1960-1969:

• 1960 FJ Krob celebrated the 50th anniversary

• The Coal Business is phased out, while “Modernization” came through liquid fertilizer, chemicals and computers

• The third generation starts. . .with Larry, Mike and David

June 15, 1960 was a day of celebration for the company, for the 50th anniversary. Advance publicity involved national recognition in the May 7 issue of “Feedstuffs,” the weekly newspaper of the feed industry, telling of the leadership and progressive developments such as a pioneering grain bank and new grind and mix plant installation (Solon 1959). Kent Feeds devoted space in their dealer publication “Kent Trade trends” on May 27, including recognition of Krobs’ 14 years as an outstanding Kent dealer. A flyer was sent out inviting area farmers to visit with Frank Krob from 9am to 5pm at Ely, take advantage of free gifts with Kent feed purchases, register for hourly drawings, free gifts for the first 50 ladies registering, and free refreshments all day. The evening celebration in the Ely Legion Hall featured a dinner and a program with over 900 guests. Introductions were handled by Bob Krob, observations by Frank Krob, and an address by Frank Worcester, the widely known farm voice of WMT radio. Entertainment included the “Jolly Boys” of College Community School, and trumpet trio featuring Ron Serovy, Danny Merta, and Larry Walshire with Pam Peterson as accompanist, a piano solo by Karen Krob (Vic’s daughter), plus a medley of songs by Lenita Chadima.

As the use of oil burners increased coal was gradually done away with. It got so all that was handled was a little stoker coal. Norb’s sons, Mike and David, were in high school, and one of their summer jobs was screening the coal slack to salvage what coal was left in the piles. The coal business was phased out in the 1960's, and no one was too unhappy about it. Their wives were quite pleased that they no longer had to launder all those sooty clothes.

In the mid sixties, the company began to make investments in the liquid fertilizer and chemical business. They purchased their first self-propelled sprayer, a Hagie 260 row crop sprayer.

In 1963, Dick Murphy of Eldora, Iowa invited a group of independent feed and agronomy dealers to join together to become a buying group. This organization was formed under the name of United Suppliers, and in 1966, F. J. Krob & Company joined that group, which consisted of only twenty dealers. Norbert Krob served on the Board of Directors, which at that time met in a small rental office in Eldora. United Suppliers has grown from a small group of dealers in Iowa to a dealer network of 1011 dealers, representing 18 states, in 2009. F. J. Krob & Company is proud of its association with such a progressive company that continues to lead the industry in innovation and loyalty to its dealer members.

Anhydrous ammonia was first offered at Rowley in 1964, followed by Ely in 1966.

In the late sixties, FJ Krob joined the computer age. Bob and Norb had gone to visit a dealer they knew who was managing a large cooperative in southern Iowa. The coop had gone to computers, and after spending the afternoon with him, they decided that they would purchase a computer. It cost $26,000 and was so large it covered the top of a desk. Some years later, when buying a new computer, Bob asked the salesman about the trade in value of the old one. The salesman suggested they use it for a boat anchor.