Another regional co-op merger has been completed in the Northern Plains. Farmers Union Oil Co., which has three South Dakota locations at Reliance, Presho, and Draper, merged its operations with Agtegra Cooperative, Aberdeen. S.D., on Nov. 1. Farmers Union members voted to approve the consolidation in late September.
“We are very excited to serve the communities previously served by Farmers Union Oil,” said Chris Pearson, Agtegra CEO. “This merger is a continuation of Agtegra’s investments and commitment to serve our customers in this area.”
Agtegra began operations in February 2018 (GM Jan. 5, 2018), and was formed from the merger of South Dakota Wheat Growers and North Central Farmers Elevator (NCFE), Ipswich, S.D. The company said the merger with Farmers Union Oil will expand its abilities to serve customers with propane, bulk fuel, gas, oil, and truck and auto services. Farmers Union Oil has no agronomy operations.
As a result of the merger, Agtegra said the equipment and team at the Reliance truck and auto location will move to Presho on Nov. 15, while Agtegra’s Murdo location will become a 24-hour cardtrol fuel location. The Reliance cardtrol will remain in operation.
Agtegra has 900 employees at more than 60 locations in North and South Dakota, and serves approximately 6,300 active member-owners. In addition to grain and agronomy services, Agtegra offers its members aerial application services, fuel, animal feed, and precision ag hardware and software products and services.
Earlier this year, Agtegra took full ownership of North Star Energy (NSE), a propane business based in Aberdeen that serves customers in North and South Dakota. Agtegra had been one of three owners of NSE, but the company on July 1 purchased the other ownership interests following a decision by the boards of directors of NSE and Agtegra.