisture, and how much it should be docked. When bins are getting too full, Brad makes the call to begin shipments to the Hutchinson, Wichita, and Newton elevators. He also personally communicates with the producers regarding concerns they have about their wheat or the service they are receiving. He tries to address problems as quickly and efficiently as possible.
1:00
During the slow hours of the afternoon, maintenance and cleanup work is done to prepare for the nighttime rushes.
10:00
The elevator closes. Final cleanup is done at the receiving gates and other locations. Grain samples are gathered and put in bags for testing. Equipment is shut down and fans are turned on to cool the grain overnight.
