USA – Farmers Cooperative has announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art grain shuttle loading facility near Pawnee City, southeast Nebraska.
Farmers Cooperative is a member-owned agricultural cooperative based in Nebraska, United States.
Founded in 1903, it serves farmers and rural communities primarily across Nebraska and parts of Kansas. The cooperative provides a wide range of services and products, including grain storage and marketing, agronomy services, feed, energy products, and risk management solutions.
According to the cooperative, the proposed facility is strategically located to take advantage of “excellent rail access and proximity to the highway,” serving as a critical hub for local grain production and supporting farmers in the region.
The new facility will feature an impressive storage capacity of approximately 3.7 million bushels, designed to streamline the handling and transportation of grain.
“The four larger concrete tubes will each hold 820,000 bushels,” said Dale Hayek, Senior Vice President of Grain at Farmers Cooperative.
“We will have unloading capacities ranging from 4,000 to 20,000 bushels per hour, with independent receiving legs. Truck flow will be expedited with the addition of two scales, significantly improving efficiency,” he added.
Set to begin construction this fall, the facility is expected to be operational by the fall of 2026. Once complete, it will be able to accommodate a 110-car shuttle shipper on the BNSF railroad, enhancing the cooperative’s logistical capabilities and expanding market access for local producers.
Farmers Cooperative has indicated that the facility will primarily handle corn and soybeans, with additional capabilities to process wheat, milo, and specialty crops, offering greater flexibility and options for farmers.
“This new facility represents a significant investment in the future of the Pawnee City area,” noted Allan Zumpfe, President and CEO of Farmers Cooperative.
“By expanding our grain handling and storage capabilities, we are positioning our company to meet the current needs of today’s producers while also planning for their growth in the years ahead.”
The addition of the Pawnee City facility aligns with Farmers Cooperative’s long-term strategy of bolstering its infrastructure to better serve its members.
The cooperative, which already operates 55 grain storage facilities with a total licensed grain storage capacity of 70.8 million bushels, is committed to enhancing its services and supporting the agricultural community.
The 2024 Grain & Milling Annual by Sosland Publishing Co. underscores the cooperative’s role as a leading player in the industry, with robust grain handling capabilities spread across its network.
The new facility is expected to provide multiple benefits to the local economy, including increased job opportunities during the construction phase and ongoing positions once the facility becomes operational.
Additionally, it will offer local farmers improved access to larger markets, reduced transportation costs, and enhanced storage options, contributing to the overall growth of the regional agricultural sector.
The Pawnee City facility will further cement Farmers Cooperative’s position as a critical partner for producers in southeast Nebraska, ensuring they remain competitive in both domestic and international markets.
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