FS Construction Services Pre-Season Discounts

Pre-Season Discounts to Start the Year Off Right

While last year was as much proof as ever that you just never know what a new year might bring, there were still some things that were just as predictable as ever. Crops were still planted, rain still fell, plants grew and were still harvested. Buildings were still built, businesses were still opened, and people still needed to update, expand, or upgrade their grain and seed systems. At FS Construction Services, despite all the changes, we kept working and moving forward and helping our clients do the same.

Start Your New Year Projects with Pre-Season Discounts

Hopefully, you will have been able to take some time to slow down and rest a bit before jumping into this next year. These cold months are often a great time for reflection, planning, and preparing, and we just want to let you know that we’ll be here for you when you’re ready.

This time of year, many of our partners offer preseason discounts and offers for those who are looking to get a jump on the coming year. For those who know they’ll be in need of some upgraded or updated equipment in the coming months, now is the best possible time to take advantage of those offers.

If you’re still trying to figure out what changes you might need to make this year or you want to get a sense of the different preseason discounts that are available, don’t hesitate to reach out and talk to someone on our team.

For your building, grain system, seed system, roofing, garage door, and painting needs, our goal is to provide our customers and clients the best possible products at the best prices with the best service. If you have any questions at all, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services finding gratitude

Finding Gratitude in a Turbulent Year

Despite perhaps one of the most difficult, hectic, and strange years many of us can remember, we have managed to make it here to the end of 2020. And while it would be easy to reflect on just how unusual and confusing this year has been, we wanted to take a moment to slow down and count the things that we have appreciated.

Finding Gratitude for Incredible People

We are beyond grateful for our many wonderful clients and customers who have continued to reach out to us for help and service, despite the uncertainty that each new day has brought. Simply put, there would be no FS Construction Services without the incredible people that we have had the opportunity to work with year after year.

We are thankful for the family and friends that we have had around us when it has mattered most. We have always loved getting to serve our community and that will never change, even in tough times.

And we appreciate, more than we can say, the enduring spirit of the hardworking people that we see every day. Despite the unpredictable series of complications and troubles we have known this year, seeds were still planted, crops were still harvested, buildings were still built, and one way or another, people found a way to keep going.

We hope that wherever this moment may find you, that you will also be able to take some time to reflect on the simple pleasures and the small blessings that have carried us all through.

Who knows what the next day will bring, let alone the next year, and we don’t take it for granted that tomorrow is guaranteed. But we have also seen hope and joy in the endurance and stamina of those around us. And that is absolutely something to celebrate. So, wherever you are this holiday season, we wish you happiness and peace and the strength to keep moving forward.

As always, we are here for any of your building, grain system, seed system, roofing, garage door, and painting needs. If you have any questions at all, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Gateway FS Construction Services Red Bud IL

Finding Courage in a Year Like No Other

There is no denying that this has been a year like no other. As the months have passed on, it has been hard for many not to feel worn down, tired, and even hopeless. And yet, no matter how bleak things may feel, or how dark the outlook may seem, we are not without hope. All around us are stories of men and women who refused to give up, who kept on fighting, and had courage even when no one else did.

Remember Those Who Served This Veteran’s Day

Some of these stories we may know and some of them we never will. This November 11, as we reflect on the sacrifice and bravery of the men and women who have served our country, we hope that you will also take courage in their courage. Even in the midst of uncertainty and doubt, time and time again, people have shown their ability to rise above and keep on going. Whether it was overseas or right here at home, our veterans have proven that it is possible to be resilient and to persevere, no matter the adversity. So if you are spending Veteran’s Day with family and friends, or if you are spending it alone, we hope that you can find some comfort and solace, even in a difficult time.

And to those of you who have served, we would like to say thank you, not just for your service, but for the example you have provided for the rest of us.

As always, FS Construction Services is here for your building, garage door, grain system, seed system, roofing, and other handiwork needs. Our group of experts and specialists are always happy to answer your questions, give you advice, or help you in any way. Please feel free to reach out to Gateway FS Construction Services. You can give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services farm safety power lines

5 Tips for Staying Safe Around Power Lines this Harvest

While this year has certainly been a year unlike any other, the realities of the ebb and flow of time haven’t changed a bit. After spring came summer, after summer came fall, and harvest, as it always does, has arrived. While many of us have had to take a number of extra precautions in our everyday lives this year, the high level of caution needed during harvest has remained the same. And while there are many safety tips and practices to bear in mind, we here at FS Construction Services wanted to take a little time to talk specifically about staying safe around power lines.

Stay Safe this Fall Around Power Lines

There’s no way around it, as a farmer, at some point in time you’ll be working around electrical equipment. Often, you’ll be working around electrical equipment in large, tall machines. We have compiled some information from Safe Electricity to have on hand as a reminder this year.

