We have received several calls from across the state asking what to do when a load or shipment tests positive for StarLink^TM. Listed below are the "whats" and "hows" straight from Aventis.

Aventis will generally pay the following losses of grain handlers that are documented to have received StarLink^TM corn and/or buffer corn (including commingled corn). In cases where a grain handler presents claims for losses resulting from multiple, discrete events associated with StarLink^TM corn, but did not provide reasonable notice to Aventis upon the first loss, Aventis reserves the right to require additional proof that an elevator has acted in good faith to mitigate its damages:

• Excess transportation costs incurred as a result of handling StarLink^TM corn or buffer corn (provide invoices, receipts and/or other documentation to show excess charges for mileage, demurrage, switching charges, etc.)
• Excess storage costs incurred as a result of handling StarLink^TM corn or buffer corn (provide documentation to support claim for storage costs incurred because the StarLink^TM corn or buffer corn (including commingled corn) had to be stored for a longer period that non-StarLink^TM corn)
• Testing costs (Aventis will provide test kits free of charge on an as-needed basis; submit documentation for other costs such as time tickets for labor, etc.)
• Reasonable costs of cleaning grain storage or handling facilities (provide invoices, time tickets, etc.)
• Loss on sale, i.e., the amount by which the net sales price that elevator would have received for the StarLink^TM and commingled corn had it been sold as originally intended (support with documentation such as a contract or other document that reasonably show intent to deliver or history of delivery to the originally intended destination) exceeds the net sales price actually received by the elevator for sale of StarLink^TM and commingled corn (support with receipts, etc.)
• Other costs will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be fully documented.

Instructions for Completing Elevator/Grain Handler Claim Process

1. Enroll by telephone. (1-888-AVENTIS or 1-888-283-6847)
2. Receive hard copy of claim form.
3. Complete form.
4. Attach documentation.
5. Retain copy for your records.
6. Submit claim by mail.

Aventis will process claims as swiftly as possible. The speed of this process will depend on the completeness of the documentation provided. Once you enroll in the claims process, it is important that you write down the name of the person with whom you speak. This person will be your Personal Contact from the Aventis Elevator Team and will remain your contact through the entire process. If you have questions about how to complete the form, call 1-888-AVENTIS (1-888-283-6847), or call your Personal Contact from the Aventis Elevator Team.

Elevators should submit all claims forms and documentation to

When it rains ethanol, it pours. Or so it seems. The ethanol plant proposed for Monroe has broken ground and expects to be open sometime in the summer of 2002. Now another plant, headed by a different group of investors calling themselves A1- Corn Clean Fuel, is possibly going to a Dodge County location. The company is considering three sites in Dodge County; the town of Elba, the town of Clyman and the city of Horicon. There has not, as of this time, been public disclosure of any preference by the company as to which of these three sites is its leading location choice. A1 is considering several factors in making the decision including natural gas availability and rail service. Obviously, state environmental regulatory approval of a site would also be a major consideration. Whichever location is finally chosen and approved, A1 is planning on using about 15 million bushels of corn per year, about the same as the Monroe plant.

There may be some confusion regarding what injury & illness records must be kept and posted, as the proposed revision to OSHA recordkeeping rules has not yet taken effect. Every employer is still required to complete a log and summary of all occupational injuries and illnesses [OSHA, form 200, or equal], and retain them for a period of 5 years. While small employers [those with no more than 10 employees at any time] are exempt from some paperwork requirements, they are not exempt from recording injuries & illnesses [§1904.2] and reporting fatalities [§1904.8].

An annual summary of the occupational injuries & illnesses from the previous calendar year must also be posted in the workplace between February 1st and March 1st. If no injuries or illnesses occurred in the year, zeros must be entered on the totals-line, and the form must still be posted. Failure to post a copy of the establishment's annual summary may result in the issuance of citations and assessment of penalties.

Blank OSHA 200 Logs are available, upon request, from the WASA office, or your local OSHA office.

Three seats on the WASA Board of Directors will be up for election this year. They are the Southwest District and the Northeast District seats, as well as the Feed Industry seat. Ballots will be mailed immediately after the first of the month along with a WASA-addressed envelope. Be sure and return your ballot in the ballot envelope as faxed ballots cannot be counted.

The Board of Directors at the Convention will tabulate election results on January 25 and the results will be announced the following morning at the annual meeting.

Everything is progressing along fine for the Seventh Annual Convention and Trade Show coming up January 25 & 26. The event will be held at the brand new Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The great location, as well as a range of meeting content and of trade show participants should make for a very valuable and enjoyable convention experience. The site is centrally located and hosts a ton of entertainment options for both adults and the family. We have worked hard to incorporate this unique setting into our convention and hope you will give serious consideration to being a part of this year’s convention.

Please mark your calendars and start making plans to attend "your" convention. This year will be special, both because of the speaker line-up and the location. We have a very special room rate of $89. Hotel reservations should be made directly with the Kalahari Resort by phoning 1-877-253-5466. Be sure and mention Wisconsin Agri-Service Assn. to get the special rate. We encourage you to call as soon as possible because the hotel has been receiving a lot of calls lately.

As part of the convention, the association is again sponsoring the Golden Bucket Award. This represents the best ‘home grown’ idea for improving safety or productivity. Your peers will choose the winner from the applicants at the convention by a majority vote. The winner will be announced at the Friday closing luncheon and will receive a $100 cash prize, as well the right to have the award displayed at their facility for the following year.

How do you enter? Just fill out the enclosed form and return it to the WASA office prior to January 24. It’s a great way to share an idea that helped you, get some recognition and cash for it and you might even learn something you can use in the process.

WASA annually provides four $1,000 scholarships to Wisconsin students. The criteria for consideration are the following:

• be a Wisconsin resident,
• have completed one year of study in an agricultural discipline at a Wisconsin university, college or vocational/technical school,
• have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a scale of 4.0, and
• can demonstrate in written form qualities of leadership, academic ability and financial need.

Why should you concern yourself with this? Because it is entirely free advertising and promotion for your business! Besides, it promotes young people’s education in our industry. All you have to do is copy the enclosed form and leave it on your counter and/or mention it to any customers who may have an eligible child. If an applicant is awarded a scholarship who received their application from you, you can have a picture taken awarding the money in your local paper. It makes you look good, gets you free good publicity and doesn’t cost you a dime. And all you have to do is have the applications on your counter. Not a bad deal for you.