  1. Know when you’ll be working areas near power lines. Have a plan to keep everyone safe.
  2. Use a spotter to help keep you at least 10 ft. away from power lines in all directions.
  3. Be careful when raising augers. Use a spotter if necessary. When not in use, lower equipment extensions as low as they can go.
  4. This may be obvious, but never attempt to move a power line, even if it’s in your way.
  5. If any equipment you are on comes in contact with a power line, don’t leave the equipment. Call professionals to come and safely de-energize the line. If the equipment is on fire, jump as far away from the line as you can, with both feet together, to keep a current from flowing through your body.

There is, of course, much more that could be said, but hopefully none of this information is new to you and is simply a reminder. We wish you a safe and successful harvest this year. If you have any questions about grain systems, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Seed Systems Update FS Construction Services

Project Profile: A Complicated Seed System Update in Perfect Time

Over the years here at FS Construction Services, we’ve had the chance to work on almost every type of construction job there is, from new construction, to restoration, to retrofitting old structures and equipment. And while it’s often easier to just start with a blank slate, we’ve also found that we do love a good challenge. This latest challenge took us north to Salem, Illinois.

With seed systems, one of the main challenges comes when combining existing equipment with brand-new, state-of-the-art systems. Luckily, our team has proven experience at providing customer support and service when these situations arise. Our team put their heads together and got this tricky job done in perfect time.

Our client needed to upgrade an existing box-to-box loss-in-weight seed system. To add a bulk system to this older equipment, the team came up with a unique design. In order to make best use of what was already there, we moved the existing loss-in-weight seed metering system to the bulk side of the system, then added a Tri-Flo Continuous Scale.

After installation, our team stayed on site to provide extensive training and support on the new system so our client could take over with as few hiccups as possible. With all of our seed system jobs, our goal isn’t just to get some new equipment in place, but to make sure that our clients have a system that meets their needs now and into the future. Plus, we ensure they are trained, comfortable and ready to get the most out of their new equipment.

If you are in need of a new or upgraded seed system, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services USC seed treatment systems

Seed Treatment in the Mississippi Delta

Over the past 40-plus years FS Construction Services has had the chance to work with many clients who live in and around our community. Every now and again though, we get the opportunity to go far outside our usual area and work with a completely different community. This past February, our team of FSCS technicians hit the road and traveled to Tunica, Mississippi to work with a customer who helps provide the Mississippi delta region with seed treatments of soybeans, cotton, rice, and cover crops.

The main feature of the installation was a USC LPV seed treater. Our team designed the layout which featured the most up-to-date 4.0 treatment automation, allowing our customer to have consistent results month in and month out. Additionally, we provided extensive on-site user training and support. The increase in seed treatment technology has been a wonderful boon for the agricultural industry, but it’s also come with a learning curve. We want to make sure that each of our clients is set up to succeed, no matter the size of their operation. For this reason, we always make sure there is an FSCS Representative available to troubleshoot, answer questions, and provide whatever support is needed when transitioning to a new system.

No matter where you are, we can provide seed treatment systems, upgrades, and retrofits. Our expert team has years of experiencing working with the smallest setups to the largest operations and are happy to help, no matter where your location.  If you are looking for new equipment or have questions about your current equipment, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services Fourth of July

Finding the Celebration this Fourth of July

It’s no stretch to say that this year has been unlike any other that has come before. For many, it has been difficult, stressful, and if nothing else, strange. For many, it has been a time of waiting, and counting the days until it might all be past. But in the midst of all that waiting, life continues to move forward, including the Fourth of July, and we move with it.

Holidays are often times to slow down, take stock, and consider the previous year. It’s easy to imagine that many of us will be doing that this year, whether we are with family, friends, or by ourselves. There will be a lot to think about, perhaps most of all, how much everything has changed. And yet, despite the year’s struggles, despite the new rules and disruptions that have been added to our daily lives, despite the pain you or your loved ones may have gone through in the process, we hope that there will still be some cause for celebration. Even if it’s a different kind of celebration than we’re used to.

At FS Construction Services, we are grateful for the family, friends, and clients we get to live with, work with, and serve alongside every day. We celebrate the time that we have had and we celebrate the time that we will have. We know with some strength and some grit we will persevere and see better days. And we believe that too is a cause for celebration.

As always, you can reach out to us for any building, grain system, seed system, roofing, garage door, or other service needs. We are always happy to work with our clients on finding the best possible solutions, whether it’s a complex job or a simple task, and we’re happy to answer questions and troubleshoot problems when they arise. Please feel free to reach out to Gateway FS Construction Services. You can give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Gateway FS Construction Services crop yield

2019 Crop Yield Stats Show Perseverance

For many people, 2019 now probably feels like it was four years ago and not four months ago. But if you can remember back to earlier in the year there was another big, but different, problem we were all trying to sort through: rain. In fact, the first six months of 2019 were the wettest on record for the state of Illinois. And of course, a record-breaking wet season leads to another record no one wants, prevented plantings.

According to an article in FarmWeek, “Crop plantings in Illinois last season totaled just 10.5 million acres of corn, down 5% from 2018, and 9.95 million acres of soybeans, down 8%.” One of the more remarkable stats pulled from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is that it took until June 4 for progress on corn planting to reach 50%. Naturally, it’s just not possible to be that delayed on planting and not experience a reduction in yields, which is exactly what happened. Soybeans faired a little better than corn at 9.5 bushels per acre off the previous year’s count to corn’s 29 bushels per acre difference.

And yet, the article goes on to say, with record rain and drastically-delayed planting, the yields, though down, were surprisingly strong all things considered. Illinois still went on to lead the nation in soybean production. As for our specific neck of the woods, Washington county pulled in the highest corn yield on average at 167.4 bushels per acre, and Monroe had the highest average soybean yield at 47.2. These totals sit a little lower than the state average 181 for corn and 54 for soybeans.

And yet, thinking back to last year, when it seemed like the ground just couldn’t take any more and almost every field looked like a lake, it’s amazing these numbers are as high as they are. If there’s anything to take from all this, besides some interesting numbers, it’s that we know how to weather the storms, which will always come in some form or other. So many of our friends, neighbors, and clients simply continue to persevere, no matter how dire things look. And sometimes, even after record-breaking storms, things can turn out alright after all.

As always, we are here for any of your building, grain system, seed system, and garage door needs. If you need anything at all, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services seed systems

Seed Systems: What FS Construction Can Do For You

Farming is a broad word and will probably bring a lot of different images to mind depending on the person. And while it’s true that as long as there have been people, there have been farmers, farming also lives on the cutting edge of technological innovation. This is perhaps nowhere more apparent than in the world of seed treatment. And while coating seeds to boost their chance of success isn’t necessarily new, the precision and automation with which it’s now done is truly remarkable.

When it comes to something like seed treatment, consistency and reliability is key. The fastest or biggest treatment system in the world is no good if it doesn’t produce dependable results. It’s important enough that we’ve partnered with some of the best seed treatment system manufacturers in the industry: USC, Meridian Manufacturing, and Schuld/Bushnell, so we can guarantee our customers get the product and the results they’re looking for. From tabletop to larger capacity to commercial options to portable treaters, we’ve got every shape and size of treater you might need.

As automation has become more sophisticated, so have we. Most sites we work on now involve setting up automated seed treatment systems, which is crucial to getting consistent results time and time again. Our team works closely with clients when setting up a new system to make sure they’re fully trained and comfortable with whatever automation system they’re working with.

Of course, with any kind of machinery, there’s no way around the occasional maintenance. Sometimes it’s just a preseason checkup and other times it’s an upgrade or a piece that needs to be retrofitted. Whatever the issue may be, FS Construction Services is here to help.

From choosing the right product, to installation, to calibration, to training, to maintenance, we are with you every step of the way when it comes to your seed treatment system. If you are in need of some new equipment, or you just have a few questions, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Gateway FS Construction Services seed systems

Project Profile: Illinois to Louisiana

At FS Construction Services, we like to hold to a pretty generous definition of the word neighbor. Sometimes our neighbor is next door, sometimes they’re a county away. But we’ve made it our mission to support the great work done in our neighborhood. So when we get a call from Ferriday, Louisiana asking us for help with a seed systems upgrade, well, then they get to be our neighbors too.

At the beginning of this year, we were asked to perform a total system upgrade for a seed treatment company in The Pelican State. They wanted to upgrade their box-to-box system to a fully-automated bulk system. Naturally we agreed, and the team drove the nine hours to begin working. The biggest step was installing a USC Tri-Flo Continuous Scale hopper, which incorporated a prescriptive treatment chemical delivery system. This allows each ingredient to be on its own pump stand, and can meter the right amount of chemical per tank for each unit of soybean treated. Despite the distance, FS Construction Services was able to complete the project in plenty of time for our client to be ready to go for the coming season. To guarantee this, our team worked with them to calibrate and set their system up, and then provided complete training on the new system to ensure confidence and success moving forward.

At the end of the day, this system is the fastest, most accurate seed treatment system on the market. We even installed a Tri-States Grain Conditioning monitoring system inside the bulk bins to deal with the volatile Louisiana temperatures. Now our client will be able to monitor and control their seed temperature and moisture all year long.

If you are in need of a new seed system, or an upgrade of an existing system, even if you live a couple states away, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.